Jim Meadows
Redistricting Hearings Focus On Champaign-Urbana
URBANA – An Illinois House committee is gathering input from different parts of the state, as its members prepare to redraw legislative and congressional districts.
The Election Was Tuesday, But Counting Ballots May Take A While
URBANA – Tuesday was Election Day in Illinois, consolidating local elections for cities, village, townships and other governing bodies such as park, school and library
Davis Says White House Infrastructure Plan Needs GOP Input
URBANA – Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is appealing to bipartisanship, as he joins fellow Republicans in opposing the White House infrastructure plan. Davis made his
Ballot Drop Boxes Reopen In Champaign County
URBANA – Champaign County voters can once again use election drop boxes to send in their mail-in ballots for Tuesday’s local elections. The seven drop
Flash Index Shows Improving Illinois Economy For March
URBANA – The Flash Index showed a strong improvement in Illinois’ economy over the past month, rising from February’s reading of 96.6 to 97.8 for
Retail Developer Say New Sports Complex Drew Them To Rantoul
RANTOUL – Village officials in Rantoul have been hoping the Champaign County town’s new Family Sports Complex will attract new commercial development. Now they say
Rantoul Tries Electing Its Village Trustees From Districts
RANTOUL – There’s a three-way race for mayor in the village of Rantoul in northern Champaign County. But that’s not the only contest on the
Savoy’s Home Rule Referendum Attracts Supporters & Opponents
SAVOY – Larger towns in Illinois with more than 25,000 people have home rule powers automatically granted to them under the state constitution. Smaller towns
Champaign County Voters Will Decide Future Of Recorder’s Office On April 6
URBANA – The fate of the Champaign County Recorder’s office is up to the voters. If they approve a referendum on the April 6 ballot,
‘Black Lives Matter’ Honorary Street Signs Approved In Champaign
UPDATE: Champaign city officials say the Black Lives Matter honorary street signs were installed on Wednesday, Mary 13, eight days after their approval by the
Davis Criticizes Pritzker’s Handling Of Unemployment Benefits During Champaign Stop
CHAMPAIGN – Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis hasn’t said he’s running for governor. But the 13th District U.S. representative sounded like someone who might, during a
COVID-19 Came To Champaign County One Year Ago
URBANA – Champaign County has been living with COVID-19 for one year. Sunday, March 15, 2020, was the day when the first COVID-19 case was
Director Of Rantoul’s New Sports Complex Promises A Big Impact
RANTOUL – Construction crews are finishing up their work on the Rantoul Family Sports Complex for a mid-April opening. The village-owned facility, with 18 fields
Work Continues To Get C-U Weather Radio Station Back On Air
UPDATE: Champaign’s NOAA Weather Radio station could be back on the air in a couple of months. The National Weather Service office in Lincoln announced
U Of I COVID-19 Test Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization
URBANA – The University of Illinois’ COVID-19 testing process has received Emergency Use Authorization from the federal Food and Drug Administration. Authorization was granted
Illinois Lawmakers Vote For LGBTQ Equality Along Party Lines
WASHINGTON — Illinois lawmakers voted along party lines Thursday, as the House of Representatives voted 224-206 to pass H.R. 5, titled the Equality Act, a
Urbana Mayor Marlin Headed To 2nd Term After Winning Primary
URBANA – Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin easily defeated two challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic local election primary. Listen to this story here. Mayor Marlin won 1,845
Illinois’ Hospitality Industry Seeks Help From State
Leaders of Illinois’ hospitality sector are asking the state to work with them on a plan to help them recover from 2020’s pandemic shutdown. Representatives
Police Reform A Major Issue In Urbana Mayoral Race
URBANA – Racial justice and police reform have been on the minds of Americans across the nation. And they’re a major issue in the race
Snowplow Crews Labor To Clear Snow From C-U Streets
URBANA – Local governments in the Champaign-Urbana area all have crews out, working to clear streets of the snow that fell on central Illinois Monday
Urbana Seeks Feedback Through ‘Imagine Urbana’ Website
URBANA – A new website is asking you to post your thoughts and suggestions about Urbana, whether you live there, or spend time there. The
Emergency Shelter Program To Be Extended To Urbana School District
URBANA – Township and school officials in Urbana could soon be working together to bring more homeless families into an emergency shelter program. Under an
