217 Today: ‘The most devoted:’ Monmouth-Roseville educator named Illinois Bilingual Teacher of Year
Friday, February 23, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is under fire from Republicans for his plans for a popular state tax credit. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $5 million next year to help convert temporary migrant shelters. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend millions of dollars to help decrease the […]
217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews the group’s upcoming concert
Thursday, February 22, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker unveiled his nearly $53 billion spending plan during his State of the State address in Springfield yesterday. This time next year, a trial is scheduled to start for the man accused of killing seven people in the 2022 Highland Park mass shooting. The Illinois Legislative […]
217 Today: After Illinois banned assault weapons, rural gun owners registered very few of them
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Today’s headlines: University of Illinois freshman Akul Dhawan died from hypothermia. That’s the official cause of death, released by Champaign County Coroner Stephen Thuney. Former President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent U.S. Representative Mike Bost. White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met with Illinois legislative leaders– in person – to request public financing for a […]
217 Today: Illinois requires public schools to teach LGBTQ+, Asian American and pre-enslavement Black history. Are teachers ready?
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield Tuesday with some potential fireworks overspending on the horizon. A new Illinois law allows gun owners to keep assault-style weapons if they disclosed them by January first. But state registration rates are low. Champaign County officials are raising money to attract an airline […]
217 Today: One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes
Monday, February 19, 2024 Today’s headlines: Police have reclassified the shooting of Brandon Hardway as a homicide, following his death over the weekend. The federal government has sent out letters to the governors of 44 states this month, including Illinois, calling for them to improve efficiency for food assistance applications. Labor unions are targeting two […]
217 Today: Here’s what research shows about how couples can thrive despite political differences
Friday, February 16, 2024 Today’s headlines: The state of Illinois and Cook County are partnering to spend another $250 million to care for migrants being sent to Chicago. More than 150 people rallied with the Teamsters union outside of the Illinois Department of Transportation headquarters in Springfield. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will give his State of […]
217 Today: Some Midwest states take power to ban wind and solar projects away from local communities
Thursday, February 15, 2024 Today’s headlines: In celebration of Black History Month, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza honored 5 downstate Black leaders. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says the Senate did the right thing by passing additional aid for Ukraine. A proposal in Springfield would require any law enforcement agencies that are encrypting their police scanner transmissions […]
217 Today: The U.S. hopes to build more pipelines for carbon capture. Landowners don’t want them
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Today’s headlines: A free online program from the University of Illinois wants to help couples strengthen their relationship – using evidence-based strategies. Gun rights groups are — once again — asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault-style weapons. Cities and towns would get more money from the […]
217 Today: How the U-46 school district is trying to help newcomer migrant students
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Today’s headlines: The longtime chief of staff to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Dozens of parents and children packed the Champaign Unit 4 school board meeting Monday night based on rumors that a beloved principal might be fired. An online petition to fire the […]
217 Today: Over one-third of Illinois fourth graders don’t have basic reading skills. The state plans to change that
Monday, February 12, 2024 Today’s headlines: Black health advocacy groups are calling on the state to properly fund Black-led HIV and AIDS treatment providers. There’s an error on the Federal Application for Free Student Aid website that does not allow undocumented parents to create an account without a social security number. The Fighting Illini men’s […]
217 Today: A Dialogue with Urbana Police Chief Larry D. Boone
Friday, February 9, 2024 Today’s headlines: A man is in critical condition after being shot in downtown Champaign. Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin is in Washington, D.C. but remains focused on infrastructure issues back at home. Illinois Republicans are hoping – again – that they’re not entirely shut out of this year’s state budget process. […]
217 Today: Victoria Vincent gets serious about her comedy
Thursday, February 8, 2024 Today’s headlines: Three Democratic lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to make fertility services more accessible. Some Illinois lawmakers say this is the year they’ll approve a statewide child tax credit. A judge is denying former President Donald Trump’s bid to stall an objection to his place on Illinois’ primary election ballot. […]
217 Today: Former GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey running to unseat Mike Bost in 12th District
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Today’s headlines: Abortion providers and advocates say they’re seeing more violence against their patients and workers. Progressive lawmakers and activists are trying to make Illinois the 8th state to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. The American Red Cross continues to face an emergency blood storage. A local stylist is heading to […]
217 Today: Northern Illinois juvenile detention centers non-compliant in education and discipline
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Today’s headlines: After taking a two-week break, Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield Tuesday – with some unfinished business to attend to. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate approved a new master’s degree Monday in game development. The Fighting Illini women’s basketball team lost in overtime Monday night against the Purdue Boilermakers, 77 […]
217 Today: After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range
Monday, February 5, 2024 Today’s headlines: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is promoting federal legislation to crack down on social media companies that allow online abuse and mistreatment of children. An Illinois nonprofit is getting $160 million from the National Science Foundation to study new, more efficient ways to remove “forever chemicals” from tap water. The […]