217 Today: After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range

Tiktok Instagram Facebook-f
The Rantoul Police Department failed to follow through on recommendations to further train officers on how to use force after the city’s first two fatal shootings.
  • Photo: Farrah Anderson, Invisible Institute/Illinois Public Media

Monday, February 5, 2024

Today’s headlines: 

  • U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is promoting federal legislation to crack down on social media companies that allow online abuse and mistreatment of children.
  • An Illinois nonprofit is getting $160 million from the National Science Foundation to study new, more efficient ways to remove “forever chemicals” from tap water.
  • The University of Illinois’ men’s basketball team pulled out a victory after blowing a double-digit lead late in regulation.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about how the Rantoul Police Department still hasn’t implemented any department-wide trainings after the village’s first-ever fatal shootings by police.

Reporting today contributed by Alex Degman, David Schuster and Farrah Anderson.

WILL and the Illinois Newsroom are committed to bringing you in-depth, relevant coverage that keeps you informed and engages you with our community and state. Join with thousands of others to keep this important public media-based resource available to all. Donate today >>

Farrah Anderson

Farrah Anderson is a 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois. At Illinois Public Media, Anderson works as a general assignment reporter focusing on police and investigative stories.