Nearly 300 new Illinois laws take effect in 2025
They include digital driver’s licenses, salary transparency and health insurance changes.
Tag: Urbana
Illinois teachers urging lawmakers to help them use artificial intelligence safely in the classroom
A group of teachers have published a report through the nonprofit Teach Plus asking the General Assembly to provide guidance to schools “with urgency.”
Illinois ranks fourth for whooping cough cases nationwide
As of the end of November, 1,902 whooping cough infections were reported in Illinois this year.
The Champaign Urbana Autism Network hosts annual sensory-friendly breakfast
With Christmas just around the corner, the Champaign Urbana Autism Network hosted its sensory-friendly breakfast Sunday, at the City Center in Champaign. Children with autism can struggle waiting for hours in crowded places, which can make it hard to attend other holiday events for kids, said Julie Duvall, executive director of CU Autism Network. “It’s
Urbana officials pledge $800,000 for new grocery store, contingent on state grant
Urbana officials are taking steps that could bring a grocery store to the city’s north end. On Monday night, the City Council pledged to allocate $800,000 to tackle a food desert in Ward 3. The money is meant to support an application for the Illinois Grocery Initiative, a program that could provide up to $2.4
Champaign County seeking feedback on proposed South Lincoln Avenue redesign
Officials are asking for input on a proposal that aims to improve safety along one part of the north-south arterial road in Urbana. The plan would include a lane reduction as well as new bike lanes and pedestrian crossings.
Demand for abortion pills spiked in Illinois, countrywide after Trump reelection
Calls to Planned Parenthood Illinois surged 15% in the days immediately after the election, with wait times doubling to as much as 20 minutes.
Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, committed misconduct at prior jobs. Another one of his cases just got dropped
Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who killed Sonya Massey, was accused of misconduct while employed at Central Illinois police departments. Some whose complaints were disregarded are speaking up about the harm that could have been prevented.
University of Illinois System president: Departing U of I Chancellor ‘colleague, friend’
University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said in an interview that UIUC Chancellor Robert Jones has been his partner, colleague and friend through many major events.
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.
‘Political comeback for the ages’: Illinois GOP, Democratic politicians react to Trump’s victory
As the nation adjusts to the idea of another Trump presidency, prominent politicians from Illinois are also reacting to the election results. With a win in the key swing states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency. Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized the last time Donald Trump
Urbana voters support advisory referendum asking U.S. to end military funding for Israel
URBANA– A majority of Urbana voters backed an advisory referendum asking whether the U.S. should end its military funding for Israel. Residents petitioned to get the measure on the Cunningham Township ballot earlier this year in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Based on unofficial results from the Champaign County Clerk’s office, around
Illinois faces a $3 billion shortfall in 2026, a new report shows
If the projections hold true, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker could face difficult financial decisions, from increasing taxes to cutting spending. The relative financial calm that has marked Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s six years in office may soon be coming to a close as his administration Friday forecast a more than $3 billion budget shortfall for the
Community honors 170th anniversary of Lincoln’s Urbana anti-slavery speech
Before he was elected president, Abraham Lincoln spoke in Urbana on Oct. 24, 1854, to denounce a law that allowed for the expansion of slavery. On Thursday, one hundred and seventy years later, a commemoration was held at the Champaign County Courthouse. Around 50 community members gathered to hear the history behind those remarks.
Illinois launches push to combat distracted driving
Brenda Protz lost her 14-year-old daughter in November 2019 in a distracted-driving crash. Jenna and a friend were riding home from a football game with Jenna’s paternal grandparents when their car was struck by a distracted driver. Jenna and the others in her car died; the other driver survived. “Jenna’s life was cut short,” said