Thursday, July 15, 2021 Today’s headlines: An Urbana man faces multiple charges after allegedly ramming a stolen truck into the Champaign County jail Wednesday morning. The Illinois General Assembly’s watchdog is resigning from her job, saying her calls for reform have gone unheeded. Car catalytic converter thefts have increased in Champaign-Urbana, and auto shop owners…
URBANA – Auto shop owners and law enforcement in Champaign-Urbana are seeing an increase in vehicle catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters make toxic exhaust fumes less harmful for the environment and are located on the underside of vehicles. They also contain precious metals like rhodium, platinum and palladium that can sell for upwards of $19,000…
CHAMPAIGN – State Treasurer Mike Frerichs says Illinois is balancing its budget, even without a graduated state income tax that voters rejected last year. And he says the governor and legislators have to continue doing so. Frerichs, a Democrat, made his remarks Tuesday, during a visit to the Champaign Farmers’ Market, held every Tuesday in…
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Today’s headlines: As the Delta variant of the coronavirus spikes COVID-19 caseloads and hospitalizations in Missouri, Illinois regions near the Missouri border have seen huge jumps in test positivity, too. State Treasurer Mike Frerichs says state lawmakers and Governor Pritzker did a good job in passing a balanced budget this year…
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for many families — and that stress can affect a child’s development, including their language and social skills. Side Effects Public Media recently received questions from audience members through our texting group, the Midwest Checkup, about how the changes wrought by the pandemic may affect child development. To learn…
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Today’s headlines: Cities and towns in Illinois are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration to apply for the federal funds they’re entitled to under the American Rescue Plan. The annual Redneck Fishing Tournament is coming back to Central Illinois after a two-year hiatus. A new bill awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature…
CHAMPAIGN – All colleges and universities within Illinois could be required to create a liaison position to support undocumented students if Governor J.B. Pritzker signs a new bill into law. House Bill 3438, which was sent to the governor in June, would require every public university and community college in Illinois to designate an employee…
CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois football player Tailon Leitzsey and more than two dozen of his Illini teammates are holding a free camp for kids ages 6-13 on July 17 at Zahnd Field in Champaign. Leitzsey, a senior from Laurel, Md., graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in Dec. 2020 and was put on scholarship…
Monday, July 12, 2021 Today’s headlines: Governor JB Pritzker signed a law Friday making Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate schools teach Asian American history. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says Senate Republicans face a “moment of truth” on infrastructure. Recent tests confirm air and water quality levels near the Rockton chemical fire are safe….
MONTICELLO — Live music is coming back to the University of Illinois’ Allerton Park and Retreat Center outside Monticello for the center’s annual concert series. But this year’s concerts are a little different than the ones guests might have experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic, says Allerton Event Coordinator Ashley Sims. The series began in 2013,…
URBANA – The National Weather Service in Central Illinois advises that you stay weather aware this weekend. Strong thunderstorms are possible late Friday night into Saturday morning. Damaging wind gusts, embedded tornadoes and large hail are possible. That could be followed this weekend with heavy rain. The Champaign-Urbana area could receive between two and three…
Friday, July 9, 2021 Today’s headlines: Provisions in a massive criminal justice reform bill pushed by Black Illinois lawmakers earlier this year began taking effect last week, but the state’s legislative Black Caucus has experienced fractures over something that didn’t end up in the law: ending qualified immunity for police officers. Millions of rural residents across the…
Millions of rural residents across the Midwest are at risk of nitrate contamination in their drinking water, but they might not know it. Many rural residents get their drinking water from private wells, which are not regulated by state or federal governments. And if residents aren’t regularly testing their well water, they could be at…
CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Chief of Police Anthony Cobb announced Thursday that he’ll step down from his position. He’s leaving the job to join the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, where he’ll serve as deputy director. Cobb was appointed in 2012 and has overseen the Champaign Police Department for more than nine years. Before…
Thursday, July 8, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ first vaccine lottery drawings take place today, with $1 million dollars and three scholarships on the line. A pro-EV group is urging Illinois and other states to encourage more widespread adoption of electric buses and semis. Researchers in Fulton County are using image recognition technology to control invasive…