U.S. VA, Pritzker Promise Fix For Veterans Initially Left Out Of Ill. Vaccine Lottery
SPRINGFIELD – The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs is deploying a fix so the more than 89,000 veterans, veteran spouses and others who received their COVID
Weather Service: Suburban Chicago Tornado Had 140 mph Winds
CHICAGO — The National Weather Service says a tornado that swept through Chicago’s western suburbs, damaging more than 100 homes and injuring several people, was
U Of I Issues COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement For Fall Students
URBANA – The University of Illinois plans a return to near normal class schedules in the fall, and campus life free of face masks, social
The Supreme Court Sides With NCAA Athletes In A Narrow Ruling
Faced with the prospect of reshaping college athletics, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a narrow but potentially transformative ruling Monday in a case that pitted
Tornado Sweeps Through Suburban Chicago, Causing Damage
CHICAGO — Officials say a radar-confirmed tornado swept through communities in heavily populated suburban Chicago, damaging more than 100 homes, toppling trees, knocking out power
Farmers Find The Only Thing Harder Than Growing Hemp Is Selling It
PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses. Yet growing the less sexy cousin of the plant
Deaths From Overdose And Homicide Rising In Champaign County — And Illinois
CHAMPAIGN — Following state and national trends, Champaign County is seeing an uptick in drug overdose deaths and homicides. Over the past five years, the
‘Dangerous’ Radar-Confirmed Tornado Hits Surburban Chicago
CHICAGO — A tornado with strong rotation has been confirmed on radar in suburban Chicago. The storm with a pronounced debris signature was located late
Lawmakers Approve Proposal To Allow Sex Workers To Expunge Past Felony Prostitution Convictions
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois General Assembly this spring approved a proposal to allow sex workers’ criminal charges expunged from their records for convictions dating back to when prostitution
Boneyard Arts Festival Opens In C-U, More In-Person Art Events To Come
URBANA — The Boneyard Arts Festival came back for an in-person showcase of local artists’ work at more than 50 venues in Champaign-Urbana and the
The People Who Pick America’s Fruits And Vegetables Are Getting Older
The average age of farmworkers born outside the U.S. steadily increased from 2008 to 2019, while the average age of U.S.-born workers has stayed about
Uniting Pride’s Queer Clothing Swap Offers Gender-Affirming Clothes
URBANA — Clothing has the power to determine the ways people view others and the way they view themselves. Many people use clothes as a
More Than 660 Bills Will Head To Pritzker After Legislative Session
SPRINGFIELD – With the first year of the 102nd General Assembly mostly wrapped up, lawmakers as of Friday had officially passed 664 bills through both houses
Severe Storms Possible In Central IL This Weekend
Below are posts as the Illinois Newsroom followed the developing weather situation early Saturday morning. Updated Saturday at 4:24 a.m. After heavy rain and winds
New U Of I Class Aims To Dispel Myths About Cannabis
URBANA — When people think cannabis, they often think marijuana. But the cannabis plant takes many different forms, from medicinal cannabidiol (CBD) to industrial hemp.
Illinois Governor Signs $42B State Spending Plan Into Law
CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a $42 billion spending plan for Illinois that includes $2.5 billion in spending from a multiyear federal
When Punks Played In Peoria
PEORIA — The River’s City’s DIY youth counterculture of years’ past is documented in the new book “Punks in Peoria.” Tim Shelley speaks with authors
Friday 1-7pm: Heat Advisory Issued For Central/Southern IL
URBANA – The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Heat Advisory tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for central and southern Illinois. Heat
Vaccinated Illinoisans Automatically Entered Into $10 Million Lottery
SPRINGFIELD – Any vaccinated Illinoisan will be automatically entered into a lottery for $10 million in prizes without having to take any extra steps to
USGS: Small Earthquake Rattles Indiana, Adjacent States
BLOOMINGDALE — The U.S. Geological Survey says a small earthquake centered near a western Indiana town rattled parts of Indiana and adjacent states Thursday afternoon.
Three Illinois Cities Could Lose Metro Area Status
This digital embed shows which US cities could lose their status as metro areas post 2020 Census. This map will be updated as necessary.
