Emily Hays

University of Illinois designs social media platform to connect to high school students
Associate Chancellor Christopher Span is modeling the platform on sites like Instagram and TikTok, because that’s where teens spend much of their time.

University of Illinois grad student starts Asian American history workshops for teens
Graduate student Yingying Han wants students to understand their history within the United States. She hopes this will help them understand and combat racism they may experience themselves.

Champaign school board keeps schools of choice, modifies middle school assignments
Unlike initial plans, no students will have to switch schools next year – except the 13 students who live west of Champaign in Bondville.

Champaign Unit 4 parents asked: does desegregation help close achievement gaps? Here’s what five education researchers say.
“A lot of research suggests that that attending a high-socioeconomic status (SES) school kind of rubs off on you – more than your own SES even. It’s kind of amazing,” Palardy says.

How will ten Champaign County high schoolers continue Dr. King’s dream? Through environmental, health and housing justice.
“I want to help as many people as possible get the mental health that they need and deserve,” says scholarship winner Halie Thompson.

Champaign Unit 4 superintendent recommends keeping current schools of choice system
The Unit 4 school board hired a consulting firm to figure out how to further desegregate its schools. But after months of parent pushback, both the company and the district superintendent are recommending keeping the current schools of choice system, with some tweaks.

Urbana’s school board paused its vote for one Spanish-English school. Now, dual language parents and teachers are setting a deadline.
URBANA – The Urbana school board will reconsider in January how to establish a fully dual-language elementary school for Spanish and English. This comes after

Parent backlash delayed school desegregation plans in Champaign. What are the options now?
CHAMPAIGN – After parent backlash, the Champaign Unit 4 school board has a new option for further desegregating schools – keeping student placements mostly the

Urbana decide mantener las clases bilingües de español en las escuelas primarias Leal y Dr. Preston Williams
El consejo escolar de Urbana ha decidido no combinar sus dos programas bilingües de español en una sola escuela: Leal Elementary. El cambio hubiera movido

Urbana decides to keep Spanish dual language classes at both Leal, Dr. Preston Williams elementary schools
The Urbana school board has decided not to merge its two Spanish, dual language programs into one school – Leal Elementary. The change would have

Next Parkland College President Pamela Lau focuses on access to college
CHAMPAIGN — Parkland Executive Vice President Pamela Lau will become the president of the Champaign community college in January. The succession has been planned since

How is Carle Hospital in Urbana handling the surge of sick kids?
URBANA – Converting adult intensive care beds, and naming nurse teams after Hogwarts houses – these are just a couple of the ways Carle Hospital

Police arrest teenager suspected of threatening Urbana High School
Police have arrested one of the people suspected of threatening violence against Urbana High School. The arrest of a 16-year-old girl took place on Tuesday

Savoy asks Unit 4 school district to reinstate neighborhood schools
SAVOY — The Savoy Village Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend the Champaign Unit 4 School District reinstate neighborhood schools. The Savoy Board of

Where are central Illinois students recovering fastest from COVID-19 learning loss?
MATTOON — Black and Hispanic students are learning more quickly in the Mattoon school district than in any other school district in east central Illinois.

What are Champaign Unit 4 schools doing for Black families?
CHAMPAIGN — As the Champaign Unit 4 School District debates further desegregating its schools, many parents have asked — what else is the district is

Parents at Champaign Unit 4 open houses: don’t move students next year
CHAMPAIGN — Two open houses at Champaign Unit 4 schools this week yielded the same response – parents don’t want their children to change elementary

Unit 4 parents rally against reassigning elementary students next year
CHAMPAIGN — Dozens of parents rallied on Monday evening at the Unit 4 Board of Education meeting in Champaign. They have joined under a new

New U of I database gives more complete picture of police shootings in Illinois
CHAMPAIGN — University of Illinois researchers published a new database last week on police use of force across the state. The SPOTLITE database – short

Abortion and COVID-19 are among the many dividing lines for 13th Congressional candidates
URBANA — The two women running for Congress to represent Illinois’ 13th Congressional District differ in their approaches to abortion, the COVID-19 pandemic and more.

