217 Today: One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes
Monday, February 19, 2024 Today’s headlines: Police have reclassified the shooting of Brandon Hardway as a homicide, following his death over the weekend. The federal government has sent out letters to the governors of 44 states this month, including Illinois, calling for them to improve efficiency for food assistance applications. Labor unions are targeting two […]
One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes
CHAMPAIGN — Anthony spent about half of his life in prison and just got out last year. It was a huge adjustment because so much had changed in the decades Anthony was incarcerated. “I hadn’t seen a cell phone in almost 30 years,” Anthony said. “Now in this new world, you can’t function without a […]
217 Today: How the U-46 school district is trying to help newcomer migrant students
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Today’s headlines: The longtime chief of staff to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Dozens of parents and children packed the Champaign Unit 4 school board meeting Monday night based on rumors that a beloved principal might be fired. An online petition to fire the […]
217 Today: Over one-third of Illinois fourth graders don’t have basic reading skills. The state plans to change that
Monday, February 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Black health advocacy groups are calling on the state to properly fund Black-led HIV and AIDS treatment providers. There’s an error on the Federal Application for Free Student Aid website that does not allow undocumented parents to create an account without a social security number. The Fighting Illini men’s […]
Rantoul community honors Azaan Lee one year after he was killed by police
RANTOUL — Community members met Wednesday night in Rantoul to commemorate the life of 21-year-old Azaan Lee after he was shot and killed by police one year ago. Rantoul Police Officer Jose Aceves shot and killed Azaan Lee while investigating a stolen car. Aceves resigned just over a month after the shooting, according to documents […]
217 Today: Northern Illinois juvenile detention centers non-compliant in education and discipline
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Today’s headlines: After taking a two-week break, Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield Tuesday – with some unfinished business to attend to. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate approved a new master’s degree Monday in game development. The Fighting Illini women’s basketball team lost in overtime Monday night against the Purdue Boilermakers, 77 […]
After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range
This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public […]
217 Today: After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range
Monday, February 5, 2024 Today’s headlines: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is promoting federal legislation to crack down on social media companies that allow online abuse and mistreatment of children. An Illinois nonprofit is getting $160 million from the National Science Foundation to study new, more efficient ways to remove “forever chemicals” from tap water. The […]
217 Today: Parents say student found dead on University of Illinois campus was a “happy-go-lucky kid”
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker won’t support a ceasefire in Gaza until all the hostages being held by Hamas are released. The State of Illinois is partnering with Google to streamline access to children’s behavioral health services. Officials organizing the Democratic National Convention in Chicago want an ambassador from each […]
Champaign hired Police Chief Timothy Tyler despite disciplinary past and allegations of misconduct
This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public Media. This investigation was […]
217 Today: Champaign hired Police Chief Timothy Tyler despite disciplinary past
Monday, January 29, 2024 Today’s headlines: The parents of a University of Illinois student who was found dead outside in Urbana during sub-zero weather have filed a complaint against campus police for failing to find him. Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says lack of progress in Washington on the federal budget is also holding up work […]
Champaign County is short 300 nursing home beds. Health officials want input on how to help
National data shows that beds are disappearing while the need for senior care is growing. This problem will only multiply because of the rapid projected growth of U.S. residents ages 65 and older — from 56 million in 2020 to 81 million by 2040.
217 Today: Pro-Palestinian students want universities to stop investing in companies with ties to Israel
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Today’s headlines: A proposed tax cut for Illinois families would reduce child poverty by eight percent, according to research from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute. Yesterday marked 51 years since the U.S. Supreme Court granted nationwide abortion access with their decision in Roe v. Wade decision. A Great Lakes advocacy organization […]
217 Today: How a National Music Museum made its home in the Midwest
Monday, January 22, 2024 Today’s headlines: A federal judge has ruled in favor of Illini basketball star Terrence Shannon, Jr, who has been accused of rape in Kansas. The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a 2019 law that consolidated more than 600 suburban and downstate police and fire pension funds. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball […]
217 Today: Books Illinois students loved most in 2023
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers will try again Tuesday to approve the final rules governing the state’s assault weapons ban. Illinois state Senator Adriane Johnson wants to expand what constitutes a hate crime in the state. In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about the books Illinois students loved the most in 2023 according […]