217 Today: Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike resigns after three years

217 Today: Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike resigns after three years

Monday, March 14, 2022 Today’s headlines: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says he agrees with the Biden Administration’s move to expand economic sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The lack of minority-owned businesses with contracts from the City of Urbana raised concerns in a recent city council meeting. The Illini men’s basketball team will…

217 Today: All-time leading scorer for Illini basketball discusses current team before Big Ten Tournament

217 Today: All-time leading scorer for Illini basketball discusses current team before Big Ten Tournament

Friday, March 11, 2022 Today’s headlines: State lawmakers are considering a tax credit of up to $2000 per worker for employers who hire workers who are in recovery from serious mental illness or substance abuse. The oil and gas industry in southern Illinois will be increasing production in response to global demand and the ban on Russian…

217 Today: High school students who speak multiple languages help promote COVID-19 vaccines

217 Today: High school students who speak multiple languages help promote COVID-19 vaccines

Thursday, March 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: Mike Madigan made his first appearance in federal court Wednesday to answer corruption charges. Lawmakers have condemned anti-Semitic flyers anonymously distributed in Skokie and Chicago.  A former U.S. ambassador to the former Soviet state of Georgia thinks Russian president Vladimir Putin will not use nuclear weapons. The IHSA Boys…

217 Today: Few Midwest states regularly test for toxic algae blooms despite tragic consequences for families

217 Today: Few Midwest states regularly test for toxic algae blooms despite tragic consequences for families

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker could decide whether 43 people in Pontiac prison will have their aggravated battery sentences commuted. Illinois legislators are relaxing their chambers’ masking rules with the continued decline in COVID-19 cases. Two Champaign County residents affected by the Peoples Gas methane leak have filed a class…

217 Today: Looking back at Focus 580, WILL-AM’s local call-in show that ran for 30+ years

217 Today: Looking back at Focus 580, WILL-AM’s local call-in show that ran for 30+ years

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Today’s headlines: The 2022 campaign season started Monday as candidates lined up to turn in petitions to get their names on the June 28 primary election ballot. Candidates for elected office across the state lined up at the Illinois State Board of Elections to submit nominating petitions as the filing period began. Among…

217 Today: University of Illinois expert discusses how war in Ukraine could cause a global food crisis

217 Today: University of Illinois expert discusses how war in Ukraine could cause a global food crisis

Monday, March 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: One Illinois Democratic operative feels vindicated after the federal corruption case filed last week against her former boss -Michael Madigan. A research team at the University of Illinois finds that most oncology dietitians don’t receive enough food insecurity training to help their patients. At the end of last year,…

217 Today: Danville mayor hopes new economic development will revitalize city

217 Today: Danville mayor hopes new economic development will revitalize city

Friday, March 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Democrats are struggling with their messaging after the federal indictment of their longtime leader Michael Madigan. The top infectious disease expert at the Champaign Urbana Public Health District says the governor’s recent decision to lift the mask mandate does not mean people should stop wearing masks. The University…

217 Today: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is indicted on federal charges

217 Today: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is indicted on federal charges

Thursday, March 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan potentially faces decades in prison if he’s convicted of alleged racketeering. Illinois Democrats say they’re focused on the future following the indictment of former speaker of the House Michael Madigan. Elsewhere, a network of legal aid groups across Illinois is hoping to expand…

217 Today: Illinois schools say they lack guidance after finding high levels of lead in water

217 Today: Illinois schools say they lack guidance after finding high levels of lead in water

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike announced Tuesday she’s stepping down as director on March 14.  Illinois schools are signing up for a new state tutoring initiative to help the students who struggled most in remote school. The Illinois House has passed a measure to give school…

217 Today: Treatment facilities for children with severe mental illness struggle to find staff

217 Today: Treatment facilities for children with severe mental illness struggle to find staff

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 Today’s headlines: To mark the end of mask mandates for many Illinois residents which ended Monday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stopped by Navy Pier mask free.  A small group of University of Illinois students met with the state’s lieutenant governor Monday about the teacher shortage. The Champaign City Council approved a new…

217 Today: Pandemic could accelerate the decline of in-person farm shows

217 Today: Pandemic could accelerate the decline of in-person farm shows

Monday, Feb. 28, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Ukrainian Student Association at the University of Illinois held a rally Sunday for students to stand in solidarity with Ukraine after they were invaded by Russian forces. Illinois’ indoor mask mandate is over in most places. As of Monday, the state is no longer requiring masks for private…

217 Today: Remains of an Illinois man killed in Pearl Harbor are coming home

217 Today: Remains of an Illinois man killed in Pearl Harbor are coming home

Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 Today’s headlines: Senator Dick Durbin says he’d like to see the Biden administration go even further with sanctioning Russia — specifically President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle. Illinois House Republicans have introduced several measures designed to help Ukrainian refugees and punish Russia. An annual University of Illinois film festival will…

217 Today: Parents seek breast milk of vaccinated mothers to protect children against COVID-19

217 Today: Parents seek breast milk of vaccinated mothers to protect children against COVID-19

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 Today’s headlines: Some Champaign residents are calling on two of their city council members to resign after tensions at last week’s council meeting. Another round of wintry weather is moving through Central Illinois. But, meteorologist Andrew Pritchard is expecting less snow than the last 2 systems. The University of Illinois is…

217 Today: Farmers feel the effects of climate change across the Midwest

217 Today: Farmers feel the effects of climate change across the Midwest

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ Democratic House Speaker is optimistic cooler heads will prevail after what he called a “productive” meeting with the House’s Republican leader. Decatur Public Schools has received $50 million in federal COVID-19 relief. As the community celebrates Lunar New Year, the Champaign Public Library has opened an art exhibit to…

217 Today: New legislative inspector general discusses his goals for the position

217 Today: New legislative inspector general discusses his goals for the position

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: An Illinois state representative ejected from the floor last week for refusing to wear a mask has sued the House speaker. California unveiled its endemic strategy last week. The targeted plan shows how the state will approach living with COVID-19. Illinois could be headed for a similar plan. Schools…