Illinois Governor JB Pritzker makes his case for a third term on The 21st Show
Governor JB Pritzker discussed issues with certain prisons in Illinois, public distrust of billionaires, and what he hopes to accomplish if given the opportunity to serve as governor for another term on the 21st Show.
Champaign residents have until Wednesday to opt out of electric aggregation agreement
Champaign officials have signed an agreement with Homefield Energy to be the city’s new energy supplier.
In data center hubs Aurora and DeKalb, two different approaches to setting restrictions
The 10 data centers in the City of Aurora are under some of the strictest regulations in the state for the facilities.
Few parents in Illinois opting kids out of required vaccines, data shows
Most Illinois counties have a non-medical exemption rate under one percent. Six counties in northern and southern Illinois have a two percent exemption rate.
America @ 250: Da’Sani Lewis wonders what America should be in 50 years
Da’Sani Lewis is a 2026 graduate of Danville High School and will be attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this fall. Lewis wonders what kind of place America should be 50 years from now.
This handstand-performing skunk is disappearing from the Great Plains. It may be endangered soon
The plains spotted skunk is becoming harder to find in the central U.S. states it calls home. As federal officials consider the skunk for federal protections, researchers and environmentalists are hoping to learn more about the long understudied species.
As the next generation takes over the family farm, a tough economy brings new challenges
Passing on the family farm to the next generation is typically an involved process, both financially and emotionally. A turbulent agricultural economy the past few years has made that transition even more difficult.
Illinois House begins investigation into indicted Rep. Carol Ammons
Ammons pleaded not guilty on July 16 to 10 felony charges, including wire fraud, lying to the FBI and conspiring to obstruct justice.
‘I’m embarrassed by it’: Speaker Welch apologizes for interactions with former staffer
Welch defends office’s handling of Benton’s sexual harassment cases.
How Aurora and DeKalb are dealing with data centers
In a tale of two data center cities, Aurora and DeKalb are two examples of how location, regulation and revenue affect the residents where they sit.
Urbana enacts ordinance to require council approval for use of surveillance technology
After years of discussion over how Urbana should use surveillance technology, officials have enacted a measure that implements transparency requirements and mandates city council approval for departments to adopt new tools like license plate readers or facial recognition software.
Mahomet-Seymour school district seeks public approval for $84 million construction project
The project would be funded through $84 million in new bonds and existing county sales taxes.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 6 – 9
Multiple festivals are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Pritzker signs new laws requiring businesses to accept cash, pay employees for jury duty
The governor signed 87 bills on Friday.
Illinois offers temporary sales tax reduction on back-to-school shopping
From Friday, Aug. 7, through Aug. 16 the state’s sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%.
Women’s baseball league celebrates past, future of sport on opening weekend
Rain couldn’t dampen the festivities as the league held the first two games of its inaugural season on Saturday and Sunday in Springfield.
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy talks abortion, ICE shootings, and Iran war on 21st Show
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Don Tracy joins the 21st Show again ahead of the general election in November.
At Spunky Bottoms, an Illinois River wetland’s resilience is on display
The Nature Conservancy acquired the roughly 1,300-acre Merwin Preserve at Spunky Bottoms in the late 1990’s and allowed the site to return to being a floodplain wetland.
Screwworm restrictions are slowing transports of dogs and cats from crowded shelters
Animal rescue leaders say new rules meant to prevent the spread of the livestock parasite make sense. But they are also costly for overcrowded shelters in Texas, which transfer many pets to other states.
America @ 250: John Martin asks how the country can return to better times and heal from its wounds
John Martin is a lifelong Urbana resident and a retired software engineer. A self-described patriot and supporter of the Make America Great Again movement, Martin asks how the U.S. can heal from the previous presidential administration’s handling of immigration.
Investigation underway after Champaign house explodes and catches fire
Neighbors and Champaign Fire Department say no one was home at the time of the explosion.
Illinois Prisoner Review Board denies early release for Sean Grayson
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously Friday to deny former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson’s application for compassionate release. He is serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey.
Sean Grayson, seeking medical release from his murder sentence, still maintains Sonya Massey ‘attacked’ him
State’s attorney opposes release of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy
Healthcare costs have more than doubled for many farmers this year, on top of soaring expenses
When Congress allowed Affordable Care Act tax credits to lapse, healthcare premiums spiked for millions of Americans — especially self-employed farmers and ranchers. That added cost is multiplying the stress on their already stretched balance sheets.
How exactly did cyclospora infiltrate our food supply? We still don’t know
Food safety experts say contaminated water in farm fields is a likely culprit. But questions still remain about the current outbreak.
Mahomet Public Library plans for new expansion referendum next April
After being voted down in the March primary, Mahomet Public Library Director John Howard still wants to see a new children’s area and community room for Mahomet residents. The previously proposed outdoor patio has been taken out of these plans.
Upcoming C-U art exhibition showcases ‘wide range of viewpoints’ in disability representation
“Able in CU” is a project featuring eight charcoal portraits including two self-portraits and six individual portraits by artist Shauri Gonzalez.
Weatherman-turned-congressman Eric Sorensen wants to guide weather preparedness from D.C.
The former television weatherman is looking to use that experience to help shape federal policy to help keep Americans safe from weather disasters.
Danville Mayor announces 2027 reelection bid with several challengers
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. is seeking a third full term in office. At least four others are challenging him for the position.
