CHAMPAIGN — The LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for all queer people in the United States, citing the surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation in statehouses around the country. Members of the Champaign-Urbana queer community say they feel scared but not shocked by the announcement. “I wish I could…
Because this is Gola’s first performance in the United States as a solo artist, people are traveling to Champaign-Urbana from across the country to see the performances this weekend.
June 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois is one of 10 states on a securities task force that’s pursuing legal action against the crypto-currency platform Coin-base for allegedly violating securities laws. A coalition of clergy sex abuse victims and their advocates are demanding more information and transparency after the release of a report from the Illinois…
Dozens gather for pride event at Allerton Park and Retreat Center.
June 6, 2023 Today’s headlines: The new state budget includes more than $350 million to address homelessness in Illinois as part of the multi-year Home Illinois plan. Champaign County saw a nearly 57% increase in homelessness this January, according to the most recent Point-in-Time count. A US House subcommittee holds a hearing today on…
June 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Danville held its very first annual LGBTQ Pride Fest on Saturday. Allerton Park kicked off its yearly concert series, starting with an LGBTQ Pride concert on Saturday. State lawmakers failed to get a new gun control measure passed during the recently closed spring session. Illinois residents who identify as Middle…
May 31, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois state lawmakers have passed two measures aimed at increasing religious equity in public institutions. A recent report on the underreporting of sexual abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Illinois has many relieved that they don’t see familiar names, but some are concerned that their abusers were not listed The…
May 30, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers approved a $50.4 billion spending plan early Saturday morning. A measure to make most businesses include salary information in job postings is now heading to the governor’s desk. The site of a school district building could become downtown Urbana’s next commercial development. Memorial Day is a day for…
May 24, 2023 Today’s headlines: A northern Illinois man accused of driving his car into a building proposed for use as an abortion clinic in Danville, missed his federal court appearance yesterday. An investigation by the state attorney general found the Catholic Church in Illinois did not report hundreds of priests and other clergy members…
May 23, 2023 Today’s headlines: An Illinois man has been charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit arson, after allegedly driving his car into a proposed abortion clinic in Danville on Saturday. Illinois state lawmakers have passed a measure cracking down on the firearms industry. Centennial High School in Champaign has a new principal. A…
May 22, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers have yet to reach a deal on a state budget and are expected to be back at the statehouse this week. State senators have passed a measure aimed at protecting license plate data of people driving from other states to receive abortion care. A plan to bury the…
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Today’s headlines: Pending regulatory approval, OSF Healthcare will reopen the birthing center at its Danville hospital — while its facility in Urbana will close. Advocates are urging Illinois lawmakers to expand a public health insurance program for low-income immigrants, before the spring legislative session is scheduled to end this week. The Illinois Supreme…
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Today’s headlines: New York City is about to join seven cities – including Champaign and Urbana – that have banned weight discrimination. A $120 million earmark request for the upcoming federal budget could fund long-awaited upgrades to antiquated locks on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Western Illinois University’s sports teams are moving…
Monday, May 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: Abortion rights supporters in Champaign-Urbana are trying to pass legislation to force crisis pregnancy centers to be more explicit about the services they do and don’t provide. Gun shop owners say they’re stuck in the middle as conflicting decisions in the challenges to Illinois’ ban on semi-automatic firearms play out…
As states around the Midwest consider and pass policies restricting access to gender-affirming care and the rights of transgender individuals, many say Illinois is moving towards becoming a haven for gender-affirming healthcare and trans rights in general. Some trans people say it already is one. Michelle Hanlon, a nurse at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and trans…