‘This is like leaving home for us’: Chancellor Robert Jones on departure from U of I, Trump targeting higher ed, and leading through COVID
Jones will soon head to the University of Washington in Seattle. He starts on August 1, 2025.
Four children still hospitalized while Chatham mourns four who died in crash
As a central Illinois community mourns the deaths of three children and a teen counselor killed Monday when a vehicle crashed into the building that housed their after-school program, it has rallied around survivors.
2025 Market at the Square in Urbana to feature 150 vendors
Urbana’s Market at the Square’s 2025 season will get underway Saturday.
More states are moving to scrap sales tax at the grocery store
With high prices at the grocery store, legislators across the middle of the country have moved away from sales taxes on food purchases.
Outgoing Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin reflects on city finances, public safety
Marlin said she hopes the city’s next mayor will “make decisions based on what is best for the community as a whole.”
Stratton’s top priority in Senate campaign: Fighting back against Trump
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has one priority if she is elected to the U.S. Senate in 2026: fighting back against President Donald Trump’s policies.
Illinois crumbles in extra innings, losing to Eastern Illinois University
The Fighting Illini softball team was unable to complete a come-from-behind victory against Eastern Illinois University Wednesday evening, losing 4-3 in extra innings.
Faculty members urge University of Illinois to join Big Ten mutual defense compact
Under the “mutual academic defense compact,” participating schools would share financial and legal resources in the face of any challenges from the federal government.
‘Celebrating Africa’ event highlights North African and Arab belonging at the University of Illinois
Attendees of the “Celebrating Africa” event on on April 25 were transported to Africa with Zimbabwean music, dances and the aromas of authentic dishes like Senegalese jollof, Egyptian koshari, Ethiopian injera, Moroccan mint tea, and South African specialties. Each plate told a story of migration and shared history.
Chatham Strong: A community deals with tragedy
Chatham residents experience grief and shock in the aftermath of an accident that killed four young people after a driver slammed into an after school childcare center.
Got your Real ID? Millions of Midwesterners still don’t have the new, more secure cards
After May 7, people age 18 and older who want to travel domestically by air and enter certain federal buildings will need to present a Real ID or a valid passport.
Driver of deadly crash at after-school camp is a former State Police employee
Four children were killed and six injured, with one in critical condition.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana May 01 – May 04
Listen to Steve Morck and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Corporation for Public Broadcasting sues Trump after he tries to fire board members
President Trump opened up a new front in his assault on public media on Monday, asserting that he was removing three of the five board members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Duckworth endorses Lt. Gov. Stratton for U.S. Senate seat to replace Durbin
Duckworth’s endorsement comes after Gov. JB Pritzker endorsed Stratton on Friday, one day after she entered the Senate contest.
Trump marks his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan, a state rocked by his tariffs
President Trump told Time Magazine of his first 100 days, “I think that what I’m doing is exactly what I’ve campaigned on.”
University of Illinois Pro-Palestinian protests one year later: Felony charges, new policies and fear
One year later, the campus’ political climate is in a much different place. For many students, their decision to speak out has taken a toll.
Police say driver likely did not target after-school camp in crash that killed 3 kids and 1 teen
The car left a road, crossed a field and smashed into the side of the building in the small city of Chatham on Monday afternoon, Illinois State Police said in a statement.
Four students dead after vehicle strikes a Chatham child care facility
Police say four people were killed Monday afternoon when a vehicle drove into the YNOT After School Camp, located at 301 Breckenridge Road in Chatham.
Tariffs impact what crops some U.S. farmers are choosing to plant this year
Farmers are planning on putting fewer acres of soybeans in the ground this spring amid retaliatory tariffs from China and higher production costs.
The federal library department has put almost all of its staff on leave. What does that mean for your town’s library?
After cuts by the Trump administration to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the future of libraries in small towns and villages in Illinois is uncertain.
Conclave to elect a new pope will start on May 7 as cardinals get to know one another
Catholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor.
One person shot, injured during student group’s event at ISU’s Bone Student Center
One person was injured in a shooting Sunday night during a student organization’s event at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University, authorities said. Police
Food insecurity makes it hard to manage HIV/AIDS. The Greater Community AIDS Project aims to help
Food insecurity and AIDS are locked in a cyclical relationship — poor nutrition worsens symptoms, which can negatively impact diet in turn. To combat this, the Greater Community AIDS Project of East Central Illinois is hosting free cooking classes for people living with HIV/AIDS in Champaign County.
JB Pritzker, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, headlines New Hampshire fundraiser
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will headline a major Democratic fundraiser in New Hampshire on Sunday as the potential 2028 presidential contender builds his national
Thousands test their speed, limits at Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
Nearly 900 runners signed up for the 26.2 mile run.
Stratton secures Pritzker’s backing in Senate bid, positions herself as ‘fighter’ of Trump
Governor’s support bolsters Stratton’s candidacy before field to replace Durbin crowds.
A Dialogue on measles risk and prevention during a national outbreak
As measles cases rise in the U.S., public health experts are raising concerns. What steps can you take to stay safe and help prevent the spread of the disease?