Families weigh desegregation benefits, familiarity as Unit 4 discusses abandoning its school choice system
CHAMPAIGN — Families are beginning to weigh in on plans from the Champaign Unit 4 School District to change how it assigns students to elementary

Champaign superintendent says next year’s school assignments still undecided
CHAMPAIGN — In December, the Unit 4 school board plans to vote on a new way to assign students to Champaign elementary schools. The Champaign

Champaign Planned Parenthood prepares for protesters after expanding abortion services
CHAMPAIGN – In response to bans in neighboring states, the Planned Parenthood clinic located in Champaign is now providing in-patient, surgical abortions. Clinic staff expect

Champaign business incubator provides mentorship through chess
CHAMPAIGN – A business incubator focused on disadvantaged neighborhoods in Champaign is expanding its chess program. The classes started with a handful of teenagers about

Champaign signed contracts with violence prevention groups. Other cities spent COVID relief money on policing.
CHAMPAIGN — Cities across the United States saw a spike in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biden administration encouraged cities to turn to one-time,

Students at Illinois community colleges will focus on skill-building thanks to $5 million dollar grant
CHAMPAIGN – A total of eight Illinois community colleges will soon be certified to do competency-based learning, thanks to $5 million from the U.S. Department

Champaign-Urbana health officials prepare boosters, more testing for fall COVID spike
CHAMPAIGN — Undergraduates at the University of Illinois tested positive for COVID-19 in record numbers last week. Julie Pryde leads the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Brothers build safe community with FirstFollowers
CHAMPAIGN – Ri’Chard Frazier took his role as a big brother seriously from a young age. By middle school, being the “tough” one started to

USDA secretary visits Le Roy gas station to promote money for biofuels
LE ROY – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited Illinois on Tuesday to announce a new investment of $100 million for biofuel infrastructure. Sen.

Cohort of freshmen with autism start Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative
URBANA — Fall classes began Monday at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It was also the beginning of the university’s new Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative. The

Champaign students return to second fall of in-person pandemic school
CHAMPAIGN — Thursday was the first day of school for most Champaign Unit 4 students. Students at International Prep Academy welcomed the second year of

Southern Illinois storm spares lives, spoils soybeans
NEWTON — Parts of southern Illinois are recovering after a sudden storm dropped about ten inches of rain and hail in less than 24 hours.

New gun violence prevention coalition gets seed money from Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN — A new coalition of small nonprofits aims to tackle gun violence in Champaign County. Called H3 for “harm,” “healing” and “hope,” the coalition

Urbana City Council worries whether plasma businesses are predatory. Transfusion physician and local plasma donors do not
URBANA — Cars whoosh past the KEDPLASMA center on Lincoln Avenue. Brandon Olison has spent hours in the building, donating his plasma in exchange for

Some in Illinois still waiting for redress from cannabis industry
PEORIA – When Illinois legalized recreational cannabis, state legislators sought to cut those disproportionately affected by marijuana arrests into the new industry’s profits. The path

U of I Black facilities workers push for protection from racial discrimination
URBANA — Black facilities workers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are trying to end racial harassment on the job – through a class action

After 4-3 Urbana City Council vote, Champaign County can begin jail expansion
URBANA — The Urbana City Council voted Monday to allow new jail construction within city limits. Champaign County plans to expand its satellite jail on

Champaign Unit 4 school bus monitors, cafeteria workers now make at least $15 an hour
CHAMPAIGN — Custodians, assistant teachers and other support staff in the Champaign Unit 4 School District are all making at least $15 an hour, as

Democrat Nikki Budzinski, Republican Regan Deering to face off in 13th
DECATUR – Decatur business owner Regan Deering won the 13th Congressional district Republican primary on Tuesday after a close race. In November, she will face

Champaign to host annual Juneteenth festival at Douglass Park on Saturday
CHAMPAIGN — On Saturday, Chambanites can celebrate the end of slavery at Douglass Park with a bouncy house, photo booth, small business fair and more.

