Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after brief illness; Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks publicly after weeks of mystery about his health
Sen. Lindsey Graham likely died after aorta rupture, medical examiner says.
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UPDATE: Ammonses deny wrongdoing following indictment by federal grand jury for alleged wire fraud, obstruction of justice
A federal grand jury alleges the Urbana state representative created a scheme to “defraud the State of Illinois” and enrich herself and her family members. The Ammonses reject the allegations and say the legal process will show they are innocent.
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Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore grants for underserved farmers
A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.
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Urbana City Council delays vote on West Main Street housing project, amends minimum parking requirements
The city council once again heard from public commenters on both sides of the debate surrounding the redevelopment project, setting the stage for a possible vote next Monday.
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The Latest: Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits
The decision comes on the final day of a Supreme Court term that has centered on Trump’s expansive claims of presidential power — and largely ruled in his favor.
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Nearly one year after Mattoon’s water crisis, the city has seen no signs of algal blooms returning
Algal blooms overwhelmed Mattoon’s water system in July 2025, leading to five days of do not drink orders.
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Urbana City Council declines to make downtown civic center a historic landmark, passes budget
Officials in Urbana had a busy week at city council. They rejected a proposal to grant landmark status to the former Civic Center downtown, which may become the site of a new transit center. The city also approved a new budget and appointed a new Ward 5 council member.
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Economy | Government | Health | Politics
Addicted to gambling in Illinois: ‘Someone has decided they can make money off you’
People in Illinois lost more than $7.7 billion gambling last year. As lawmakers increasingly bet on gambling to pay the state’s bills, they have only spare change to treat compulsive gamblers.
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Bears stadium fail wasn’t Pritzker’s only fumble — his affordable housing plan also went nowhere
Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan would have allowed multi-unit housing, such as duplexes and triplexes, and “granny flats” on nearly all properties zoned for residential use. But he was unable to overcome local government leaders’ opposition to the proposal.
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Champaign’s 2026-2027 budget passes unanimously
New funding allocations include three new firefighters, a Homelessness and Community Services Manager and a background investigator for the police department. The city is also funding capital projects including Park Avenue, expansion of the downtown plaza and a traffic signal at the Mattis Ave. and Sangamon Dr. intersection.
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Pritzker signs nearly $56B budget with new business taxes as he seeks 3rd term
Budget contains minimal spending increase despite being largest in state history.
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Urbana to restore North Lincoln Avenue to its old design following a two-month demonstration meant to improve pedestrian safety
The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that included a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.
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Should descendants of enslaved Black Americans receive reparations? An Illinois commission wants your opinions.
As Juneteenth approaches, the debate continues about whether descendants of enslaved Black Americans should receive reparations. In 2022, the city of Evanston, near Chicago, made history as the first U.S. city to implement a publicly funded reparations program for Black Americans. But should the relief go even further… perhaps, statewide? Click here for a link to…
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Urbana City Council postpones vote on West Main Street housing project
The Urbana City Council is expected to take a final vote at a special meeting on July 6.
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Family advocates praise Illinois bill that gives parents more transparency in child abuse investigations
The bill requires child abuse pediatricians — investigators at the hospital who look at medical records to determine if there is potential child abuse — to state who they are to parents as they start an investigation.
