October 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Federal lawmakers from Illinois are looking to see what Republicans in the U.S. House do next now that they don’t have a Speaker. As the director of DCFS resigns, an advocate for foster children says the next head of Illinois’ child welfare agency must put its two-billion dollar budget to…
October 4, 2023 Today’s headlines: Social services have been strained over the past couple of years – but a new state grant may be able to ease some of it in Champaign County. A majority-black elementary school in Urbana is closing permanently. The US House of Representatives has made history by voting to remove the Speaker…
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 Today’s headlines: The City of Chicago is receiving about $30 million from the Illinois state government to help support asylum seekers. Illinois residents can now register their assault-style weapons as required by law. A new University of Illinois study says women feel like they are on trial when trying to convince…
Monday, October 2, 2023 Today’s headlines: Decatur Public Schools is breaking ground on a new school building that’s being named after one of Illinois’ Tuskegee Airmen. Large crowds gathered in downtown Urbana during Champaign-Urbana’s annual pride parade on Saturday. The Champaign County Community Coalition hosted the first Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference at Parkland College on…
September 29, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia says with only two days left to pass a spending plan, a federal government shutdown is highly likely. As migrants continue arriving in Chicago, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the state has already – and will continue – to help. The University of Illinois Police…
September 28, 2023 Today’s headlines: Some healthcare professionals trying to get licensed in Illinois have been delayed more than half a year. A coalition of pro-abortion rights groups is planning to protest outside of a fundraising event in Chicago for crisis pregnancy centers. The end of cash bail in Illinois means those who are waiting on…
September 27, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Secretary of State office is implementing changes to motor vehicle centers — with a focus on senior drivers. Thousands of migrants seeking asylum have been approved for expedited work permits and an extended Temporary Protected Status, but others are being left out. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan…
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 Today’s headlines: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin joined members of the United Auto Workers on the picket line Monday at the General Motors in Bolingbrook. Rantoul residents picked up clothes, baby food and even a home printer free of charge on Monday. The new COVID-19 booster shot is now available. The shots…
Monday, September 25, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Biden administration’s move to expand work permits for some seeking asylum in the U.S. is welcome news to immigration advocates. But some experts want to see expanded protections to enable all undocumented immigrants to find work. Many hospitals across the Chicago area do not have midwives, despite research showing…
September 22, 2023 Today’s headlines: Federal lawmakers from Illinois are calling on their Republican colleagues to avoid a government shutdown. The Illinois State Board of Education is considering further tightening rules for restraining and isolating students in schools. The American Library Association says 2023 has been another record year for book ban attempts in the…
September 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: A local mosque is gathering funds for survivors of the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco earlier this month. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling on his colleagues in Washington to pass the Credit Card Competition Act. Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen says he and his colleagues on the House Agriculture…
September 20, 2023 Today’s headlines: On National Voter Registration Day the first Black sorority in history joined with the Champaign County Clerk’s office and League of Women Voters to get Champaign County registered to vote for next year’s election. In the wake of disturbing allegations of sexual harassment by leaders at the National Association of Realtors,…
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 Today’s headlines: Monday was supposed to be Illinois’ first day without cash bail. But judges in some counties were still setting money bonds. Despite the historic changes to cash bail, it was mostly a slow day in Metro East courthouses. Illinois passed a new law that allows Native American ancestral remains to…
Monday, September 18, 2023 Today’s headlines: Advocates for survivors of sex crimes and domestic violence are cheering the end of cash bail in Illinois on Monday. The numbers are out on a COVID-era program aimed at helping preschool through eighth-grade students learn at Decatur Public Schools. Around a hundred people met Saturday at the Urbana Free…
September 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Fighting Illini football team plays their first Big Ten Conference game of the season Saturday against the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Danville Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for its first season since the retirement of longtime music director Jeremy Swerling. Parents and students from Chicago Catholic schools are…