News Around Illinois – November 25, 2019

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s Illinois Terminal

 

DOT Grant Gives MTD $17 Million For Terminal Expansion

CHAMPAIGN – The largest piece of the funding pie is now in place for the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s Illinois Terminal expansion. That’s after the US Department of Transportation awarded the MTD a grant of more than $17-million for the project. The Illinois Terminal expansion is part of the larger proposed Yards development, which would include a new downtown hotel and conference center along with a new arena for a yet-to-be-announced University of Illinois varsity hockey team. – Brian Moline, Illinois Newsroom

Men Of Color Experience Racism While Using Online Platforms

URBANA – Gay and bisexual men of color who use online platforms to find romantic partner experience racial discrimination in various forms. That’s according to a recent study led by University of Illinois social work professor Ryan Wade.  Speaking on The 21st show, Wade said sexual racism includes anything from a person being told they’re not desirable because of their race to erotic objectification of entire racial groups. Wade said the anonymity offered on many digital platforms may embolden people to express their racist views.  – Christine Herman, Illinois Newsroom

Fewer Hunters In Illinois Means Fewer Conservation Efforts

SPRINGFIELD – Conservation officials in Illinois are trying to overcome a near half-century of declining participation in hunting. Jared Duquette with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said as state revenue declines from hunting licenses and the sale of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, the state has had to cut back on conversation efforts. Duquette said the IDNR is looking for new revenue streams from outdoor activities that are becoming more popular such as hiking. The state is also promoting its online ‘Learn to Hunt’ program. – Eric Stock, WGLT Radio

State Board of Education Wants Info On Seclusion Rooms

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education is encouraging anyone with information about abusive time out rooms or restraints in any school setting to share that information directly with the agency. The request follows a report by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica documenting thousands of instances of children, usually with special needs, placed in seclusion in their schools.  The board has already implemented emergency rules banning isolated seclusion as well as restraints that could make it hard for a child to breathe or speak normally. Anyone with relevant information can email statecomplaints@isbe.net – Dusty Rhodes, NPR Illinois

Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM