Crowded field of candidates hoping to represent district that stretches from Chicago to Danville
Rep. Robin Kelly (D) is the current officeholder in the 2nd congressional district. She is not seeking re-election as she is running to be a US Senator.
Economics and energy take center stage in this year’s 13th congressional district campaigns
Representative Nikki Budzinski (D) is seeking a third term in Illinois’ 13th congressional district, which stretches from Champaign-Urbana to East St. Louis. But she faces several challengers from the GOP as well as her own party.
UPDATE: Champaign Unit 4 Schools approves Geovanny Ponce as next superintendent
Geovanny Ponce is a top administrator in Fairfax County Public Schools. He grew up in Honduras and has a doctorate in education from Texas A&M University.
Former Montana coach Bobby Hauck ends brief retirement to become defensive coordinator at Illinois
The 61-year-old Hauck is the Big Sky Conference’s all-times wins leader with a 151-43 record, leading to Grizzlies to four national championship games in 13 playoff appearances over 14 seasons.
Illinois women’s basketball sells out State Farm Center, loses to USC 70-62
Illinois came up short after trying to rally from a 19-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter. For the first time under Head Coach Shauna Green, the team sold out State Farm Center.
‘One Winter Night’ fundraiser aims to raise awareness and promote empathy for homeless people in C-U
The annual event put on by C-U At Home drew 89 participants who spent the night out in the cold to raise money and show their support for the homeless community in Champaign-Urbana.
‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions’ film creators discuss crafting a visual album to showcase a Black perspective
BLKNEWS: Terms & Conditions is a new film directed by Kahlil Joseph, with an exclusive premiere in Urbana this week.
Jeremy Fears’ 26 points and 15 assists help No. 10 Michigan State beat No. 5 Illinois 85-82 in OT
With a chance to send the game to a second overtime, Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer. Michigan State knocked the Fighting Illini out of first place in the Big Ten and ended their 12-game win streak.
Pritzker’s new budget report could set tone for conservative 2027 spending plan
Federal cuts and changes exacerbate tightening fiscal landscape
Illinois attorney general wins state’s first civil hate crime lawsuit
The win came among dozens of lawsuits the state has filed against the Trump administration in the past year.
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek, Polish immigrant, talks immigration reform, taxes, ‘cultural Marxism’
A Polish immigrant to the U.S., GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek discusses his views on immigration and ICE with the 21st show.
Protections from carbon sequestration and pipelines remain a key priority for Central Illinois advocates and policymakers
Alongside education funding, Faraci said he remains focused on environmental protections for the Mahomet Aquifer, the primary drinking water source for nearly one million people in Central Illinois.
How to vote in Illinois in 2026: Early voting begins this week for most of the state
Capitol News Illinois has launched its revamped 2026 Election Guide to coincide with the opening of early voting throughout much of the state.
Illinois basketball teams split the day
No. 5 Illinois makes 17 3-pointers, beats Northwestern 84-44 for 12th straight win
Search warrant reveals FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief
The FBI is investigating Pingsterhaus, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, for possible wire fraud and theft of federal funds, according to the search warrant, obtained by Capitol News Illinois and the Illinois Answers Project.
Meet Michelle Jett, Democratic candidate for Champaign County Executive
Democrats in Champaign County will decide who will be the next County Executive in the primary election. Meet Michelle Jett.
Meet Sanford Hess, Democratic candidate for Champaign County Executive
Democrats in Champaign County will decide who will be the next County Executive in the primary election. Meet Sanford Hess.
More U.S. farmers would be eligible for federal loans under new bipartisan bill
A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.
All this snow hasn’t done much to reduce drought in Central Illinois
The groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter. So does Illinois’ climatologist.
Filmed in Central Illinois, ‘Moses the Black’ brings new film opportunities to the area
The film premiere marked a turning point for Central Illinois’ growing film industry, as sources from local studios said productions like “Moses the Black” show the region can support large-scale projects once limited to major cities.
U of I students react to Illini Republicans controversial ICE social media post
An Instagram post made by the Illini Republicans depicting the recent federal agent shooting and killing of Alex Pretti has garnered negative feedback towards the group. U of I officials say the post has been reported to the Title IX Office.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 5 – Feb. 8
An art reception, the CU Folk & Roots Winter Weekend Festival, Illinois Soul’s second anniversary celebration and more are all happening in central Illinois this week.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Awisi Bustos on her government experience, ‘militarization’ of ICE and AI policy
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Awisi Quartey Bustos, a Democrat with experience in nonprofits, the private sector and as a state of Illinois employee.
A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers
Alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and dairy, has become more common in the last few years.
Nonprofits sign letter asking Illinois government to resist Trump’s policies
Over 100 organizations across Illinois signed the letter, including LGBTQ+ advocacy group Peoria Proud and JOLT.
Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller
Democrats Margaret Croke, Karina Villa, Stephanie Kifowit and Holly Kim are competing in the primary to succeed outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
Pritzker gives $5 million to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate bid
The haul is much needed for Stratton to get her message out in TV ads, especially since her campaign took in about $1.1 million and spent $912,000 between October and December.
What to know about the partial government shutdown and its impact
The government funding process had been going smoothly, with key lawmakers in the House and Senate finding bipartisan agreement. But the shooting deaths this month of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, by federal agents in Minneapolis, changed the dynamic.
