Emily Hays

Reporter

About Emily

             Emily Hays started at WILL in October 2021 after three-plus years in local newsrooms in Virginia and Connecticut. She has won state awards for her housing coverage at Charlottesville Tomorrow and her education reporting at the New Haven Independent. Emily graduated from Yale University where she majored in History and South Asian Studies.

Former Trump campaign advisor publishes film criticizing University of Illinois’ Chinese international students

February 12, 2026 No Comments

The documentary argues that Chinese students are taking Illinois student spots. Experts say that rhetoric is dangerous and wrong.

A man with cglasses, a suit and a colorful tie smiles at someone off camera.

UPDATE: Champaign Unit 4 Schools approves Geovanny Ponce as next superintendent

February 9, 2026 No Comments

Geovanny Ponce is a top administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools. He grew up in Honduras and has a doctorate in education from Texas A&M University.

Thousands of people fill the intersection of Green Street and First Street.

Hundreds of University of Illinois and Urbana High School students protest ICE, federal immigration operations

January 31, 2026 No Comments

Students and community members across Champaign-Urbana stood in solidarity to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.

A brick school building with an arched doorway and white columns is in the background. In the foreground is a "Keep Out" sign and rope cordoning off the entrance. This is Decatur's 100-year-old Dennis Lab School in 2023 after it was deemed unsafe for students.

Decatur Public Schools looking for ways to turn around ‘bleak’ decline in student population

January 28, 2026 No Comments

A demographer reported to the District 61 school board Tuesday that it is facing one of the toughest environments for growth he has ever seen.

Meet the women starting a ‘Promise Zone’ at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy

January 26, 2026 No Comments

A group of women want to help Champaign Unit 4 School District keep its promises to Black children.

A white man with glasses, a beige sweater and a smile stands in front of an art exhibit.

Man makes big leap from University of Illinois college-in-prison program to working towards U of I degree

January 20, 2026 No Comments

Pierce spent over 20 years in prison. While inside Danville Correctional Center, he took college courses through U of I’s Education Justice Project.