No. 24 Illinois Hangs On To Beat Northwestern 75-71
CHAMPAIGN — As Illinois coach Brad Underwood watched Northwestern play his Illini down to the wire, he couldn’t help but feel he was watching his
SpaceX Celebrates Test Of Crew Dragon Capsule That Will Carry NASA Astronauts
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX’s Elon Musk called the test of the Crew Dragon capsule a success. NASA hopes to use the capsule to bring astronauts to the International Space Station.
Senators Meeting Sunday To Elect New President
SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate will gather in the Capitol Sunday to choose a new president. This is arguably the most important election
U Of I Expands Free Tuition Program, At Governor’s Request
CHICAGO – On the heels of a tuition hike, the University of Illinois is expanding Illinois Commitment, its free tuition program meant to attract students
Prairie Strips Now Part Of Federal Conservation Program
Farmers and landowners enrolling acres in the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program have a new practice available to them. Areas…
Illinois Colleges Approach Legal Weed Differently, Even Though It’s Illegal Federally
NORMAL – It’s January, so most Illinois college students are coming back to class after winter break. But this will be their first time back
How Patients Help Unravel The Mystery Of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than five million Americans, but the disease is still a mystery to scientists and doctors. There’s no cure. But some…
J.B. Pritzker Interview — On Marijuana, Energy Legislation, Ethics, And The Speaker
Tuesday marks one year since J.B. Pritzker was sworn in as governor of Illinois. Since then, the state has raised its minimum wage, legalized marijuana,…
Driving, Growing And Pets: Your Answers To Questions About Cannabis
We’re now in the third week of legal cannabis sales in Illinois. Here are some answers to questions sent into our site Ask The Newsroom.com
Lawyers: Immigration Court System Is ‘Red Tape Gone Crazy’
CHICAGO — Tucked in a windowless room of Chicago’s immigration court, one of the nation’s largest legal advocacy groups for immigrants runs a free help
University Of Illinois Administrators Raise Tuition
CHICAGO – University of Illinois trustees voted in Chicago Thursday to raise tuition for the first time in six years, and extend the contract of
For Many Hemp Farmers, The First Year Was As ‘Bad As It Can Get’
Many farmers are wrapping up a frustrating first year of growing hemp, which was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill . “It’s kind of a good way to start,…
University Of Illinois Administrators Seek Tuition Hike
CHICAGO – University of Illinois administrators are recommending a hike in tuition costs for in-state freshmen for the first time in six years, officials announced Wednesday.
Jason Erkes Of Cresco Labs Discusses Plans For Danville Cannabis Dispensary
Operators of a new recreational cannabis dispensary in Danville say they hope to open in the spring. Chicago-based Cresco Labs operates cannabis businesses in seven
What Legalization Means For People With Cannabis Convictions In Illinois
When he was in his early 20s, Matt purchased a pound of weed to split with his friends. The drug dealer dropped it off at
House Set To Vote To Send Trump Impeachment Articles To Senate
The long-awaited move announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sets the stage for a Senate trial to begin next week. Pelosi also plans to name who will present the case for impeachment in the trial.
Agriculture Hopes For A Win As US And China Prepare To Sign Phase One Trade Deal
The first phase of a new trade agreement between the United States and China is scheduled for a White House signing ceremony Wednesday and many in the…
Four Takeaways From The Final Democratic Debate Before The Iowa Caucuses
The candidates clashed over war, gender and health care with less than three weeks to go before the first votes in the Democratic presidential nominating fight.
U Of I President Being Offered Contract Extension, Pay Raise
CHICAGO — University of Illinois President Tim Killeen is being offered a new contract that would extend his tenure four years and hike his annual
The Challenges of Cannabis Finances
On just the first day of sales on January 1, legal marijuana in Illinois brought in nearly $3.2 million dollars, with a total of almost $11 million dollars
The State Of Cannabis: Two Towns, Two Decisions On Cannabis Sales
Rantoul is looking forward to opening a new outdoor family sports complex, in 2021. Hopes for the $20 million project made it easier for village
Illinois Lawmaker Seeking Capitol Parking for Pregnant Women
SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois legislator wants the state to set aside reserved parking spots for expectant mothers and parents with a newborn child at the Capitol Complex.
IL Ag Director Resigns Over Response To Rape Email
UPDATED Monday at 7:30 p.m.: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s agriculture director has resigned after acknowledging he received, but did not act on, a lobbyist’s email
Why Raising The Smoking Age To 21 May Not Be Enough
Just a few weeks ago, some Midwest state legislatures were aiming to raise the legal age for smoking. But Congress moved first, setting a new national…
C-U Public Health Administrator To Serve On State Board Of Health
Champaign-Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde is among seven people appointed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve on the state’s Board of Public Health.
Illini Men’s Basketball Defeats Rutgers, Wins Sole Possession Of Big 10 2nd Place
CHAMPAIGN – Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 points and Kofi Cockburn added 11 and grabbed 17 rebounds and Illinois held off Rutgers 54-51 at the State
Freezing Rain, Storms Bring Outages to Northern Illinois
FREEPORT — Freezing rain left roads and trees glazed with ice Saturday across parts of northern Illinois as a winter storm packing a mixed bag of precipitation
Unit 4 Superintendent Drops Campus Swap Proposal
CHAMPAIGN – Unit 4’s district superintendent says she’s dropping a controversial proposal for a campus swap between the Garden Hills elementary school and the International
New Law Removes Big Barrier For Aspiring Teachers
SPRINGFIELD – In an attempt to relieve Illinois’ severe teacher shortage, state lawmakers last year voted to remove a requirement known as the “basic skills test.”
