Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 Today’s headlines: An audit of the Illinois State Police’s firearm owner identification and concealed carry license program shows an increase in wait times even before the pandemic. More than 750 University of Illinois students have requested a religious exemption from the university’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The parent organization of WBEZ has…
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 Today’s headlines: An Illinois man died of rabies this month —the first case of human rabies in the state since 1954. Fraternities and campus organizations at the University of Illinois are hoping to educate the public about Hispanic history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month. School board members in Champaign met…
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 Today’s headlines: A new Illinois law will promote restorative justice approaches to identity-based bullying in schools. Ten inmates at the East Moline State Prison have enrolled in the Augustana Prison Education Partnership. Champaign County Executive Darlene Kloeppel wants the county board to pass new county board district boundaries now that Census…
Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 Today’s headlines: An Illinois congressman says the results of a controversial ballot review in Arizona could help change the minds of people who believe the election was “stolen” from former President Trump. Attendees at Saturday’s 12th annual C-U Pride Fest vendor fair in Urbana say they are happy to be back…
Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 Today’s headlines: The LaSalle County Coroner says a body pulled from the Illinois River earlier this month is that of missing Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day. Three former lobbyists and an executive for utility giant Commonwealth Edison say the indictment against them jumps to conclusions about how three critical…
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 Today’s headlines: A new Illinois law will help college students take a closer look at private student debt before they sign up for it. Public health officials in Champaign-Urbana say COVID-19 booster shots will be available for local residents over 65 or at high risk for COVID, not that the FDA…
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 Today’s headlines: A court monitor recently found the Illinois Department of Corrections has failed to make some required improvements in its care of prisoners with mental illness. September is suicide prevention month, and while the overall number of suicides has dropped over the past few years, it has increased among people…
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 Today’s headlines: A union representing about 300 state employees has come to an agreement with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on his vaccine mandate for frontline state workers. The governor says money to keep northern Illinois nuclear plants online was a necessary part of his efforts to move Illinois to full clean…
Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinoisans who use smart devices like Amazon’s Alexa are subject to new data protections under a law signed last month. More than 50 artists and local businesses gathered over the weekend for the Champaign-Urbana Black and African Arts Festival. In today’s deep dive, the University YMCA’s New American Welcome…
Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 Today’s headlines: County clerks in Illinois will likely lose somewhere between $5-15 million in bond processing fees whn the state goes to a no-cash bond system in 2023. A massive coal plant in the Metro East will be affected by the new clean energy law. The University YMCA in Champaign will…
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 Today’s headlines: Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a massive energy and climate plan to put Illinois on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. Childcare providers and families will soon be eligible for more state aid as the COVID-19 pandemic grinds on. Wednesday was the deadline for University of…
MAHOMET — The Champaign County Forest Preserve District has chosen a new executive director. Lorrie Pearson will begin her new role on September 27th. She comes to the forest preserve district from the City of Urbana, where she most recently served as community development services director. Listen to the full interview here. Pearson replaces Mary…
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 Today’s headines: Southern Illinois reached a new record on Tuesday, with zero available ICU beds in Region 5. Gov. JB Pritzker is lobbying for a federal law protecting abortion access after a Texas law banning abortions after six weeks went into effect this month. While the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomed…
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Senate passed major energy and climate legislation Monday. It now goes to the governor, who says he will sign it. Illinois recently became the first state to require high schools to offer media literacy courses. An Illinois State University professor says President Biden’s vaccine mandate is in…
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Senate returns to Springfield Monday in hopes of wrapping up a last-minute energy deal. People across Central Illinois spent part of the weekend remembering the Sept. 11 attacks 20 years ago. The Run to Remember brought hundreds of runners and walkers to the streets of Champaign-Urbana over…