217 Today: Two incumbent Republicans face off in the primary for Illinois’ 15th Congressional District
Thursday, May 19, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a measure banning the sale and ownership of “ghost guns.” The nationwide shortage of infant formula affects food-insecure families most because of state policy. Early voting begins Thursday across the state for the primary election on June 28. In today’s deep dive, we’ll […]
217 Today: Some hospitals have stopped using race to inform patient care
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Today’s headlines: More than half the children who prompted contempt orders against the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ director are still waiting for proper placement. The Urbana Board of Education wants to explore converting its two Spanish dual-language programs into one, fully dual-language school, like International Prep Academy in […]
217 Today: New section of Kickapoo Rail Trail is expected to be finished this fall
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois is spending $11 million dollars to shore up reproductive healthcare and family planning services statewide. Chicago area-based Abbott Laboratories, which makes baby formula, says it expects its products to reach store shelves in about six to eight weeks. Dining and facilities workers at the University of Illinois at […]
217 Today: A new grain has potential to feed more people in a warming climate
Monday, May 16, 2022 Today’s headlines: In the race for Illinois Governor, Darren Bailey is trying to put some distance between himself and the rest of the Republican primary field. Some parents are turning to donated breast milk as a substitute amid a major baby formula shortage. Black farmers in the U.S. lost more than […]
217 Today: Midwest citizens could be forced to travel for abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned
Friday, May 13, 2022 Today’s headlines: A new state audit outlines several failures at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. University of Illinois scientists played a role in capturing the first-ever image of the massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. A world champion soccer coach is the featured […]
217 Today: Immigrant women face language and cultural barriers to pregnancy care in Central Illinois
Thursday, May 12, 2022 Today’s headlines: President Joe Biden said Wednesday that it’s time to invest more in agriculture in Illinois and elsewhere because the war in Ukraine is cutting off a global food supply. Student COVID cases are picking back up throughout the state of Illinois. Illinois officials expect thousands more abortion patients each […]
217 Today: Former Central Illinois U.S. Representative Tim Johnson dies at age 75
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 Today’s headlines: Work continues unwinding some Illinois pension funds from Russian assets. Behavioral health co-responders will work with law enforcement in four Illinois cities as part of a slate of public safety bills Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Tuesday. Asian-American authors are visiting Champaign-Urbana schools all month for Asian American […]
217 Today: Recent rains aren’t enough to erase drought conditions across the Great Plains
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Today’s headlines: State Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman says she’ll retire in July after 48 years on the bench at every level of the judiciary. The best-funded candidate in the Illinois Republican primary for governor Monday dodged questions about his support for Donald Trump and Roe v. Wade. Supporters of abortion […]
217 Today: Increasing gun violence raises issue of community-wide trauma among residents
Monday, May 9, 2022 Today’s headlines: The Democratic Party of Illinois is applying to hold one of the nation’s first presidential primary elections in 2024. OSF HealthCare allergist Dr. Neha Dunn says May is generally the worst time for pollen allergy sufferers. A century-year-old tractor just became the most expensive tractor ever sold. It’s been […]
217 Today: Upcoming New, Brews and Beatz event plans to discuss solutions to local gun violence
Friday, May 6, 2022 Today’s headlines: Several abortion rights groups in Illinois are seeing an uptick in donations after the leak of a U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe v. Wade. Older Latinos believe support from non-family members is important, according to a recent University of Illinois study. The Danville Boys and Girls Club […]
217 Today: Leader of Planned Parenthood of Illinois reacts to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion
Thursday, May 5, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois would become a “Midwest island of abortion rights” if Roe v. Wade is overturned. But, it wouldn’t have been that way a few years ago. Illinois abortion rights supporters say they’re scared and angry… and they’re getting their marching shoes on. Two Special Education programs serving Macon and […]
Labor shortage leaves families of children with disabilities scrambling for care they need
VILLA GROVE, Ill. – Paper calendars line a wall inside a house in Villa Grove, a small town south of Champaign-Urbana. The calendars help Meagan Quigley keep track of who will be watching her son each day. Her son Morgan has both autism and epilepsy – meaning he needs almost constant care. Almost every day […]
217 Today: Families of children with disabilities struggle to find care amid nationwide labor shortage
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Today’s headlines: Abortion will still be legal in the state of Illinois if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal protections enshrined by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Many of the Republican candidates for Illinois governor are supporting the possible rollback of Roe v. Wade — with one notable exception. […]
217 Today: A new historical marker in Illinois honors a worker killed protesting in the 1930s
Tuesday, May 3, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza wants to pay down the state’s pension liabilities more aggressively while building savings at the same time. Educators around the state say students are over-tested, and they feel the state’s proposal to revamp its spring testing program is not a solution. Chicago hip hop group […]
217 Today: Soil protection program unites climate change experts and farmers
Monday, May 2, 2022 Today’s headlines: There’s a debate over debates within the six-way Republican field for Illinois governor. Champaign police say they’re increasing efforts to spread the word about new hiring incentives designed to attract more experienced officers to the force. Elementary schoolers at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy spend one half-day per week […]