217 Today: Illinois landowners oppose proposed plans to capture and store carbon dioxide underground

217 Today: Illinois landowners oppose proposed plans to capture and store carbon dioxide underground

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Today’s headlines: A fundraising scandal at Illinois State University involves a prominent CEO, a private jet – and a trip to an Indianapolis strip club. Hundreds of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans rallied in Springfield on Tuesday to call for state agencies to offer more language interpreters to help people seeking…

217 Today: Rape crisis centers protest budget cuts that will slash their funding

217 Today: Rape crisis centers protest budget cuts that will slash their funding

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Today’s headlines: The state’s economy is still growing but at a slower rate. That’s according to the latest University of Illinois Flash Index. Naperville and the state of Illinois are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a challenge to local and state bans on high-powered firearms and large-capacity magazines. Western…

217 Today: University of Illinois expands how it responds to mental health crises

217 Today: University of Illinois expands how it responds to mental health crises

Monday, May 8, 2023 Today’s headlines: Contract talks between the administration and faculty members at Western Illinois University are sounding positive so far. Whether it’s an air freshener or a Catholic rosary, soon it may no longer be illegal in Illinois to hang objects from your rearview mirror. OSF Healthcare has signed a letter of…

Champaign condemned 393 apartments with no heat, water. How does that impact renter health?

Champaign condemned 393 apartments with no heat, water. How does that impact renter health?

Dustin Schingl’s ceiling collapsed two months after he moved into Champaign Park Apartments.  And his living conditions just kept getting worse.  “It was a nightmare honestly,” Schingl said. “It was one of the most stressful places I’ve lived. I felt like my home was insecure. I lost a big sense of security.” The city of…

217 Today: Schools suffer shortage of psychologists during youth mental health crisis

217 Today: Schools suffer shortage of psychologists during youth mental health crisis

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Today’s headlines: Two dozen employees in the Illinois House Speaker’s office are demanding voluntary union recognition, but the Speaker’s office isn’t giving it. Some Chicago-area gun shop owners said sales are up after Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms was blocked by a southern district judge last week. On Tuesday, a Chicago…

217 Today: Congress looks to slash spending in 5-year farm bill renewal

217 Today: Congress looks to slash spending in 5-year farm bill renewal

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Today’s headlines: Students marched across the University of Illinois campus on April 27 to highlight the importance of the undocumented community. In talks to raise the debt ceiling, House Republicans have proposed cutting services for students with disabilities. Illinois State Police said a series of accidents along Interstate 55 south of…

217 Today: Proposed Illinois bill aims to change how schools teach Native American history

217 Today: Proposed Illinois bill aims to change how schools teach Native American history

Monday, May 1, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Danville City Council could pass an ordinance Tuesday night restricting abortion access in the city. The Illinois General Assembly is talking about ways for the state to better help children struggling with mental health. Organizers say nearly 9,000 athletes took part in this year’s Christie Clinic Race Weekend….

217 Today: Illinois colleges expand cannabis classes

217 Today: Illinois colleges expand cannabis classes

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Today’s headlines: The case against four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists is now in the hands of a federal jury. Southern Illinois University trustees will vote on next year’s tuition and fee schedules when they meet this week in Carbondale. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to keep the abortion…

217 Today: Climate change affects largest maple syrup producer in Illinois

217 Today: Climate change affects largest maple syrup producer in Illinois

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Today’s headlines: Republicans in the Illinois Senate say they want a chance for their legislation to be heard – particularly when it comes to victims’ rights. Cook County Health has received nearly $1 million to replace aging equipment for the most vulnerable newborns. A new student ensemble at the University of…

217 Today: Piatt County Board rejects wind farm proposal

217 Today: Piatt County Board rejects wind farm proposal

Monday, April 24, 2023 Today’s headlines: Closing arguments are expected to begin on Monday in one of Illinois’ most consequential corruption trials of the past decade. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition calling for a federal recall of some KIA and Hyundai cars after they said the companies failed to take steps to…

217 Today: Some Illinois schools are ‘growing their own’ principals to deal with staffing shortages

217 Today: Some Illinois schools are ‘growing their own’ principals to deal with staffing shortages

Friday, April 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: “Safe, alive, and out of prison.” Those are the goals for victims of crime and those who commit them, according to a year-old Davenport police initiative. Illinois House Republicans are worried the state is spending too much on healthcare for undocumented immigrants. The Urbana Board of Education has unanimously approved…

217 Today: Farmers, environmentalists oppose carbon dioxide pipeline proposals

217 Today: Farmers, environmentalists oppose carbon dioxide pipeline proposals

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 Today’s headlines: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones is condemning dozens of racist messages sent to a Black student group.  A pop-up shop in Champaign is offering free dresses and other formal wear for prom season. In 2022, there were 32 indicated child deaths from abuse and neglect in central…

ComEd bribery trial defendant takes the stand in her own defense

ComEd bribery trial defendant takes the stand in her own defense

Monday, April 17, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski said recent court rulings curtailing the use of the so-called abortion pill shows continue overreach by abortion opponents. It’s been over seven years since Farmer City in DeWitt County has had a grocery store. Officials are vowing to find ways to ensure next year’s Democratic…

Music director of Broadway’s ‘Six’ reflects on mental health journey

Music director of Broadway’s ‘Six’ reflects on mental health journey

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: A federal judge in southern Illinois will hear arguments on Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging the state’s recent assault weapons ban. The Democratic National Convention will be coming to Chicago next year, officials announced on Tuesday. New data shows more than 800,000 people in Illinois have had cannabis-related arrest…

217 Today: Rockford school district changes code of conduct to reduce expulsion rates

217 Today: Rockford school district changes code of conduct to reduce expulsion rates

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Today’s headlines: Faculty and staff at three Illinois universities are on strike while they negotiate for better wages and hours. State lawmakers are looking to strengthen protections for patients at state-operated mental health facilities. The state’s economy continues to grow, but slowly. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to come together…