217 Today: Rural residents worry about potential effects of CAFOs
Thursday, January 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: A measure guaranteeing 40 hours of paid leave every year for all Illinois employees is awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature. The Illinois House’s new Republican leader is challenging Democrats to work with them more. A large fire engulfed the Carus chemical plant in LaSalle on Wednesday. Eggs are becoming […]
217 Today: 23-year-old Nabeela Syed will be one of the youngest ever members in the Illinois General Assembly
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois will soon be able to offer protections to healthcare providers and patients coming to the state for abortion and gender-affirming care. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a statewide assault weapons ban into law, becoming the ninth state with such a measure. The first session of the new […]
217 Today: Gov. J.B. Pritzker kicks off second term in office
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois may soon be the ninth state in the U.S. to enact legislation that generally bans the sale, manufacture and delivery of assault weapons. State Representative Tom Bennett is moving over to the Illinois Senate. The Unit 4 school board hired a consulting firm to figure out how to further […]
217 Today: Rural hospital closures hinder access to critical care
Monday, January 9, 2023 Today’s headlines: Paul Faraci will be the next senator in Illinois’ 52nd District. Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party, but she said she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people. Illinois state senators passed a measure […]
217 Today: Self-proclaimed guardians of English language release annual list of banished words
Friday, January 6, 2023 Today’s headlines: A statewide ban on the sale and manufacture of assault weapons in Illinois is closer to passage. Illinois state representatives advanced on Thursday night a proposal meant to protect patients who get abortions and their providers who are targeted by states that have banned abortions. It’s been two years […]
217 Today: Rockford community protests police violence against students
Thursday, January 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ local congressional delegation remains split on their choices for the U.S. House’s next Speaker. An insurance analyst projects State Farm will soon fall behind GEICO and Progressive as the nation’s top auto insurer. Applicants seeking to fill the state Senate seat left vacant by the death last month […]
217 Today: Meteorologist explains cause of January tornadoes
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield this week as they try to wrap things up before they adjourn for the last time. The Illinois Supreme Court has halted a law that would have eliminated cash bail Jan. 1. A University of Illinois agriculture professor says work and environmental conditions […]
217 Today: Decrease in agricultural research funding could affect food security
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Today’s headlines: The new year means many of Illinois’ minimum wage workers got a raise. The Illinois Supreme Court has halted the abolition of the cash bail system in the state. Before you get rid of your fresh-cut Christmas tree, you may want to donate it to a farm in White […]
217 Today: Looking back on 100 years of WILL-AM’s agricultural programming
Friday, December 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett’s widow will finish out the last three weeks of his term, ending Jan. 11. The temperature at Willard Airport fell more than 30 degrees in eight hours on Thursday as a winter storm brought snow, wind and sub-zero temperatures to central Illinois. Homeless shelters […]
217 Today: Andrew Pritchard discusses the impending winter storm
Thursday, December 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: The state of Illinois is about to offer more cannabis dispensary licenses. Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is on his way out of national politics after serving 12 years. With a severe snowstorm in the forecast, central Illinois families are being advised to plan ahead. The Fighting Illini women’s basketball […]
217 Today: Remembering Jessie White’s trailblazing legacy as Illinois Secretary of State
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: States attorneys from around Illinois were in a Kankakee County courtroom on Tuesday to argue the SAFE-T Act violates the state constitution. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says it’s time for Illinois to ban the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Champaign mourned one of its […]
217 Today: OSF Healthcare tests a new remote monitoring program to free up hospital beds
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Today’s headlines: At a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett, those who knew him emphasized his ability to make friends in a field where lasting friendships are rare. Three major holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa – are overlapping at the end of this month, which could mean further spread […]
217 Today: Champaign County Sheriff predicts changes when cash bail ends next month
Monday, December 19, 2022 Today’s headlines: A memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett will be held Monday morning at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth wants airlines to do more when it comes to evacuating an airplane in an emergency. The Fighting Illini basketball team defeated the […]
217 Today: Restoring America’s Wildlife Act could accelerate nationwide conservation efforts
Friday, December 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.7% in November, but the number of non-farm jobs also rose during that period by 17,500. Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker celebrated the passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment on Thursday. Those looking for a Christmas tree for […]
217 Today: Spanish-speaking families face language barriers within families
Thursday, December 15, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ former public health director told federal lawmakers on Wednesday that required paid time off is a good policy, especially during a pandemic. The percentage of Asian-American lawmakers in the state legislature has increased sharply in recent years, but the rate still lags behind the general population. The Urbana school […]