Farmers Are Optimistic About The Economy’s Future
Farmers rounded out the year 2019 generally optimistic about the state of the economy and the future. That’s according to the Ag Economy Barometer, a
What Can Illinois’ Jails And Prisons Do To Improve The Lives Of The Children Of The Incarcerated?
Advocates have ideas being hashed out by a state task force. Attorney Alexis Mansfield said her clients have told her troubling stories of what happens…
Five Charts That Show Who’s Leaving Illinois And Why
More people are leaving Illinois. The biggest jumps are among older folks, high-income residents and those with college degrees.
Boeing Papers Show Employees Slid 737 Max Problems Past FAA
Boeing employees knew about problems with flight simulators for the now-grounded 737 Max and apparently tried to hide them from federal regulators, according to documents
Illinois Official Highlights Election Integrity Problems, Solutions
WASHINGTON – A central-Illinois election official told a Congressional panel Thursday some of the voting machines Illinoisans used in the last election are still susceptible
Wicked Weekend Weather Threatens Several States
UPDATED January 9 at 6:00 p.m.: A storm system expected to strike a handful of southern states this weekend is looking more and more menacing.
Girlfriends of R Kelly Fight Inside Singer’s Chicago Condo
CHICAGO — Chicago police say two girlfriends of R. Kelly fought Wednesday inside the embattled singer’s Trump Tower condominium , resulting in one of the
Bennett, Other Lawmakers, Voice Concern About “Rape In Champaign” Email
State lawmakers are reacting with alarm to a recently released email that refers to the cover-up of a quote “rape in Champaign”. State Senator Scott
New Trade Deal For US, Mexico And Canada Clears Another Hurdle
A much-anticipated update to the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement is one step closer to implementation. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance…
Illinois EPA Developing Rules To Regulate Coal Ash Ponds
A new law passed last year requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop rules regulating the closure of ponds that store waste from coal-fired
President Trump To Deliver Statement On Iran
The president’s remarks Wednesday morning will come shortly after Iran launched missile strikes against U.S. military forces in Iraq in apparent retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.
‘Leave Garden Hills Alone’ Champaign Residents Oppose Unit 4 Campus Swap
Garden Hills Elementary School parents, neighbors and Champaign community members said they opposed a proposal that would swap the school’s campus in north Champaign with
Lawmakers Demand Answers On ‘Seclusion Rooms’
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday grilled officials about the practice of locking kids in “seclusion rooms” in schools. It’s the first legislative hearing since
Iran Strikes Back At US With Missile Attack At Bases In Iraq
TEHRAN, Iran – The Pentagon is confirming that Iran has launched ballistic missiles at two targets hosting U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. Defense
Breast Cancer Is Killing Amish Woman. This Bus Brings Help.
The Midwest is home to one of the largest Amish populations in the nation. And many of these settlements overlap with rural Appalachian counties, where…
Transgender Students Secure Unrestricted Locker Room Access
PALATINE – A more than four year fight to secure equal access to locker rooms for transgender students in a north suburban Chicago school district
Shortages Force Closing Of Illinois Pot Dispensaries
CHICAGO — Several Illinois recreational marijuana dispensaries were closed Monday, with some owners saying strong demand has caused a shortage in supplies and staff exhaustion.
U Of I Research: Yoga May Lead To Better Brain Health
URBANA – Practicing yoga could lead to improved brain health, according to a University of Illinois review of the available research on how the practice
After Successful Debut, Pritzker Has Work On Taxes, Ethics
SPRINGFIELD – Last June, as the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session, first-year Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked whether he would simply kick
Illinois Shops Excited To Sell Bongs As Pot Law Takes Effect
CHAMPAIGN — Owners of Illinois glass pipe shops are elated to begin selling bongs after the state’s law legalizing recreational marijuana took effect. Jeremy Sample, part-owner of
Police: Robber Sexually Assaulted Hostage At Illinois Bank
ROCKFORD — A man armed with a pellet gun who took a woman hostage inside an Illinois bank sexually assaulted her before surrendering to authorities
Fake Illinois Lawyer Pleads Guilty, Gets Probation
EDWARDSVILLE — A woman who fooled a public defender into hiring her as a lawyer pleaded guilty Friday to practicing law in Illinois without a license. The
Decatur Mayor Says Her Mind Is Made Up On Banning Cannabis Sales, At Least For Now
DECATUR – The mayor of Decatur said she’s waiting to see how the legalization of recreational cannabis in Illinois plays out in towns across the
Shared Sentence: Illinois Moves To Help Kids Of The Incarcerated
A pair of laws recently enacted in Illinois were designed to take into account how children are affected by their parents’ incarceration and to find…
U.S. Kills Top Iranian Military Leader In Airstrike
Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed Friday in Baghdad. The U.S. secretary of defense said Soleimani “was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members throughout the region.”
Flash Index Shows Continuing Steady Growth
The Illinois economy continues to grow at a steady rate. The University of Illinois Flash Index ticked up to 105.6 in December, slightly higher than
First Day Of Legal Recreational Cannabis In Illinois Draws Hundreds To CU Dispensaries
CHAMPAIGN – Wednesday marked the first day of legal recreational cannabis in Illinois. Hundreds of people from Champaign-Urbana and across central Illinois flocked to two
On Eve Of Legal Marijuana In Illinois, Governor Pardons 11,017 Past Convictions
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday issued pardons for more than 11,000 low-level marijuana convictions.
Voices In The News 2019
As we close the book on 2019, we thought we’d take a few minutes to listen back to what has been a most consequential year in Illinois government and…
Vaping, Medicaid and Opioids — Top Health Stories Of 2019
A wide range of healthcare issues drew headlines in 2019, affecting the lives of millions of Americans. Here are some highlights from Side Effects…