WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 18 – Dec. 21
Winter lights, solstice celebrations, plays and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
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Declining attendance and rising maintenance costs bring an end to a historic church building in Champaign
With churches no longer playing as central a role in many people’s lives, more congregations are faced with hard decisions regarding their historic buildings.
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Advocates for Aging Care pushes for solutions as Champaign County faces skilled nursing bed shortage
Champaign County has one of the worst skilled nursing care shortages in the state. It means people often have to drive hours to see their loved ones. A local advocacy group is working to address the shortage.
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 11 – Dec. 14
Plays, book signings with authors, winter lights and more are all happening in Central Illinois this week.
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Champaign’s only low-barrier shelter is at risk of closing. Some guests are worried
Strides first opened in 2022, with funding from the American Rescue Plan, a federal COVID-19 relief fund. But funding is set to run out as early as February.
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Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch celebrates 30 years and represents Illinois on Good Morning America
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, recently featured on Good Morning America, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
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Transgender people are looking for safer places to live. Some have found a home in central Illinois
Amid increasingly hostile laws and rhetoric targeting transgender people in the United States, many of them seek to move to places they feel safer. Aaron Slayton is one of many who have made a new home in central Illinois.
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Champaign City Council rejects public encampment ban
The measure would’ve prohibited people from camping on public and city property while requiring city staff to make an effort to connect people with social services.
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 4 – Dec. 7
The Nutcracker ballet, a holiday parade, community dances, and more are all happening in Central Illinois this week.
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Crisis Nursery offers holiday shopping for kids
The Holiday Shop is open this weekend to all children who want to find gifts for family, friends, and loved ones.
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Ebertfest and beyond: How the C-U film sphere moves forward after the loss of a giant
CHAMPAIGN — Ebertfest began in 1999 as a star-studded, red-carpet affair showcasing the overlooked indie film darlings in Hollywood at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign. It continued in that legacy for more than two decades. This fall, Ebertfest organizers said they won’t be coming back – although there’s some discussion of a possible encore in…
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 27 – Nov. 30
Rigg’s Christmas Market, a tribute to music legends, the Parade of Lights, and more are coming to central IL this weekend.
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A new temporary emergency homeless shelter opens in Champaign
As of Nov. 1, there are 82 unsheltered adults and children in the area, and homelessness is on the rise in Champaign-Urbana, said Cunningham Township supervisor Danielle Chynoweth.
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Junior League of Champaign-Urbana celebrates final Festival of Trees
Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield spoke with the JLCU’s Vice President of Fundraising Monica Samii-Porter about the Festival of Trees and how the group came to the decision.
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WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 20 – Nov. 23
Musicals, films, holiday markets, and more are all happening this week in central IL.
