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.
Closings/delays for January 25, 2026
A list of closing and weather-related announcements for several counties in Central Illinois.
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 29.
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.