‘Voices for Change: Youth Action Expo’ centers Danville youth’s ideas for gun violence prevention
Danville residents gathered to discuss gun violence in their community and initiatives to reduce it. It featured presentations from middle school through college-aged students.
Illinois basketball starts February with a win
Keaton Wagler scores 28, leading No. 9 Illinois to its 11th straight win, 78-69 over No. 5 Nebraska.
Hundreds of University of Illinois and Urbana High School students protest ICE, federal immigration operations
Students and community members across Champaign-Urbana stood in solidarity to protest the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.
Lutheran Church leader arrested for producing child pornography
In a news release, U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus said a search of Mohr’s Springfield home uncovered storage devices containing videos of three juveniles in the bathroom.
Freshmen lead Illinois to victory against Washington
The Illini’s 10-game winning streak is the longest in Brad Underwood’s nine years as coach, and the longest for Illinois since it won 10 in a row to open the 2012-13 season.
Grammy-nominated artist MAYSA to perform for Illinois Soul’s second anniversary celebration
MAYSA will perform in the Tryon Festival Theatre at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to help Illinois Soul celebrate its two year anniversary.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski discusses bringing ‘fiscal reality’ and ‘midwestern values’ to Illinois
Ted Dabrowski is a conservative researcher with a background in international banking. He told IPM’s The 21st Show his background and focus on cutting taxes and spending will earn him trust from voters across the state.
Group challenges Illinois’ restrictions on using ‘Democrat,’ ‘Republican’ in org names
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, seeks to overturn an Illinois law that dates back to the 1980s, arguing that it violates the organization’s First Amendment rights.
A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
The white former deputy killed Massey, who was Black, on July 6, 2024. The 36-year-old single mother had called the police saying she feared there was a prowler outside her Springfield home. Grayson shot her in the face.
New SNAP work requirements go into effect Feb. 1, threatening recipient eligibility
The requirements change which recipients must work or volunteer and how often.
Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices
101.1 FM Illinois Soul is celebrating its two year anniversary next weekend.
Illinois women’s basketball falls to No. 2 UCLA at State Farm Center
The Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball team lost 80-67 against UCLA, the team ranked second in the nation, at State Farm Center.
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Bryan Maxwell talks representing downstate Illinois, advocating socialist policies on campaign trail
Bryan Maxwell is an environmental research scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign- making him one of the few candidates in the race not to be based in Chicago.
Decatur Public Schools looking for ways to turn around ‘bleak’ decline in student population
A demographer reported to the District 61 school board Tuesday that it is facing one of the toughest environments for growth he has ever seen.
Providers say feds’ new rural health care grants to Illinois won’t cover Medicaid cuts
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said between 190,000 to 360,000 Medicaid recipients are at risk of losing coverage in Illinois because of new work requirements.
Many challenges ahead as Illinois unifies early childhood programs, report finds
Come July, the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood will be fully responsible for the state programs that offer home visiting, early intervention, subsidized day care and preschool.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1
An art exhibition, January Dance, CU Restaurant Week, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Champaign County Clerk urges voters to submit primary election ballots early following USPS postmark changes
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons is urging voters to get their primary election ballots in ahead of time as changes to U.S. Postal Service transportation rules could affect when some mail-in ballots are postmarked. The clerk is also asking residents to consider serving as election judges.
United Airlines returns to Willard Airport, offers new flight options
Starting on April 30, United will launch a new service operating four daily flights to and from Chicago’s O’ Hare International Airport.
Freezing temperatures continue this week
Temperatures will be in the teens through Saturday with “dangerously cold wind chills” ranging from -10 to -20.
Pritzker pushes back at State Farm in escalating fight for tighter insurance regulations
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company CEO Jon Farney wrote Pritzker on Wednesday to push against legislation aimed at reining in insurance premium price hikes.
Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices
Cow cuddling, ice cream churning and farm tours are among the tactics dairy farmers are employing to compensate for low milk prices.
Lt. Gov. Stratton goes on attack in Sun-Times, WBEZ, UChicago debate against U.S. Reps. Kelly, Krishnamoorthi
The Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and International House hosted the first live-broadcast debate of the biggest race on the March 17 ballot.
Meet the women starting a ‘Promise Zone’ at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
A group of women want to help Champaign Unit 4 School District keep its promises to Black children.
Sun-Times, WBEZ and UChicago to host first live-broadcast debate for Democratic Senate candidates
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton square off Monday night ahead of their marquee matchup in the March 17 primary election.
Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here’s how to sign up.
Teens and parents should apply now at TeenSummit2.net.
Illinois higher education board seeks 4.6% budget increase for next fiscal year
The request comes as Pritzker announces cuts to current year’s budget
U.S. farmers are growing less wheat. New varieties could help revive the industry
From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops.
School closings/delays/e-learning days for January 26, 2026
A list of school closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
Central Illinois sees 4-14 inches of snow over the weekend
Snow will continue across central and southeast IL this morning, with periods of heavy snow near and south of I-70 in southeast IL. North winds gusting 20 to 30 mph will create blowing and drifting in open areas.
PHOTOS: Central Illinois snowy weekend
If you want to share your pictures, send them to willnewsroom@illinois.edu
Illinois native killed by a US Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says
Thirty-seven-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an avid outdoorsman who loved getting in adventures with his dog. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer earlier this month.