WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 7 – May 10
Opening night of a play, an organ concert accompanying silent films, a new outdoor market, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
Trump-backed candidates win majority of Republican primary races for Indiana Senate
The victories by Trump-backed challengers on Tuesday hand the president wins in a deep red state just four months after lawmakers rejected his redistricting plan.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Iran war, funding ICE, and redistricting
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th District in northern Illinois. He joined the 21st Show to share his thoughts on how the war with Iran is going, the U.S. House of Representatives voting to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security minus Border Patrol and ICE, and what’s next for him after he leaves office next year.
DOJ seeking Illinois voter data to purge suspected noncitizens, documents suggest
In court filing, intervenors say the Trump administration is concealing true purpose of its case.
Two men arrested after fatal shootings in Danville, Champaign over the weekend
After a violent weekend in Champaign and Danville, two men were arrested on multiple charges.
ISU and AFSCME reach tentative deal on new contract to end strike
ISU and AFSCME sent brief statements late Monday announcing the “tentative agreement” on a new contract.
Emergency meeting in Danville planned for Thursday after violent incidents
Community members in the city are holding an emergency meeting on Thursday evening to create a space for people to share their feelings.
Congresswoman Budzinski discusses recent rumors of ICE in C-U and Farm Bill during meeting with local officials, advocates
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams met with advocates in Champaign on Monday to discuss immigration enforcement concerns. The meeting comes after false rumors spread last week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were being sent to the area.
Blowing Dust Advisory extended until 7p.m.
If you encounter dense dust, slow down and pull off the roadway as far as possible.
Supreme Court gives abortion pill mifepristone a 1-week reprieve from a major change
The ruling temporarily restores nationwide access to a drug used for most medication abortions in the U.S.
University of Illinois May Day rally focuses on immigrant student rights
Around one hundred people rallied for immigrant rights outside the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign administrative building on May Day.
A U of I student grapples with the fallout of recent ICE raids that led to her brother’s deportation
The aggressive immigration raids carried out by the U.S Department of Homeland Security over the past year continue to have ripple effects on people and communities across the nation, including in Champaign-Urbana.
Gov. Pritzker pausing public duties after ‘routine’ health procedure
The governor’s office on Friday disclosed that Pritzker will fulfill his regular duties next week but “pause public events while resting.”
Justice Department investigates District 87, Ridgeview and 34 other Illinois school districts over ‘gender ideology’
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is leading the investigations. No Champaign County schools are listed.
‘Engaging the community in learning has always been our mission’: Parkland College celebrates 60 years
Parkland College serves about 9,600 students and offers more than 130 degree and certificate programs. Parkland’s 60th anniversary celebrations began in March and will continue throughout the year, ending with the Diamond Jubilee Gala in November.
Urbana City Council member resigns, citing health issues
Chaundra Bishop, who represented northeast Urbana on the city council, said she is stepping down to to put more focus on her health. The city is expected to take applications from residents hoping to complete her term.
Bovine brouhaha at the U of I: campus cow caper ends calmly
A cow escaped onto U of I’s campus while being loaded onto a trailer on Wednesday afternoon. After charging at several people, the animal was tranquilized and safely recovered; no person was seriously injured.
Illinois farmers relieved as U.S. House passes Farm Bill, but still concerned about some provisions
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act, includes provisions impacting agriculture, including crop protection tools, livestock policy, and risk management programs.
Have a beef with sky-high meat prices? Some people find buying a whole cow saves a bit of money
Buying beef in bulk from a rancher has become comparatively affordable as retail prices rise.
Top Illinois Democrats call U.S. Supreme Court ruling on voting rights a ‘crushing blow to our democracy’
The ruling is likely to impact elections in 2028, since many filing deadlines for this year’s elections have passed, including in Illinois.
What to know about your county’s mental health court
Mental health courts have proliferated across Illinois in recent decades. Now, the state has 31 courts across 25 counties.
Striking Illinois State University staff frustrated over lack of negotiations
A group of striking workers traveled to the Capitol in Springfield Tuesday to call attention to their strike, which has become an issue in the governor’s race.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Apr. 30 – May 3
A Mario-themed race, flower and plant celebrations, a fundraiser for a local humane society, and more are all happening in central Illinois this week.
Springfield FBI starts sweep in Danville, says it is not immigration-related
The Springfield FBI office says it is launching a major sweep this morning in Danville and it is not immigration-related.
Scammers try to take advantage of tornado damage, Illinois lawmakers look to stop them
After natural disasters, scammers take the opportunity to pressure people who are devastated by the storm into paying for work that is not covered by insurance — or the scammers never return to start the repairs.
‘It’s not for her’: DHS dedicated Midway Blitz in her name. Her mother says she would have hated it
Katie Abraham’s mother said the administration never sought her permission to use her daughter’s name in furtherance of its political agenda, an association she says her daughter would not want.
Photography exhibit turns ‘The Black Gaze’ on Champaign-Urbana leaders
Photographer Dwayne Banks Jr. highlighted 30 local African American leaders in his exhibit at the University YMCA in Champaign.
Urbana officials seek input for Florida Avenue construction, aimed at improving road conditions
Local residents gathered for a public information meeting to discuss construction plans for a portion of Florida Avenue in Urbana. The plans focus on improving road conditions, but some residents want more emphasis on pedestrians and bikers.
Asking for help is a sign of strength: How one Urbana nursery is redefining family crisis
Hundreds of families are served each year at Crisis Nursery — the only 24-hour, 365-day emergency child care facility in Champaign County. The organization also runs programs aimed at supporting child and family well-being.
More rain expected tonight but rest of week looking dry after severe storms
Many places in Central Illinois are cleaning up after two rounds of severe storms Monday.