Illinois Republicans Choose Downstater Don Tracy As New State Chairman
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans will be led by a downstate resident for the first time in more than 30 years. The party chose former Illinois
Flash Index Continues Slow, Steady Recovery
URBANA – The Illinois economy continued its slow recovery in January, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. Listen to this story here. The
Urbana City Council To Discuss Pledge To Replace Structural Racism With Racial Equity
URBANA – On Monday night, the Urbana City Council is scheduled to discuss a resolution recognizing the city’s history of structural racism and pledging a
COVID-19 May Have Helped Spur Home Sales In 2020
CHAMPAIGN – Sales of existing homes in Illinois were up in December and for 2020 as a whole, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have played
Illini Women Still Winless in Big Ten, After 73-54 Loss at #21 Northwestern
EVANSTON – Another slow start cost the Illini women another Big Ten loss Thursday night, as they fell to Northwestern at Evanston, 73-54. Illinois managed
Changes Promised After Champaign County Animal Control Mistakenly Euthanizes Dog
URBANA – The mistaken euthanizing of a dog by Champaign County Animal Control over Christmas has raised a storm of controversy. Now, Champaign County officials
Danville Officials Hope 2021 Will Be Their Year For A Casino
DANVILLE – Danville officials and casino developers hope that 2021 is the year their long-pursued project gets started. A revamped lineup of investors and developers
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Set For Champaign County Residents, 75+
UPDATE: All appointments for the January 12-14 COVID-19 vaccination clinics are full. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District cites an “overwhelming response.” CUPHD says it will
Rep. Mary Miller Apologizes For Hitler Quotation At Pro-Trump Rally
Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller says she apologizes for any harm caused by her speech at a Washington DC rally, where she voiced agreement with a
New IL Congresswoman Criticized For Saying ‘Hitler Was Right On One Thing’
URBANA – Leaders of both major parties in Illinois condemned downstate Congresswoman Mary Miller Wednesday, for saying Adolf Hitler was “right on one thing” at
December Flash Index Shows Slow, Steady Recovery For Illinois Economy
URBANA – The Illinois economy continued its slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in December, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The monthly
Organizer Of Paxton Flag Project Aims For Memorial Day Dedication
PAXTON — The organizer of Paxton’s Grand Old Flag project hopes that 2021 is the year that their flag start flying. Denny Kingren has set
Urbana Extension Proposed For Kickapoo Rail Trail
URBANA — Officials in Urbana now have a feasibility study, for a proposed extension of the Kickapoo Rail Trail through the city. But Mayor Diane
Christmas Comes To Champaign, But Without Annual Community Dinner
The annual Community Christmas Dinner in Champaign will not be held this year. But it wasn’t the coronavirus that canceled it. No doubt, the COVID-19
Appointment Of New Member Marks Division Between County Board & Executive
URBANA – Democrat Cameron Raab was appointed and sworn in to fill a vacant seat on the Champaign County Board Thursday night. But the appointment
Towns Offer Aid To Businesses For COVID-Related Supplies
CHAMPAIGN – Small businesses have had to deal with an added expense this year, paying for supplies and equipment to prevent the coronavirus from spreading
Electoral Board Removes Mayoral Candidate Jones From Urbana Ballot
URBANA – Just three Democrats will run for mayor of Urbana in the upcoming consolidated primary election. The city’s Electoral Board formally voted Wednesday to
Kyle Patterson Chosen To Chair Champaign County Board
URBANA – The Champaign County Board chose Kyle Patterson to be their new chair at Monday night’s organizational meeting. County board members voted along party
U Of I Chancellor Releases Plan For Campus Life After Chief Illiniwek
A plan for addressing issues related to the University of Illinois’ use of Chief Illiniwek as a mascot includes formation of a student council to
Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover Dies
Timothy D. Gover, the longtime mayor of the eastern Illinois town of Mattoon, has died. A statement issued by the city says Gover died Thursday
Illinois Economy Stalls In November: Flash Index
Illinois’ economic recovery stalled last month, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The Flash Index measured the state’s economy at 95.6 for both
Holiday Promotion Aims At Bringing Customers Back To Champaign’s Retail Center
