217 Today: Incoming Parkland College president discusses goals for the community college

217 Today: Incoming Parkland College president discusses goals for the community college

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers and business leaders have struck a deal to pay back the remaining debt in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund. Judges in one central Illinois county say they want to be consistent in how they hold bond hearings when cash bail ends in January. The Fighting Illini…

217 Today: Loyola researcher clears up misinformation about the SAFE-T Act

217 Today: Loyola researcher clears up misinformation about the SAFE-T Act

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Today’s headlines: It’s still unclear what – if any – changes will be made to Illinois’ so-called “SAFE-T Act” before one of its major components takes effect. The Illinois Department of Transportation has designated Interstate 74 as one of the state’s “alternative fuel corridors” to help people traveling with electric vehicles….

217 Today: Midterm election results could affect Farm Bill renewal next year

217 Today: Midterm election results could affect Farm Bill renewal next year

Monday, November 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois voters passed a constitutional amendment this month guaranteeing workers the right to collective bargaining. But how does it affect gig workers?  The Illinois football team retained the Land of Lincoln trophy after blowing out in-state rival Northwestern 41-3 on Saturday in Evanston. Champaign County’s incoming county executive says…

217 Today: Carle Foundation Hospital copes with children with RSV filling its hospital beds

217 Today: Carle Foundation Hospital copes with children with RSV filling its hospital beds

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Police have adopted changes they say will help keep guns away from people who should not have them. The Illinois Department of Public Health has some tips to help prevent viruses like COVID, RSV and the flu from spreading this Thanksgiving holiday. The new Champaign County executive…

217 Today: Urban farmers struggle to buy vacant lots to turn into greenspace

217 Today: Urban farmers struggle to buy vacant lots to turn into greenspace

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: The nationwide shortage of a common antibiotic has hit local pharmacies. As Thanksgiving approaches, rising food prices could make it harder to prepare a healthy meal that’s also not overly expensive. The City of Urbana is offering a free leaf recycling program through the month of November. The Illinois…

217 Today: Black Americans are less likely to receive palliative and hospice care than White Americans

217 Today: Black Americans are less likely to receive palliative and hospice care than White Americans

Monday, November 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Some Illinois lawmakers are trying to close a loophole that allows pawn brokers to offer loans at triple-digit interest rates. The electric automaker Rivian’s move to force arbitration in a sexual harassment case is raising eyebrows among advocates who worked on a new federal law banning that practice. Illinois…

217 Today: 3M manufacturing plant causes widespread drinking water contamination along the Mississippi River

217 Today: 3M manufacturing plant causes widespread drinking water contamination along the Mississippi River

Friday, November 18, 2022 Today’s headlines: Local healthcare providers are dealing with a big surge in severe childhood respiratory infections. Urbana High School students are learning remotely again Friday as part of a continued investigation into threats made against the school on Wednesday. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is still a fundraising force even…

217 Today: U of I program helps Indigenous tribes take possession of human remains

217 Today: U of I program helps Indigenous tribes take possession of human remains

Thursday, November 17, 2022 Today’s headlines: In a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate this week, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois praised a University of Illinois student for standing up for abortion rights by casting her vote last week. The Illinois House Republicans’ newly elected leader has ideas on how to win more…

217 Today: Percussionist Zakir Hussain discusses his musical influences ahead of Krannert concert

217 Today: Percussionist Zakir Hussain discusses his musical influences ahead of Krannert concert

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Senator Tammy Duckworth said the suspected Russian missiles that killed two people in Poland on Tuesday appear to have been a misfire instead of a deliberate attack. Illinois voters have passed an amendment codifying the right to collectively bargain in the state’s constitution. A central Illinois attorney is helping…

217 Today: Tightening abortion laws prompt conversations about making the Child Tax Credit permanent

217 Today: Tightening abortion laws prompt conversations about making the Child Tax Credit permanent

Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Today’s headlines: You might see some white on the ground as you head out Tuesday morning. Illinois lawmakers are back under the Capitol dome in Springfield Tuesday for a six-day, fall legislative session. A new study shows that suicidal thoughts among Illinois youths surged before the start of the pandemic. The Fighting Illini…

217 Today: Expert says not all policies to erase medical debt are equally effective

217 Today: Expert says not all policies to erase medical debt are equally effective

Monday, November 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: We could see the first snow accumulation of the season starting tonight. Last summer’s demolition of the Cannon school building in Danville destroyed a notable reminder of Joe Cannon, the longtime Danville congressman and House Speaker. Now there’s a campaign to name another Danville building after him. The Fighting…

217 Today: Illinois Democrats sweep statewide races in midterm elections

217 Today: Illinois Democrats sweep statewide races in midterm elections

Thursday, November 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: Fresh off his reelection win, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is still facing multiple questions about whether he’ll run for president. With the election cycle drawing to a close, the Illinois General Assembly soon will consider more revisions to the state’s criminal justice reform law during the fall veto session….

217 Today: Cybersecurity expert questions Champaign County’s claims of a cyberattack at voting polls

217 Today: Cybersecurity expert questions Champaign County’s claims of a cyberattack at voting polls

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has won another four-year term. Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois recalled her poor childhood after she won reelection yesterday. Illinois’ 13th congressional district became one of the hottest races in the state. Chicago Democrat Alexi Giannoulias will be the next Illinois Secretary…

217 Today: A Supreme Court case from Indiana could prevent Americans from suing state agencies

217 Today: A Supreme Court case from Indiana could prevent Americans from suing state agencies

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: Urbana School District 116 canceled classes at its high school and middle school on Monday in response to a shooting threat. No one was hurt, according to district officials. In Illinois, Election Day is a state holiday to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot, and state officials…

217 Today: New law may lower prescription drug prices for seniors

217 Today: New law may lower prescription drug prices for seniors

Monday, November 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: A lawsuit filed Friday by a Republican Champaign County board member temporarily sidelined a top county election official just days before the November election. Illinois’ economy is growing at an increasingly slower rate. The Illinois Film Office is offering free trainings in seven locations across the state. The Fighting…