Wagler makes history as Illini Men’s basketball upsets Purdue while women’s team falls short to Nebraska
Freshman Guard Keaton Wagler helped the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team pull off an 88-82 upset against the Boilermakers Saturday. The women made a comeback attempt but failed catch up to Nebraska, losing 81-75.
Republican Senate candidate Pamela Denise Long talks Greenland, ICE and abortion
Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show is interviewing the candidates and asking them about their views. This week, Brian Mackey sat down with Republican Pamela Denise Long to discuss her campaign.
1st Operation Midway Blitz-related trial ends in acquittal after other cases fell apart
Judge grants voluntary dismissal of separate case over immigration agents’ use of force
Honorary street unveiled to celebrate Dean Clarence Shelley’s 50-year legacy at Illinois
Honorary Dean Clarence Shelley Way, unveiled Sept. 14, memorializes a man who spent 50 years working to foster a learning community where everyone, regardless of background, could strive for excellence.
School closings/delays/e-learning days for January 23, 2026
A list of school closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
Illinois rideshare drivers rally for unionization bill
Rideshare drivers in Illinois have pushed for unionization rights for years, beginning in the city of Chicago in early 2019.
Case of Legionnaires’ disease confirmed at state-operated developmental center
Shapiro Developmental Center is home to more than 450 with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
How the Trump administration is fast-tracking logging in Illinois’ only national forest
Shawnee is the only national forest in the state and one of the smallest in the nation.
Andrej Stojakovic scores 30, No. 11 Illinois beats Maryland 89-70 for eighth straight win
The Illini played without second-leading scorer Kylan Boswell, who broke his right hand in practice on Monday and is expected to be sidelined until mid-February.
Legitimate investigation of Minneapolis ICE shooting unlikely, according to Sen. Dick Durbin
The senior senator from Illinois and Democratic whip said the federal government’s efforts to block state and local law enforcement from fully investigating the Minneapolis shooting is “proof positive this is not a credible investigation.”
Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability
Democrats are seeking to capitalize on Trump-driven chaos during election year session
‘365 days of chaos’: Illinois Democrats reflect on 1st year of Trump’s 2nd term
One year into President Donald Trump’s second term in office, top Illinois Democrats said it’s been a year of broken promises, uncertainty and fear for the future.
Harry Breen Way honors an artist known for his paintings of Illinois’ countryside
The 400 block of Clark Street, between Prairie and Elm, is designated Honorary Harry Breen Way. Breen was a noted painter, an art professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a liturgical designer.
Trump heads to Davos after upending European relations over Greenland
Watch President Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Protesters in Champaign join a national walkout on the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration
Protesters took to the streets of downtown Champaign on Jan. 20 to protest against ICE agents and current immigration policies.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25
A heavy metal tribute band, a performance with puppets, a musical theatre celebration, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Man makes big leap from University of Illinois college-in-prison program to working towards U of I degree
Pierce spent over 20 years in prison. While inside Danville Correctional Center, he took college courses through U of I’s Education Justice Project.
Honorary Chabad Way honors over 20 years of Jewish life and community
The Chabad Center for Jewish Life was founded in 2003. Now, an honorary street sign stands across the street, marking over 20 years of the organization’s service to Champaign-Urbana’s Jewish community.
Honorary Mark Rubel Way recognizes the local music legend who founded Pogo Studio
Taylor Street between Market Street and Walnut Street in downtown Champaign is named in honor of Mark Rubel, the late music legend who devoted his life to pursuing arts and music.
Danville’s NAACP honors Martin Luther King Jr. with morning march and memorial
The march is an annual event that honors the life and message of King by keeping his name fresh in the memories of the community.
Illinois Medicaid program faces looming funding crisis due to federal changes
New federal law will restrict a key revenue stream used to pay state’s share of Medicaid costs.
Dr. Martin Luther King At Illinois Wesleyan University
On February 10, 1966, three years after the March on Washington, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.
Berry Wallace scores career-high 29, No. 25 Illinois women edge Northwestern 74-71
Berry Wallace scored a career-high 29 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and No. 25 Illinois held off a fourth-quarter rally to defeat Northwestern 74-71.
Zvonimir Ivisic scores 18 points and Keaton Wagler adds 17 as No. 13 Illinois beats Minnesota 77-67
CHAMPAIGN — Zvonimir Ivisic scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds off the bench and Keaton Wagler had 17 points to lead No. 13
Honorary Walter Smith Way celebrates a man who devoted his life to young people in Champaign
Walter Smith studied kinesiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the late-1960s. Smith dedicated his life to the Douglass Community Center.
Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time
The four Republican candidates trained their fire on Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois’ immigration policies
Recent postal service changes could disrupt mail-in voting, county clerks warn
County clerks across the state say thousands of votes could be invalidated if mail-in ballots are not received in time.
New exhibit showcases Illinois’ role with the Underground Railroad
A new exhibit shares how people in Illinois, including east central Illinois, helped with the Underground Railroad. Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad runs through March 31st.
Tuition is going up for incoming University of Illinois undergrads
Tuition for incoming, in-state students will increase by 2%. It will increase more for out-of-state and international students.
