Urbana becomes first city in Illinois to adopt ethical investments policy
The new rules prohibit the city from investing in certain companies that profit from war or conflict.
City of Urbana honors former member city council member Chaundra Bishop following her death
The city released a statement on Wednesday paying tribute to Bishop. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2016, according to the city.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois June 4 – June 7
An night celebrating Black music, fiddle events, an 80s-themed bike ride, and more are all happening this weekend.
Illinois asking for residents’ input on housing concerns
Illinois Housing Development Authority is in the process of drafting their 2027 Housing Blueprint.
‘We didn’t have time’: Pritzker, leaders defend adjourning without Bears deal
A bipartisan vote on a hastily crafted bill in the Senate around 3:30 a.m. Monday morning gave late life to hopes the legislature would pass a bill giving the Bears property tax certainty.
Honorary Christopher Oberheim Way recognizes the sacrifices of a loving father, husband and protector
Christopher Oberheim’s family members say he was the ultimate girl dad, a loving husband, a respected coach and a public servant who gave his life serving the city of Champaign.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts upcoming season celebrates community
The 2026-2027 season at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts includes musical collaborations, an illusionist, circus acts and more.
Teen boy, man hurt after two weekend shootings in Champaign
Police are looking for the shooter and motive for both incidents. Anyone who has information is asked to contact the Champaign Police Department.
IPM says farewell to Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield
Kimberly Schofield became the All Things Considered host in 2022 and was promoted to Morning Edition host in 2023.
Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urged
Illinois lawmakers passed a budget Monday morning that includes a full $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding for public schools, money earmarked specifically for the neediest school districts in the state.
Honorary Bishop King James Underwood Way pays tribute to a longtime church leader and community builder
An honorary street sign on Grove Street in Champaign — from Sixth to Wright — marks the legacy of Bishop King James Underwood, a recognition given to a man who built community, both spiritually and physically.
Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports
Gas tax increase suspended while new taxes on businesses plug revenue hole
Lawmakers pass bill to shield abortion information from digital medical records
The measure seeks to protect abortion patients in Illinois from out-of-state retaliation.
Illinois pension divestment repeal sparks debate over free speech
Passed unanimously in 2015, the law made Illinois a national leader in anti-BDS pension legislation. Now, lawmakers are weighing competing concerns.
Honorary Rabbi Ben Frankel Way recognizes the founder of the world’s first Hillel
Rabbi Benjamin Frankel founded the Hillel at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in 1923. Hillel has since grown into an international movement reaching more than 800 campuses across the globe.
UPDATE: Man arrested after Champaign road crew worker killed in crash
The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office said that a 29-year-old Tennessee man has been charged with one count of reckless homicide, according to several reports.
Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill
The measure aims to promote accountability among the most powerful AI models.
Champaign City Council weighs in on proposed homelessness prevention plan
City of Champaign aims to support renters and landlords alike in their proposed plan, including allocating more funds to existing resources as well as creating new programs and funding options.
Honorary Patricia Avery Neal Way recognizes a woman of possibility
Nestled between North Street and Columbia Avenue, the 600 block of Walnut Street is known as Honorary Patricia Avery-Neal Way. The street recognizes a woman who left a legacy of breaking barriers and advocating for social justice in the Champaign community.
University of Illinois student struggles as family’s sole provider following his uncle’s deportation
Reynaldo Camas-Aranda grew up in a house with his uncle, aunt and mother in Cicero. His uncle’s arrest during Operation Midway Blitz has strained the family’s finances.
Honorary Chris Decker Drive remembers a friend and protector of downtown Champaign
Honorary Chris Decker Drive is located in Champaign on Main Street between Walnut and Chestnut Street. For more than two decades, Chris Decker worked in downtown Champaign as a security professional.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 28 – May 31
Movies on the quad, Friday Night Live, an author fair and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Three I-57/I-74 interchange ramps to close for next few weeks
These closures come on the tail end of the quarter-billion dollar upgrade project, which is expected to be mostly completed by the end of this year.
Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation breaks ground on accessible playground, drop off lane
Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation was founded in 1985 and has been providing year-round opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, such as afterschool programs, overnight trips, special Olympics and summer day camps.
The drought is over in Champaign County. Are more likely in the future?
The drought in Champaign County that began last fall finally ended in April.
Honorary Daniyjah D. Staple Way commemorates a young woman whose life was cut short by gun violence
The City of Champaign honored the life of Daniyjah Staple, a 2024 Centennial High School graduate with Honorary Daniyjah D. Staple way. The designated road runs along Kenwood Road between John and William streets in Champaign.
The Obama Presidential Center is more than a museum. The activity and outdoor spaces emphasize community
The sprawling 19-acre campus of the Obama Presidential Center includes a fruit and vegetable garden, huge playground, green spaces, branch library, community studio/theater space, and a 60,000 square foot athletic center.
Bill enshrines editorial independence for university-licensed public media in Illinois
Illinois Public Media (WILL-AM/FM/TV) is licensed to the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
Yankee Ridge students head to Sola Gratia Farm for the last time this spring – with the program’s future uncertain
This week could be the last Friday on the Farm, because the grants supporting Urbana District 116’s Farm to School program run out at the end of June.
