217 Today: Chicago-area teens attend COP28, return with ideas to fight climate change
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Today’s headlines: Men’s basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr remains suspended by the University of Illinois after being charged with rape for a September incident in Kansas. South and central Illinois residents who rely on Ameren for gas and electricity may soon notice a change in their monthly bills. This new year, […]
217 Today: Colleges hand out scholarships to attract top students — at the expense of kids in need
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Today’s headlines: West suburban Oak Park has told migrants temporarily living in two locations that they must move out by the end of January. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is demanding that the Biden Administration kick in more funds to overhaul Chicago’s Union Station. Applications are now being taken for farmers who […]
217 Today: Western Illinois University getting outside perspective on addressing challenges
Monday, December 18, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Chicago City Council blocked a resolution last week for voters to weigh in on the city’s sanctuary city designation. The marching band at Western Illinois University is engaged in a heavy competition that could earn it new musical equipment. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team defeated the Colgate […]
217 Today: Many families struggle to find in-patient mental health care for children
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Police are increasingly using “clear and present danger” reports to prevent people who may be a threat from having or getting firearms. People being released from the Cook County jail will be able to get a key resource on their way out the door — a free […]
217 Today: Children need mental health support more than ever. But services can be hard to find
Monday, December 11, 2023 Today’s headlines: Chicago alderpersons continue to lay blame over the failed construction of a migrant base camp in Brighton Park. A new group in Champaign has started to advocate for reparations for African Americans. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is underway. But, many at the University of Illinois are thinking about […]
Urbana City Council delays decision to hire more police officers, facing resident pushback
URBANA — Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone asked the Urbana City Council Monday night to amend the budget to hire four additional police officers. The Council deferred the decision until a national consulting firm hired by the department releases a report with staffing recommendations. Boone requested $569,198 to fund four new positions, including a Deputy […]
217 Today: Report finds Logan, Pontiac and Stateville prisons nearly inoperable
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Today’s headlines: The deadline has passed for Republican and Democratic candidates to submit nominating petitions to get on the ballot for next March’s primary. The Governor’s office halted construction on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to shelter asylum seekers on a former industrial lot in Brighton Park on Chicago’s Southwest Side. An […]
217 Today: Former Saturday Night Live cast member fuses comedy, music for Krannert performance
Monday, December 4, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois State Police launched an online portal that lets residents submit anonymous tips about local, county or state officials they suspect of wrongdoing. A consultant’s report finds Illinois prisons at Pontiac, Logan County and Stateville at Joliet are nearly inoperable. Rural schools in Illinois will soon have more of […]
217 Today: Midwest weather experts want to talk about climate change, but they face pushback
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is commending the city of Chicago for handling what he calls an “unmanageable” influx of asylum seekers. Candidates for next year’s elections lined up in Springfield Monday to turn in petitions to get on the 2024 ballot in Illinois. A new poll ranks the I-90/94 […]
217 Today: The University of Illinois SHIELD saliva test company is winding down
Monday, November 27, 2023 Today’s headlines: A new report from Northwestern University is documenting Illinois’ news deserts. Even thousands of miles away from ongoing wars – experts say there’s evidence that children here are experiencing war-related trauma. The Fighting Illini football team lost their final game of the season to the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, […]
People incarcerated at Champaign County Jail will get two free phone calls a day, starting next year
CHAMPAIGN — The Champaign County Sheriff has selected a new company to offer phone and video calls at the Champaign County Jail. The new company — Consolidated Telecom, Inc. — will offer two free phone calls to each resident per day. The new contract is set to begin on Feb. 15, 2024, according to the Request […]
217 Today: The rich history behind pumpkin and sweet potato pies
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Today’s headlines: Holiday shopping season is well underway, and child safety advocates are warning of the dangers of certain gifts. Plans are in the works to construct a 2.3 mile rail trail in a rural area of Piatt County. Benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, increased last month. […]
217 Today: As Chicago struggles to shelter migrants, neighboring Oak Park steps in
Monday, November 20, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a more than $300 million dollar rate hike for Peoples Gas. Not all Jewish people agree with the actions of the Israeli military amid Israel’s ongoing attack on Gaza. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball won last night against the Southern Jaguars, 88-to-60. In […]
Urbana Police will consider hiring non-police staff for mental health, domestic violence calls
URBANA — The Urbana Police Department hired a national consulting firm this year to evaluate how the department works, including how — and if — officers should handle certain types of calls for service. The firm, BerryDunn, has worked with police departments throughout the U.S. to evaluate their processes and offer recommendations. One consideration is […]
217 Today: One trans Catholic reckons with his faith as the church shifts
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Today’s headlines: The Cook County Health Department is teaming up with a statewide healthcare non-profit group to improve access to reproductive care. Bradley University president Stephen Standifird denies issues with banks or loans are the driving force behind looming academic cuts. The Fighting Illini host the number four overall Marquette Golden Eagles […]
