Illini Lose First Home Opener Since 1995, 31-24 To Purdue

Illini Lose First Home Opener Since 1995, 31-24 To Purdue

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois lost another football game Saturday, but unlike last week against Wisconsin, this one wasn’t a laugher. Purdue came to town a seven-point favorite, and won by a touchdown. The Boilermakerss got 376 yards passing.from Aidan O’Connell, who converted 29 of 36 attempts including two touchdowns.   Illinois had a chance to tie the…

State Announces New COVID Restrictions For Region 6 In East-Central Illinois

State Announces New COVID Restrictions For Region 6 In East-Central Illinois

URBANA – East-central Illinois restaurants and bars will have to operate under increased limitations, starting Monday, Nov. 2. That’s the starting date for COVID-19 resurgence mitigations announced for Region 6 by Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The 21-county region includes Champaign, Macon and Vermilion Counties. Other counties in Region 6…

COVID-19 Impacts Illinois School Data Collection, Including Attendance Rates

COVID-19 Impacts Illinois School Data Collection, Including Attendance Rates

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) published its annual school report card data Friday, but state officials urged caution when interpreting that data due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on data collection for the 2019-20 school year.  State Superintendent Carmen Ayala said during a call with reporters this week that…

Some Health Officials Find Their Hands Tied On COVID-19 Restrictions
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Some Health Officials Find Their Hands Tied On COVID-19 Restrictions

ROCKFORD – Sandra Martell is in a tough spot. As public health administrator in northern Illinois’ Winnebago County, Martell was threatened with lawsuits from several area bar owners after she included them on a list of businesses allegedly defying the governor’s orders to halt indoor dining.  The county is part of a region that faced…

Republicans Accuse Champaign County Clerk Of Election Misconduct

Republicans Accuse Champaign County Clerk Of Election Misconduct

UPDATE: Nov. 3 2020 – Beginning Monday, November 2, the Champaign County Clerk will provide names and addresses of who has received vote-by-mail ballots in the county, and who has sent them back. A judge on Friday ordered County Clerk Aaron Ammons to provide the information in a public, accessible place, since his office has…

Tips For A Spooky — And Safe — Halloween
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Tips For A Spooky — And Safe — Halloween

CHAMPAIGN – Halloween is just around the corner, and public health officials are encouraging everyone to celebrate safely.  The biggest advice is the same we’ve been hearing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings, and wear a mask.  But a spooky plastic mask is no substitute for a cloth face covering, when…

217 Today — Oct. 30, 2020

217 Today — Oct. 30, 2020

Friday October 30, 2020 Today’s headlines:  A hearing this afternoon in a Champaign County courtroom will give a group of local Republicans their first chance to make their case against County Clerk Aaron Ammons. The region of central and western Illinois, which includes Springfield and Quincy, Thursday joined states facing additional mitigation efforts to fight COVID-19. Public health…

How Addiction Treatment Prepared One Woman To ‘Face The Pandemic Head On’

How Addiction Treatment Prepared One Woman To ‘Face The Pandemic Head On’

SPRINGFIELD – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Barbara Allen’s life became more complicated overnight. Allen, 39, lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she cares for people who have disabilities and live in group homes. As an essential worker, she never stopped working full time. Then schools closed and she was forced to navigate virtual learning with…

During Champaign Visit, Pritzker Unveils Plan To Support Manufacturing In Illinois
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During Champaign Visit, Pritzker Unveils Plan To Support Manufacturing In Illinois

CHAMPAIGN – During a visit to Champaign on Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the creation of two new manufacturing training academies in downstate Illinois. Community colleges located outside of Cook and the collar counties can apply for millions in grant funds from the state to create the academies that will provide students with 21st-century manufacturing…

Congressional Candidate Miller Sidesteps Debates

Congressional Candidate Miller Sidesteps Debates

This article is about candidate debates — or, to be precise, candidate debates that don’t happen. Not every candidate wants the risk of confronting their opponent with all eyes upon them. 15th District congressional candidate Mary Miller has not responded to invitations to appear with her Democratic opponent, Erika Weaver, at candidate debates and forums….

Rep. Darren Bailey Discusses Suit Against Gov. Pritzker
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Rep. Darren Bailey Discusses Suit Against Gov. Pritzker

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) says he will continue his court battle against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A transcript of an interview with Bailey is at the end of this article. Audio of the interview is here. Last week, a Sangamon County judge denied the governor’s request to…

Badgers Pummel Illini In Season Opener 45-7

Badgers Pummel Illini In Season Opener 45-7

MADISON — Illini football tripped out of the gate and never found its footing in a season-opening 45-7 drubbing at Wisconsin last night. The Badgers dominated both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Graham Mertz, who converted 20 of his 21 passing attempts for 248 yards and five touchdowns — tying the all-time Wisconsin record in his first…