How do data centers benefit the places where they’re built? Local mayors give mixed reviews
From taxes and community investment to water and energy depletion, data centers are a polarizing force.
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These citizen scientists track frog calls to monitor ecosystem health
Volunteers with FrogWatch USA track frog calls during mating season to collect data about ecosystem health.
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Illinois lawmakers debate data center regulations in response to growing energy and water use concerns
State lawmakers in Springfield are debating how to regulate data centers as proposals for new facilities spark concerns over their impact on utility costs and water reservoirs.
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Champaign County Board approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Board was previously considering a nine month moratorium on data centers.
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Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor signs 2026 climate action plan— without fossil fuels divestment
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. signed the Illinois Climate Action Plan Wednesday, but it’s missing a key provision students have been advocating for.
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Urbana residents will soon be opted in to an electric aggregation program. Here’s what you need to know
Urbana residents have been automatically opted in to an electrical aggregation program, unless they’ve already opted out.
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Most American prairies are gone. These people are working to bring them back
From a field on an Illinois university campus, to rare, untouched land in Texas, here are some efforts to replant once-abundant prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains.
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Yearslong ethanol policy standoff could cost Illinois drivers at the pump yet again
The Trump administration soon could announce that it will temporarily lift the restrictions on E15 sales during the summer amid pressure surrounding rising costs due to the conflict in Iran.
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Homer Lake Nature Center addition will bring new classroom to the park
The district is currently renovating the Homer Lake Interpretive Center.
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Who can own big cats in America? Fatal tiger attack draws scrutiny to federal rules
Some animal welfare advocates say federal regulations don’t go far enough to protect these animals and the people interacting with them.
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Champaign County takes first step towards a one-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals passed a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers.
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Mosses are the underdogs of the plant world. These scientists are trying to protect them
More than 1,600 plants and animals are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, but out of all of those, only one is a moss.
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A proposed Clean Water Act change could remove protections from 80% of American wetlands
Environmental advocates say the outlined revision ignores science and threatens water quality, while farm groups argue it offers landowners needed clarity about which parts of their land count as federally protected.
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It’s eagle nesting season in Illinois. One nesting pair calls a northern Illinois state park home
The bald eagle used to be a rare sight in Illinois. Now, there are more than 3,000 that spend the winter here.
