217 Today: Raising roosters is big business. Now a push to ease penalties for cockfighting is ruffling feathers

217 Today: Raising roosters is big business. Now a push to ease penalties for cockfighting is ruffling feathers

Monday, March 18, 2024 Today’s headlines: A proposal in Springfield would ban the sale and distribution of some products made with so-called “forever chemicals” starting next year. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office announced plans to demolish and rebuild two rundown prisons. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began. A Palestinian activist in Champaign says this…

217 Today: School substance use prevention efforts are crucial. The question is how to do it

217 Today: School substance use prevention efforts are crucial. The question is how to do it

Friday, March 15, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers want to create a new state agency focused on early childhood care. An Illinois High School Association official says the rapid growth of girls wrestling is very encouraging as they prepare to add girls flag football as the next official sport. An American man has been convicted by a…

217 Today: U of I dean Ruby Mendenhall is preparing to share a lifetime of writing as Urbana’s poet laureate

217 Today: U of I dean Ruby Mendenhall is preparing to share a lifetime of writing as Urbana’s poet laureate

Thursday, March 14, 2024 Today’s headlines: Disability rights advocates are protesting an Illinois measure that would allow patients to take medication to end their lives. The next director of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services is telling state Senators why she’s right for the job. Illinois’ Senate Democratic Caucus has introduced several proposals to…

217 Today: What would Bost and Bailey work on for Illinois’ 12th District if elected?

217 Today: What would Bost and Bailey work on for Illinois’ 12th District if elected?

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Illinois State Capitol building was under lockdown yesterday as police investigated a threat. Thousands of people stand to lose health insurance in a few weeks as the state of Illinois continues to rein in spending. Illinois state lawmakers created a fund to help witnesses to violent crime. Two years…

217 Today: This farmer’s livelihood was ruined by PFAS-contaminated fertilizer that few Midwest states test for

217 Today: This farmer’s livelihood was ruined by PFAS-contaminated fertilizer that few Midwest states test for

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Many Illinois residents have had their federal student loans canceled under a new repayment plan. The state of Illinois is finally making available $18.5 million to assist and protect witnesses of violent crime. This year’s daylight saving time started this weekend when Illinois residents moved their clocks forward one hour….

217 Today: More than an afterschool program, DREAAM provides mentorship and lasting relationships

217 Today: More than an afterschool program, DREAAM provides mentorship and lasting relationships

Monday, March 11, 2024 Today’s headlines: Proposed legislation in Springfield could help Illinois Medicaid patients with serious mental health diagnoses get treatment more quickly. Illinois programs providing healthcare coverage to undocumented and – for now – some documented residents are shrinking. The University of Illinois is not renewing their contract with the school’s first associate vice…

217 Today: How a small Illinois college became a women’s wrestling powerhouse

217 Today: How a small Illinois college became a women’s wrestling powerhouse

Friday, March 8, 2024 Today’s headlines: Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth followed a theme last night by bringing an infertility specialist as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union. There’s a Democrat-backed effort in Springfield to legalize psilocybin or psychedelic mushrooms. Food and industrial ingredient processor Primient announced more than a half-billion dollars in…

217 Today: Bruce Hornsby’s new collaboration

217 Today: Bruce Hornsby’s new collaboration

Thursday, March 7, 2024 Today’s headlines: Both Champaign and Urbana have an open seat on their school boards. Governor J.B. Pritzker says a new state-wide grant program will address food insecurity across Illinois while also assisting socially disadvantaged farmers. Governor J.B. Pritzker stands by his call to eliminate the state’s 1% tax permanently as mayors across…

217 Today: Illinois commission releases recommendations on how to make higher-ed funding more equitable

217 Today: Illinois commission releases recommendations on how to make higher-ed funding more equitable

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Today’s headlines: A former Democratic Illinois governor is teaming up with a Republican on ethics reform for politicians. A proposal in Springfield would ban small toiletry containers from Illinois hotels – with the goal of reducing plastic waste. Now’s the time many families start signing kids up for summer camp. For…

217 Today: Deer hunting ‘a cycle of life.’ But fewer people are hunting in Illinois

217 Today: Deer hunting ‘a cycle of life.’ But fewer people are hunting in Illinois

Thursday, February 29, 2024 Today’s headlines: Three film production studios received a total of $10 million in funding through the Illinois Soundstage Program. The state pension for the now-convicted aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is being suspended. Every year, the Champaign-based Education Justice Project distributes thousands of re-entry guides to people in Illinois prisons….

217 Today: Peoria parents, administrators face uncertainty after end of private school scholarship program

217 Today: Peoria parents, administrators face uncertainty after end of private school scholarship program

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth is introducing a bill to preserve access to IVF treatments. Governor J.B. Pritzker says he doesn’t think Illinois should adopt California’s approach toward strict zero-emissions vehicle standards. There’s troubling news about the monarch butterflies that migrate to Illinois each summer. Data from researchers in…

217 Today: ‘The most devoted:’ Monmouth-Roseville educator named Illinois Bilingual Teacher of Year

217 Today: ‘The most devoted:’ Monmouth-Roseville educator named Illinois Bilingual Teacher of Year

Friday, February 23, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is under fire from Republicans for his plans for a popular state tax credit. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $5 million next year to help convert temporary migrant shelters. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend millions of dollars to help decrease the…

217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews the group’s upcoming concert

217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews the group’s upcoming concert

Thursday, February 22, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker unveiled his nearly $53 billion spending plan during his State of the State address in Springfield yesterday. This time next year, a trial is scheduled to start for the man accused of killing seven people in the 2022 Highland Park mass shooting. The Illinois Legislative…

217 Today: After Illinois banned assault weapons, rural gun owners registered very few of them

217 Today: After Illinois banned assault weapons, rural gun owners registered very few of them

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Today’s headlines: University of Illinois freshman Akul Dhawan died from hypothermia. That’s the official cause of death, released by Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney. Former President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent U.S. Representative Mike Bost. White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met with Illinois legislative leaders– in person – to request public financing for a…