Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois’ violent crime rate is about 7 percent above the national average, according to new FBI data released last week. Advocates for the homeless say they’re working to close a critical gap in services in Champaign County—and they’re looking for the public’s help. Officials at the University of Illinois…
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 Today’s Headlines: A new report is calling for more robust health and housing support for LGBT Illinoisans as they age. Plans for the world’s first carbon-neutral industrial park are gaining momentum in Putnam County. A group of public commenters chastised the Normal Town Council during its regular meeting Monday night about…
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 Today’s Headlines: Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order Monday banning employers with state contracts from paying sub-minimum wage to workers with developmental disabilities. Northern Illinois University administrators say they’ve avoided COVID-19 outbreaks so far, even with the rise of the Delta variant. After two months of slight declines, the Flash Index…
Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 Today’s headlines: Women’s rights activists took to the streets of Champaign-Urbana on Saturday to march for abortion rights. A Vermilion County judge ruled last week against calls from some teachers and parents to remove state mandates for COVID-19 vaccines, testing and masking in schools. After merely steady increases, the price of…
Friday Oct. 1, 2021 Today’s headlines: After more than 18 months, Illinois’ eviction moratorium will finally expire on Sunday. Flu season is coming, and it’s expected to be more severe than the relatively mild influenza outbreak seen last year. A Champaign Unit 4 high school student is dead after a fatal shooting near an elementary…
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 Today’s headlines: An audit of the Illinois State Police’s firearm owner identification and concealed carry license program shows an increase in wait times even before the pandemic. More than 750 University of Illinois students have requested a religious exemption from the university’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The parent organization of WBEZ has…
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 Today’s headlines: An Illinois man died of rabies this month —the first case of human rabies in the state since 1954. Fraternities and campus organizations at the University of Illinois are hoping to educate the public about Hispanic history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month. School board members in Champaign met…
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 Today’s headlines: A new Illinois law will promote restorative justice approaches to identity-based bullying in schools. Ten inmates at the East Moline State Prison have enrolled in the Augustana Prison Education Partnership. Champaign County Executive Darlene Kloeppel wants the county board to pass new county board district boundaries now that Census…
Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 Today’s headlines: An Illinois congressman says the results of a controversial ballot review in Arizona could help change the minds of people who believe the election was “stolen” from former President Trump. Attendees at Saturday’s 12th annual C-U Pride Fest vendor fair in Urbana say they are happy to be back…
Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 Today’s headlines: The LaSalle County Coroner says a body pulled from the Illinois River earlier this month is that of missing Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day. Three former lobbyists and an executive for utility giant Commonwealth Edison say the indictment against them jumps to conclusions about how three critical…
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 Today’s headlines: A new Illinois law will help college students take a closer look at private student debt before they sign up for it. Public health officials in Champaign-Urbana say COVID-19 booster shots will be available for local residents over 65 or at high risk for COVID, not that the FDA…
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 Today’s headlines: A court monitor recently found the Illinois Department of Corrections has failed to make some required improvements in its care of prisoners with mental illness. September is suicide prevention month, and while the overall number of suicides has dropped over the past few years, it has increased among people…
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 Today’s headlines: A union representing about 300 state employees has come to an agreement with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on his vaccine mandate for frontline state workers. The governor says money to keep northern Illinois nuclear plants online was a necessary part of his efforts to move Illinois to full clean…
Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinoisans who use smart devices like Amazon’s Alexa are subject to new data protections under a law signed last month. More than 50 artists and local businesses gathered over the weekend for the Champaign-Urbana Black and African Arts Festival. In today’s deep dive, the University YMCA’s New American Welcome…
Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 Today’s headlines: County clerks in Illinois will likely lose somewhere between $5-15 million in bond processing fees whn the state goes to a no-cash bond system in 2023. A massive coal plant in the Metro East will be affected by the new clean energy law. The University YMCA in Champaign will…