Trump’s promised immigration crackdown in Chicago could last about six weeks, suburban official says
Chicago is among the latest targets for President Donald Trump’s expanded federal intervention. President Donald Trump has targeted Chicago and other Democrat-led cities for expanded federal intervention.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ lead actress Arden Cho talks about her days at the University of Illinois
A University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana graduate stars in Netflix’s most popular original movie.
Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall talks first 100 days, engaging with youth, supporting economic development
Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall took office more than 100 days ago. He defeated the former incumbent, Chuck Smith, by a margin of 34 votes during
Illinois elections board refuses to give DOJ sensitive voter data
National expert says Trump administration has no authority to demand records.
After winning their first games of the football season, Illinois and Duke prepare to face off Saturday
Illinois is off to a hot start as the team scored a 52-3 victory in their first game of the season against Western Illinois.
Solar for All would have powered emergency housing in a Midwest town. Then the EPA cut the funds
Municipalities and nonprofits across the country may have to abandon planned solar energy projects after the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was terminating a $7 billion grant program to expand solar access.
National pro-Palestinian campaign to boycott Israeli goods comes to Champaign-Urbana
The campaign called “No Appetite for Apartheid” is urging local businesses to boycott products with ties to Israel and its war in Gaza. Similar campaigns have been launched in New Orleans, Tampa and now Champaign-Urbana.
Fashion designer Giorgio Armani dead at 91
Armani, who maintained a firm grip on his empire and collections until the end, had been reluctant to discuss succession, but had announced a foundation as a succession tool to avoid his businesses being split up.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 4 – Sep. 7
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
Flash-bang grenades and early morning raids: How Trump is planning to target Chicago
Hundreds of federal agents are being sent to a suburban naval base from Los Angeles, where an immigration blitz spurred protests that pushed President Trump to call in the National Guard.
Trump administration targets Illinois in-state tuition for immigrant students lacking legal status
Federal officials allege the practice violates federal law and discriminates against U.S. citizens living in other states.
Why are locally-grown fruits and veggies often more expensive than what’s at the grocery store?
As part of the “Food Routes” series, Harvest Public Media explores three big factors that affect produce prices in the Midwest and Great Plains.
As Trump declares ‘we’re going in,’ Pritzker says ‘terror and cruelty is the point’
Pritzker said Illinois State Police received a call from Customs and Border Protection Chief Gregory Bovino over the weekend confirming that ICE will ramp up immigration enforcement in Chicago at some point this week
U of I will offer students on-campus abortion access starting this fall, following new Illinois law
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will begin offering students access to abortion care on campus this fall, following new state legislation that requires public universities to provide contraceptives and medication abortion.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Sep. 4 – Sep. 7
ELLNORA Guitar Festival, a night market, a broomcorn festival, and more are happening in Central Illinois this week.
Trump says he will order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore despite local opposition
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added, “I didn’t say when.”
WATCH: Pritzker addresses reports of more federal agents, National Guard in Chicago
Reports have indicated ICE will ramp up immigration enforcement in the city this week. The city is also bracing for the possible deployment of the National Guard.
Illinois is making ‘rewilding’ an official conservation strategy
A new law in Illinois formalizes efforts to reintroduce native keystone species like bison and beavers in the state, which advocates say will help other species recover.
A California judge rules that Trump’s deployment of the guard to LA was illegal
The judge took evidence in a trial last month about the actions of the guard stationed in L.A. in a unit called Task Force 51.
Labor Day parade brings community members, floats and festivities to downtown Champaign
The annual event hosted many floats featuring local unions and marching bands. The parade was followed by a picnic in Neil Street Plaza with a live band and other family activities.
Government shutdown looms as Congress returns after monthlong August recess
Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts without a single Democratic vote. But as they return
Beatty returns punt for TD, breaks Grange’s 102-year-old record in No. 12 Illini’s opening rout
Hank Beatty returned a punt 69 yards for a third-quarter touchdown and broke Red Grange’s 102-year-old Illinois record for yards on punt returns to help the No. 12 Illini rout Western Illinois 52-3 on Friday night to open the season.