CHAMPAIGN – The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on in-person shopping, especially at small, local businesses. Those are just the type of businesses hoping to
Champaign’s Parade Of Lights Goes Virtual & Miniature
Champaign’s 20th annual Parade of Lights went before the public for the first time, Saturday evening. But instead of a procession on downtown streets, the
Blakeman Concedes To McGrath In Circuit Clerk’s Race
URBANA – Two-term incumbent Katie Blakeman has conceded to Democratic challenger Susan McGrath in a tight race for Champaign County Circuit Clerk. “Today I called
23 Counties And Counting: Downstate Separation Referendum Wins Favor In November Election
URBANA – One result of the November election in Illinois was 20 downstate counties passing an advisory referendum in support of forming their own state
Pryde: Don’t Give In To ‘Pandemic Prevention Fatigue’
CHAMPAIGN — As the number of COVID-19 cases set a new state record Wednesday, Champaign County also reported a big increase in the number of
McGrath’s Narrow Lead For Circuit Clerk Holds, As Ballot Counting Continues
URBANA – The Champaign County Clerk’s office added another 1,917 ballots to its total Friday, as election workers continued to process vote by mail ballots,
Dirksen Londrigan Concedes To Davis, After 2nd Bid For Congress Fails
SPRINGFIELD – Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan thanked her supporters, volunteers and campaign staff Wednesday, after losing to Congressman Rodney Davis for a second time. And
In Illinois, Late-Arriving Mail-In Ballots Could Decide Close Contests
CHAMPAIGN — On Election Day 2020, there is lots of speculation on whether voters will know who they have chosen for president by Election Night,
Given’s Campaign For State Senate Pits Her Against Bailey For 2nd Time
Democratic Illinois Senate candidate Cynthia Given says her Republican opponent spends too much time on divisive politics, and not enough time helping the voters of
State Announces New COVID Restrictions For Region 6 In East-Central Illinois
URBANA – East-central Illinois restaurants and bars will have to operate under increased limitations, starting Monday, Nov. 2. That’s the starting date for COVID-19 resurgence
Republicans Accuse Champaign County Clerk Of Election Misconduct
UPDATE: Nov. 3 2020 – Beginning Monday, November 2, the Champaign County Clerk will provide names and addresses of who has received vote-by-mail ballots in
Congressional Candidate Miller Sidesteps Debates
This article is about candidate debates — or, to be precise, candidate debates that don’t happen. Not every candidate wants the risk of confronting their
Rep. Darren Bailey Discusses Suit Against Gov. Pritzker
State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) says he will continue his court battle against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A
Remains Found In 1995 Now Have A Name: Keri Lyn Wyant
URBANA — Champaign County investigators say they have identified the woman whose remains were found near Thomasboro in 1995, and known only as “Jane Doe”
Voices From Illinois’ 15th Congressional District
Illinois’ 15th congressional district is one of two in the state where no incumbent is running. But this article is about the district itself, not
Champaign County Opens More Early Voting Sites
Additional sites for early voting are opening in Champaign County on Monday, October 19. Each of the eleven early voting site is open to voters
A Tax Hike For Forest Preserves On The Champaign County Ballot
MAHOMET — The Champaign County ballot includes another tax referendum this November. If voters approve, it will mean more money for the county’s system of
Great Shakeout Invites Illinoisans To Prepare For Earthquakes
CARBONDALE — Drop, Cover and Hold On. Those are the directions for everyone taking part in the annual Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill next Thursday. Harvey
Davis – Dirksen Londrigan Debate Covers Health Care, COVID-19, Police Reform, And More
CHAMPAIGN — Republican Congressman Rodney Davis and his Democratic challenger, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, talked about healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice and a lot more,
Healthcare Expected To Be A Big Issue At Davis/Dirksen Londrigan Debate
13th District Congressman Rodney Davis and Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londigan will be asked about issues ranging from the economy to police reform, when they
Flash Index Shows Slow Improvement In Illinois Economy
The economist who prepares the University of Illinois’ Flash Index to the Illinois economy says if things continue on their present course, Illinois could return
Rantoul Press Ending Publication
(UPDATE: Since its newsroom closed in September 2020, the Rantoul Press has continued to appear as a free weekly newspaper, featuring articles from the News-Gazette.