Sunday marks Juneteenth’s second year as a state holiday – and over 150 years of Illinois emancipation days
URBANA — This Sunday marks the second year that Juneteenth will be an official state and federal holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when

Some schools are lobbying to keep pandemic-era, universal free lunch. Universal free meals are already the reality in Urbana schools
URBANA – While schools across the country brace for the end of universal free lunches, Urbana public schools will continue to offer free meals to

Champaign County survey is the first step in filling rural internet gaps
URBANA — Surveyors will start knocking on doors in rural Champaign County this weekend to ask residents if they are happy with their internet service.

Baby formula shortage less acute in Champaign, but tough for food insecure families
CHAMPAIGN – While the nationwide shortage of infant formula is less severe in Champaign County than elsewhere, it has hit low-income families hardest – because

University of Illinois dining and building workers vote to allow September strike
URBANA — Service workers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are willing to strike in September after their current contract expires. Of the workers who

Yankee Ridge hosts Urbana French immersion program
URBANA – Students learn in both French and English at Yankee Ridge Elementary School on the south side of Urbana. Yankee Ridge hosts Urbana School

Newbery-winning author visits Champaign school for Asian American Heritage Month
CHAMPAIGN – Students at Kenwood Elementary had a special visitor on Tuesday. Newbery-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly — a Filipina-American children’s book author — conducted

Macon-Piatt hosts family night to dispel rumors about Social Emotional Alternative Program
DECATUR — Two Special Education programs housed at Decatur Public Schools are combining next year. Administrators worry that the change has prompted misinformation to spread.

Urbana schools debate renewing police officer contracts
URBANA — Urbana School District 116 is debating whether to keep police officers in its schools for another three years. Staff and students want them

Chicago rap duo Mother Nature brings mental health skills to Unit 4 school
CHAMPAIGN – A fourth grader takes the microphone at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy in Champaign, to cheers from his classmates. Professional hip hop artists

Booker T. Washington students focus on ‘fun science’ on Fridays
CHAMPAIGN — A second grader asks the University of Illinois graduate student to test out the egg parachute he’s holding. It’s “Fab Friday” at Booker

Unit 4 kindergarten registration closes Saturday
Registration closes Saturday for those wishing to select a school for their Champaign Unit 4 kindergartener. Families rank all 12 of the district’s elementary schools

With inflation, Illinois teachers earn less than they did a decade ago
CHAMPAIGN — Teacher salaries in Illinois have not kept up with inflation. That’s true nationwide, according to new research by the labor union, the National

Champaign County nonprofits train indigenous interpreters and expand mental health services with COVID-19 relief money
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign-Urbana nonprofits are using COVID-19 relief to help victims of labor and sex trafficking free themselves. To become free and independent, victims need

First String Little League offers mentorship, technology lessons through baseball
CHAMPAIGN – Instead of practicing their swings, the baseball players were designing a remote-control car. The First String Little League coaches had decided to give

Champaign Unit 4 School Board votes to renew police contract
CHAMPAIGN – If the Champaign Police Department has enough staff, the Champaign Unit 4 School District Board of Education wants to reinstate resource officers –

Unit 4 board approves teacher contract
CHAMPAIGN — The Unit 4 Board of Education unanimously approved a new teacher contract on Monday. This ends months of negotiations with the Champaign Federation

Champaign teachers ratify extended-day contract
CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Unit 4 School District teachers voted 76 percent to 24 percent on Tuesday to ratify their new contract, rather than go on

Unit 4 tentative teacher contract includes longer day of 35 minutes for elementary students, 5 minutes for teachers
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign Unit 4 School District teachers vote on their new contract on Tuesday, the day they had originally planned to go on strike.

