WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 5 – Feb. 8
An art reception, the CU Folk & Roots Winter Weekend Festival, Illinois Soul’s second anniversary celebration and more are all happening in central Illinois this week.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Awisi Bustos on her government experience, ‘militarization’ of ICE and AI policy
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Awisi Quartey Bustos, a Democrat with experience in nonprofits, the private sector and as a state of Illinois employee.
A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers
Alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and dairy, has become more common in the last few years.
Nonprofits sign letter asking Illinois government to resist Trump’s policies
Over 100 organizations across Illinois signed the letter, including LGBTQ+ advocacy group Peoria Proud and JOLT.
Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller
Democrats Margaret Croke, Karina Villa, Stephanie Kifowit and Holly Kim are competing in the primary to succeed outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
Pritzker gives $5 million to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate bid
The haul is much needed for Stratton to get her message out in TV ads, especially since her campaign took in about $1.1 million and spent $912,000 between October and December.
What to know about the partial government shutdown and its impact
The government funding process had been going smoothly, with key lawmakers in the House and Senate finding bipartisan agreement. But the shooting deaths this month of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, by federal agents in Minneapolis, changed the dynamic.
‘Voices for Change: Youth Action Expo’ centers Danville youth’s ideas for gun violence prevention
Danville residents gathered to discuss gun violence in their community and initiatives to reduce it. It featured presentations from middle school through college-aged students.
Illinois basketball starts February with a win
Keaton Wagler scores 28, leading No. 9 Illinois to its 11th straight win, 78-69 over No. 5 Nebraska.
Hundreds of University of Illinois and Urbana High School students protest ICE, federal immigration operations
Students and community members across Champaign-Urbana stood in solidarity to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.
Lutheran Church leader arrested for producing child pornography
In a news release, U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus said a search of Mohr’s Springfield home uncovered storage devices containing videos of three juveniles in the bathroom.
Freshmen lead Illinois to victory against Washington
The Illini’s 10-game winning streak is the longest in Brad Underwood’s nine years as coach, and the longest for Illinois since it won 10 in a row to open the 2012-13 season.
Grammy-nominated artist MAYSA to perform for Illinois Soul’s second anniversary celebration
MAYSA will perform in the Tryon Festival Theatre at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to help Illinois Soul celebrate its two year anniversary.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski discusses bringing ‘fiscal reality’ and ‘midwestern values’ to Illinois
Ted Dabrowski is a conservative researcher with a background in international banking. He told IPM’s The 21st Show his background and focus on cutting taxes and spending will earn him trust from voters across the state.
Group challenges Illinois’ restrictions on using ‘Democrat,’ ‘Republican’ in org names
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, seeks to overturn an Illinois law that dates back to the 1980s, arguing that it violates the organization’s First Amendment rights.
A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
The white former deputy killed Massey, who was Black, on July 6, 2024. The 36-year-old single mother had called the police saying she feared there was a prowler outside her Springfield home. Grayson shot her in the face.
New SNAP work requirements go into effect Feb. 1, threatening recipient eligibility
The requirements change which recipients must work or volunteer and how often.
Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices
101.1 FM Illinois Soul is celebrating its two year anniversary next weekend.
Illinois women’s basketball falls to No. 2 UCLA at State Farm Center
The Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball team lost 80-67 against UCLA, the team ranked second in the nation, at State Farm Center.
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Bryan Maxwell talks representing downstate Illinois, advocating socialist policies on campaign trail
Bryan Maxwell is an environmental research scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign- making him one of the few candidates in the race not to be based in Chicago.
Decatur Public Schools looking for ways to turn around ‘bleak’ decline in student population
A demographer reported to the District 61 school board Tuesday that it is facing one of the toughest environments for growth he has ever seen.
Providers say feds’ new rural health care grants to Illinois won’t cover Medicaid cuts
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said between 190,000 to 360,000 Medicaid recipients are at risk of losing coverage in Illinois because of new work requirements.
Many challenges ahead as Illinois unifies early childhood programs, report finds
Come July, the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood will be fully responsible for the state programs that offer home visiting, early intervention, subsidized day care and preschool.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1
An art exhibition, January Dance, CU Restaurant Week, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Champaign County Clerk urges voters to submit primary election ballots early following USPS postmark changes
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons is urging voters to get their primary election ballots in ahead of time as changes to U.S. Postal Service transportation rules could affect when some mail-in ballots are postmarked. The clerk is also asking residents to consider serving as election judges.
United Airlines returns to Willard Airport, offers new flight options
Starting on April 30, United will launch a new service operating four daily flights to and from Chicago’s O’ Hare International Airport.
Freezing temperatures continue this week
Temperatures will be in the teens through Saturday with “dangerously cold wind chills” ranging from -10 to -20.
Pritzker pushes back at State Farm in escalating fight for tighter insurance regulations
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company CEO Jon Farney wrote Pritzker on Wednesday to push against legislation aimed at reining in insurance premium price hikes.
Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
Lt. Gov. Stratton goes on attack in Sun-Times, WBEZ, UChicago debate against U.S. Reps. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi
The Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and International House hosted the first live-broadcast debate of the biggest race on the March 17 ballot.
Meet the women starting a ‘Promise Zone’ at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
A group of women want to help Champaign Unit 4 School District keep its promises to Black children.
Sun-Times, WBEZ and UChicago to host first live-broadcast debate for Democratic Senate candidates
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton square off Monday night ahead of their marquee matchup in the March 17 primary election.
Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here’s how to sign up.
Teens and parents should apply now at TeenSummit2.net.
Illinois higher education board seeks 4.6% budget increase for next fiscal year
The request comes as Pritzker announces cuts to current year’s budget
U.S. farmers are growing less wheat. New varieties could help revive the industry
From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops.
School closings/delays/e-learning days for January 26, 2026
A list of school closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
Central Illinois sees 4-14 inches of snow over the weekend
Snow will continue across central and southeast IL this morning, with periods of heavy snow near and south of I-70 in southeast IL. North winds gusting 20 to 30 mph will create blowing and drifting in open areas.
PHOTOS: Central Illinois snowy weekend
If you want to share your pictures, send them to willnewsroom@illinois.edu
Illinois native killed by a US Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says
Thirty-seven-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved getting in adventures with his dog. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer earlier this month.
Closings/delays for January 25, 2026
A list of closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
Wagler makes history as Illini Men’s basketball upsets Purdue while women’s team falls short to Nebraska
Freshman Guard Keaton Wagler helped the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team pull off an 88-82 upset against the Boilermakers Saturday. The women made a comeback attempt but failed catch up to Nebraska, losing 81-75.
Republican Senate candidate Pamela Denise Long talks Greenland, ICE and abortion
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Republican Pamela Denise Long to discuss her campaign.
1st Operation Midway Blitz-related trial ends in acquittal after other cases fell apart
Judge grants voluntary dismissal of separate case over immigration agents’ use of force
Honorary street unveiled to celebrate Dean Clarence Shelley’s 50-year legacy at Illinois
Honorary Dean Clarence Shelley Way, unveiled Sept. 14, memorializes a man who spent 50 years working to foster a learning community where everyone, regardless of background, could strive for excellence.
School closings/delays/e-learning days for January 23, 2026
A list of school closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
Illinois rideshare drivers rally for unionization bill
Rideshare drivers in Illinois have pushed for unionization rights for years, beginning in the city of Chicago in early 2019.
Case of Legionnaires’ disease confirmed at state-operated developmental center
Shapiro Developmental Center is home to more than 450 with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
How the Trump administration is fast-tracking logging in Illinois’ only national forest
Shawnee is the only national forest in the state and one of the smallest in the nation.
Andrej Stojakovic scores 30, No. 11 Illinois beats Maryland 89-70 for eighth straight win
The Illini played without second-leading scorer Kylan Boswell, who broke his right hand in practice on Monday and is expected to be sidelined until mid-February.
Legitimate investigation of Minneapolis ICE shooting unlikely, according to Sen. Dick Durbin
The senior senator from Illinois and Democratic whip said the federal government’s efforts to block state and local law enforcement from fully investigating the Minneapolis shooting is “proof positive this is not a credible investigation.”
Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability
Democrats are seeking to capitalize on Trump-driven chaos during election year session
‘365 days of chaos’: Illinois Democrats reflect on 1st year of Trump’s 2nd term
One year into President Donald Trump’s second term in office, top Illinois Democrats said it’s been a year of broken promises, uncertainty and fear for the future.
Harry Breen Way honors an artist known for his paintings of Illinois’ countryside
The 400 block of Clark Street, between Prairie and Elm, is designated Honorary Harry Breen Way. Breen was a noted painter, an art professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a liturgical designer.
Trump heads to Davos after upending European relations over Greenland
Watch President Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Protesters in Champaign join a national walkout on the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration
Protesters took to the streets of downtown Champaign on Jan. 20 to protest against ICE agents and current immigration policies.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25
A heavy metal tribute band, a performance with puppets, a musical theatre celebration, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Man makes big leap from University of Illinois college-in-prison program to working towards U of I degree
Pierce spent over 20 years in prison. While inside Danville Correctional Center, he took college courses through U of I’s Education Justice Project.
Honorary Chabad Way honors over 20 years of Jewish life and community
The Chabad Center for Jewish Life was founded in 2003. Now, an honorary street sign stands across the street, marking over 20 years of the organization’s service to Champaign-Urbana’s Jewish community.
Honorary Mark Rubel Way recognizes the local music legend who founded Pogo Studio
Taylor Street between Market Street and Walnut Street in downtown Champaign is named in honor of Mark Rubel, the late music legend who devoted his life to pursuing arts and music.
Danville’s NAACP honors Martin Luther King Jr. with morning march and memorial
The march is an annual event that honors the life and message of King by keeping his name fresh in the memories of the community.