217 Today: As Illinois Republicans vote in Tuesday’s primaries, Trump’s endorsement looms large

217 Today: As Illinois Republicans vote in Tuesday’s primaries, Trump’s endorsement looms large

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: Tuesday is the final day to vote in the Illinois primary election. Polls are open until 7 p.m. Hear hourly election updates starting at 7 p.m. on WILL-AM 580. Illinois Republican voters will choose on Tuesday whom they want to take on Democratic Governor JB Pritzker this fall. The…

217 Today: The effects of bird flu were felt nationally. For one Iowa county, it was devastating

217 Today: The effects of bird flu were felt nationally. For one Iowa county, it was devastating

Monday, June 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois congresswoman Mary Miller is under fire for a racist comment her campaign says wasn’t intended. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Darren Bailey in Illinois’ GOP gubernatorial primary. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is calling for a special legislative session to further protect abortion rights. The Party for Socialism and…

217 Today: Conspiracy theories about 2020 presidential election play pivotal role in the race to bec

217 Today: Conspiracy theories about 2020 presidential election play pivotal role in the race to bec

Friday, June 24, 2022 Today’s headlines: Gun-rights groups in Illinois are hopeful that a U.S. Supreme Court decision made on Thursday will open the door for more Second Amendment rights in the state. Yesterday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul met with Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic states’ Attorney Generals to talk about abortion…

217 Today: Title IX celebrates 50th anniversary of prohibiting gender-based discrimination

217 Today: Title IX celebrates 50th anniversary of prohibiting gender-based discrimination

Thursday, June 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: The next House select committee hearing on the events of January 6th is set to begin Thursday at 2 p.m. CT. The fish species known as Asian carp was given a new name in an effort to get more people to eat the invasive species. Environmental advocates say the…

217 Today: Sickle cell disease creates barriers for men and women to access fertility treatments

217 Today: Sickle cell disease creates barriers for men and women to access fertility treatments

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: A new report highlights the mountain of work ahead to make banking in Illinois more racially equitable. There’s less than a week until the primary election, and the newly drawn 13th Congressional district is Democratic-leaning, but far from decided. Conservative gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is feeling optimistic about his…

217 Today: Changing agriculture industry includes more science-focused jobs and workers without degrees

217 Today: Changing agriculture industry includes more science-focused jobs and workers without degrees

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger says he’s received a death threat for his role in investigating the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Several Chicago-area counties have been lowered to a “medium risk” level for COVID-19 transmission based on benchmarks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent…

217 Today: Some states aren’t ready for the rollout of a national mental health crisis line

217 Today: Some states aren’t ready for the rollout of a national mental health crisis line

Monday, June 20, 2022 Today’s headlines: The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has counted fifteen cases of monkeypox in Illinois this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the weekend finally recommended that children from six months up to five years old get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders came…

217 Today: Norman Rockwell inspires an Illinois art exhibit through a modern lens

217 Today: Norman Rockwell inspires an Illinois art exhibit through a modern lens

Friday, June 17, 2022 Today’s Headlines: The Illinois Department of Public Health is confident there will be plenty of COVID vaccines available for children under 5 once the CDC recommends them. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a pair of measures into law that will give sexual assault victims more recourse. Police departments across the…

217 Today: Miller and Davis compare conservative credentials in the 15th Congressional District primary

217 Today: Miller and Davis compare conservative credentials in the 15th Congressional District primary

Thursday, June 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. However, it’s fate remains uncertain. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a law requiring health insurance plans to cover continuous glucose monitors used by diabetes patients. One Champaign community leader is offering more than…

217 Today: Sickle cell patients face systemic racism and a crippling disease

217 Today: Sickle cell patients face systemic racism and a crippling disease

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is relaunching a land conservation program for farmers, ranchers and other landowners in 68 counties. Caterpillar did not receive or request any incentives to relocate its world headquarters from Illinois to Texas.That’s according to a corporate spokesperson. Champaign is hosting its annual Juneteenth…

217 Today: Producers say a crossbreed of cattle and buffalo provides the best of both

217 Today: Producers say a crossbreed of cattle and buffalo provides the best of both

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: Likely Illinois Republican voters are still mostly in the dark about down-ballot races in the June 28th primary election. That’s according to a WBEZ-Chicago Sun-Times poll. Forecasters are advising you to take precautions as central and southern Illinois bake under high heat and humidity. This Sunday is Juneteenth, a…

217 Today: After implementing a new learning model, one Illinois middle school isn’t turning back

217 Today: After implementing a new learning model, one Illinois middle school isn’t turning back

Monday, June 13, 2022 Today’s headlines: Republican candidate for Governor Richard Irvin says he’s reassessing his campaign messaging less than three weeks before the primary election. Two political action committees have a heavy hand in the 15th Congressional District Republican Primary between long-time incumbent Rodney Davis and first-time incumbent Mary Miller.  Tune in to hear…

217 Today: Experts monitor health of peregrine falcons and tag three newly born chicks

217 Today: Experts monitor health of peregrine falcons and tag three newly born chicks

Friday, June 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: On Wednesday, the House passed the Protect Our Kids Act, which would enact new gun control measures following the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. A hedge fund founder and noted art collector is spending millions of dollars on the race for Illinois governor. The Aurora Pride Parade…

217 Today: As new mental health crisis line preps to go live, call centers deal with worker shortage

217 Today: As new mental health crisis line preps to go live, call centers deal with worker shortage

Wednesday, June 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Senator Sara Feigenholtz said she’s optimistic about the future of the state’s child welfare system despite an investigation showing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services routinely leaves kids wrongly incarcerated in the Cook County juvenile jail. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also defended DCFS after the…

217 Today: Chicago rap duo teaches students how to build rapping skills and confidence

217 Today: Chicago rap duo teaches students how to build rapping skills and confidence

Tuesday, June 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: As Illinois’ summer meals program gets underway, nonprofit groups and the Illinois Board of Education are hoping to extend a waiver that expires this month that’s made it easier for families to get food. A recent study from the University of Illinois and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute estimates…