Jim Meadows signs off for the final time
After over 25 years at Illinois Pubic Media, Jim Meadows is retiring. He reflects on his career with Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield.
Daley, LaHood discuss rebooted ‘fair maps’ campaign in Illinois
A bipartisan group led by Democrat Bill Daley and Republican Ray LaHood has launched a new push to pass a state constitutional amendment to put legislative redistricting in the hands of an independent commission.
Carle preparing to fill gaps in patient coverage amid OSF’s restructuring in Urbana
As OSF’s Heart of Mary Medical Center is preparing to eliminate some specialty services, Carle Foundation Hospital said it is preparing to treat a larger number of patients.
Trump administration readying ‘ramped up’ deportation campaign for Chicago next week
As the White House gears up plans for a major deportation effort in the city and potential deployment of National Guard troops, Mayor Brandon Johnson and police Supt. Larry Snelling stressed that Chicago cops won’t assist ICE agents who attempt to conduct raids.
Rep. Nikki Budzinski discusses National Guard, Gaza, SNAP cuts on The 21st Show
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski sat down with Brian Mackey of Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show to speak about cuts to food aid and health care as well as her thoughts on the possibility of the National Guard being deployed to Chicago.
Trump’s planned Chicago blitz would use naval base to house ICE agents, possibly National Guard
Federal agents would operate out of Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago through September, according to an email from a Navy captain.
Tallest ramp opens at Champaign County’s busiest interstate interchange
The Illinois Department of Transportation said nearly 40,000 vehicles pass through the I-74 I-57 interchange each day.
Minneapolis Catholic school shooting: What we know so far
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said a motive has yet to be determined.
Hundreds of police departments use camera company accused of breaking state law
Giannoulias alleges that Flock gave U.S. Customs and Border Patrol access to Illinois data as part of a pilot program.
Vying for Senate seat, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton pitches herself on The 21st Show
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton discusses foreign affairs, Medicaid, and tax breaks for middle class on the 21st show as she runs for the U.S. Senate.
A shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school kills 2 children, injures 17 people
The children who died were 8 and 10, and 14 other kids were among the wounded, police said.
Trump threatens Illinois’ federal funding for eliminating cash bail
The order calls on the U.S. attorney general to come up with a list of states and other jurisdictions that “substantially” eliminated cash bail and requires the Office of Management and Budget to identify ways to withhold federal funding for states without a cash bail system.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Aug. 28 – Aug. 31
A sweetcorn festival, a popcorn festival, a blues festival, a cheese festival, and more are happening in Central Illinois this week.
Gov. Pritzker announces new Cronus Chemicals fertilizer plant in Tuscola is moving forward
For more than a decade, Cronus Chemicals has sought to create a fertilizer production facility in East Central Illinois. At the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, the governor announced the company is following through with its $2 billion investment.
New executive director outlines her vision for Urbana Free Library
Taliah Abdullah was appointed to the position in July. She said the library has been updating its Champaign County Historical Archives since last year.
Illinois ACLU weighs in on Trump plans to send troops into Chicago, exclude certain immigrants from Head Start
If President Trump sends the national guard into Chicago, the ACLU of Illinois would help release detained people and sue over excessive force.
In court, hallucinations can overshadow A.I.’s promise in closing ‘access to justice’ gap
A Central Illinois attorney has been sanctioned after filing a brief written partially by artificial intelligence that cited several “hallucinated,” or non-existent, cases.
In response to military deployment, Pritzker tells Trump: ‘Do not come to Chicago’
The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has been considering for weeks deploying the military to Chicago.
McLean County judge holds man in custody in homicide of unborn child case
A man from Normal accused of slipping abortion drugs to his girlfriend to prompt a miscarriage against her wishes will remain in custody as he awaits trial.