Champaign County Treasurer Candidates Both Vow To End Backlog
The Champaign County Treasurer was a low-profile office, until last year. That’s when a backlog of unfinished work led to complaints from both taxpayers and
Early Voting Begins In Illinois
URBANA — Early voting starts Thursday, September 24, in Illinois. Voters who wish to cast their ballots early for the November 3 election may do
Could These Be The Last Candidates For Champaign County Recorder?
The Champaign County Recorder of Deeds — in fact, the recorder of deeds in any county — is an office that usually doesn’t get much
Republican Ruggieri Launches State Senate Campaign Against Bennett
A Republican challenger to State Senator Scott Bennett kicked off his campaign Thursday. Savoy Village Trustee Alexander “A.J.” Ruggieri accuses his opponent of following Democratic
Champaign City Council Backs Voluntary Staff Cuts To Address Revenue Losses
CHAMPAIGN — With city revenues down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Champaign City Council Tuesday night endorsed the idea of cutting spending by cutting
Democrat Erika Weaver Wants To Be Advocate For 15th Congressional District
Erika Weaver is a Democrat running for Congress in Illinois’ Republican-leaning 15th Congressional District. Weaver is an attorney with the Coles County Public Defender’s office
Outside Review: Aleyah Lewis Arrest Followed Urbana Police Policy
URBANA – The Urbana City Council will hear a presentation Tuesday night on a report from an outside firm which concludes the police officers who
To Curb COVID-19 Spread, Vote-By-Mail To Play A Bigger Role In Illinois Voting
As of last August 28, election officials in Illinois had received more than a million applications for vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3rd election. The
These Brewers Are Making Beer That ‘Tastes Like Southern Illinois’ — With Herbs, Roots And Mushrooms
Aaron Kleidon kneels to stoke a campfire under a massive copper kettle, as hundreds of gallons of molasses-colored brew churn and bubble inside. He shakes
GOP Proposal Would Make Several Champaign County Offices Appointed
Three elected offices in Champaign County government would be changed to appointed ones — and a fourth office would be scaled back — under a
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis Cites Bipartisanship, Healthcare In Reelection Bid
CHAMPAIGN – Republican Rodney Davis is running for a fifth term as the congressman from Illinois’ 13th District. In an interview with Illinois Newsroom’s Jim
Gibson City Drive-In Is A Stop On Indie Movie Tour
GIBSON CITY – The COVID-19 pandemic has closed movie theaters, but many drive-ins remain open. So an independent filmmaker is making sure his movie can
Champaign, Urbana Order New Restrictions On Restaurants, Bars & Parties
Michigan State, Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have recently suspended in-person classes due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. New emergency
Dirksen Londrigan Keeps Focus On Health Care In 2nd Run For Congress
CHAMPAIGN – In the 2018 race for U.S. Representative of Illinois’ 13th congressional district, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan narrowly lost to Republican incumbent Rodney Davis. Now,
Pritzker Visits Urbana To Promote Grants For COVID-Stricken Businesses
URBANA – Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited a barbecue restaurant in Urbana Thursday to showcase the first round of grants from a new state program to
Davis Quarantines At Home After Testing Positive For COVID-19
Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is quarantining at his home in Taylorville, after testing positive on Wednesday for COVID-19. The 13th District lawmaker says he feels
Unit 4 Superintendent Says Fall Classes Will Stay Online For 1st Quarter
CHAMPAIGN – In a change of direction, the Champaign Unit 4 school district has announced that fall classes will be held on a remote basis
Flash Index Show Improvement In State Economy But Not Growth
