217 Today: Remembering Jessie White’s trailblazing legacy as Illinois Secretary of State

217 Today: Remembering Jessie White’s trailblazing legacy as Illinois Secretary of State

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: States attorneys from around Illinois were in a Kankakee County courtroom on Tuesday to argue the SAFE-T Act violates the state constitution. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says it’s time for Illinois to ban the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Champaign mourned one of its…

217 Today: OSF Healthcare tests a new remote monitoring program to free up hospital beds

217 Today: OSF Healthcare tests a new remote monitoring program to free up hospital beds

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Today’s headlines: At a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett, those who knew him emphasized his ability to make friends in a field where lasting friendships are rare. Three major holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa – are overlapping at the end of this month, which could mean further spread…

217 Today: Champaign County Sheriff predicts changes when cash bail ends next month

217 Today: Champaign County Sheriff predicts changes when cash bail ends next month

Monday, December 19, 2022 Today’s headlines: A memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett will be held Monday morning at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth wants airlines to do more when it comes to evacuating an airplane in an emergency. The Fighting Illini basketball team defeated the…

217 Today: Restoring America’s Wildlife Act could accelerate nationwide conservation efforts

217 Today: Restoring America’s Wildlife Act could accelerate nationwide conservation efforts

Friday, December 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.7% in November, but the number of non-farm jobs also rose during that period by 17,500. Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker celebrated the passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment on Thursday. Those looking for a Christmas tree for…

217 Today: Spanish-speaking families face language barriers within families

217 Today: Spanish-speaking families face language barriers within families

Thursday, December 15, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ former public health director told federal lawmakers on Wednesday that required paid time off is a good policy, especially during a pandemic. The percentage of Asian-American lawmakers in the state legislature has increased sharply in recent years, but the rate still lags behind the general population. The Urbana school…

217 Today: Students say Unit 4 schools fail to provide menstrual products

217 Today: Students say Unit 4 schools fail to provide menstrual products

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: State Senator Scott Bennett’s funeral will be held Monday at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Illinois homeowners need to check their smoke alarms before a new law starts on Jan. 1. Illinois Public Media invited the community to the Pour Brothers Taproom in downtown…

217 Today: Combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder

217 Today: Combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 Today’s headlines:  Survivors of gun violence and those close to it are talking to Illinois lawmakers about a proposal to ban assault weapons and large capacity magazines.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun its latest Census of Agriculture.  Champaign Unit 4 families have a new option to consider as the…

217 Today: Remembering State Sen. Scott Bennett

217 Today: Remembering State Sen. Scott Bennett

Monday, December 12, 2022 Today’s headlines: Governor JB Pritzker has directed public schools and state and local government facilities to lower flags to half-staff in memory of State Senator Scott Bennett. The Urbana Police Department is adopting a new program to train officers how to step in when they see officer misconduct. All last week,…

217 Today: Iranian American U of I grad student organizes demonstration to support overseas protests

217 Today: Iranian American U of I grad student organizes demonstration to support overseas protests

Friday, December 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons joined U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other health experts in Chicago Thursday to talk about youth mental health. Democratic Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is celebrating Thursday’s congressional passage of landmark legislation that enshrines gay marriage into federal law. Rates of suicidal ideation have…

217 Today: New Champaign County Public Defender discusses the end of cash bail and more

217 Today: New Champaign County Public Defender discusses the end of cash bail and more

Thursday, December 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois ranks 26th in an annual study of U.S. states’ health successes and challenges. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is defending how long it’s taking to expand Illinois’ cannabis industry. The Urbana school board has decided against merging its two Spanish dual-language programs into one school. The Fighting Illini women’s…

217 Today: End of Roe v. Wade increases out-of-state abortion patients in Illinois

217 Today: End of Roe v. Wade increases out-of-state abortion patients in Illinois

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: On Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed changes to the SAFE-T Act into law. The Urbana school board has decided not to merge its two Spanish dual-language programs into one school. The University of Illinois’ McKinley Health Center is partnering with Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to combat opioid overdose deaths…

217 Today: As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

217 Today: As Champaign prepares to open new homeless shelter, officials ask what else can be done

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Today’s headlines: A report from the State Executive Inspector General shows a climate of hazing and sexual discrimination created a hostile work environment at the state prison in Pontiac. The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin offering a new HIV treatment in January.  Come January, Nabeela Syed will be the…

217 Today: As days get shorter, Seasonal Affective Disorder worsens in Northern states

217 Today: As days get shorter, Seasonal Affective Disorder worsens in Northern states

Monday, December 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ economic growth rate held steady in November. People detained in Illinois state correctional facilities could soon have access to free menstrual hygiene products and underwear. The Fighting Illini football team announced Sunday that they will play in the Reliaquest Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite a heroic effort…

217 Today: Illinois General Assembly approves changes to SAFE-T Act

217 Today: Illinois General Assembly approves changes to SAFE-T Act

Friday, December 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: Lawyers on both sides of the criminal justice system in one central Illinois county say they are ready to meet the potential challenges in the courtroom when cash bail ends in January. Police have arrested a minor suspected of sending violent threats to Urbana High School.  This weekend is your…

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

217 Today: States differ in how they’ll use more than $50 billion from opioid settlements

Thursday, December 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: Thursday is the last day of the so-called veto session. And Illinois Lawmakers are expected to consider changes to the controversial law that is set to eliminate cash bail next year. Governor JB Pritzker has dedicated a new Springfield memorial to highlight former President Barack Obama’s rise to power. University of…