Illinois among 12 states to sue as Trump seeks forced compliance with gender order
The administration now says states and other entities that don’t comply with that executive order will be ineligible for billions of dollars in federal grant funding allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
State education board OKs $10.9B budget request
The Illinois State Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve a budget request for the upcoming fiscal year that calls for only a minimal increase in K-12 education spending, a reflection of the state’s tightening fiscal condition.
WBCP Radio Way honors central Illinois’ first Black-owned radio station
When a stretch of Fourth Street from Tremont Street to Grove Street was designated as WBCP Radio Way in 2018, the sign marked the legacy of central Illinois’ first Black-owned radio station — a cultural home for music, community and conversation that lasted nearly three decades.
Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025
Every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers’ Choice Awards for the books they loved the most. WNIJ education reporter Peter Medlin spoke with English teacher and award chair Nichole Folkman about the books that won in 2025.
Democratic candidate for Illinois Senate seat Kevin Ryan talks economy, military background, ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza on 21st Show
Kevin Ryan is a former teacher and United States marine, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. He shares his views on the affordability crisis Americans are facing, border control, and his experience serving in Afghanistan.
Local film competition challenges participants to make a movie in 48 hours
Filmmakers and creatives can participate in Champaign Movie Maker’s 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend.
Supreme Court revives GOP congressman’s challenge to late-arriving mail ballot law
The Trump administration weighed in to support Bost. The Republican president has asserted that late-arriving ballots and drawn-out electoral counts undermine confidence in elections.
From Illini Hillel to a national movement: the Abram Sachar story
At the corner of John St. and Fifth in Champaign, an Honorary Street is designated to Abram Sachar, who established a Hillel movement at universities across the country.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 15 – Jan. 18
A puzzle competition, celebrations of movies, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Labor, voting rights groups intervene in Illinois voter data lawsuit
Illinois is one of 23 states and Washington, D.C., that are being sued by the Trump administration for access to their unredacted voter rolls.
Trump freezes $10B in social service, child care funding for Illinois, 4 other blue states
Other states whose funds are being frozen include California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York.
Psychologist discusses the impact of Native American mascots in schools and universities
Joseph Gone, a member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation and a psychologist and professor at Harvard University, told IPM’s The 21st Show that Native American mascots can spread negative stereotypes and limit outcomes for Native students.
Honorary Alison Krauss Way recognizes renowned bluegrass fiddle-player and vocalist
Alison Krauss, the 27-time Grammy-Award-winning vocalist and fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, played the hallowed Grand Ole Opry at the age of 17.
Kinzinger and Raoul emphasize importance of the Jan. 6 insurrection anniversary
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul testified a reason Jan. 6 remains important is to protect the rule of law.
Lawsuit puts Illinois on offensive against ‘menacing’ immigration raids
State claims federal agents used military-style tactics in attempt to coerce Illinois into changing its immigration policies
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announces retirement
During Theis’ tenure as chief justice, the Supreme Court guided the implementation of the new cashless bail pretrial procedure in Illinois.
This conservation practice boosts wildlife species on farmland, new research finds
University of Illinois researchers analyzed traces of DNA in rivers and streams to learn how strips of trees near water — called riparian buffers — impact land species.
Minneapolis ICE shooter lived in Peoria, graduated from Richwoods
Rumors of Ross’ connection to Peoria swirled Friday on social media, hours after a Daily Mail story was published claiming to have interviewed Ross’ father, Ed, who the British publication said lives in North Pekin.
Tim Killeen to step down as University of Illinois System president in 2027
University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen announced on Thursday that he will leave his role at the end of his current contract in June 2027.
Honorary Brandon Hardway Drive pays homage to beloved former Pour Bros. manager
Brandon Hardway, a beloved community member and manager of Pour Bros. Taproom, was fatally shot on February 8, 2024. Last August, the segment of North Chestnut Street in downtown Champaign was designated Brandon Hardway Drive.
PHOTOS: Champaign-Urbana joins nationwide protests against ICE, Border Patrol shootings
Organizers estimate 200 cars joined the caravan Saturday afternoon to protest recent shootings by federal immigration officers.
No. 16 Illinois builds big early lead, then holds off No. 19 Iowa, 75-69
The Illini (13-3, 4-1) won their fifth consecutive game, their third on the road in Big Ten play, and stayed tied for third place in the conference.
Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending
New poll shows Bailey holds commanding lead in four-person primary
As 2025 ends, farmers are still reeling from the shake up of markets and federal programs
Farmers across the central U.S. have navigated a myriad of challenges this year, including low crop prices and federal funding cuts.
For Bears and Packers, wild-card game is a rare playoff matchup in NFL’s longest-running rivalry
The Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card game and rare playoff matchup in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry.
Juvenile suspect arrested after allegedly making threat to Danville school
The suspect was charged for two counts of Disorderly Conduct and Making a Terroristic Threat.
Urbana school administrators figuring out how to utilize AI in classrooms
Students are already using AI. Urbana District 116 wants to teach them to use it responsibly with tools that respect student data privacy.
Champaign and Urbana residents can get a hand with holiday tree disposal
Trees are required to be bare without lights, decorations, or garlands.
What to know about the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer in Minneapolis
Protesters confronted federal officers Thursday in Minneapolis the day after a woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
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.
City of Champaign Township appoints Charlene Murray as new supervisor
The City of Champaign Township Board selected Strides Interim Executive Director Charlene Murray for the role. Champaign County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram also interviewed for the supervisor position.