Unit 4 teachers and district reach a tentative contract agreement
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign Unit 4 teachers have a tentative contract agreement with the district. In an email to union members early Wednesday morning, Champaign Federation

Champaign Unit 4 board member speaks ahead of possible strike
CHAMPAIGN – As Champaign teachers prepare for a possible strike, a Unit 4 School District Board of Education member explained the district’s side of contract

Land bank to start repairing rural houses, thanks to COVID relief
CHAMPAIGN — Michael Davis describes an ideal client for his new project. An elderly couple is trying to make ends meet with their retirement income.

Three Democrats are running for Congress in the new, bluer 13th District. Here’s where they stand on gun violence, reparations, and immigration
CHAMPAIGN – The three Democratic contenders for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District faced off on Tuesday, revealing different approaches to gun violence, reparations for slavery, immigration

State bill addresses addiction, mental illness stigma by paying employers
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Springfield are attempting to address stigmas around mental illness and substance abuse – by paying employers to hire those in recovery.

Danville tinkers with teacher shortage solution
DANVILLE — As schools throughout Illinois grapple with teacher shortages, Danville is working out the kinks in a grow-your-own teacher program. Danville School District 118

Mahomet, Fisher neighbors file class action lawsuit
MAHOMET — Two Champaign County residents affected by the Peoples Gas methane leak have filed the first class action lawsuit related to the incident. Meanwhile,

Parental mental health practice starts remote during pandemic
CHAMPAIGN — A new business in Champaign County specializes in providing mental health support during and after pregnancy. The Village started in the era of

Legal aid network seeks to expand, seeks more state dollars than budgeted
CHAMPAIGN — A network of legal aid groups across Illinois is hoping to expand, and is asking for more state money to do so. Tanya

Illinois schools prepare to tutor way out of learning loss
URBANA — Illinois schools are signing up for a new state tutoring initiative to help the students who struggled most in remote school. By this

Lt. Gov. Stratton visits University of Illinois to talk teacher shortage
CHAMPAIGN – A small group of University of Illinois students met with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Monday about the state’s K-12 teacher shortage. Stratton

University of Illinois calls police on grad students protesting to keep mask requirements
CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois called police on a small graduate student worker protest on Wednesday and is threatening to suspend one or more

COVID relief allows Decatur to launch free after-school classes
DECATUR — Decatur Public Schools has long wanted to offer classes before and after school. It took federal COVID-19 relief to make that happen. When

C-U administrators: Schools can be places of refuge, if done right
CHAMPAIGN — Schools should change to fit their students’ cultures, not the other way around. That was one theme at Illinois Public Media’s News, Brews

Rantoul schools add “office hours” to combat learning loss
RANTOUL — Learning slowed across Illinois when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Now, schools have the money to do something about it – in the form

New Decatur superintendent sets priorities and talks background
DECATUR – Decatur’s new superintendent has just finished one week on the job. Rochelle Clark steps into the top position in Decatur Public Schools at

If Champaign teachers strike, some families may need emergency childcare. Here’s one place to turn
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign Unit 4 teachers have voted to authorize a strike rather than accept a recent contract offered by the district. If negotiations falter

Pritzker appears in Champaign with students to promote MAP grant increase
CHAMPAIGN — Governor J.B. Pritzker visited the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on Wednesday to promote an increase in student financial aid in his proposed

Tense Champaign teacher contract negotiations revive parent’s memories of Homer strike
CHAMPAIGN — Two weeks after Champaign teachers voted to allow a potential strike, one parent is experiencing déjà vu. Amy Dunn was in sixth grade

New high school clinic to help address substance abuse in Vermilion County
DANVILLE – A clinic for addiction and mental health treatment could open in Danville High School by the end of March. Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation

Volunteers clear snow to reopen safe bus stops, sidewalks
URBANA — During snowstorms, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District calls on both employees and volunteers to “plow” the sidewalks. Cynthia Hoyle chairs the C-U Safe

Champaign teachers vote to authorize strike over contract
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign teachers are willing to strike to protest Unit 4’s latest contract offer. That contract would extend the elementary school day by 50

