Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after brief illness; Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks publicly after weeks of mystery about his health
Sen. Lindsey Graham likely died after aorta rupture, medical examiner says.
UPDATE: Ammonses deny wrongdoing following indictment by federal grand jury for alleged wire fraud, obstruction of justice
A federal grand jury alleges the Urbana state representative created a scheme to “defraud the State of Illinois” and enrich herself and her family members. The Ammonses reject the allegations and say the legal process will show they are innocent.
In the fight to save prairies, some Great Plains ranchers embrace a new landscape – with goats
These ranchers tried to protect grassland from trees and shrubs in all the traditional ways. It didn’t work. So they brought in hungry goats that turned woody plants into a cash stream.
Republicans call for more transparency, accountability after ‘disgraceful week’ for House Democrats
After one House Democrat was indicted this week and another resigned amid an ethics investigation last week, House Republicans are calling for transparency and accountability.
Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore grants for underserved farmers
A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.
A potent weedkiller can drift for miles, killing crops and trees. EPA’s new rules may not stop it
New federal rules for dicamba aim to help cotton and soybean farmers control weeds. But the herbicide, which can kill other crops and trees, remains controversial.
Urbana City Council delays vote on West Main Street housing project, amends minimum parking requirements
The city council once again heard from public commenters on both sides of the debate surrounding the redevelopment project, setting the stage for a possible vote next Monday.
Trump reduced tariffs on farm machinery. But prices could still increase
The Trump administration lowered tariffs on farm equipment last month. But with economic pressures on farmers, equipment dealers and manufacturers, the move may not bring much relief.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 9 – July 12
Win prizes at a night of drag comedy bingo, see a documentary screening about an Illinois-based rock band or try more local events this weekend in Central Illinois.
New Champaign Unit 4 superintendent brings back some former cabinet members into other leadership roles
Angela Ward, Mike Lehr and Henry Walker will become an interim high school principal, a secondary director and a principal supervisor.
After drought and wildfires, wheat farmers in the Great Plains are in for a rough year
Nearly half of the U.S. winter wheat crop is in poor or very poor condition, following a tough growing season. Some farmers are choosing to leave their crop in the field
As America turned 250 years old, more than 50 people in Urbana became U.S. citizens
Senator Dick Durbin attended the naturalization ceremony in Urbana on Thursday.
America @ 250: Hannah Velasco asks if America was actually ever great
Hannah Velasco is a 29-year-old resident of Urbana. She directs Urbana High School’s Ballet Folklórico de los Tigres, and is a recruitment and training coordinator for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Champaign County. Her identity has never fit neatly into one box, and she believes that accepting each other’s differences is part of being American.
Trump says the U.S. doesn’t need a trade deal with its neighbors. Farm groups push hard for renewal
An official review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement begins in July. President Trump already has suggested the U.S. would be better off without it.
Extreme Heat Warning issued for Illinois
Hot and humid weather will dominate the area for the next several days.
Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release
Grayson has served less than six months of a 20-year sentence for the murder of Sonya Massey.
America @ 250: Kay Weidner asks Americans to ask themselves, ‘Who am I?’
Kay Weidner grew up near Crystal Lake Park in north Urbana and still lives in the area. Members of her family have served in the military since at least World War II, and she loves a good Fourth of July Parade.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois July 2 – July 5
Independence Day celebrations, a local music festival, pickleball tournaments and more are happening this weekend in Central Illinois.
Champaign-Urbana immigrant advocates relieved but on guard following U.S. Supreme Court birthright citizenship ruling
Leaders of the Refugee Center and the New American Welcome Center were relieved but still worried.
The Latest: Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits
The decision comes on the final day of a Supreme Court term that has centered on Trump’s expansive claims of presidential power — and largely ruled in his favor.
Police need public’s help to identify human remains found in Lake Mattoon
On Sunday, boaters observed part of a human arm in Lake Mattoon.
Meteorologist Ed Kieser returns to Illinois Public Media to team up with Andrew Pritchard on weather and severe storm coverage
Illinois Public Media Meteorologists Ed Kieser and Andrew Pritchard are working to provide forecasts and breaking weather.
Nearly one year after Mattoon’s water crisis, the city has seen no signs of algal blooms returning
Algal blooms overwhelmed Mattoon’s water system in July 2025, leading to five days of do not drink orders.
America @ 250: Alex Wysocki asks, ‘Are short-term political gains worth giving up the big picture?’
Alex Wysocki is a television producer, filmmaker, husband and father of three. He and his wife Abigail moved to Champaign during the COVID-19 pandemic and are raising their family here.
Network of climate stations provide critical data, enable real-time decisions during severe weather
The Illinois Climate Network collects data that helps experts and communities make real time decisions during severe weather events.
U of I’s historic round barns set for renovations following $10M alum gift
The historic round barns on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus are being renovated thanks to a $10 million donation from Leah Wightman,
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois June 25 – June 28
Learn how to support local pollinators, see a fireworks show at a summer festival and more this weekend in Central Illinois.
Urbana City Council declines to make downtown civic center a historic landmark, passes budget
Officials in Urbana had a busy week at city council. They rejected a proposal to grant landmark status to the former Civic Center downtown, which may become the site of a new transit center. The city also approved a new budget and appointed a new Ward 5 council member.
Addicted to gambling in Illinois: ‘Someone has decided they can make money off you’
People in Illinois lost more than $7.7 billion gambling last year. As lawmakers increasingly bet on gambling to pay the state’s bills, they have only spare change to treat compulsive gamblers.
Bears stadium fail wasn’t Pritzker’s only fumble — his affordable housing plan also went nowhere
Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan would have allowed multi-unit housing, such as duplexes and triplexes, and “granny flats” on nearly all properties zoned for residential use. But he was unable to overcome local government leaders’ opposition to the proposal.
