217 Today: How Trump’s tariffs could threaten construction and housing affordability in Champaign-Urbana

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Piles of overstock lumber fill LS Building Products’ lumber yard in Champaign. The company stocked up in anticipation of tariffs leading to price hikes on imported goods.Piles of overstock lumber fill LS Building Products’ lumber yard in Champaign. The company stocked up in anticipation of tariffs leading to price hikes on imported goods.
  • Photo: Layli Nazarova/Illinois Student Newsroom

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Today’s headlines:

  • Conservative figure Charlie Kirk drew a packed crowd to the University of Illinois’ Foellinger Auditorium last night.
  • A University of Illinois student was arrested yesterday for allegedly vandalizing Foellinger Auditorium, where conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was scheduled to appear.
  • The trial of a white former police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a Black woman in Springfield is being moved.
  • The Fighting Illini baseball team lost to Illinois State in Normal last night.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why economists worry that recent tariffs could drive up housing prices in central Illinois.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Kaitlyn Devitt, Mae Antar, Alex Degman, Colin Hislope and Layli Nazarova.

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.