Photography exhibit turns ‘The Black Gaze’ on Champaign-Urbana leaders
Photographer Dwayne Banks Jr. highlighted 30 local African American leaders in his exhibit at the University YMCA in Champaign.
Urbana officials seek input for Florida Avenue construction, aimed at improving road conditions
Local residents gathered for a public information meeting to discuss construction plans for a portion of Florida Avenue in Urbana. The plans focus on improving road conditions, but some residents want more emphasis on pedestrians and bikers.
Asking for help is a sign of strength: How one Urbana nursery is redefining family crisis
Hundreds of families are served each year at Crisis Nursery — the only 24-hour, 365-day emergency child care facility in Champaign County. The organization also runs programs aimed at supporting child and family well-being.
More rain expected tonight but rest of week looking dry after severe storms
Many places in Central Illinois are cleaning up after two rounds of severe storms Monday.
UPDATED: FBI confirms it’s in Champaign-Urbana, but ICE is not
Federal agents are planning to be in Champaign-Urbana this week — but not for immigration enforcement.
Animal activists celebrate their first global ‘Sanctuary Day’
The Farm Micro Sanctuary in Indiana is one of more than a dozen farm animal shelters in the Midwest.
Trump and top officials were likely targets at media dinner, Justice Dept. head says
WASHINGTON — The accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives traveled across the country
Grad student and teacher win the 2026 Christie Clinic Marathon, thousands travel to Champaign to compete in annual race
More than 5,000 runners from across the country and around the world took part in the Christie Clinic Race Weekend.
Illinois lawmakers debate data center regulations in response to growing energy and water use concerns
State lawmakers in Springfield are debating how to regulate data centers as proposals for new facilities spark concerns over their impact on utility costs and water reservoirs.
About 1 in 4 eligible Champaign County voters cast ballots in this year’s primary election
This year’s voter turnout was on par with past midterm primary elections. This year, about a third of voters cast ballots by mail — up from about a fifth in the most recent midterm primary election in 2022.
Champaign County Board approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Board was previously considering a nine month moratorium on data centers.
Champaign-Urbana street closures to begin soon ahead of Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
The 5K run/walk takes place Friday. The Marathon takes place on Saturday.
‘To just be a big brother’: Fighting Illini Men’s Gymnastics team supports 9-year-old Owen en route to NCAA Championship
The Besch family reached out to Team Impact. This organization was founded in 2011 and is built on making sure kids develop socially and never feel alone.
Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar on working with Illinois Democrats, immigration, and Pritzker’s relationship with federal government
Del Mar recently appeared on the 21st Show and discussed how he found similarities with Darren Bailey despite being from two different parts of the state, Democrats in Illinois, immigration policies, and Governor Pritzker’s relationship with President Trump.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor signs 2026 climate action plan— without fossil fuels divestment
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. signed the Illinois Climate Action Plan Wednesday, but it’s missing a key provision students have been advocating for.
Urbana testing out new road design on part of Lincoln Avenue to improve pedestrian safety
The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that includes a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.
Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage
The secretary of state adjusted hiring requirements as schools and transportation providers worked to grow the workforce.
Urbana residents will soon be opted in to an electric aggregation program. Here’s what you need to know
Urbana residents have been automatically opted in to an electrical aggregation program, unless they’ve already opted out.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Apr. 23 – Apr. 26
The Illinois Marathon Weekend, C-U Area Prom Giveaway, Arbor Day celebrations, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
As US-Iran ceasefire deadline nears, uncertainty hangs over possible talks
Earlier in the day, two regional officials said Washington and Tehran had signaled they would hold a second round of talks, with Vance leading the U.S. team and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as its top negotiator.
Champaign is taking steps to more easily allow bike-share companies to operate in the area
The city’s municipal code will be amended to standardize regulations for e-bike companies like Veo and others.
Ebertfest’s ‘Last Dance’ honors founder and namesake Roger Ebert after festival’s 27-year run
Last year, Ebertfest organizers had said they wouldn’t be coming back, but they pivoted and made a final return for the “Last Dance” event on April 17 and 18, featuring nine film screenings plus a play re-enacting an episode of Siskel & Ebert.
Higher education funding reform stalls in Illinois House
Hundreds of students and educators rallied at the Statehouse last Thursday in support of the Equitable Public University Funding Act.
UIS faculty strike ends
After more than two weeks on the picket line, tenured and tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield have a deal to return to work. Faculty will be back in the classroom today.
Illinois Public Media recognized with four statewide broadcasting awards, including Best Small Market Radio Station
The judges considered material produced between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Stanford returns to glory, wins the 2026 national title as State Farm Center hosts NCAA men’s gymnastics championships for the first time since 2019
Gymnasts from 12 teams contended for the national title at State Farm Center over the weekend. Stanford took home the first-place trophy.
PHOTOS: Six top gymnastics teams compete in NCAA championship at State Farm Center
Gymnasts from six universities faced off in the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship at State Farm on Saturday. Stanford took home the first-place trophy, and Illinois placed fifth.
PHOTOS: Twelve teams of the country’s top male gymnasts compete in qualifiers at State Farm Center
NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Tournament April 17-18, 2026 The gymnasts competed in six routines, including floor, pommel horse and rings. In the first qualification, No. 1-seeded
Tornado reported in Champaign County; multiple electric outages reported after storms move through
Tornado warning issued in Champaign County on Friday 9:45-10:30 p.m.
House approves Pritzker initiative to regulate social media algorithms
A bill to regulate social media companies and the features they make available to minors is advancing in the Statehouse. Gov. JB Pritzker proposed the bill, which is designed to make social media scrolling less addictive for children.