This large Chicago high school rarely suspends its students
Schools in Illinois suspend Black students at much higher rates than white students. Kenwood Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side stands out for bucking that trend.
This Springfield high school has one of the highest rates of suspensions for Black students in Illinois
There were fewer than 500 Black students at Lanphier High School in the 2024-2025 school year, but they received almost four times that number of in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
‘A legacy brand sunset’: Illinois radio stations reckon with CBS News Radio’s shutdown
As longtime CBS affiliate stations across the state move to other news services, broadcasters and industry professionals are weighing how the loss will impact local coverage and what it signals about the future of radio news.
Urbana Park District seeks community input to create future goals
The Urbana Park District is asking residents to fill out a survey and participate in focus groups to help guide the creation of their 2027-2031 Strategic Plan.
This Rockford middle school disciplines Black students more than any school in Illinois
Schools in Illinois discipline Black students at much higher rates than white students.
A Rockford middle school is an outlier for handing out the most discipline violations per Black student of any school in the state.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan dies at 100
Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100. He died on Monday from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. That’s according to his wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell.
Natl. Weather Service: At least two tornadoes caused dozens of miles of destruction
Meteorologists say an EF3 tornado with peak winds of 145 miles per hour tore a 24 mile path of destruction through Effingham County.
Sweet hope, Chicago! Obama, city celebrate a presidential center that ‘could not be anywhere else’
The star-studded opening brought out three former presidents, musical legends and former staffers to celebrate a center that former President Barack Obama said will “serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.”
Coles County tornado leaves Charleston residents without power, damaging trees and homes
Thousands of residents were left without power following severe weather, including tornadoes, that touched down in Coles County Wednesday night.
Effingham tornado flattens family-owned Corvette museum, downs trees, power lines
A tornado that tore through Effingham Wednesday night flattened the Mid America Motorworks museum.
IPM Storm Tracker: Tornado reported in Coles County, thousands without power
For instant weather warnings, listen to WILL-AM 580, WILL-FM 90.9 and Illinois Soul FM 101.1.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois June 18 – June 21
Celebrate Juneteenth with free, all-ages events, get a taste of local theater, try your hand at beginner level fishing and more in Central Illinois this weekend.
Champaign’s 2026-2027 budget passes unanimously
New funding allocations include three new firefighters, a Homelessness and Community Services Manager and a background investigator for the police department. The city is also funding capital projects including Park Avenue, expansion of the downtown plaza and a traffic signal at the Mattis Ave. and Sangamon Dr. intersection.
First climate monitoring station in Coles County begins collecting climate and weather data
The latest climate monitoring station in Illinois is in Coles County, and researchers with Prairie Research Institute have plans to expand the network even more.
Pritzker signs nearly $56B budget with new business taxes as he seeks 3rd term
Budget contains minimal spending increase despite being largest in state history.
Efforts to get year-round E15 sales could hurt soybean farmers
A bill allowing year-round sales of E15, a fuel blended with up to 15% corn-based ethanol, is being debated in the Senate. While the bill is hailed as a boon for corn growers, there are concerns that it could hurt soybean prices.
IHSA boys baseball tournaments brings families to Champaign, boosts local economy
Eight teams traveled from across the state to compete in the IHSA Boys Baseball State Tournament. The competition brought new and familiar faces to Champaign-Urbana, benefiting the area’s local economy.
Urbana to restore North Lincoln Avenue to its old design following a two-month demonstration meant to improve pedestrian safety
The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that included a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.
Should descendants of enslaved Black Americans receive reparations? An Illinois commission wants your opinions.
As Juneteenth approaches, the debate continues about whether descendants of enslaved Black Americans should receive reparations. In 2022, the city of Evanston, near Chicago, made
Champaign, Danville and Urbana to mark Juneteenth by celebrating Black freedom and families
Juneteenth marks the arrival of U.S. Army troops in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The troops told some of the last enslaved Americans that
Farm store Rural King breaks ground on $75M headquarters in Mattoon
Rural King is building a new campus in Mattoon, which will house the company’s headquarters, flagship store and an event center.
Photo Gallery: Aftermath of storms in Champaign and Vermilion Counties
Cleanup underway in Champaign and Vermilion Counties after storms on June 12, 2026. Photos by Abigail Bottar and Reginald Hardwick, IPM News
Severe storms cause major damage to homes, schools and trees in central Illinois; thousands without power
Major damage reported in Champaign and Vermilion Counties after heavy winds and rain passed through Thursday night.
Tornado Watch for east central Illinois until Friday at 1am CT
The National Weather Service is forecasting strong to severe storms on Thursday evening.
Champaign County officials break ground on $48M rural internet project
The CONNECT Champaign County Fiber Internet project will connect nearly 3,000 rural residents to broadband.
After much anticipation, Garden Hills improvements wrap up with new stormwater basins, playground equipment
Hedge Park is the main attraction of the new improvements. It includes a workout area, swing set, an exploradome with webbing and ropes to monkey around and a splash zone to cool off.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois June 11 – June 14
Join a knitting circle, raise the roof at a silent disco, peruse a local famers market, and more all this weekend in Central Illinois.
New Unit 4 superintendent hires new cabinet, one current member staying
On Monday, the Unit 4 school board approved three more members of Geovanny Ponce’s new cabinet.
Lincoln and Logan County officials slam state plans to close Logan Correctional Center
The move has been in the works for several years with state officials saying the all-women’s prison in Lincoln, built in the 1930s, was outdated and in disrepair.
Urbana City Council postpones vote on West Main Street housing project
The Urbana City Council is expected to take a final vote at a special meeting on July 6.