Samuel Hall III sworn in as Rantoul’s first Black Village President
The new mayor said he wants to improve Rantoul’s infrastructure and create a more inclusive village.
Tag: Rantoul
How a hidden box of love letters became a historical memoir of WWII
In his new memoir, local author Larry Schnell writes about the discovery of these letters, which documents his parents’ love story — and also explores the little-known role of music in war.
Rantoul mayoral candidates talk local economy, policy goals ahead of upcoming election
Rantoul Mayor Charles Smith is facing a challenge from District 5 Village Trustee Samuel Hall III. Both candidates say they want to support the local economy and rebuild village infrastructure.
‘Mission Accomplished’ for Rantoul air force base, yet $76 million of environmental clean-up remains
Most of the Chanute Air Force base transferred to the village of Rantoul in 2023. At the time, the Air Force declared “Mission Accomplished” in a press release — but it acknowledged there’s still at least $76 million more toxic clean-up to do. Today, it is unclear what the plan is for the many abandoned and deteriorating buildings.
Rantoul board moves forward with downtown street construction, new public plaza
Several streets will be removed and repaved with new infrastructure, and a new plaza will also be installed on a vacant lot downtown.
Rantoul community honors Azaan Lee one year after he was killed by police
RANTOUL — Community members met Wednesday night in Rantoul to commemorate the life of 21-year-old Azaan Lee after he was shot and killed by police one year ago. Rantoul Police Officer Jose Aceves shot and killed Azaan Lee while investigating a stolen car. Aceves resigned just over a month after the shooting, according to documents
After fatal shootings, Rantoul police recommended more training. They just sent one officer to a gun range
This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public
New documents show Rantoul Police Department cleared main officers of wrongdoing in 2023 fatal shootings
This story is part of a partnership focusing on police misconduct in Champaign County between the Champaign-Urbana Civic Police Data Project of the Invisible Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit public accountability journalism organization, and IPM Newsroom, which provides news about Illinois & in-depth reporting on Agriculture, Education, the Environment, Health, and Politics, powered by Illinois Public
With a ceremony, the U.S. Air Force marks the transfer of the last of its Chanute Air Force Base land to civilian hands.
From 1917 to its closure 30 years ago, the base hosted military aircraft from World War One to the Vietnam War, and training programs for more than one million airmen, including the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first African American Air Force pilots.
State’s Attorney: Rantoul officer’s deadly force against 18-year-old deemed justified
It started as a traffic stop during the afternoon of June 7 and ended with the death of an 18-year-old who ran from police.
Recent shootings in the C-U area are a prime topic at a Community Coalition meeting.
Meetings of the Champaign Community Coalition include regular reports from local police departments. And at Wednesday’s meeting, those reports were dominated by reports of shootings. “I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a sad and busy couple of weeks, leading up to today,” said Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman, addressing the gathering local
Coroner identifies man killed in fatal Rantoul police-involved shooting
Multiple detectives are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in Rantoul.
The Rantoul Village Board once again rejects a proposed cannabis growing facility.
Once again, the Rantoul Village Board has voted against allowing a cannabis business to open in their town. The village board rejected a proposal Tuesday night to allow applications to open a cannabis growing facility in Rantoul, with Mayor Chuck Smith breaking a 3-3 tie vote.
Rantoul village trustees will vote on cannabis craft grower proposal
The Rantoul Village Board has agreed to vote next week on whether to allow a cannabis growing operation to open in the village. Rantoul trustees agreed to take the vote after hearing a new presentation Tuesday night from Blake Schilb.
Marron seeks state funding for Savoy, Rantoul & Danville infrastructure projects
State Representative Mike Marron is one of many Republicans critical of Governor J-B Pritzker’s ambitious budget proposals to add new state spending for education, childcare, and anti-poverty efforts. But the Vermilion County lawmaker is still working to make sure state funding for infrastructure projects reaches his 104th House district. Marron announced three bills for three