Regardless of their stance on the war, Iranians in C-U feel silenced by those who disagree with them
Some Iranians in the U.S. say they support the war to get rid of the violent Iranian regime. Others are not as hopeful, citing numerous examples of failed external military interventions for democratization of the Middle East.
Trump wants to slash $5 billion from USDA’s budget. That could hurt rural America, critics say
Some close watchers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget aren’t thrilled with the Trump administration’s proposal — but they’re hopeful some of the suggested cuts won’t make it in the final spending plans passed by Congress.
It’s been 20 years since the NCAA banned Chief Illiniwek from championship games. Some students want U of I to move on
The University of Illinois retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007, without picking a new mascot. Native American faculty say the inaction is damaging.
NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts
The gifts arrive at a time of great financial strain for public media.
Champaign Public Library marks 150 years of growth, access and community impact
The library will celebrate its 150th anniversary all year. National Library Week will be one of the biggest celebrations, from April 19 through April 25.
State higher education budget chair calls the UIS faculty strike ‘unnecessary’
While almost daily bargaining sessions have taken place this month, UIS United Faculty President Dathan Powell said the administration is failing to negotiate in good faith.
Amid artificial intelligence explosion, lawmakers debate best path to regulate
Illinois lawmakers recognize the harms of AI while hearing testimony on dozens of bills.
CUrbanism Club uses data and art to draw attention to Champaign-Urbana’s housing needs
CUrbanism Club used data from the city of Champaign — plus photography, paintings and collages — to highlight steps toward meeting local housing needs. The interactive art exhibit highlighted policies that pose barriers and proposed solutions.
7th Circuit orders release, new trial for two ‘ComEd Four’ defendants
Two key figures in the federal corruption case against ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan were ordered released from prison Tuesday just hours after their lawyers argued for a new trial in front of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Severe thunderstorms possible Friday night
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue today. Temperatures are expected to dip this weekend.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Apr. 16 – Apr. 19
A Tango festival, the last Ebertfest, and an event honoring Earth Day are all happening this weekend in Central Illinois.
Illinois regulators have little power to stop hospital shutdowns. Lawmakers are stepping in.
Bills from state Sen. Laura Fine and state Rep. Robyn Gabel would require all hospitals to file plans with the state in case they close or scale back services to make sure patients don’t fall through the cracks.
Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Christian Mitchell on downstate Illinois, data centers, and future goals
Gov. JB Pritzker picked Christian Mitchell to serve as his running mate as he seeks a third term in office. Mitchell sat down with The 21st Show to discuss why he wants to be lieutenant governor.
Faculty strike at University of Illinois Springfield continues into second week
The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement over salary increases despite the help of a federal mediator and eight bargaining sessions having taken place between tenured and tenure-track faculty since the strike began on April 3.
South Mattis Avenue in Champaign to close through December for resurfacing, new bike lanes
South Mattis Avenue will be closed through December starting this week from Windsor to Curtis Road. Champaign officials say the new design will be easier to maintain and create new options for people who are not driving.
Trump’s foreign farm worker policy criticized by both unions and ‘America First’ groups
Guest farm workers holding H-2A visas are more important than ever for agriculture, especially after President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Savoy celebrates 70 years since the village’s incorporation
The village of Savoy turned 70 years old last week. In that time, the town has grown from a few hundred residents to nearly 9,000 people. Officials there are looking forward to future development projects.
Illinois Men’s Basketball: Wagler to the NBA, other players transferring in and out
Wagler thanked the city of Champaign and the university for all the support this season.
Most American prairies are gone. These people are working to bring them back
From a field on an Illinois university campus, to rare, untouched land in Texas, here are some efforts to replant once-abundant prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains.
Siebel Center for Design facilitates conversations around AI use for U of I faculty
Artificial Intelligence has quickly become a staple in campus life – from generating ideas in classrooms to analyzing data in research labs. But for many college instructors, the rapid rise in AI prompts more questions than answers.
One woman’s journey from addiction and homelessness to helping others in C-U
People who are homeless face many challenges when it comes to finding housing in Champaign-Urbana. Christine Pierce is drawing from her life experience to support people on their journey to recovery and housing.
Illinois Republican lawmakers introduce a bill for a 6-month gas sales tax pause
GOP state lawmakers want to lower gas prices in Illinois as the price of gas has risen above $4 a gallon because of the war in Iran.
Solidarity rally held in support of striking UIS faculty
Heading into another bargaining session Wednesday afternoon, the UIS faculty strike that began Friday showed no end in sight.
Illinois Public Media and the College of Media team up to offer teen podcast workshops
The workshops will be held April 4, 11 and 25. Registration is required.
University of Illinois students, unions launch campaign to ‘De-ICE’ campus contracts
Dozens of U of I students and workers gathered on campus Wednesday to demand the school cut ties with companies profiting from immigration enforcement.
Illinois farmers ease critical labor shortages through this agricultural visa program
The H-2A visa has become a lifeline for farmers who can’t find enough domestic workers.
ISU workers go on strike after negotiations hit dead end
Another round of negotiations took place Tuesday at Hovey Hall, the main ISU administration building, but the two sides could not resolve their differences.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Apr. 9 – Apr. 12
Boneyard Arts Festival, the Festival of Quilts, opening nights of theatre and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
The Latest: Iran says it has accepted a 2-week ceasefire in the war
U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s pulling back on his threats to widen attacks on Iran. The president says that includes an array of bridges, power plants and other civilian targets — subject to Iran being ready for a two-week ceasefire and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.