Jim - Illinois Newsroom

Jim Meadows

Gov. Pritzker stopped in Champaign to promote his budget, especially its spending for early childhood programs

Governor J-B Pritzker and other state officials visited Champaign’s International Prep Academy Wednesday, part of the governor’s tour of the state to promote education spending in the new state budget.

Urbana city and school officials hope to redevelop the site of a downtown school district building.

With Urbana School District 116 administrative headquarters moving elsewhere, the district wants to sell the property to the city, which would then tear it down and seek a commercial developer for the site.

Hospitals have a fast-acting drug to help stroke victims — if they seek treatment in time

More hospitals are turning to a drug called TNKase — a brand name for tenecteplase — to break up the blood clots that threaten stroke victims. It’s a less expensive and much faster acting drug than previous treatments. But patients get the benefit only if they seek treatment quickly, within the first hours after a stroke occurs.

After years of planning, a casino opens in Danville

Nearly a year after a groundbreaking ceremony, a new casino opened to the public for the first time on Saturday in Danville’s Eastgate area. Initially, the casino will be open eight hours a day, closed on Tuesdays.

Memorial services Friday remembered police officers killed on duty in Champaign, Champaign County

At the Police and Fire Memorial in Champaign’s West Side Park, a ceremony remembered the three Champaign police officers — Christopher Oberheim, Robert Tatman and Thomas Dodsworth — who were killed on duty over the years.

OSF Healthcare will reopen the birthing center at its Danville Sacred Heart hospital, and close the one at Urbana Heart of Mary

Pending regulatory approval, OSF Healthcare will reopen the birthing unit at its Danville hospital — while the birthing center at its Urbana hospital will close.

The Rantoul Village Board once again rejects a proposed cannabis growing facility.

Once again, the Rantoul Village Board has voted against allowing a cannabis business to open in their town. The village board rejected a proposal Tuesday night to allow applications to open a cannabis growing facility in Rantoul, with Mayor Chuck Smith breaking a 3-3 tie vote.

Economic growth in Illinois continued to slow down in April, according to the Flash Index.

The latest University of Illinois Flash Index shows the state’s economic growth rate continuing its year-long, near-steady decline. The Index fell from 103.1 in March, to 102.9 in April. It had been as high as 106.1 in March 2022. Any Flash Index reading above 100 indicates a growing economy in Illinois.

Rantoul village trustees will vote on cannabis craft grower proposal

The Rantoul Village Board has agreed to vote next week on whether to allow a cannabis growing operation to open in the village. Rantoul trustees agreed to take the vote after hearing a new presentation Tuesday night from Blake Schilb.

Piatt County wind farm opponents face off against a new state law encouraging their construction.

Voters in the central Illinois county of about 16,000 rejected wind farms in general, in an advisory referendum that the county board had placed on the April 4 ballot.

After promising to run the former Champaign County Nursing Home for at least ten years, its owner has filed plans to close it after five.

The owner of the former Champaign County Nursing Home has filed plans with state regulators to close the facility in two months, despite an agreement with the county to operate it as a nursing home for at least another five years.

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski says she’s found ways to work across the aisle in her first 100 days

As she reaches her 100th day in office, Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has been touring her congressional district, talking about her achievements so far.
The Springfield Democrat told Jim Meadows that one of her goals was to find ways to work constructively with members of the other party.

Striking faculty return to class Friday at EIU, will vote next week on a tentative contract

As of 8 AM Friday, class is back in session at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. A week-long strike by the union representing faculty and support staff is on hold, while members consider the administration’s contract proposal. A ratification vote is expected sometime next week, although a date has not been set.

Flash Index: Illinois’ economic growth continues its slow decline in March.

After an increase to 103.4 in February, the Flash Index for March dropped back to its January level of 103.1. Except for that one-month increase, the Flash Index has been declining since a peak of 106.1 in March of 2022. (Any reading on the Flash Index above 100 indicates economic growth.)

Eastern Illinois University faculty go on strike

Negotiations continue Friday between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty union. But the bargaining session will take place off campus — because the union began its strike on Thursday, and doesn’t want its members to have to cross picket lines for the meeting.

Voters reelect Mayor Feinen in Champaign and Mayor Williams in Danville

Voters in Champaign and Danville re-elected their mayors Tuesday, but by widely different margins.

Champaign County puts out the call for election judges for April 4

Tuesday, March 28 is the deadline for formal announcement of polling locations for the April 4 consolidated local elections in Illinois. In Champaign County, the county clerk’s office says the number of polling places will depend on how many election judges they can recruit. County Clerk Aaron Ammons says as of right now, Champaign County is well short of the number of judges he would like to have.