UPDATED: FBI confirms it’s in Champaign-Urbana, but ICE is not
Federal agents are planning to be in Champaign-Urbana this week — but not for immigration enforcement.
Animal activists celebrate their first global ‘Sanctuary Day’
The Farm Micro Sanctuary in Indiana is one of more than a dozen farm animal shelters in the Midwest.
Trump and top officials were likely targets at media dinner, Justice Dept. head says
WASHINGTON — The accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives traveled across the country
Grad student and teacher win the 2026 Christie Clinic Marathon, thousands travel to Champaign to compete in annual race
More than 5,000 runners from across the country and around the world took part in the Christie Clinic Race Weekend.
Illinois lawmakers debate data center regulations in response to growing energy and water use concerns
State lawmakers in Springfield are debating how to regulate data centers as proposals for new facilities spark concerns over their impact on utility costs and water reservoirs.
About 1 in 4 eligible Champaign County voters cast ballots in this year’s primary election
This year’s voter turnout was on par with past midterm primary elections. This year, about a third of voters cast ballots by mail — up from about a fifth in the most recent midterm primary election in 2022.
Champaign County Board approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Champaign County Board was previously considering a nine month moratorium on data centers.
Champaign-Urbana street closures to begin soon ahead of Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
The 5K run/walk takes place Friday. The Marathon takes place on Saturday.
‘To just be a big brother’: Fighting Illini Men’s Gymnastics team supports 9-year-old Owen en route to NCAA Championship
The Besch family reached out to Team Impact. This organization was founded in 2011 and is built on making sure kids develop socially and never feel alone.
Bird populations are shrinking faster in agriculture hotspots— including the Midwest, study finds
New research out of Ohio State University found the rate of bird decline was quicker in areas with more intense agricultural practices.
Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar on working with Illinois Democrats, immigration, and Pritzker’s relationship with federal government
Del Mar recently appeared on the 21st Show and discussed how he found similarities with Darren Bailey despite being from two different parts of the state, Democrats in Illinois, immigration policies, and Governor Pritzker’s relationship with President Trump.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chancellor signs 2026 climate action plan— without fossil fuels divestment
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell Jr. signed the Illinois Climate Action Plan Wednesday, but it’s missing a key provision students have been advocating for.
Urbana testing out new road design on part of Lincoln Avenue to improve pedestrian safety
The city is taking feedback from residents on a new design for the main road that includes a dedicated lane for left turns and bike lanes.
Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage
The secretary of state adjusted hiring requirements as schools and transportation providers worked to grow the workforce.
Urbana residents will soon be opted in to an electric aggregation program. Here’s what you need to know
Urbana residents have been automatically opted in to an electrical aggregation program, unless they’ve already opted out.
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Apr. 23 – Apr. 26
The Illinois Marathon Weekend, C-U Area Prom Giveaway, Arbor Day celebrations, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
As US-Iran ceasefire deadline nears, uncertainty hangs over possible talks
Earlier in the day, two regional officials said Washington and Tehran had signaled they would hold a second round of talks, with Vance leading the U.S. team and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as its top negotiator.
Champaign is taking steps to more easily allow bike-share companies to operate in the area
The city’s municipal code will be amended to standardize regulations for e-bike companies like Veo and others.
Ebertfest’s ‘Last Dance’ honors founder and namesake Roger Ebert after festival’s 27-year run
Last year, Ebertfest organizers had said they wouldn’t be coming back, but they pivoted and made a final return for the “Last Dance” event on April 17 and 18, featuring nine film screenings plus a play re-enacting an episode of Siskel & Ebert.
Higher education funding reform stalls in Illinois House
Hundreds of students and educators rallied at the Statehouse last Thursday in support of the Equitable Public University Funding Act.
UIS faculty strike ends
After more than two weeks on the picket line, tenured and tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield have a deal to return to work. Faculty will be back in the classroom today.
Illinois Public Media recognized with four statewide broadcasting awards, including Best Small Market Radio Station
The judges considered material produced between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Stanford returns to glory, wins the 2026 national title as State Farm Center hosts NCAA men’s gymnastics championships for the first time since 2019
Gymnasts from 12 teams contended for the national title at State Farm Center over the weekend. Stanford took home the first-place trophy.
PHOTOS: Six top gymnastics teams compete in NCAA championship at State Farm Center
Gymnasts from six universities faced off in the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship at State Farm on Saturday. Stanford took home the first-place trophy, and Illinois placed fifth.
PHOTOS: Twelve teams of the country’s top male gymnasts compete in qualifiers at State Farm Center
NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Tournament April 17-18, 2026 The gymnasts competed in six routines, including floor, pommel horse and rings. In the first qualification, No. 1-seeded
Tornado reported in Champaign County; multiple electric outages reported after storms move through
Tornado warning issued in Champaign County on Friday 9:45-10:30 p.m.
House approves Pritzker initiative to regulate social media algorithms
A bill to regulate social media companies and the features they make available to minors is advancing in the Statehouse. Gov. JB Pritzker proposed the bill, which is designed to make social media scrolling less addictive for children.
Regardless of their stance on the war, Iranians in C-U feel silenced by those who disagree with them
Some Iranians in the U.S. say they support the war to get rid of the violent Iranian regime. Others are not as hopeful, citing numerous examples of failed external military interventions for democratization of the Middle East.
Trump wants to slash $5 billion from USDA’s budget. That could hurt rural America, critics say
Some close watchers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget aren’t thrilled with the Trump administration’s proposal — but they’re hopeful some of the suggested cuts won’t make it in the final spending plans passed by Congress.
It’s been 20 years since the NCAA banned Chief Illiniwek from championship games. Some students want U of I to move on
The University of Illinois retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007, without picking a new mascot. Native American faculty say the inaction is damaging.