CHAMPAIGN — A memorial at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign honored the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four airliners. The ceremony featured officials from Champaign, Urbana and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. U of I Chancellor Charles Isbell said he lived in the New
Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams stands in front of the newly opened Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office in Urbana on Sept. 10, 2026. He says the goal is to improve safety and help residents connect with the resources they need.
Several immigrant support agencies teamed up with local officials in Champaign County to host a panel discussion focused on immigrant support and to spread awareness of area resources. The event is part of the “Welcoming Week” – nearly 30 events taking place from Sept. 9 through Sept. 19.
Amid national and regional blood shortages, ImpactLife hosted a blood drive at the Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, Sept. 9, as part of the Abbott and Big Ten “We Give Blood” Challenge.
Over the next five years, NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to reveal more information on the expansion of the universe, dark matter and distant planets.
Mattoon resident Diane Lathrop was born and raised in east-central Illinois. She was valedictorian of the Mattoon Senior High School class of 1971. She attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and, in 2023, retired after more than 40 years in the financial services industry.
Callie McFarland has lived in Monticello since 2004. She’s a mother of two, a farmer’s wife and a small business owner. Since 2008, she’s been the director of community and economic development for the city of Monticello.
Dr. Allan Crandall has provided psychotherapeutic and medical services to people throughout central Illinois and in Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska and Colorado.
Mayor Deshawn Williams spoke at his State of the City address about public works improvements, including new street lights and sidewalks as well as public safety and violence prevention.
Da’Sani Lewis is a 2026 graduate of Danville High School and will be attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall. Lewis wonders what kind of place America should be 50 years from now.
After being voted down in the March primary, Mahomet Public Library Director John Howard still wants to see a new children’s area and community room for Mahomet residents. The previously proposed outdoor patio has been taken out of these plans.
Chad Rand is outreach coordinator for the University of Illinois Education Justice Project, where he supports people across the country who are coming home from prison or facing detention and deportation.
Father Johndamaseni Zilimu is pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Champaign. Father John was born in Tanzania and moved to the U.S. in 2000. He received his doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2014.
The city council once again heard from public commenters on both sides of the debate surrounding the redevelopment project, setting the stage for a possible vote next Monday.
Hannah Velasco is a 29-year-old resident of Urbana. She directs Urbana High School’s Ballet Folklórico de los Tigres, and is a recruitment and training coordinator for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Champaign County. Her identity has never fit neatly into one box, and she believes that accepting each other’s differences is part of being American.