Mayoral candidate Jackie Vinson outlines her vision for Danville

The April 4th ballot in Danville features two candidates for mayor: the current mayor, Rickey Williams Junior, and Jackie Vinson, the executive director of the Vermilion Housing Authority.

Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. cites “strong stewardship” as he seeks election to a second term.

Voters in Danville will decide if Rickey Williams Junior gets to serve a second full term as mayor, or if the job goes to Vermilion Housing Authority executive director Jackie Vinson.

EIU faculty union contract talks continue, now with a potential strike approved by rank & file

Federally mediated contract talks between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty and support staff union are scheduled to resume Monday, April 3. When they resume, officials with the EIU-University Professionals of Illinois chapter (Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 4100) hope the administration will feel more pressure to reach a settlement, following last week’s approval of a strike authorization vote.

Mayor Williams & challenger Vinson discuss issues in Danville mayoral candidates debate

The two candidates for mayor of Danville, incumbent Rickey Williams Jr., and Vermilion Housing Authority executive director Jackie Vinson, answered questions Monday night at forum held at Danville Area Community College.

Champaign’s three mayoral candidates meet in Illinois Public Media forum

Champaign voters have three candidates for mayor to choose from in the April 4th election. And all three — Azark David Cobbs, Deborah Frank Feinen and Don Gerard met in the WILL Radio studios for a one-hour forum recorded on March 4, and broadcast on WILL AM and FM on March 10.

Illinois’ economic growth rate was up a bit in February — Flash Index

Following a year of declines – the state’s economic growth rate increased last month, albeit slightly. The University of Illinois Flash Index rose from January’s 103.1 to 103.4 in February.

IPM says farewell to St. Louis-bound Brian Moline

Illinois Public Media is bidding a reluctant goodbye to Brian Moline, who has accepted a new job as a news editor for St. Louis Public Radio, beginning March 6.

Marron seeks state funding for Savoy, Rantoul & Danville infrastructure projects

State Representative Mike Marron is one of many Republicans critical of Governor J-B Pritzker’s ambitious budget proposals to add new state spending for education, childcare,

Budzinski tours ag research at U of I and visits with laid-off Akorn workers in Decatur

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski visited the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign on Thursday. But first, the central Illinois Democrat stopped in Decatur, where more than 400 pharmaceutical plant workers had been abruptly laid off by Akorn Pharmaceutical.

Azark David Cobbs seeks change in his second run for mayor of Champaign

Azark David Cobbs is making his second run for mayor of Champaign, running against incumbent mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and former mayor Don Gerard.

A Piatt County zoning board votes against a wind farm, but the county board will have the final say.

Both supporters and opponents were watching Thursday night, as the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 against recommending a zoning permit for the Goose Creek wind turbine project proposed by Apex Clean Energy. The proposal now goes to the Piatt County Board, which does not have to follow the zoning board’s ruling.

Deb Feinen Seeks a 3rd Term as Champaign’s Mayor

Champaign voters will have three candidates to choose from on April 4, including incumbent mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, who is running for a third term.

Public hearings on a proposed wind farm in Piatt County are entering the home stretch.

The 300 megawatt project would consist of 50 to 60 large wind turbines on land in Blue Ridge, Goose Creek and Sangamon townships, leased from area farmers.

Former Champaign Mayor Don Gerard hopes to return to the office.

There will be three candidates on the ballot for mayor of Champaign in the April 4th consolidated election. This first report on the Champaign mayoral

Former Congressman Rodney Davis has been hired by a lobbying firm

Former Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis has been hired as a lobbyist. The Taylorville Republican will become a managing director for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. In his new job, Davis will provide counsel to the firm’s government relations clients.

Champaign will hire a consulting firm to help it recruit more, and more diverse, police officer candidates.

The Champaign City Council voted Tuesday night to hire a consulting firm to help it attract more, and more diverse police officers.

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski begins work representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.

Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party. But, despite that, and despite qualms about expected changes to House rules, the Springfield Democrat says she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people.

Applicants for Scott Bennett’s state Senate seat make their case at an online forum.

Applicants seeking to fill the state Senate seat left vacant by the death last month of Scott Bennett appeared on an online forum Wednesday evening, to make their case to local Democrats.

WILL at 100: A century of programming for the farming world

From its first sign-on in 1922 to the present day, agricultural programming for rural audiences has been an important part of programming on WILL-AM.

Hundreds turn out for a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett

At a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) on Monday, friends and colleagues emphasized his ability to make friends in a field where

Researchers are using a geologist’s version of an MRI to map the Mahomet Aquifer

During several days last week, a helicopter hauling a huge antenna flew at low altitudes over rural Champaign County. The antenna sent electromagnetic waves into

Scott Bennett Funeral Scheduled For Krannert Center on December 19

State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign will be remembered at a funeral at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Monday, December

With a 16-6 Democratic majority, the Champaign County Board reelects Kyle Patterson as their chair.

