Illinois Supreme Court in ‘wait and see’ posture as new public defense policy takes shape
During a recent visit to McLean County, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O’Brien said there are geographic disparities in public defense, in addition to equity gaps between prosecutors and public defenders.
Urbana City Council appoints interim fire chief
Tal Prendergast has served the Urbana Fire Department for 17 years and the Danville Fire Department for five years.
Illinois Farm Bureau delegates reject president’s bid for 2nd term
At the IFB annual meeting in Chicago, nearly 57% of the delegates chose Philip Nelson from Seneca, a former IFB president and state agriculture director, as the organization’s 17th president.
Cottonseeds are loaded with protein. Could these seeds become a new food source?
Cottonseeds could help reduce hunger and add new revenue for farmers. One researcher has been working for decades to make edible seeds a reality.
Trump administration will send $12 billion in bailout money to farmers hurt by trade war
Most of the package is earmarked for row-crop producers. It aims to help farmers – especially those who grow soybeans – balance out losses from high costs and a trade war with China.
How Illinois’ Democratic U.S. Senate candidates plan to address economic issues
How Illinois’ Democratic U.S. Senate candidates plan to address economic issues
Illinois educators hope to tackle thorny issue of math competence
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education releases an annual report card with data showing how students are doing in the basic subjects of reading, writing and math.
Champaign’s only low-barrier shelter is at risk of closing. Some guests are worried
Strides first opened in 2022, with funding from the American Rescue Plan, a federal COVID-19 relief fund. But funding is set to run out as early as February.
Republican Senate Candidate Don Tracy on Israel, ICE, and the future of MAGA and the GOP
This episode of “Dialogue” features Republican Senate Candidate Don Tracy who is a candidate for the Illinois Senate race in 2026 on the 21st Show.
Illinois Senate Candidates Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and Congresswoman Robin Kelly discuss policies
This episode of “Dialogue” features a round-up of stories from candidates for the Illinois Senate race in 2026 who spoke on the 21st Show of the issues they aim to tackle if they get elected.
No. 14 Illinois beats No. 13 Tennessee 75-62 in Music City Madness
Illinois snapped a five-game skid on neutral courts against ranked opponents and also gave coach Brad Underwood his first win in three tries against Tennessee.
3I/ATLAS is not alien spacecraft. But here’s how scientists actually look for aliens
3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, is on its way out, yet speculation that it is alien technology persists.
Holiday cards to those in prison will be digitized this year. A local group points out the importance of physical copies
RIPPLE Effect brings together about two dozen strangers every holiday to write cards to incarcerated people from Champaign County.
Winter Weather Advisory for Champaign County now-Sunday 6am: winter mix possible
New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch celebrates 30 years and represents Illinois on Good Morning America
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, recently featured on Good Morning America, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Rep. Sorensen calls for Defense Secretary Hegseth to resign after Pentagon watchdog report
A summary of the inspector general’s report provided to NPR finds that had a foreign adversary intercepted the intelligence discussed in the chat, it would have endangered both U.S. servicemembers and the mission at large.
Massey Commission releases its final report
The report summarizes the Commission’s public hearings, listening sessions, and research.
Transgender people are looking for safer places to live. Some have found a home in central Illinois
Amid increasingly hostile laws and rhetoric targeting transgender people in the United States, many of them seek to move to places they feel safer. Aaron Slayton is one of many who have made a new home in central Illinois.
Illinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of American independence
The programs will seek to highlight local histories and celebrate Illinois’s achievements.
Champaign City Council rejects public encampment ban
The measure would’ve prohibited people from camping on public and city property while requiring city staff to make an effort to connect people with social services.
Freezing temperatures continue until end of the week
Meteorologists said wind chills will range from zero to as low as 15 degrees below zero on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Unit 4 parents, students looking for ‘strong communicator’ in next superintendent
Those who want to be Champaign Unit 4’s next superintendent can apply now. The job description is based on the input parents, teachers and students.
Sean Grayson’s attorneys seek new trial after murder conviction
Defense says judge should have barred video of minutes following Sonya Massey’s shooting.
Pritzker signs bill allowing Illinois to issue state-specific vaccine guidelines
The new law will allow the state to publish guidelines that differ from the CDC.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 4 – Dec. 7
The Nutcracker ballet, a holiday parade, community dances, and more are all happening in Central Illinois this week.
Nonpartisan think tank identifies Illinois’ most effective state legislators
Because of their legislative supermajorities, Democrats in the Illinois House and Senate ranked the highest on the researchers’ list of legislators’ deemed to be the most effective.
Illinois prison artist wowed that her artwork reached Pope Leo XIV
When Gov. JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker visited the pope in Rome on Nov. 19, they gave the pontiff a gift: a hand-drawn self-portrait by Yesenia Diaz, who’s incarcerated downstate.
A native prairie bird lost federal protection. People are still trying to save it on private land
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates millions of lesser prairie chickens may have once scurried across a range of almost 100 million acres across the Great Plains. Today, scientists estimate there are only about 27,000 left in five states – Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.
Snow ends in central Illinois, prepare now for dangerous cold
From IPM meteorologist Andrew Pritchard: Another, weaker storm system will bring another coating of light, powdery snow to central Illinois on Monday.
School closings/delays/e-learning days for December 2, 2025
Tolono Unit 7 Schools will hold an e-learning day on Tuesday, December 2.
Crisis Nursery offers holiday shopping for kids
The Holiday Shop is open this weekend to all children who want to find gifts for family, friends, and loved ones.
National Guard member shot in DC has shown positive signs, West Virginia governor says
Beckstrom and Wolfe were shot Wednesday just blocks from the White House while deployed as part of President Donald Trump’s crime-fighting plan that federalized D.C. police.
Floating wetlands in Lake Decatur aim to improve water quality while providing wildlife habitats
As winter approaches, the durability of two new floating wetlands in Lake Decatur will be tested. These man-made structures were installed on the lake this summer with the goal of improving water quality and creating a habitat for wildlife.
Trump cuts could shrink Illinois economy by $10B: report
The report offers a detailed looked at the effects of cuts enacted by Trump through executive order or legislation, directives by federal agency leaders or through Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency.”
Ebertfest and beyond: How the C-U film sphere moves forward after the loss of a giant
CHAMPAIGN — Ebertfest began in 1999 as a star-studded, red-carpet affair showcasing the overlooked indie film darlings in Hollywood at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign.
Miles Scott’s 2 late interceptions secure Illinois’ 20-13 win over Northwestern
Luke Altmyer, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, was 10-of-15 passing for 136 yards in his final regular-season home game for Illinois.
Rhythm and roots: The restorative power of Black holiday music
From the tone and tenor of Black holiday music, what brings the spirit more than sounds that bring a community together?
Ameren residential gas customers to see average $3.65 increase on bills in January
Ameren serves approximately 816,000 customers in central and southern Illinois.
U.S. Rep. Sorensen pushes for extension of Obamacare subsidies during visit to Normal
Sorensen dismissed an idea raised by the chair of the U.S. Senate Health Committee, Republican Bill Cassidy, to shift the money from the subsidies to health savings accounts for consumers.
Wind advisory in effect today for much of Central Illinois
The National Weather Service’s advisory is in effect for portions of central, east central, southeast, and west central Illinois until 6 pm Wednesday.
Budzinski intervenes in local housing dispute on behalf of low-income residents
In late August, after months of conversations with residents, Budzinski approached HUD with concerns, requesting information about the frequency of inspections and compliance with HUD standards.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Nov. 27 – Nov. 30
Rigg’s Christmas Market, a tribute to music legends, the Parade of Lights, and more are coming to central IL this weekend.
Cold front expected with chance of snow during Thanksgiving weekend in Central Illinois
Central Illinois could see high wind gusts, low temperatures, and possibly snow this holiday weekend.
Small businesses feel more uneasy ahead of the holidays after a year of slow sales and high costs
A national survey found the smallest business owners are feeling less confident as they close out the year. Inflation, tariffs and shifts in consumer spending are some of the reasons why.
Which Thanksgiving pie do you serve: pumpkin or sweet potato? There’s a rich history behind both
Are you serving pumpkin or sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving? A look at the history and cultural ties that influence why Americans may prefer one or the other.
Requests for new K-12 funding in Illinois likely to outstrip available resources
If advocates, stakeholders and members of the public were granted all their requests for public school funding next year, lawmakers would have to increase the state’s K-12 education budget by nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars.
A new temporary emergency homeless shelter opens in Champaign
As of Nov. 1, there are 82 unsheltered adults and children in the area, and homelessness is on the rise in Champaign-Urbana, said Cunningham Township supervisor Danielle Chynoweth.
New Federal Rules Could Put Formerly Unhoused People Back Out on The Streets Across Illinois
The Trump administration is dramatically cutting the money available to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.
Welcome to Morton, Illinois — the bite-sized town that produces a whole lot of canned pumpkin
The pumpkin pie Americans enjoy each Thanksgiving often comes from pumpkins grown near Morton, Illinois.
Stojakovic scores 20 points as No. 8 Illinois routs Long Island 98-58
David Mirkovic had 12 points and eight rebounds for the 5-1 Illini, who bounced back nicely after losing to No. 11 Alabama in Chicago on Wednesday night.
Stirring history: The plates and legacy of Black holiday food
From collard greens to mac and cheese, and even sweet potatoes, the flavors and traditions behind Black holiday meals are passed down through generations. But could we be losing recipes?
9 months after federal bribery conviction, former Speaker Madigan disbarred
Nearly six decades after becoming a lawyer, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been disbarred following his convictions on federal corruption charges — including bribery — earlier this year.
Illinois regulators cut Ameren’s natural gas rate increase request by nearly $56M
The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a $73 million natural gas rate increase for Ameren on Wednesday. It’s not yet known how much bills will go up with the decision.
This niche card game has a loyal following in an Illinois prison
Danville Correctional Center reversed a ban on Magic: The Gathering cards last year. Since then, the game has been a source of community and joy.
Now-9am: Dense fog advisory in much of central Illinois
URBANA – The National Weather Service in Lincoln has posted a Dense Fog Advisory for much of central and southwest Illinois until mid-morning on Friday.
Carle Arrow Ambulance is now Champaign’s sole emergency medical services provider
Arrow Ambulance is setting aside four trucks and staff to exclusively serve Champaign. Some paramedics are concerned the agency is not prepared for the task.
Newly released cache of Epstein emails reveal deeper ties with Thomas Pritzker, governor’s cousin
Thomas Pritzker, Gov. JB Pritzker’s cousin, exchanged at least 20 back-and-forth emails with Epstein that show the two remarking on current events and making plans to see each other.
7th Circuit stays judge’s order restricting immigration agents’ use of riot control weapons
The ruling comes after this fall’s Chicago-focused “Operation Midway Blitz” immigration enforcement campaign quickly wound down late last week.
Your Thanksgiving turkey could be more expensive this year. Tariffs are a big culprit
An average 15-pound turkey could cost around $30 this Thanksgiving, according to an analysis from Purdue University.
Illinois prisons are confining the incarcerated to their cells more often than during the pandemic. Can peer education help?
Prison lockdowns cut incarcerated people off from educational opportunities, and they often occur due to staff shortages. Experts say peer mentorship could help fill the gap.