217 Today: Immigrants in McLean County seeking legal pathway face ‘a different kind of fear’

In McLean County, community members with ongoing immigration cases said news headlines and social media posts are fueling fear and distrust in the legal immigration system.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Today’s headlines: 

  • Illinois education officials are developing guidelines for artificial intelligence in K-12 schools.
  • Two years after a police officer fatally shot her son, a central Illinois mother has filed a civil lawsuit against the Village of Rantoul. 
  • A new proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would push for a massive upgrade in service to the state’s intercity train network.
  • Chicago-area health professionals say the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign last fall has had “traumatic” effects on children
  • Several pediatricians testified at an Illinois Accountability Commission hearing in Chicago yesterday.

In today’s deep dive, immigrants with asylum cases are missing their court hearings in higher numbers – and that’s leading to MORE deportation orders.

217 Today is produced by Giuliana Means. Reporting today contributed by Diana Zhang, Piotr Fedczuk, Abisola Dahunsi, Cindy Alcazar, and Mawa Iqbal.

Giuliana Means