Pritzker signs school cellphone ban to avoid student distractions
New law restricts use of all electronic communication devices, with some exceptions.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 30 – August 2
Rock climbing, live music, outdoor painting and poetry and more are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Themes of race and class take center stage in upcoming local production of ‘Ragtime: The Musical’
The production follows three Black, white, and immigrant Jewish families at the beginning of the 20th century.
Savoy searching for new developers to complete downtown plaza project
The Village of Savoy has been working on constructing their downtown plaza for years. The original developers withdrew from the project due to issues that include fulfilling agreed-upon deadlines.
Tornado spotted and wind damage reported in central and southeast Illinois
For Breaking Weather Updates, tune to WILL-AM 580, Illinois Classical FM 90.9, and Illinois Soul FM 101.1.
America @ 250: Lance Dixon has two questions for America
Lance Dixon is a husband, a father of five and the owner of Dixon Graphics in Champaign. He grew up in Chicago’s melting pot thinking America’s institutions were rock solid. He’s shaken by how fragile they seem today.
Champaign County Board tables resolution on Clerk Aaron Ammons, appoints new member for District 6
Board members voted along party lines to table the resolution for one year.
United Airlines’ plans to bring flights to Willard Airport face further delays
The airline announced that the expanded flight offerings from United were being delayed again due to the Federal Aviation Administration limiting flights at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
Farmers are struggling to turn a profit. How does it compare to the farm crisis in the ’80s?
Corn and soybean growers have seen several years of low commodity prices and increased costs for supplies like fertilizer and fuel. That has many farmers worried about whether they’ll turn a profit this year and drawn some comparisons to a dark time in American agriculture.
Here’s how Illinois election authorities guard against noncitizen voting
Since 1982, only 10 noncitizens have been found to have voted in an Illinois election.
Jessica Dixon Heitman appointed to ex-Rep. Harry Benton’s seat
The granddaughter of late U.S. Sen. Alan Dixon is choice of local Democratic Party insiders.
Community event offers free back-to-school essentials for C-U youth
The Kingdom Connection Outreach Center is preparing for its Back-to-School Community Health Fair on August 15.
Five tips for applying to jobs, according to Champaign high schoolers in Unit 4’s Youth Employment Services program
About 200 Champaign students are wrapping up jobs they found through Champaign Unit 4 School District’s Youth Employment Services.
Pritzker says he doesn’t know details of deadly Jan. 4 shooting by Illinois State Police
Gov. JB Pritzker said he has not seen the video of an Illinois State Police trooper shooting an unarmed woman to death in January, though he reiterated trust in the department’s leadership on Wednesday.
Pritzker for president? Handicapping the Illinois governor’s political future
It’s the most common question Pritzker is getting from local and national reporters.
USDA cuts remove local conservation experts from nearly half of Illinois counties
The Trump administration cut 22% of the Natural Resources Conservation Service staff in 2025, impacting nearly half of Illinois counties.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 23 – July 26
Enjoy live music, a car show and barbecue competition, family-friendly outdoor activities and more this weekend in Central Illinois.
Illinois State Board of Education issues AI guidance, written with help from AI
A 2024 survey of Illinois educators conducted by Teach Plus and the Illinois Digital Educator Alliance, or IDEA, found a common concern that misuse of AI could threaten student learning.
Folk-rock legend Graham Nash on keeping his music fresh and new
In an interview with IPM News, he discussed politics, his love for performing, and wanting to give his audience the best concert of their lives. Nash is scheduled to perform at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign on his 2026 tour.
Bayer won its Roundup case. Where does that leave thousands of pending lawsuits?
Attorneys say cases that claim the popular weedkiller causes cancer will have to change course to move forward in court after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the agriculture company last month.
Urbana residents can give feedback on future Lincoln Avenue road improvements
The city is holding a public information meeting to share information on future road improvements along North Lincoln Avenue and take feedback from residents.
America @ 250: Chad Rand asks if anyone would be happy living in a truly homogenous country
Chad Rand is outreach coordinator for the University of Illinois Education Justice Project, where he supports people across the country who are coming home from prison or facing detention and deportation.
‘Surreal’: Illinois’ only International Dark Sky Place attracts tourists worldwide
The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Champaign County is Illinois’ only International Dark Sky Place as judged by Dark Sky International. The legislature in recent years has taken steps to limit light pollution.
Rantoul voters to determine in November if the village should have at-large districts and whether to allow cannabis dispensaries
Rantoul is putting two ballot proposals before voters in November that could allow cannabis dispensaries to open in town and return the village to a system of electing trustees to at-large seats instead of districts.
Pesticide pollution in Midwest and Great Plains rivers is getting worse, decade-long study reveals
Pesticide pollution is a problem especially in the middle of the country. And sometimes there’s enough of it to possibly hurt aquatic plants and animals.
Dangerous air continues in central Illinois on Monday, strong to severe storms tonight
An air quality alert is in effect for central, southeast, and northern Illinois.
Urbana community grocery store location set to be finalized on Lincoln Avenue
HeartStrong Grocery CEO Angela Bradley has signed a lease with Urbana to build the grocery store at the intersection of Bradley and Lincoln avenues.
A new heritage trail aims to honor Champaign-Urbana’s Asian community
In Champaign County, 12.5% of the population identifies as Asian.
Top Veterans Affairs official says ‘latest technology’ in health care records coming to Danville
Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence said the Federal Electronic Health Record system will go live in Danville next March.
WATCH: Trump delivers primetime address on election system
No credible intelligence has emerged showing that the vote count in 2020 was manipulated by foreign actors. Trump did not raise doubts about his election wins in 2016 or 2024.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons plead not guilty to federal charges
State Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, are facing counts of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.