217 Today: Why are University of Illinois Chicago faculty on strike?

217 Today: Why are University of Illinois Chicago faculty on strike?

Thursday, January 19, 2023 Today’s headlines:  A judge in downstate Effingham County heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging Illinois’ new assault weapons ban. The Illinois State Water Plan has been updated for the first time since 1984. Plans for a third cannabis dispensary in Danville have been scrapped after the Danville City Council on Tuesday…

217 Today: What’s behind the huge cost increase for eggs?

217 Today: What’s behind the huge cost increase for eggs?

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 Today’s headlines: Sixteen Illinois state lawmakers are standing up for a new assault weapons ban that has received fierce opposition from sheriffs across the state. A state Senator in central Illinois plans to introduce a bill to require voters to provide ID at the ballot box. Gas stoves are known to…

217 Today: Obstacles prevent many craft cannabis growers from opening

217 Today: Obstacles prevent many craft cannabis growers from opening

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Today’s headlines: Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the country is backsliding on voting rights 10 years after the Supreme Court decision to repeal parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ten high schoolers from across Champaign County won scholarships on Monday in the name of Rev. Martin Luther…

217 Today: Penicillin shortage could endanger children with sickle cell disease

217 Today: Penicillin shortage could endanger children with sickle cell disease

Monday, January 16, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers were unable to pass a measure to limit how much interest pawn brokers can charge in this month’s lame-duck session. The candidates on the April 4 ballot for mayor of Champaign have all been on the ballot before, including former mayor Don Gerard. Champaign County’s Martin Luther King,…

217 Today: Many Illinois sheriffs oppose new assault weapon ban

217 Today: Many Illinois sheriffs oppose new assault weapon ban

Friday, January 13, 2023 Today’s headlines: In their recent lame-duck session, Illinois lawmakers approved new spending including nearly $300 million to help asylum seekers. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized several suburban and downstate sheriffs for their vows not to enforce the assault weapons ban he signed this week. There is a significant increase in food waste…

217 Today: Rural residents worry about potential effects of CAFOs

217 Today: Rural residents worry about potential effects of CAFOs

Thursday, January 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: A measure guaranteeing 40 hours of paid leave every year for all Illinois employees is awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature. The Illinois House’s new Republican leader is challenging Democrats to work with them more. A large fire engulfed the Carus chemical plant in LaSalle on Wednesday. Eggs are becoming…

217 Today: 23-year-old Nabeela Syed will be one of the youngest ever members in the Illinois General Assembly

217 Today: 23-year-old Nabeela Syed will be one of the youngest ever members in the Illinois General Assembly

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois will soon be able to offer protections to healthcare providers and patients coming to the state for abortion and gender-affirming care. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a statewide assault weapons ban into law, becoming the ninth state with such a measure. The first session of the new…

217 Today: Gov. J.B. Pritzker kicks off second term in office

217 Today: Gov. J.B. Pritzker kicks off second term in office

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois may soon be the ninth state in the U.S. to enact legislation that generally bans the sale, manufacture and delivery of assault weapons. State Representative Tom Bennett is moving over to the Illinois Senate. The Unit 4 school board hired a consulting firm to figure out how to further…

217 Today: Rural hospital closures hinder access to critical care

217 Today: Rural hospital closures hinder access to critical care

Monday, January 9, 2023 Today’s headlines: Paul Faraci will be the next senator in Illinois’ 52nd District. Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party, but she said she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people. Illinois state senators passed a measure…

217 Today: Self-proclaimed guardians of English language release annual list of banished words

217 Today: Self-proclaimed guardians of English language release annual list of banished words

Friday, January 6, 2023 Today’s headlines: A statewide ban on the sale and manufacture of assault weapons in Illinois is closer to passage. Illinois state representatives advanced on Thursday night a proposal meant to protect patients who get abortions and their providers who are targeted by states that have banned abortions. It’s been two years…

217 Today: Rockford community protests police violence against students

217 Today: Rockford community protests police violence against students

Thursday, January 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ local congressional delegation remains split on their choices for the U.S. House’s next Speaker.  An insurance analyst projects State Farm will soon fall behind GEICO and Progressive as the nation’s top auto insurer. Applicants seeking to fill the state Senate seat left vacant by the death last month…

217 Today: Meteorologist explains cause of January tornadoes

217 Today: Meteorologist explains cause of January tornadoes

Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield this week as they try to wrap things up before they adjourn for the last time. The Illinois Supreme Court has halted a law that would have eliminated cash bail Jan. 1. A University of Illinois agriculture professor says work and environmental conditions…

217 Today: Decrease in agricultural research funding could affect food security

217 Today: Decrease in agricultural research funding could affect food security

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Today’s headlines: The new year means many of Illinois’ minimum wage workers got a raise. The Illinois Supreme Court has halted the abolition of the cash bail system in the state. Before you get rid of your fresh-cut Christmas tree, you may want to donate it to a farm in White…

217 Today: Looking back on 100 years of WILL-AM’s agricultural programming

217 Today: Looking back on 100 years of WILL-AM’s agricultural programming

Friday, December 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett’s widow will finish out the last three weeks of his term, ending Jan. 11. The temperature at Willard Airport fell more than 30 degrees in eight hours on Thursday as a winter storm brought snow, wind and sub-zero temperatures to central Illinois. Homeless shelters…

217 Today: Andrew Pritchard discusses the impending winter storm

217 Today: Andrew Pritchard discusses the impending winter storm

Thursday, December 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: The state of Illinois is about to offer more cannabis dispensary licenses. Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is on his way out of national politics after serving 12 years. With a severe snowstorm in the forecast, central Illinois families are being advised to plan ahead. The Fighting Illini women’s basketball…