New plaza in downtown Champaign on track to open this summer
A surface parking lot downtown is being converted into a plaza with bench swings, new landscaping and a performing arts stage.
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Dozens protest on the streets of Champaign for the rights of transgender people
Protesters spoke out about recent executive orders by President Donald Trump, targeting transgender and nonbinary people with a series of executive orders.
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Local Muslims and Arabs have anxiety and aspirations for a second Trump term
It is unclear how President-elect Donald Trump will address the war in Israel when he returns to office on January 20, 2025. That has left local Muslims and Palestinians with mixed feelings.
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‘Trying to hold on to hope’: Local Jewish and Palestinian communities remember October 7 one year later
CHAMPAIGN– Vigils and gatherings were held around the country and in Champaign Monday to mark one year since an attack by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel. Hillel and the Chabad Center came together on the University of Illinois Quad to mourn those lost and those still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. An…
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U of I grad running as write-in candidate for congress
URBANA – A candidate for Illinois’ 13th congressional district is now running as a third-party write-in candidate. Chibu Asonye, 27 grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2018. She currently serves as a residence director at the university. Hi @AOC @briebriejoy, I'm Chibu Asonye! I am a down-ballot candidate for…
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Pastor-led grocery store officially opens in Danville food desert
With help from a state grant, Carle Health and other partners, Heavenly Square is bringing fresh ingredients to an area of Danville where they were inaccessible before.
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University of Illinois student charged with mob action for pro-Palestine encampment
Yafa Issa is the first University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student to be charged for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus at the end of the 2024 school year.
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Urbana sees spike in need for rent, food help
Cunningham Township, which serves the same area as the city of Urbana, spent $100,000 over budget this fiscal year in its quest to help all those needing food and housing help.
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Champaign floats sales tax increase to replace statewide grocery tax
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the state budget on Wednesday that eliminates the statewide, 1 percent grocery tax. Because the tax was a source of revenue for local governments, the city of Champaign is looking for ways to offset a loss of about $2.7 million per year.
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Dr. Irfan Ahmad dies at 66 of respiratory complications
CHAMPAIGN – Long-time community member and activist died unexpectedly of respiratory complications Wednesday night at age 66. Dr. Irfan Ahmad was an active and well-known member of the central Illinois Muslim community. “He was always just an advocate for underserved communities, particularly the Muslim community, particularly immigrants, but you know, particularly Pakistanis, because, you know,…
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Amidst Palestinian demonstration at the University of Illinois, Jewish pride event takes place near Alma Mater
URBANA – Local Jewish organizations came together at the University of Illinois Alma Mater Tuesday afternoon for a show of Jewish pride amidst the third day of a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. “What’s happening on campus right now, a lot of us are scared. They’re scared to be Jewish. They’re scared to be Israeli,” said…
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Pro-Palestinian protestor with three counts of felony charges released from jail
CHAMPAIGN – A pro-Palestinian protestor arrested at Friday’s encampment near the University of Illinois Alma Mater statue was released from Champaign County Jail after about 60 hours of detainment. “It’s a very terrifying environment that I wouldn’t wish on any other human being,” said Chris Zelle after being released from Jail Monday afternoon. Zelle is not…
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Urbana Park District hosts Earth Day event to engage more people with the environment
Earth Day will be celebrated around the world on April 22, 2024.
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Hundreds celebrate the life of STEM educator William Patterson
Patterson is survived by his wife, Lori, three children, a grandchild, and a sister.
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Activists want to keep a Champaign post office and dozens of employees from moving to Chicago
People have until March 27 to provide input on the proposed changes to the post office on Mattis Avenue.