Newly elected Champaign County Board members held their organizational meeting Monday night. The meeting opened with Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons swearing in the assembled

Flash Index reports a pause in the decline in Illinois economy’s growth rate

Illinois’ economic growth rate held steady in November, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The economist who compiles the index says that’s good

A 111-year-old Danville building could soon be named for the congressman who got it built

DANVILLE — Last summer’s demolition of the Cannon school building in Danville destroyed a notable reminder of Joseph G. Cannon, the longtime Danville congressman and

Illinois’ economic growth rate continues to slow down: Flash Index

Illinois’ economy is growing at an increasingly slower rate. That’s according to the University of Illinois’ monthly Flash Index. The Flash Index has been declining

Planned Parenthood is expanding abortion services in Champaign & statewide to meet a surge of out-of-state patients

CHAMPAIGN – Doctors began performing abortions on patients at the renovated Planned Parenthood clinic in Champaign earlier this month. But on Wednesday morning, the doctors

WILL at 100: For two decades, Ed Kieser was WILL’s go-to guy for weather

Meteorologist Ed Kieser is probably the best remembered of WILL’s weather forecasters. From 1987 until WILL disbanded its weather department in 2010, Kieser forecast the weather during news and agricultural programming on WILL Radio, and also on WILL-TV.

WILL at 100: Debbie Day on how WILL audience members became ‘Friends of WILL’

Starting in the 1970s, WILL and other public broadcasters began turning to listeners and viewers for part of their operating funds. Debbie Day, WILL’s first development director, talks about how the Friends of WILL helped Illinois Public Media grow.

WILL at 100: Roger Cooper’s ‘Classically Black’ provided a showcase for Black musicians

At a time when Black composers and performers were underrepresented in the classical music world, WILL-FM’s Roger Cooper filled the gap with “Classically Black”, a nationally distributed series of programs produced for Black History Month from the late 1980s until Cooper’s retirement in 2008.

U of I Police are preparing to take over patrols in Campustown

URBANA – The University of Illinois Police Department said it has hired all of the officers needed to help Champaign Police patrol Campustown, the southeastern

Police: Savoy man threatened violence against Champaign mayor, Campustown mass shooting

URBANA – A Savoy resident is facing a Class X felony charge of “Making A Terrorist Threat” after he sent emails to the mayor of

Concerts with Sinfonia da Camera mark the return of the U of I’s Summer Piano Institute

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Summer Piano Institute has returned to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institute concludes with

A Bloodhound from St. Joseph wins at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

TARRYTOWN, NY – A bloodhound, born and bred in St. Joseph, Illinois, has won the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The four-and-a-half-year-old dog, named

Former central Illinois congressman Tim Johnson dies

URBANA – Former Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson has died. Johnson’s former chief of staff, Mark Shelden, reported his death on his Facebook page on Tuesday

‘Voice of the Illini’ sportscaster Jim Turpin has died at age 90

URBANA – Longtime Illini sportscaster Jim Turpin died Sunday. The News-Gazette said the 90-year-old Turpin had recently suffered a fall and died with family members

WILL At 100: From its first broadcast on April 6 1922, WILL evolves from high-tech novelty to pioneer broadcaster.

April 6, 1922, marked the first broadcast of the University of Illinois’ radio station WILL-AM, then operating as WRM. At the time, both listeners and the university were still figuring out the role of radio broadcasting in American life. In the century that followed, WILL built a program schedule dedicated to both learning and culture, expanding to FM, television and online.

WILL At 100: Remembering Focus 580, WILL-AM’s long-running local call-in show

For more than 30 years, the radio talk show Focus 580 was a mainstay of the WILL-AM program schedule, during a time when national daytime programming for public radio was scarce. The weekday program featuring host David Inge kept its listeners in touch with their local community and with the world.

The Illinois Gaming Board will consider a proposal for a Danville casino on March 10

DANVILLE – The Illinois Gaming Board has invited casino developers to their Thursday, March 10 meeting to make a presentation about their application for a

WILL At 100: Langston Hughes poetry reading, recorded by WILL Radio

The WILL Radio archives include hundreds of hours of recorded programs captured on acetate discs from the 1940s and 50s, including a 1957 reading at the University of Illinois by 20th century African-American poet Langston Hughes. Jameatris Rimkus, an archivist the University of Illinois Library, tracked down the mislabeled discs, rescuing them from obscurity.

WILL At 100: Looking Back On A Century Of Broadcasting

2022 marked the 100-year anniversary of WILL-AM, the oldest component of Illinois Public Media. The University of Illinois launched the station at a time when the idea of using radio to reach a mass audience was new and cutting edge. Over the century to come, WILL became a national leader in educational broadcasting, and more recently, public broadcasting.