WATCH: Pritzker, other Illinois officials address Trump’s threat to send National Guard to Chicago
Governor JB Pritzker hold press conference in response to President Trump’s plans to deploy troops to Chicago.
As some states prepare to cut junk foods from SNAP, rural grocers face more costs
Grocery stores accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in 12 states will soon have to accommodate new exclusions to the program.
‘Illegal and costly’: Chicago’s mayor blasts Trump’s threat to deploy National Guard
President Trump suggested he will “straighten out” Chicago next. Mayor Brandon Johnson told NPR that would be “illegal and costly” — but said there are other ways the federal government could help.
As University of Illinois classes start, Champaign-Urbana chancellor talks about federal funding cuts and his new office decor
Charles Isbell is still getting to know the community, but he’s also preparing for possible attacks from the federal government.
‘Stay out of our city’: Chicago officials slam Trump’s threat to target city in next crime crackdown
On Friday, Trump mentioned that Chicago could receive similar treatment to Washington, D.C., where 2,000 troops have been deployed. City officials and advocates, meanwhile, slammed Trump’s threats and emphasized drops in violent crime in Chicago.
A Dialogue with Jelani Day’s mother, four years after his disappearance
Jelani Day, a Danville native who was studying speech pathology at Illinois State University, disappeared on August 24, 2021. His remains were recovered from the Illinois River. His mother spoke with “The 21st Show” host Brian Mackey.
Pritzker announces ‘first of its kind’ legal hotline for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans
Illinois Pride Connect will come online Monday, offering advice on health care access, identifying documents, housing, government benefits and safety concerns.
University of Illinois student activism leads to statewide campus abortion law
Student activists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are celebrating after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new state law they helped enact.
Public voices opposition to proposed service changes at OSF Healthcare’s Heart of Mary Medical Center
OSF plans to expand behavioral healthcare at its Urbana facility — but multiple community members said they were concerned with the proposal to shift some specialty services to other locations.
Pritzker signs law expanding lawsuit protections for Illinois news media
The measure was spurred by a former official’s lawsuit against the Chicago Sun-Times in 2021.
‘Here for the audience and nobody else’: NPR’s Michel Martin discusses career, importance of public media
NPR Morning Edition host talks early hours and the importance of public media with IPM’s Kimberly Schofield.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly talks with the 21st Show about her bid for U.S. Senate
Kelly, who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, shared her positions on immigration, healthcare, foreign conflicts and winning over younger voters.
Insurance industry opposes regulation, blames inflation, climate change for rate hikes
Governor Pritzker called for legislation following State Farm’s 27% homeowners rate hike.
Clean water advocates say new law will protect drinking water from PFAS contamination
The PFAS Reduction Act will phase out the use of manufactured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, by 2032.
Local Palestinian Americans welcome Pritzker’s support on Senate resolution to block arms sales to Israel
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” this month, Pritzker said the measure would send “the right kind of a message” to Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
How tattoo removal could give some incarcerated Illinoisans a blank slate
This tattoo program is part of JUST of DuPage, a faith-affiliated non-profit that partners with DuPage County to prepare people incarcerated at the jail for their re-entry into society. Artists and technicians from outside companies visit the detention facility for free tattoo removal and cover-up sessions.
No. 12 Illinois and star QB Luke Altmyer are ready to enter uncharted territory
The Illini flew under the radar on their way to a 10-win season last year — their first since 2001 — and they return 18 starters including star quarterback Luke Altmyer.
Senate President Harmon appeals $10M fine for improper campaign contributions
The donations in question involve a state law that limits contributions to campaigns during an election cycle. Under the law, a campaign becomes “self-funded” when the candidate puts more than $100,000 into the campaign.
Eastern Illinois University to cut ties with PBS after federal funding cuts
The elimination of federal funding calculates to a loss of more than $790,000- nearly 80% of the station’s overall annual operations budget.