After 18 Exonerations, John Hanlon To Retire From Illinois Innocence Project
SPRINGFIELD — When John Hanlon started his career as a lawyer in 1983, he knew of only one case where an innocent person had been
Organizers In Champaign County Prepare For Juneteenth
CHAMPAIGN – Organizers throughout Champaign County say Juneteenth is about history, but also about bringing attention to systemic issues that the African American community still
Fire Suppression Efforts Continue At Illinois Chemical Plant
ROCKTON — Fire suppression efforts continue at a chemical fire near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line as public health officials lifted an outdoor mask mandate for
FOID Bill Strengthening Enforcement For Revoked Cards Will Head To Pritzker
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois house on Wednesday passed a Firearm Owner Identification card law change that would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to retrieve guns from
People Of Color Are The Least Vaccinated In C-U; Local Organizations Are Trying To Help
Editor’s Note: A prior version of this story incorrectly stated the percentage of Black and Hispanic residents in Champaign County who are fully vaccinated. The
‘Juneteenth’ Becomes Official State Holiday
SPRINGFIELD – The day that marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when some of the last enslaved Americans learned that they had been
VIDEO: What You Need To Know About Biden’s Meeting With Putin
GENEVA, Switzerland — President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet Wednesday in Geneva. Here’s what you need to know: Putin arrived first, with Biden’s
Pandemic Anxiety Looms Large For Some, Even After Getting Vaccinated
ST. LOUIS — For some, being vaccinated against COVID-19 has provided a dizzying sense of freedom after a year of isolation — opening the door
Foam Brings Fire At Illinois Chemical Plant ‘Under Control’
ROCKTON — An industrial firefighting team continues to battle a fire that has consumed an chemical plant in northern Illinois and forced the evacuation of
Senate Adjourns With No Energy Deal, But Harmon ‘Confident’ One Is Still Near
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate adjourned Tuesday without calling a comprehensive energy regulatory reform package for a vote. After adjournment, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak
How A Hospital And A School District Teamed Up To Help Kids In Emotional Crisis
Updated June 11, 2021 at 11:30 PM ET In 2019, the Rockville Centre school district in Long Island, N.Y., was shaken by a string of
Champaign County’s Boneyard Arts Festival Bounces Back
CHAMPAIGN – Artists from the Champaign-Urbana area will once again be showcased at the 19th annual Boneyard Arts Festival, June 18-20, named for the creek
Rockton: Industrial Fire At Chemtool Leads To Evacuations
ROCKTON — A massive structure fire at a grease plant in far northern Illinois today forced area employees and residents from their homes. Emergency crews
Illinois On Its Way To Allowing Name Changes For Trans People On Marriage Certificates
SPRINGFIELD – Most states don’t allow transgender people to correct their names on marriage certificates, even after going through a legal name change. Legislators and
Ill. Teacher Unions, Education Advocacy Groups Urge State To Not Add More Standardized Tests
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education is weighing whether to replace the state’s annual Illinois Assessment of Readiness standardized test for grades 3
Schools Bring Therapy Dogs To Focus On Post-COVID Student Mental Health
MORRIS — Boomer wanders the halls at Immaculate Conception School in Morris wearing a red vest that reads “therapy dog in training.” He’s a Great
U Of I Police Department Hiring Social Workers To Handle Mental Health Crisis Calls
URBANA – The University of Illinois Police Department is planning to increase the number of mental health professionals on staff to help officers respond to
Illinois Reopening Monroe County Cave System
SPRINGFIELD — A cave system in southern Illinois closed more than a decade ago will reopen to the public this month. The Illinois Department of
University Of Illinois Athletics To Open All Venues To 100% Capacity In 2021-22
URBANA – On Friday, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that all venues will open up to 100% capacity for the 2021-22
Coronavirus Information Center
As of June 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are more than 33-million COVID-19 cases in the United States, including
Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe For Kids? Here’s What You Need To Know
The Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in kids ages 12 and older in mid-May. We asked members of the Indiana
USDA Pauses Debt Relief Payments For Farmers Of Color Following Judge Ruling
Updated 3:08 p.m., June 11: A federal judge paused the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s debt relief program for farmers of color. The payments are part
Chicago Police Officer Charged In Capitol Insurrection
CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer has been charged with breaching the U.S. Capitol and entering a senator’s office during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Twenty-nine-year-old
Illinois Joins Midwestern States In Funding Farm Runoff Reduction Program
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is the latest Midwestern state to earmark funding for a program to reduce nutrient runoff from farmland into waterways. It’s the first
Illinois To Enter Phase 5, Full Reopening
SPRINGFIELD – Starting Friday, Illinois will be in Phase 5 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, meaning businesses and organizations can resume normal activity, although some
Champaign Clinic Aims to Spread Awareness of LGBTQ Mental Health
CHAMPAIGN – Many LGBTQ individuals experience issues such as prejudice and healthcare barriers, contributing to higher rates of mental illness among this community than the
In This Video Game, Anyone Can Be A Farmer
Harley Hand often starts his day by getting in a combine and heading out to one of his fields. But it’s not a real combine,
State Task Force Considers Redesigning, Moving Monument Of MLK Jr.
SPRINGFIELD — Members of the state’s task force on statues and monuments discussed ways to relocate the statue of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther
GOP Leaders Sue Over New District Maps
SPRINGFIELD – Republican leaders in the Illinois House and Senate filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of the new legislative district maps that Gov. JB
Where Can You Get Tested for COVID-19 In Central Illinois?
For health questions about COVID-19, call the Illinois Department of Public Health hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. IDPH has also compiled a list of
Misinformation, Fewer Resources Hurting Vaccination Rates In Vermilion County
DANVILLE – According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 50.55 percent of Illinoisans eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines have received them as of June
Danville V.A. Fights To Fill 200 Jobs Amid National Staffing Shortage
DANVILLE – More than 200 jobs sit vacant at the Danville Veterans Affairs facility, mirroring a major staffing shortage at veterans facilities across the nation.
Former GOP Rep. Seeking Back Pay For Himself, All Other Lawmakers In Class Action Suit
SPRINGFIELD — A former state lawmaker is suing the state comptroller for salary increases he claims he was entitled to while serving in the Illinois
Inmate Voting Rights Bill Still On The Table
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers could take up a bill later this month that would restore voting rights to convicted offenders serving time in county jails
Museum To Show Emancipation Proclamation To Mark Juneteenth
SPRINGFIELD — The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield will mark the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth,
Illinois Economy Rebounding, According To Flash Index
URBANA – The Illinois economy has been in growth mode for two months in a row, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. Any
For Farmland Conservation, It Comes Down To Who Owns It
TOLONO — Lin Warfel puts farmland owners in central Illinois into two categories: Those with a deep connection and desire to preserve their land, and
LGBTQ Pride Flies High In Urbana
URBANA – On Monday, Joanne Geigner helped raise the rainbow flag above the Urbana City Building. She is part of Uniting Pride, which advocates for Champaign
State Supreme Court Pauses Transition To New Appellate Districts
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court will delay its transition to implement new appellate court boundaries that were created by a recently approved judicial district