Read more about the article Illinois could see effects of climate change as soon as 2020Darrell Hoemann/Midwet Center For Investigative Reporting
University of Illinois professors Don Fullerton (left) and Julian Reif with a map used in their climate change research in November 2015.

Illinois could see effects of climate change as soon as 2020

July was the hottest month in recorded history. And continued increases in temperature and a shift in rain patterns could mean a 15 percent yield loss in the next five to 25 years and up to a 73 average yield loss by the end of the next century if farming patterns don’t change significantly, University of Illinois finance professors Don Fullerton and Julian Reif laid out in a report released from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs last year.

Continue ReadingIllinois could see effects of climate change as soon as 2020
Read more about the article Health inspectors temporarily close hospital cafeteriaDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Presence Covenant Hospital in Urbana on July 27, 2016.

Health inspectors temporarily close hospital cafeteria

Health inspectors shut down the cafeteria at Presence Covenant Medical Center, 1400 W. Park St., Urbana, on May 10 after they noted a repeated critical violation – sewage wastewater backing up from the floor drain underneath a hand sink into the grill area.

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Read more about the article Health department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violationsDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
The exterior of Dublin O'Neil's and 301 Mongolia restaurants on Neil Street in Champaign on July 25, 2016.

Health department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violations

Sewage wastewater backup, cockroach infestation and houseflies “too numerous to count” were among the violations leading to closures and failures of eateries across the county since April. In total, 20 establishments were cited for serious or critical health code violations between April 1 and June 30, according to a review of inspection records.

Continue ReadingHealth department temporarily closes seven spots, cites several for health violations
Read more about the article Construction of Cronus fertilizer plant delayed as costs soarDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess
The site of a new nitrogen fertilizer plant in Tuscola, Ill. The plant is slated to be built on 240-acres of farmland and bring 2,000 construction jobs and 175 permanent jobs to the area.

Construction of Cronus fertilizer plant delayed as costs soar

A new fertilizer plant slated for Tuscola is further delayed and projected to be more costly than originally touted. This spring Cronus Chemicals quietly announced on its website that the estimated cost is now $1.9 billion – more than 30 percent above the original estimate. The website also says the plant will not be finished until the last quarter of 2019 – or at least 30 months later than the initial completion date.

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Read more about the article Health violations lead to temporary closure of Champaign Country Club kitchenDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
The Champaign Country Club on May 23, 2016. Public health inspectors temporary closed the club's kitchen in early May after citing several critical violations.

Health violations lead to temporary closure of Champaign Country Club kitchen

Health officials shut down the food facility at The Champaign Country Club this month after inspectors found more than two dozen violations. The club received an adjusted score of negative 6 during the routine inspection on May 11 and was immediately closed, according to Champaign-Urbana Public Health District records. In its previous inspection on Dec. 9, the club was allowed to stay open with a score of 1, though it failed after an inspector cited it for seven critical violations and 24 non-critical violations.

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Read more about the article 39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violationsphoto by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
B. Won restaurant in Champaign on Feb. 24, 2016. Public health inspectors failed more than 40 restaurants over the past 10 months, including B. Won.

39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violations

Ants on the wall, a live cockroach next to a meat grinder, fruit flies “too numerous to count” and a bucket of bloody juice were some of the worst violations over a ten-month period in Champaign County restaurants. In total, 39 restaurants in Champaign County failed health inspections - several more than once – from June 2015 to April 2016, according to a review of inspection records. An additional 7 restaurants failed and were temporarily closed. Four others were closed because of non-payment of annual fees or missing paperwork

Continue Reading39 restaurants fail inspections over 10 month period; 11 establishments closed for violations
Read more about the article Volatile market leads to lower crop insurance premiums for farmersPhoto by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A central Illinois farmer drives a tractor through his field during the early parts of spring planting 2016.

Volatile market leads to lower crop insurance premiums for farmers

Thanks to a drop in market volatility and grain prices, farmers may pay up to 10 percent less this year for crop insurance.

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Read more about the article Despite yearly purge, “no-trespass” list remains longDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
The board listens to a report during a meeting of the Housing Authority of Champaign County board at their Champaign, IL offices on Thursday, December 18, 2014.

Despite yearly purge, “no-trespass” list remains long

Since the beginning of the year, the Housing Authority of Champaign County removed nearly 190 names from their “no-trespass” list — the largest mass purging of the list in the past five years. Still, about 540 names remain on the list, which is posted on the housing authority’s website.

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Read more about the article Blighted Housing: Inspections fail to stem poor conditions for migrant farmworkersPhoto by Darrell Hoemann/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Workers rest outside at the Nightingale camp in Rantoul, Ill., after a day's work in July 2014. The migrant farmworker housing is located on the former Chanute Air Force Base. The Illinois Department of Public Health lists the camp’s maximum occupancy at 450 workers.

Blighted Housing: Inspections fail to stem poor conditions for migrant farmworkers

An ongoing investigation by The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting has found the oversight of migrant housing is a fractured and ineffective system despite decades of reforms.

Continue ReadingBlighted Housing: Inspections fail to stem poor conditions for migrant farmworkers