217 Today: During building renovations, a new recording lets the Altgeld Chimes ring on

217 Today: During building renovations, a new recording lets the Altgeld Chimes ring on

October 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Federal lawmakers from Illinois are looking to see what Republicans in the U.S. House do next now that they don’t have a Speaker. As the director of DCFS resigns, an advocate for foster children says the next head of Illinois’ child welfare agency must put its two-billion dollar budget to…

217 Today: How some Chicago migrants struggling to leave shelters are getting help

217 Today: How some Chicago migrants struggling to leave shelters are getting help

October 4, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Social services have been strained over the past couple of years – but a new state grant may be able to ease some of it in Champaign County. A majority-black elementary school in Urbana is closing permanently. The US House of Representatives has made history by voting to remove the Speaker…

217 Today: Black drivers ‘stay ready,’ navigating low-level traffic stops

217 Today: Black drivers ‘stay ready,’ navigating low-level traffic stops

September 29, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia says with only two days left to pass a spending plan, a federal government shutdown is highly likely. As migrants continue arriving in Chicago, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the state has already – and will continue – to help. The University of Illinois Police…

217 Today: CETACEAN comes to the Stock Pavilion this weekend

217 Today: CETACEAN comes to the Stock Pavilion this weekend

September 28, 2023 Today’s headlines: Some healthcare professionals trying to get licensed in Illinois have been delayed more than half a year. A coalition of pro-abortion rights groups is planning to protest outside of a fundraising event in Chicago for crisis pregnancy centers. The end of cash bail in Illinois means those who are waiting on…

217 Today: Energy assistance in Illinois may fall short without a federal boost

217 Today: Energy assistance in Illinois may fall short without a federal boost

September 27, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Secretary of State office is implementing changes to motor vehicle centers — with a focus on senior drivers. Thousands of migrants seeking asylum have been approved for expedited work permits and an extended Temporary Protected Status, but others are being left out. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan…

217 Today: Midwives could help prevent more deaths. Why don’t more Chicago-area hospitals have them?

217 Today: Midwives could help prevent more deaths. Why don’t more Chicago-area hospitals have them?

September 22, 2023 Today’s headlines: Federal lawmakers from Illinois are calling on their Republican colleagues to avoid a government shutdown. The Illinois State Board of Education is considering further tightening rules for restraining and isolating students in schools. The American Library Association says 2023 has been another record year for book ban attempts in the…

217 Today: Sen. Tammy Duckworth disapproves senator’s blockade of military promotions

217 Today: Sen. Tammy Duckworth disapproves senator’s blockade of military promotions

September 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: A local mosque is gathering funds for survivors of the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco earlier this month. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling on his colleagues in Washington to pass the Credit Card Competition Act. Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen says he and his colleagues on the House Agriculture…

217 Today: Ghanaian musician showcases his West African culture at upcoming performance

217 Today: Ghanaian musician showcases his West African culture at upcoming performance

September 20, 2023 Today’s headlines: On National Voter Registration Day the first Black sorority in history joined with the Champaign County Clerk’s office and League of Women Voters to get Champaign County registered to vote for next year’s election. In the wake of disturbing allegations of sexual harassment by leaders at the National Association of Realtors,…

217 Today: Drag star Alaska talks Pygmalion, drag bans

217 Today: Drag star Alaska talks Pygmalion, drag bans

September 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Fighting Illini football team plays their first Big Ten Conference game of the season Saturday against the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Danville Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for its first season since the retirement of longtime music director Jeremy Swerling. Parents and students from Chicago Catholic schools are…

217 Today: Morris Day prepared to mesmerize fans in his return to central Illinois

217 Today: Morris Day prepared to mesmerize fans in his return to central Illinois

September 14, 2023 Today’s headlines: The annual Pygmalion festival returns to Champaign-Urbana next week and two winners of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be an opening act.  Book bans have been growing in many states. Some Illinois experts on the subject brought the matter before the U.S. Congress. Illinois is set to eliminate cash bail in…

217 Today: ‘It was an old man’s sport’ – Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop

217 Today: ‘It was an old man’s sport’ – Celebrating 50 years of hip-hop

September 13, 2023 Today’s headlines: Teaching assistants and security officers with the Decatur School District 61 rallied on Tuesday for wages they say they can live on. Transgender Illinoisans must now seek permission to compete in high school sports. llinois’ new law meant to prevent book bans at schools and public libraries got some attention during…

217 Today: Ani DiFranco brings 30+ years of folk and feminism to Krannert’s Ellnora Guitar Festival

217 Today: Ani DiFranco brings 30+ years of folk and feminism to Krannert’s Ellnora Guitar Festival

September 8, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois’s two U.S. Senators are outraged over the hold on confirming and promoting members of the military and they blame one fellow Senator. More than 6 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s in the United States and one organization is working to bring those numbers down. A royal member of a…

217 Today: Andy Summers combines love of photography and music in upcoming performance at Ellnora Guitar Festival

217 Today: Andy Summers combines love of photography and music in upcoming performance at Ellnora Guitar Festival

September 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: A lot of consumer products list ingredients that many haven’t heard of. If exposed during pregnancy – some of these chemicals could impact a child’s life. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is confident the state will still be able to support vulnerable students as federal COVID relief money is exhausted next…

217 Today: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Sept. 7-10?

217 Today: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Sept. 7-10?

September 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: Named for its hundreds of labor strikes and scorching heat – the “Hot Labor Summer” is coming to a close – but the writer’s strike in Hollywood hasn’t. Arab-American groups are applauding a new Illinois law that will add a Middle Eastern or North African box under the “race” category…

217 Today: Dying and disabled Illinois prisoners kept behind bars, despite new medical release law

217 Today: Dying and disabled Illinois prisoners kept behind bars, despite new medical release law

Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Fighting Illini football team opens the season at Memorial Stadium this Saturday against the Toledo Rockets. New legislation aimed at bringing homelessness to “functional zero” is being implemented in Illinois – and Champaign County is no different. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’s plan to cut down wait…