Thursday, June 15, 2023 Today’s headlines: An Illinois lawmaker wants to tax and regulate a popular hemp derivative that’s already widely sold in stores. The Illinois state capitol building is in the midst of a $300 million makeover. The first ever Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District Juneteenth Block Party will be held this Friday at the…
June 14, 2023 Today’s headlines: A new report from the University of Illinois suggests the state is failing to accurately track and help its homeless populations. A newly appointed board member of the Urbana School District hopes to use her life-long experience to better address current issues. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a pair…
June 13, 2023 Today’s headlines: An investigation is underway after eight people were injured in a violent incident in Champaign early Sunday morning. Illinois is the first state in the nation to withhold state grant funding from public libraries if they ban books. Planned Parenthood of Illinois has seen a 54% spike in patients seeking abortion…
June 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: Champaign police say there are multiple shooting victims after 2 incidents early Sunday morning. The state network that distributes government grant dollars to Illinois’ rape crisis centers says federal funding came up short this year. An Illinois Congressman is helping determine how much federal money the state needs for broadband…
Friday, June 9, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers recently passed a bill aimed at protecting out-of-state patients coming here to seek abortion care. Two officers were placed on paid administrative leave while investigations into the killing of a Rantoul man continue. The proposed site of an abortion clinic in Danville has been attacked – again….
Thursday, June 8, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a budget yesterday that he calls balanced and compassionate. Detectives from several jurisdictions are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Rantoul. The LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for all queer people in the United States, citing…
June 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois is one of 10 states on a securities task force that’s pursuing legal action against the crypto-currency platform Coin-base for allegedly violating securities laws. A coalition of clergy sex abuse victims and their advocates are demanding more information and transparency after the release of a report from the Illinois…
June 6, 2023 Today’s headlines: The new state budget includes more than $350 million to address homelessness in Illinois as part of the multi-year Home Illinois plan. Champaign County saw a nearly 57% increase in homelessness this January, according to the most recent Point-in-Time count. A US House subcommittee holds a hearing today on…
June 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: Danville held its very first annual LGBTQ Pride Fest on Saturday. Allerton Park kicked off its yearly concert series, starting with an LGBTQ Pride concert on Saturday. State lawmakers failed to get a new gun control measure passed during the recently closed spring session. Illinois residents who identify as Middle…
Friday, June 2, 2023 Today’s headlines: The proposed Illinois budget next year does not include money to replace stolen food benefits. Governor J.B. Pritzker says he’s ready to sign a reauthorization bill for Illinois’ Invest In Kids program — if it comes to his desk. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an alert that the air…
Thursday, June 1, 2023 Today’s headlines: The House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, but Republicans in Illinois’ congressional delegation were against it. Advocates rallied at the Joliet Diocese Wednesday after a report revealed the Catholic Church in Illinois did not disclose hundreds of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse….
May 31, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois state lawmakers have passed two measures aimed at increasing religious equity in public institutions. A recent report on the underreporting of sexual abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Illinois has many relieved that they don’t see familiar names, but some are concerned that their abusers were not listed The…
May 30, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers approved a $50.4 billion spending plan early Saturday morning. A measure to make most businesses include salary information in job postings is now heading to the governor’s desk. The site of a school district building could become downtown Urbana’s next commercial development. Memorial Day is a day for…
Friday, May 26, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Senate has passed a state budget after multiple delays. Officials delayed action on a plan to tap $51 million dollars to assist thousands of asylum seekers living in Chicago city shelters. A longtime state social service agency — with a large presence in central Illinois — is changing…
Thursday, May 25, 2023 Today’s headlines: Budget talks in Springfield are delayed once again, despite the governor and top legislative leaders announcing an agreement for a state spending plan. This summer a state commission is set to release recommendations on a funding formula for public universities. But, Illinois has never had one. A dust storm…