VILLA GROVE, Ill. – Paper calendars line a wall inside a house in Villa Grove, a small town south of Champaign-Urbana. The calendars help Meagan Quigley keep track of who will be watching her son each day. Her son Morgan has both autism and epilepsy – meaning he needs almost constant care. Almost every day…
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: Abortion will still be legal in the state of Illinois if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal protections enshrined by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Many of the Republican candidates for Illinois governor are supporting the possible rollback of Roe v. Wade — with one notable exception. …
Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza wants to pay down the state’s pension liabilities more aggressively while building savings at the same time. Educators around the state say students are over-tested, and they feel the state’s proposal to revamp its spring testing program is not a solution. Chicago hip hop group…
Monday, May 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: There’s a debate over debates within the six-way Republican field for Illinois governor. Champaign police say they’re increasing efforts to spread the word about new hiring incentives designed to attract more experienced officers to the force. Elementary schoolers at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy spend one half-day per week…
Friday, April 29, 2022 Today’s headlines: A new “report card” from the American Society of Civil Engineers has rated Illinois’ infrastructure a C-minus, and calls it “mediocre and in need of attention.” A University of Illinois research team has discovered a new, faster chemical reaction that can help produce medicine. A union representing graduate assistants…
Thursday, April 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a handful of measures yesterday he says addresses the state’s teacher shortage. The Farm Bill which funds food and ag programs every five years is set to expire next year. This week is International Dark Sky Week. Local organizers of the event say…
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: A prisoner advocacy group is demanding answers from the Illinois Department of Corrections after legionella bacteria was found in five facilities’ water supplies in March – but the state reported only two of them. The president of the University of Illinois system is working from home after testing positive…
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Today’s headlines: Five Republicans running for Illinois governor shared a stage downstate last night with one empty chair. A federal jury has convicted an Illinois correctional officer of beating an elderly prisoner to death. Travelers are no longer required to wear masks in airports or train stations in Illinois. A program…
Monday, April 25, 2022 Today’s headlines: The National Science Foundation has given two groups of University of Illinois researchers awards totaling more than $40 million. The Autism Program at the University of Illinois continues to provide an online summer camp for prospective students with autism. Champaign-Urbana residents cheered as artist Langston Allston cut a ceremonial…
Thursday, April 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Champaign’s new police chief begins work in six weeks. City officials announced Wednesday that state police officer Timothy Tyler will take over the job on June 6. University of Illinois campus police officers will take over patrols in the Campustown area of Champaign by October to help Champaign Police…
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed next year’s state spending plan into law. The city of Danville is making way for a new casino near Interstate 74 on the city’s east side after breaking ground Tuesday afternoon. About 50 University of Illinois students marched in support of the Students…
DANVILLE, Ill. – Residents cheered Tuesday as Danville city officials wearing hard hats shoveled dirt on a patch of land in an industrial park off of Interstate 74. By next spring, that land is expected to be the home of Danville’s Golden Nugget Casino. Former State Representative Lou Lang, who advised Danville officials on the…
CHAMPAIGN – Wednesday kicks off the first day of the return of Ebertfest, Champaign’s annual film festival named in honor of late University of Illinois alumnus and film critic Roger Ebert. The festival will feature films from Wednesday to Saturday including “The Phantom of the Open,” “Ghost World,” and “Nightmare Alley.” Movies shown at Ebertfest…
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Today’s headlines: Former Ukrainian ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is this year’s winner of the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government. Champaign County is investing in interpretation services for immigrants who speak indigenous languages. Champaign city council members will talk Tuesday about an agreement to give University of Illinois police authority…
Monday, April 18, 2022 Today’s headlines: Testimony is expected to continue Monday in the trial of two Illinois guards charged with beating a prisoner. The ratification process has begun for a tentative agreement between The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 3700 and the University of Illinois regarding retroactive pay. Little League…