217 Today: New exhibit showcases Illinois’ role in Underground Railroad

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Artwork of four people traveling with a lantern and packs.
Journey to Freedom: Illinois' Underground Railroad Exhibit includes visual information about how central Illinois was involved in the Underground Railroad.
  • Photo: Couresty of Illinois' Underground Railroad

Friday, January 16, 2026

Today’s Headlines:

  • Bitter cold is coming to central Illinois this weekend.
  • The Urbana Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early this morning.
  • The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted to raise tuition at all three of its universities.
  • A street in Champaign honors a man who devoted his life to helping young people in Champaign-Urbana.
  • The Trump administration reversed the decision to terminate hundreds of federal grants to support mental health and substance use programs.

In today’s deep dive, a new exhibit at the Urbana Free Library highlights Illinois’ involvement in the Underground Railroad.

217 Today is produced by Kimberly Schofield. Reporting today contributed by Andrew Pritchard, Emily Hays, Peter Medlin, Anna Koh, and Kimberly Schofield.

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Kimberly Schofield

Kimberly Schofield is the host of Morning Edition and covers arts and entertainment for Illinois Newsroom. When she is not covering the arts, she is performing in plays and musicals or running the streets of CU.