Monday, Jan. 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: Public Health officials reported nearly 1600 new COVID-19 cases in Champaign County over the weekend. The number of active cases has topped 7000 for the first time. Cannabis sales in Illinois doubled in 2021 – the second year since cannabis became recreationally legal. New data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture…
Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 Today’s headlines: It’s been one year since the attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said she still remembers the events of that day vividly. Illinois Republicans are blaming Democrats in Springfield for not replacing a departing legislative watchdog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has…
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers won’t be coming back to Springfield next week because of spiking COVID-19 cases amid the spread of the Omicron variant. People should look into swapping their cloth masks for surgical masks or N95 masks, according to Illinois State Medical Society President-Elect Clarence Brown. Illinois likely just experienced its…
Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to return to Springfield Wednesday for an abbreviated start to the session. Leaders canceled two days of session this week because of concerns over rising COVID-19 cases. A northern Illinois health expert says most individuals forget about their mental health when making resolutions for the new…
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said he’s deeply concerned by the record number of COVID-19 patients in the state’s hospitals at a COVID-19 news conference in Chicago Monday. State officials say there now are more people hospitalized by the coronavirus than at any stage in the pandemic. Those walking around Urbana are more…
Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Former President Donald Trump is getting involved in an Illinois Congressional primary contest, endorsing the state’s newest Republican over a ten-year veteran in Washington, D.C. Today marks the start of Chicago’s new COVID-19 vaccination policy – businesses like gyms and restaurants are now required to ask patrons for proof…
Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois has surpassed 2 million COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began. A University of Illinois professor has discovered that chemical byproducts created when water is cleaned could impact the body’s ability to reproduce. Illinois led throughout in an 88-63 win Wednesday night in the annual Braggin’ Rights basketball game…
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 Today’s headlines: Electric utility Commonwealth Edison says it’ll voluntarily issue a $21 million refund to customers after it admitted former executives and lobbyists engaged in a years-long bribery scheme. With colder months ahead, there’s more farmers can do to protect their fields for future seasons. The Champaign City Council voted Tuesday night to…
Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a new record number of COVID cases for 2021 on Monday. The University of Illinois announced Monday that it will delay the start of in-person spring classes on its Urbana campus by one week. Public health officials are pleading with the community…
Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 Today’s headlines: State public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says people need to continue to follow COVID-19 prevention protocols, including getting vaccinated. Beginning Jan. 1, Ameren Illinois customers will see an increase in their electric bill of around $2.50 per month. Some of the money will go toward ongoing upgrades to…
December 17, 2021 Today’s headlines: Despite increasing cases of COVID-19, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said he’s not planning to implement new restrictions on gatherings or businesses. The new year will bring higher Ameren bills because of a rate hike recently approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Two bus stops are getting upgrades as part of a settlement…
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 Today’s headlines: After nearly 20 years of attempts, the state of Illinois will finally sell the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Champaign’s new plan to reduce gun violence divides $3.2 million in pandemic relief among local agencies. None of that new money would go to the Champaign Police Department. Residents…
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois stopped licensing traditional midwives in the mid-1960s, and made the practice illegal in 1992. But on Tuesday, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law once again sanctioning midwifery outside of hospitals beginning next fall. The Champaign City Council unanimously approved a blueprint on Tuesday for a plan which infuses $3.2…
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation Monday for 28 Illinois counties hit by Friday’s severe storms. The proclamation gives the state and its emergency management agency the authority to provide resources to help storm victims. Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey is the first in the GOP field…
Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 Today’s headlines: The search for more victims and cleanup efforts will continue Monday at the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville after being struck by an EF-3 tornado Friday night. Officials have confirmed that six employees died, one is in the hospital with serious injuries, and 45 were rescued and reunited with family. Meteorologists…