The Illinois economy has been contracting since the onset of COVID-19. But the latest University of Illinois Flash Index shows economic activity is beginning to
Laut Appointed To Urbana City Council Seat
Julie Laut is to be sworn in Tuesday to fill the Ward Two seat on the Urbana City Council. The Urbana City Council voted Monday
Illinois Utilities Extend Shutoff Moratorium Through August
URBANA – A moratorium on utility shutoffs in Illinois expired last Sunday. But with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, several utilities have volunteered to extend the
African-American Arts Faculty Showcased In ‘We Got Next’
This summer, there’s been a lot of discussion about racism, anti-black violence and injustice. Now African-Americans on the faculty of the University of Illinois’ College
Danville Casino Operator To Withdraw Application, Submit New One
DANVILLE – The operator for a proposed Danville casino says it is withdrawing the application, it submitted last October, and plans to submit a new
Advisory Panel On Police Reform Proposed For Urbana City Council
URBANA – Mayor Diane Marlin says she’ll bring more details to the Urbana City Council next week on setting up an advisory committee to study
Recount Completed In Contested Macon County Sheriff’s Election
A manual recount of ballots has been completed in the 2018 Macon County Sheriff’s election, where the initial tally showed a one-vote margin between the
Mattoon Accountant Files For Independent Statehouse Bid
MATTOON – An accountant living in Mattoon is running in the 110th Illinois House District against Republican incumbent Chris Miller. Kody Czerwonka filed ballot petitions
Council Endorses Champaign Police Use-Of-Force Changes & Outreach Plan
CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Police say they are making changes in response to concerns raised nationwide about police practices and policies. City Council members endorsed those
COVID-19 Cases Close Champaign County Clerk, Danville Library
URBANA – The Champaign County Clerk’s office and the Danville Public Library are both closed temporarily, after an employee at each location tested positive for
Local Officials Say Please Don’t Come To Greek Reunion This Year
CHAMPAIGN – The largest bars in Champaign’s Campustown area will be closed on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11, in an attempt to avoid spreading the
Consulting Firm Launches Review Of Aleyah Lewis Arrest
A consulting firm whose founders include former Chicago police chief Terry Hillard is beginning an investigation into the the Urbana police arrest of Aleyah Lewis.
Urbana City Council Devotes Special Meeting To Police Concerns
The Urbana City Council spent more than three hours Thursday night looking over police issues with members of the community. But council members have put
Urbana Civilian Police Review Board Chair Pledges Reform
The new chairman of the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board says he’s committed to fundamental reforms in the panel’s performance. Criticism of police conduct at
Police Reform Issues Loom Large Before Urbana City Council
URBANA — A set of shared goals and standards for police and communities of color was approved by the Urbana City Council Monday night. Council
Danville Juneteenth Celebration Promises History Lesson And A Party
There will be food, music, dancing and a serving of history, Danville’s Juneteenth Celebration, which runs from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, June 19,
Democrat Esslinger Challenges Halbrook For 102nd Illinois House Seat
Democrat Mitchell Esslinger announced his bid for the Illinois House Wednesday, with a campaign announcement that targeted his opponent, Republican incumbent Brad Halbrook. At a
Danville Council OKs Proposals For Cannabis Cultivation & 4th Of July Fireworks
DANVILLE – The Danville City Council approved a zoning permit for a cannabis cultivation center, and funding for Fourth of July fireworks at its meeting