Immigrant health care programs boosted hospital bottom lines, study suggests
Two state-run health care programs that extend Medicaid-like coverage to non-citizens may have provided significant financial benefits for Illinois hospitals.
A Dialogue on measles risk and prevention during a national outbreak
As measles cases rise in the U.S., public health experts are raising concerns. What steps can you take to stay safe and help prevent the spread of the disease?
New film addresses Alzheimer’s disease in the Black community
How does Alzheimer’s disease impact Black families, and what challenges do they face in care and diagnosis?
WATCH: Catholic Church gives final farewell to Pope Francis
Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world gathered in Vatican City Saturday morning to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.
U of I wheelchair racer Daniel Romanchuk takes 2nd at the 2025 Boston Marathon
Daniel Romanchuk’s 2025 Boston Marathon marked a triumphant return after a health setback earlier this year. The two-time champion secured second place and reflected on the importance of adaptability in racing.
How to stop invasive plants from taking over the prairie state
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY – Illinois is called the prairie state because a few centuries ago, it was mostly prairie land, filled
Regional Climate Centers resume operations after funding loss led to closures
All six U.S. regional climate centers will remain online through a new contract deadline in mid-June.
Squirrel deaths in Urbana spark concerns about tularemia. Pet owners are advised to take precautions
Several squirrels have been found ill or dead in Urbana, and public health officials have confirmed that at least one tested positive for tularemia, a rare but serious bacterial disease.
Highland Park shooter Robert Crimo III gets life in prison
Robert Crimo III, the admitted shooter in the Highland Park July 4 parade massacre, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday, as a courtroom packed with survivors of the mass shooting looked on.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announces U.S. Senate campaign
Stratton is the first Democrat to announce intention to fill retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat.
State reports first measles case in southern Illinois
More than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions around the U.S.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Apr. 24 – Apr. 27
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to Central Illinois in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
LabEscape in Urbana celebrates the International Year of Quantum with a blend of science and fun
Imagine being locked inside a room and your only hope of escape is to solve a series of puzzles within one hour and crack the code for a quantum computer. That’s the premise of the Quantum Salvation escape room from LabEscape in Urbana.
Illinois may allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees. Some rural students say it would make a big difference
One of the big selling points of attending community colleges is the lower tuition cost. With that in mind, the legislation limits the costs of the four-year programs.
Earth Day event unites C-U scientists against Trump’s ongoing research cuts
For the past three months, the Trump administration has taken aim at federal funding for scientific research, making the future of science uncertain for scientists across the country, including at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin won’t seek reelection
The 80-year-old Democrat told WBEZ in an Illinois exclusive that age was a factor in his not seeking a sixth term in Congress.
Catholic faithful pay their final respects to Pope Francis as public viewing begins
Thousands of people began filing through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral.
217 Today: Armadillos aren’t just in Texas anymore, they are expanding territory in Illinois
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how armadillos are expanding their territory in Illinois.
Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.
Meet the team
Reginald Hardwick
News & Public Affairs Director
Jim Meadows
All Things Considered Host & Harvest Public Media reporter
Arjun Thakkar
Senior Editor
Kimberly Schofield
Morning Edition Host & Arts reporter
Mae Antar
Weekend Edition Host & reporter
David Pierce
Reporter
Kennedy Vincent
Black & Immigrant Communities Reporter & Dialogue Host
Emily Hays
Reporter
Steve Morck
Senior Digital Media Producer
Stephanie Mosqueda
Producer
Brian Mackey
Host of The 21st
Jose Zepeda
Producer on The 21st
Christine Hatfield
Producer on The 21st
