217 Today: DCFS hosts hiring event in Bloomington to keep up with increase in investigations

217 Today: DCFS hosts hiring event in Bloomington to keep up with increase in investigations

June 13, 2023 Today’s headlines: An investigation is underway after eight people were injured in a violent incident in Champaign early Sunday morning. Illinois is the first state in the nation to withhold state grant funding from public libraries if they ban books. Planned Parenthood of Illinois has seen a 54% spike in patients seeking abortion…

217 Today: Congolese immigrants chase the American Dream in Galesburg

217 Today: Congolese immigrants chase the American Dream in Galesburg

June 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: Champaign police say there are multiple shooting victims after 2 incidents early Sunday morning. The state network that distributes government grant dollars to Illinois’ rape crisis centers says federal funding came up short this year. An Illinois Congressman is helping determine how much federal money the state needs for broadband…

217 Today: Asian American scholar weighs in on Affirmative Action ahead of Supreme Court ruling

217 Today: Asian American scholar weighs in on Affirmative Action ahead of Supreme Court ruling

Friday, June 9, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Illinois lawmakers recently passed a bill aimed at protecting out-of-state patients coming here to seek abortion care. Two officers were placed on paid administrative leave while investigations into the killing of a Rantoul man continue. The proposed site of an abortion clinic in Danville has been attacked – again….

217 Today: How the pallid sturgeon could be a warning for the Missouri River

217 Today: How the pallid sturgeon could be a warning for the Missouri River

Thursday, June 8, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a budget yesterday that he calls balanced and compassionate. Detectives from several jurisdictions are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Rantoul. The LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for all queer people in the United States, citing…

217 Today: Her husband survived D-Day. She had him tell his story before he died

217 Today: Her husband survived D-Day. She had him tell his story before he died

June 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois is one of 10 states on a securities task force that’s pursuing legal action against the crypto-currency platform Coin-base for allegedly violating securities laws. A coalition of clergy sex abuse victims and their advocates are demanding more information and transparency after the release of a report from the Illinois…

217 Today: Sen. Bennett likes parts of the new state budget but says it wasn’t transparent

217 Today: Sen. Bennett likes parts of the new state budget but says it wasn’t transparent

June 6, 2023 Today’s headlines: The new state budget includes more than $350 million to address homelessness in Illinois as part of the multi-year Home Illinois plan.   Champaign County saw a nearly 57%  increase in homelessness this January, according to the most recent Point-in-Time count.   A US House subcommittee holds a hearing today on…

217 Today: Accessing early intervention services is a challenge for families of young children with disabilities

217 Today: Accessing early intervention services is a challenge for families of young children with disabilities

June 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Danville held its very first annual LGBTQ Pride Fest on Saturday. Allerton Park kicked off its yearly concert series, starting with an LGBTQ Pride concert on Saturday. State lawmakers failed to get a new gun control measure passed during the recently closed spring session. Illinois residents who identify as Middle…

217 Today: Migrants seek asylum in Chicago, causing debates over resources

217 Today: Migrants seek asylum in Chicago, causing debates over resources

Friday, June 2, 2023 Today’s headlines:  The proposed Illinois budget next year does not include money to replace stolen food benefits. Governor J.B. Pritzker says he’s ready to sign a reauthorization bill for Illinois’ Invest In Kids program — if it comes to his desk. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an alert that the air…

217 Today: Illinois lawmakers send a budget and a batch of bills to the Governor

217 Today: Illinois lawmakers send a budget and a batch of bills to the Governor

Thursday, June 1, 2023  Today’s headlines:  The House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, but Republicans in Illinois’ congressional delegation were against it. Advocates rallied at the Joliet Diocese Wednesday after a report revealed the Catholic Church in Illinois did not disclose hundreds of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse….

217 Today: Hospitals have a fast-acting drug to help stroke victims — if they seek treatment in time

217 Today: Hospitals have a fast-acting drug to help stroke victims — if they seek treatment in time

May 31, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois state lawmakers have passed two measures aimed at increasing religious equity in public institutions. A recent report on the underreporting of sexual abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Illinois has many relieved that they don’t see familiar names, but some are concerned that their abusers were not listed The…

217 Today: Indigenous-led groups advocate legal rights for natural entities

217 Today: Indigenous-led groups advocate legal rights for natural entities

May 30, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers approved a $50.4 billion spending plan early Saturday morning. A measure to make most businesses include salary information in job postings is now heading to the governor’s desk. The site of a school district building could become downtown Urbana’s next commercial development. Memorial Day is a day for…

217 Today: Illinois’ New Philadelphia becomes a national park

217 Today: Illinois’ New Philadelphia becomes a national park

Friday, May 26, 2023 Today’s headlines:  The Illinois Senate has passed a state budget after multiple delays. Officials delayed action on a plan to tap $51 million dollars to assist thousands of asylum seekers living in Chicago city shelters. A longtime state social service agency — with a large presence in central Illinois — is changing…

217 Today: Indigenous art challenges stereotypes and displays modern culture at Spurlock Museum

217 Today: Indigenous art challenges stereotypes and displays modern culture at Spurlock Museum

Thursday, May 25, 2023 Today’s headlines:  Budget talks in Springfield are delayed once again, despite the governor and top legislative leaders announcing an agreement for a state spending plan. This summer a state commission is set to release recommendations on a funding formula for public universities. But, Illinois has never had one. A dust storm…

217 Today: Illinois city looks to bring people together through arts and culture

217 Today: Illinois city looks to bring people together through arts and culture

May 24, 2023 Today’s headlines: A northern Illinois man accused of driving his car into a building proposed for use as an abortion clinic in Danville, missed his federal court appearance yesterday. An investigation by the state attorney general found the Catholic Church in Illinois did not report hundreds of priests and other clergy members…

217 Today: Dual credit is blurring the line between high school and higher ed

217 Today: Dual credit is blurring the line between high school and higher ed

May 23, 2023 Today’s headlines: An Illinois man has been charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit arson, after allegedly driving his car into a proposed abortion clinic in Danville on Saturday. Illinois state lawmakers have passed a measure cracking down on the firearms industry. Centennial High School in Champaign has a new principal. A…