New film addresses Alzheimer’s disease in the Black community
How does Alzheimer’s disease impact Black families, and what challenges do they face in care and diagnosis?
WATCH: Catholic Church gives final farewell to Pope Francis
Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world gathered in Vatican City Saturday morning to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.
U of I wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk takes 2nd at the 2025 Boston Marathon
Daniel Romanchuk’s 2025 Boston Marathon marked a triumphant return after a health setback earlier this year. The two-time champion secured second place and reflected on the importance of adaptability in racing.
How to stop invasive plants from taking over the prairie state
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – Illinois is called the prairie state because a few centuries ago, it was mostly prairie land, filled with thousands with different types
Regional Climate Centers resume operations after funding loss led to closures
All six U.S. regional climate centers will remain online through a new contract deadline in mid-June.
Squirrel deaths in Urbana spark concerns about tularemia. Pet owners are advised to take precautions
Several squirrels have been found ill or dead in Urbana, and public health officials have confirmed that at least one tested positive for tularemia, a rare but serious bacterial disease.
Highland Park shooter Robert Crimo III gets life in prison
Robert Crimo III, the admitted shooter in the Highland Park July 4 parade massacre, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday, as a courtroom packed with survivors of the mass shooting looked on.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announces U.S. Senate campaign
Stratton is the first Democrat to announce intention to fill retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.
State reports first measles case in southern Illinois
More than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions around the U.S.
LabEscape in Urbana celebrates the International Year of Quantum with a blend of science and fun
Imagine being locked inside a room and your only hope of escape is to solve a series of puzzles within one hour and crack the code for a quantum computer. That’s the premise of the Quantum Salvation escape room from LabEscape in Urbana.
Illinois may allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees. Some rural students say it would make a big difference
One of the big selling points of attending community colleges is the lower tuition cost. With that in mind, the legislation limits the costs of the four-year programs.
Earth Day event unites C-U scientists against Trump’s ongoing research cuts
For the past three months, the Trump administration has taken aim at federal funding for scientific research, making the future of science uncertain for scientists across the country, including at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin won’t seek reelection
The 80-year-old Democrat told WBEZ in an Illinois exclusive that age was a factor in his not seeking a sixth term in Congress.
Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins
Thousands of people began filing through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral.
Illinois sets the momentum for the week with a win against DePaul University
CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini softball team (19-23) protected its home field with another win against DePaul University on Tuesday. The Illini beat the Blue
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Apr. 24 – Apr. 27
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45
Pritzker balances messaging as some Dems encourage party to avoid LGBTQ issues
Some Democrats, who are often named as possible 2028 Democratic presidential candidates alongside Pritzker, think the party needs to talk less about LGBTQ issues.
Prosecutors say Sen. Emil Jones III’s alleged bribery was ‘crystal clear’ as the case goes to jury
State Sen. Emil Jones III’s federal corruption trial is nearing its end as the jury deliberated for two hours Monday after hearing closing arguments.
Champaign County administrators move into new Scott M. Bennett Administrative Building in Urbana
Champaign County administrators are finally beginning the process of moving into their new headquarters in downtown Urbana.
The Latest: Pope Francis lies in state ahead of his funeral, set for Saturday
Pope Francis’ funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, and a viewing of his body will begin on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, days after the popular pontiff died at age 88.
Armadillos aren’t just in Texas anymore, they are expanding territory in Illinois
Armadillos have little hair and cannot survive on ground that is frozen for more than a few days. But climate change means winter in much of Illinois is becoming more bearable.
U.S. farmers were already struggling to turn a profit. Trump’s trade war will make that harder
Recently implemented tariffs are likely to push crop prices further down, while increasing the costs for fertilizer and farm equipment.
Harvard sues Trump administration to stop its grants freeze
Harvard University announced Monday that it was suing to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus.
Exclusive: The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
The White House has begun the process of looking for a new secretary of defense, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Illinoisans react to the passing of Pope Francis
Here is how officials from Illinois are responding to Pope Francis’ death.
The Latest: Pope Francis dies at age 88 after a stroke
Pope Francis has died at age 88. The first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor. But he alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.
Playing the Changes: How jazz music helped unite a South African university
Darius and Catherine Brubeck visit CU this week to discuss their work creating a jazz program in apartheid-era South Africa.
With no staff left at LIHEAP, the federal utility assistance program, advocates worry about funding
A federal program that helped struggling customers pay their utility bills remains in limbo after the Trump administration fired its entire staff earlier this month.
Small plane crash in Coles County kills all 4 on board
Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers said the victims were two women and two men.
Scientists near Peoria wake up early to catch invasive birds
Invasive birds cost the United States’ farming industry billions of dollars every year. But to find out which species are the biggest culprit, you have to get up way before the sun comes up.
Illinois goes winless in Easter Weekend series against Purdue
Illinois lost all three games to the Boilermakers, including a 3-7 defeat on Sunday that marks their 11th Big Ten conference loss.
PHOTOS: Hundreds demonstrate against the Trump administration in Urbana
An estimated 400 people marched and demonstrated against various policies and actions taken by President Donald Trump in his second term.