217 Today: After caring for little ones, Illinois’ home-based child care providers often make minimum wage — or less

217 Today: After caring for little ones, Illinois’ home-based child care providers often make minimum wage — or less

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ Secretary of State is behind an effort to ban certain food additives from products sold here. A new campus in south suburban Blue Island will provide housing for dozens of women ages 17 to 21 who are aging out of the Illinois foster care system. Gun violence in…

217 Today: FAFSA just changed a lot. What does it mean for Illinois students?

217 Today: FAFSA just changed a lot. What does it mean for Illinois students?

Friday, January 19, 2024 Today’s headlines: The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted not to raise tuition for in-state undergraduates who enroll for the first time in the fall. Chicago teachers say they need more funding to help support newly arrived migrant children. As the death toll in Gaza increases more people in Champaign County are…

A composite image shows 7 headshots, some photos and some drawings, as well as one drawing of a blaster, representing some of the contributors to the "Pride of the Illini" project.

217 Today: “Pride of the Illini” showcases LGBTQ+ stories and art at UIUC

Thursday, January 18, 2024 Today’s headlines: A working group dedicated to preserving and enhancing local news in Illinois is out with its recommendations. The Illinois State Board of Elections is now reviewing objections to President Biden and former President Trump appearing on the state ballot. In the first year of Illinois’ new early childhood initiative,…

217 Today: Service helps on MLK Day, but some say it’s not enough

217 Today: Service helps on MLK Day, but some say it’s not enough

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Illinois State Police is one step closer to finalizing the enforcement rules for a controversial law that bans semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman says it’s important for state laws to keep pace with the advancement of technology. A state task force is in the…

217 Today: Trump did not sign Illinois’ loyalty oath that says he won’t advocate for overthrowing the government

217 Today: Trump did not sign Illinois’ loyalty oath that says he won’t advocate for overthrowing the government

Friday, January 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois is awarding a grant to help a cancer treatment center in southern Illinois expand. There was a nearly 50% jump in the number of people from other states who came to Illinois for an abortion the year Roe v. Wade was overturned. Agricultural officials want Congress to pass a farm…

217 Today: Harm reduction efforts in Illinois help keep people who use substances safe — and alive

217 Today: Harm reduction efforts in Illinois help keep people who use substances safe — and alive

Thursday, January 11, 2024 Today’s headlines: Meteorologists say you need to prepare now for bitterly cold temperatures over the weekend. Governor J.B. Pritzker is talking up the state’s economic achievements as the new year gets underway. A new report released yesterday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation sheds light on children’s well-being in Illinois. Original…

217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jan. 11– Jan. 14

217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Jan. 11– Jan. 14

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Today’s headlines: As wet snow continues to fall drivers are being reminded to be cautious on the roads. After two years of debate, the board of Urbana School District 116 has decided to unite its Spanish dual language programs under one roof. A group of Chicago-area business leaders is “cautiously optimistic” about the…

217 Today: Deep-pocketed, self-funding candidates and dark money mar Illinois politics

217 Today: Deep-pocketed, self-funding candidates and dark money mar Illinois politics

Friday, January 5, 2024 Today’s headlines: Former President Donald Trump’s status as a presidential candidate in Illinois is now being challenged. Illinois will not reach an interim goal of reducing runoff pollution across the state’s waterways. Illinois’ two U.S. Senators are warning Rivian and other non-union automakers not to interfere with unionizing efforts at their plants….

217 Today: Illinois Public Media launches Illinois Soul — a new platform amplifying Black voices and music

217 Today: Illinois Public Media launches Illinois Soul — a new platform amplifying Black voices and music

Thursday, January 4, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ troubled child welfare agency will have a new director next month. Some suburban Chicago residents say they’re fed up with the way Governor J.B. Pritzker is managing the influx of asylum seekers sent here from Texas. A federal judge is delaying the start of the corruption trial of…

217 Today: Canning is the new, old-fashioned way home cooks are preserving food — and an American tradition

217 Today: Canning is the new, old-fashioned way home cooks are preserving food — and an American tradition

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Today’s headlines: Nearly 30,000 Illinois residents complied with a new state law requiring them to register assault-style weapons with the state by the end of the year, but there may be many gun owners who did not comply. Illinois residents are now able to file lawsuits against those who spread digitally altered,…

217 Today: 5-year-old boy dies, five others hospitalized after becoming ill at Pilsen migrant shelter

217 Today: 5-year-old boy dies, five others hospitalized after becoming ill at Pilsen migrant shelter

December 22, 2023 Today’s headlines: For students in Illinois who need help paying for college, this application season has been an especially anxious one because the federal financial aid application hasn’t opened yet. There is a rise in demand for refined non-alcoholic drinks mixed at home during the holiday season. The Fighting Illini women’s basketball team…

217 Today: Palestinian UIUC student reflects on the loss of her family in Gaza

217 Today: Palestinian UIUC student reflects on the loss of her family in Gaza

December 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: Many hourly workers across Illinois will see a bump in their paychecks in January. The death of a boy living in a Chicago migrant shelter is drawing renewed scrutiny to shelter conditions. The Transportation Security Administration says you might think twice before wrapping gifts ahead of time if you’re taking a flight this…

217 Today: Should the U.S. keep old trees around to store carbon or cut them down? It’s a heated debate

217 Today: Should the U.S. keep old trees around to store carbon or cut them down? It’s a heated debate

December 20, 2023 Today’s headlines: State officials are urging healthcare facilities to step up their efforts to curb the spread of respiratory viruses.  Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says new rules for buses transporting migrants were aimed at increasing collaboration between city and Texas officials. Planned Parenthood of Illinois is opening a new health center in…

217 Today: The harrowing journeys of migrants are revealed in the quiet spaces of Chicago

217 Today: The harrowing journeys of migrants are revealed in the quiet spaces of Chicago

December 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: The U.S. Supreme Court is again refusing to strike down Illinois’ ban on semi-automatic guns and high-capacity magazines. The shell of a 30-foot-tall Minuteman missile stands along U.S. Route 45 in the Champaign County town of Rantoul, marking what was once the western entrance to the Chanute Air Force Base. Four people…

217 Today: Why do many states want to get rid of the eastern redcedar?

217 Today: Why do many states want to get rid of the eastern redcedar?

December 14, 2023 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker has declared this week dog and cat adoption week in Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office says there are no plans to pay a private security firm for construction at a now-scrapped base camp to shelter migrants. The Cook County Department of Public Health says now is the…