Champaign school day proposal prompts teacher rally, possible vote to strike
CHAMPAIGN – More than 350 Champaign teachers rallied on Monday over contract negotiations, and they will vote on Wednesday about authorizing a strike. At issue

University of Illinois workers grapple with maskless guests and COVID-positive students
CHAMPAIGN – Cooks and custodians at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana say the univeristy rejected their proposal this week for stricter safety measures amid the COVID-19

Catalytic converter thefts continue in Champaign-Urbana. Who is buying the stolen parts is a mystery
CHAMPAIGN — Catalytic converters keep disappearing from Champaign-Urbana cars. The University of Illinois Police Department has already reported seven catalytic converter thefts in 2022. Why someone

University of Illinois expects surge in student cases
URBANA — The University of Illinois is expecting a surge of COVID-19 cases as students return to Champaign-Urbana for the spring semester. The goal now

Urbana Middle School to stay remote this week
URBANA, Jan. 11 — Urbana Middle School will stay with remote instruction for the rest of this week. Absences among staff at Urbana Middle School

Urbana school district sets five-day quarantine policy. Unit 4 sticks with ten.
Students and staff at Urbana public schools only need to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19. District 116 made the change on

Despite CDC changes, Illinois students still quarantine for 10 days — for now
CHAMPAIGN — The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has halved the number of days of isolation recommended for those sick with COVID-19. Illinois

Carle delays non-emergency procedures amid record COVID-19 wave
URBANA – As COVID-19 hospitalizations reach a pandemic high, Carle Health has decided to delay non-emergency procedures. This time, Carle is not rationing supplies —

Car crashes increased in 2021. On Urbana roads, pedestrians are most at risk
URBANA — In 2021, more than 1,300 people died in car crashes in Illinois. That’s the highest number since 2005. The roadside assistance group AAA

One disabled Champaign-Urbana bus rider complained to the DOJ. Now other riders get an accessible website and bus stop upgrades
URBANA – The U.S. Department of Justice combed through the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District website – and found a few things that needed to change

Champaign’s way out of gun violence starts with $3.2 million in pandemic relief
CHAMPAIGN — Champaign has a new plan to stop the recent spike in shootings. The Champaign City Council approved the plan unanimously on Tuesday night

Energy secretary promotes infrastructure law at University of Illinois biofuel lab
URBANA – U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm stopped in Urbana on Thursday as part of her two-day tour of Illinois energy facilities. She listened

Rep. Rodney Davis walks a fine line on infrastructure, Jan. 6 as he prepares for reelection
CHAMPAIGN – Republican Congressman Rodney Davis says infrastructure is a top priority, but he voted no on President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law. He says Jan.

Champaign’s standardized test results show student stress, learning gaps
CHAMPAIGN — The first pandemic-era standardized test results are out. Student achievement dropped all over Illinois, including in local school districts. Champaign Unit 4 fifth

U of I chancellor offers optimism as pandemic continues
URBANA – Coronavirus transmission remains high. Gun violence is up. Despite these worrying indicators, University of Illinois Urbana Chancellor Robert Jones said on Thursday he

Teens are remodeling this house to give themselves, and future tenants, a stable future
CHAMPAIGN – For two years, the Housing Authority of Champaign County’s YouthBuild program has helped young people finish their high school diplomas, while renovating public

C-U schools are considering metal detectors to deter violence. This researcher says that won’t help
URBANA — School districts in Champaign and Urbana are considering installing metal detectors in response to a rise in youth violence. But a social science

The Urbana school district has appointed its first ever student ambassadors. Here are their top issues
URBANA — More teachers in hallways between classes. Inclusion of Latin American history in dual language programs. Fewer weapons in schools. These are some of

Kids aged 5 to 11 can get COVID shots. These Champaign kids were ready
CHAMPAIGN – Going maskless in school. Visiting a grandparent in India. Protecting a baby sister. These are some of the reasons Champaign-Urbana kids got vaccinated