217 Today: Next U of I chancellor talks AI, responding to Trump policies and comic books

From left: University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen, U of I Chancellor Designate Charles Isbell and Board of Trustees Chair Jesse Ruiz walk out of the board meeting after a unanimous vote on Monday, June 9, 2025 establishing Isbell as the next chancellor.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

  • The University YMCA at the U of I Urbana Champaign is accepting donations starting today of any usable furniture or other goods for its 23rd annual Dump & Run.
  • A bill protecting the Mahomet Aquifer in east-central Illinois from carbon sequestration was signed into law Friday by Governor JB Pritzker.
  • A group of Northwestern University professors are calling on their campus leaders to stand up to the Trump administration. 
  • The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released findings from two investigations into an accident two years ago at the Quad Cities Nuclear Plant near the Rock Island County town of Cordova.  

In today’s deep dive, we’re revisiting a conversation with Charles Isbell and his top priorities for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as its new Chancellor.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Mae Antar, Jim Meadows, Lisa Kurian Philip, Brady Johnson and Emily Hays.

Stephanie Orellana