Chancellor Charles Isbell reflects on his first year at U of I, looks ‘towards the future’
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign had a record-breaking year, from awards and accolades, to the Illini making it to the Final Four. Chancellor Isbell is using this all as momentum for the next academic year.
Illinois lawmakers considering ban on guns like Glocks
Bill seeks to ban pistols with certain designs that can be modified into automatic weapons
Contentious housing project in Urbana divides city council members, residents
During a Monday Committee of the Whole meeting, the city considered a developer proposal to build a four-story apartment building on West Main Street just north of Boneyard Creek.
When the school year ends, their paychecks do too. Lawmakers could change that
Illinois bills would give school support workers access to summer unemployment benefits.
A celebration of love: Local singing group’s upcoming spring concert to feature wide array of music
Enjoy a collection of songs celebrating love at The Chorale’s spring concert this weekend.
Urbana superintendent questions researchers’ ranking of district test scores
New national data by Stanford researchers presents Urbana as one of the lowest-performing school districts in Illinois.
Illinois’ U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says Congress must curtail war in Iran
The Democratic senator’s remarks came one day after the U.S. Senate voted to take up a resolution that would limit the president’s ability to continue war efforts in Iran without congressional approval.
Barney Frank, former congressman and gay-rights pioneer, dies at 86
Frank was the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out, and also the first to marry a same-sex partner.
Life, death and everything in between: Public dialogues provide space for grief in C-U
Death Cafe will continue to be held the third Monday of every month.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 21 – May 24
Jazz in the Park, musicals for children and adults, and architectural tours are all happening in central IL this weekend.
Public health officials address hantavirus questions on 21st Show
Two local public health officials discussed how people can get exposed to Hantavirus and what protective measures are helpful on the 21st Show.
NPR trims jobs in newsroom overhaul as it confronts era without public funding
The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom.
House passage of E15 bill praised in corn states, but its future is uncertain in the Senate
The House passed a bill to allow the year-round sale of E15 – a priority in farm states – following infighting among Republicans.
Thunderstorms to continue today
Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be drier with sunshine.
How the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision could impact Illinois and explaining Dick Durbin’s ‘John Lewis Voting Rights Act’
WNIJ’s Peter Medlin talked with Northern Illinois University professor Scot Schraufnagel about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to cut key parts of the Voting Rights Act and a bill Senator Dick Durbin has introduced multiple times to restore the Voting Rights Act.
UPDATE: Test results show case in Winnebago County was not Hantavirus
The resident is no longer considered a potential case of Hantavirus and no further public health action is needed.
Federal drug discount expansion proposal may cost Illinois millions, agency head says
Memo details how expanding 340B program would impact private health plans and state employee insurance
How one program is working to bring Corn Belt farmers together for conservation agriculture
Corn Belt farmers are in the midst of multiple crises.
With U of I’s spring semester over, Champaign-Urbana MTD to reduce fixed-route bus service over the summer
Starting Saturday, there will be reduced frequencies on bus routes around town, according to an announcement from the MTD. The transit agency reduces service during the University of Illinois summer break.
Box turtles are back for the summer. Here’s how to help them survive another year
The creatures are particularly vulnerable this time of year to getting hit by cars or plucked from the wild by curious observers as they trek to their summer stomping grounds.
Senate Democrats introduce bills to regulate artificial intelligence
The eight-bill package tackles consumer protection, education, and transparency.
It’s a hard time to be a farmer. Many can struggle, but help is available
Farmers have one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. of any occupation, and in rural communities, suicide rates tend to be higher than in urban areas. Mental health initiatives, like the statewide Farm Family Resource Center, aim to help.
Champaign considers increase in stormwater utility fee, seeks funding for road maintenance
Champaign’s draft capital improvements plan discusses various road and infrastructure projects. Officials discussed concerns with the adoption of electric vehicles, noting the change is reducing local gas tax revenue for road improvements.
Historic Urbana home that played host to local music closes its doors
The closing of “The Mirror” venue came earlier than expected, after damage to the flooring below the living room made it unsafe to host events.
These seed banks preserve crucial corn and soy varieties. A federal plan may put them at risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing moving the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center and the National Soybean Germplasm Collection from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, where they’ve both been housed for decades.
People with mental illness are stuck in Illinois jails awaiting treatment. A task force seeks solutions
Hundreds of people found unfit to stand trial in Illinois wait months in county jails for a psychiatric bed. Despite an amendment intended to help defendants access treatment more quickly, wait times have increased over the past three years.
Illinois’ budget picture tightens in final stretch amid economic uncertainty
Deputy governor warns state has limited ability to increase spending.
Rep. Sorensen questions Hegseth about Rock Island layoffs, voiding union contracts
Sorensen questioned Hegseth about the decision to cut up to 150 jobs at Rock Island Arsenal during a hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee on April 29.
Urbana appoints new fire chief
Steven Doggett will take over the position from Urbana’s interim fire chief, Tal Prendergast. He’s been serving in the interim role since December.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 14 – May 17
Lots of events with live music happening in central Illinois this weekend as well as the chance to learn about a Japanese art form
Blowing Dust Advisory in effect for Central Illinois
Drivers are encouraged to take precautions in encountering dust on the road.