217 Today: Monday, Nov. 15, 2021

217 Today: Monday, Nov. 15, 2021

Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 Today’s headlines: Governor JB Pritzker will be in Washington D.C. Monday for the signing of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill Congress finished passing earlier this month. State Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike this week told a congressional panel that young people, communities of color and rural Illinoisans are still the…

217 Today: Friday, Nov. 12, 2021

217 Today: Friday, Nov. 12, 2021

Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 Today’s headlines: Veterans Day events around the state Thursday both celebrated Illinois veterans’ service and highlighted the challenges faced by many former military members. One in five Illinois students missed at least 10% of the school year last year. Beginning next week, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of…

217 Today: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 Today’s headlines: The Chicago Rockford International Airport announced Tuesday that it’s limiting access into the Bell Bowl Prairie until further environmental assessments can be completed. The Rockford Airport Authority agreed to temporarily halt construction over some of the last remaining high quality dry gravel prairie in Illinois. The Champaign community gathered last week…

217 Today: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 Today’s headlines: The House passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill over the weekend. The bill is projected to send at least $17 billion to Illinois for things like roads and bridges, airports, public transit, broadband access, and water infrastructure. Governor J.B. Pritzker appeared Monday on a panel with three other Democratic governors at the U.N….

217 Today: Monday, Nov. 8, 2021

217 Today: Monday, Nov. 8, 2021

Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois political leaders have been in Glasgow, Scotland for the U.N. Climate Change Conference —or COP26 —since last week. They’re touting the state’s new plan to prioritize green energy and cut fossil fuels from Illinois’ electric grid by 2050. LGBTQ+ students were harassed during Spirit Week at Mahomet-Seymour High…

217 Today: Friday, Nov. 5, 2021

217 Today: Friday, Nov. 5, 2021

Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 Today’s headlines: Republican congressman Rodney Davis currently sits alone in the new 15th Congressional District, but he hasn’t yet announced his 2022 election plans. A new tool school districts could use might help their educators improve and get students back on track. Champaign County’s Jail Facilities Committee voted Wednesday to make improvements…

217 Today: Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

217 Today: Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 Today’s headlines: Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger is retiring after Illinois Democrats drew him into a new 16th district with fellow GOP incumbent Darin LaHood. University of Illinois service workers Union members protested Wednesday to raise wages and fill vacant positions– including a five dollar per hour raise.  The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is…

217 Today: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021

217 Today: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 Today’s headlines: After getting his COVID-19 booster shot Tuesday, Governor J.B. Pritzker is urging eligible Illinoisans to get their boosters and join the more than 800,000 adults in the state who have already gotten their supplemental dose. Urbana residents stepped up one after another at this week’s city council meeting to argue…

217 Today: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

217 Today: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 Today’s headlines:  Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order on Monday declaring gun violence a public health crisis in Illinois. lllinois’ economic growth slowed down in October, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. Upperclassmen at Champaign’s Centennial High School have mentored freshmen for the past seven years. So, when…

217 Today: Monday, Nov. 1, 2021

217 Today: Monday, Nov. 1, 2021

Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 https://will.illinois.edu/nfs/217_Today_11-01-2021.mp3 Today’s headlines:  Illinois’ legislature is the only one in the country to ever back off a Parental Notice of Abortion law. The Centers for Disease Control is evaluating “test-to-stay” as a way to keep students in class, even if they come in contact with someone who tests positive. Pumpkin farmers…

217 Today: Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

217 Today: Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021

Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 Today’s headlines: Since Illinois launched its legal sports betting industry nearly two years ago, in-state college teams have been off limits to bettors. But, that would change under legislation moving through Springfield this week. The White House announced Gregory Harris will be its nominee for U.S. Attorney for the central district…