217 Today: After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range

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”

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
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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

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
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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

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

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

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…

217 Today: He used education to escape a violent childhood. Today, he wants to help kids in similar

217 Today: He used education to escape a violent childhood. Today, he wants to help kids in similar

Tuesday, January 9, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Planned Parenthood of Illinois’ Carbondale Health Center has been up and running for two weeks now… and staff there say they’ve already seen several out-of-state patients. There is hardly any ice on Lake Michigan — with less than a fraction of one percent currently covering the lake. Researchers at…

217 Today: How the Jan. 6 insurrection could impact the next presidential election

217 Today: How the Jan. 6 insurrection could impact the next presidential election

Monday, January 8, 2024 Today’s headlines:  For decades, Illinois political candidates have routinely signed a loyalty pledge not to overthrow the government. But Republican Donald Trump didn’t do that this year, and it’s becoming a flashpoint in the presidential campaign. We will know for the first time this year how many people in Illinois prisons…

217 Today: Chicago-area teens attend COP28, return with ideas to fight climate change

217 Today: Chicago-area teens attend COP28, return with ideas to fight climate change

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Today’s headlines:  Men’s basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr remains suspended by the University of Illinois after being charged with rape for a September incident in Kansas. South and central Illinois residents who rely on Ameren for gas and electricity may soon notice a change in their monthly bills.  This new year,…

217 Today: Colleges hand out scholarships to attract top students — at the expense of kids in need

217 Today: Colleges hand out scholarships to attract top students — at the expense of kids in need

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Today’s headlines:  West suburban Oak Park has told migrants temporarily living in two locations that they must move out by the end of January. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is demanding that the Biden Administration kick in more funds to overhaul Chicago’s Union Station. Applications are now being taken for farmers who…

217 Today: Western Illinois University getting outside perspective on addressing challenges

217 Today: Western Illinois University getting outside perspective on addressing challenges

Monday, December 18, 2023 Today’s headlines:  The Chicago City Council blocked a resolution last week for voters to weigh in on the city’s sanctuary city designation. The marching band at Western Illinois University is engaged in a heavy competition that could earn it new musical equipment. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team defeated the Colgate…

217 Today: Many families struggle to find in-patient mental health care for children

217 Today: Many families struggle to find in-patient mental health care for children

Tuesday, December 12, 2023  Today’s headlines:  Illinois State Police are increasingly using “clear and present danger” reports to prevent people who may be a threat from having or getting firearms. People being released from the Cook County jail will be able to get a key resource on their way out the door — a free…

217 Today: Children need mental health support more than ever. But services can be hard to find

217 Today: Children need mental health support more than ever. But services can be hard to find

Monday, December 11, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Chicago alderpersons continue to lay blame over the failed construction of a migrant base camp in Brighton Park. A new group in Champaign has started to advocate for reparations for African Americans. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is underway. But, many at the University of Illinois are thinking about…