Yearly Archives: 2026
Read more about the article Data center resistance group unveils names of the companies meeting with Champaign County officials
Kimberlie Kranich, one of the steering members of the community group opposing AI data centers, gives a speech where she shared the names of the companies proposing data centers to Champaign County officials: ABEI Energy and Clean Cloud Energy. Photo taken Aug. 25 by Kaniz Fatema.

Data center resistance group unveils names of the companies meeting with Champaign County officials

Members of a community organization named “Resist AI Data Centers Champaign County” disclosed the names of the “mysterious” data centers that approached the county…

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Read more about the article AI project LocalMatters helps Champaign-Urbana residents navigate public meetings
The main page of LocalMatters.fyi provides an overview of recent local government meetings for your selected area, like Champaign or Urbana. Screenshot captured Aug. 18, 2026.

AI project LocalMatters helps Champaign-Urbana residents navigate public meetings

As local news organizations across the country lose reporters and reduce local government coverage, some organizations are exploring technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to…

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Read more about the article Champaign County restaurant inspections database lessens transparency of health safety information
The public restaurant inspection database system used by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District beginning April 2026 launched with less search capabilities and features than the previous system. Screenshot captured Aug. 7, 2026.

Champaign County restaurant inspections database lessens transparency of health safety information

Since 2014, anyone could look up Champaign County restaurant inspections online to check whether a food establishment failed to meet health safety standards. The…

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Read more about the article Illinois pesticide fees meant for oversight are funding broader state operations Illinois Department of Agriculture
The Illinois Department of Agriculture office at 801 E. Sangamon Ave. in Springfield, Ill.

Illinois pesticide fees meant for oversight are funding broader state operations 

Illinois collected $9.06 million from pesticide registration fees in fiscal year 2025 to support enforcement and education programs related to oversight of pesticide applicators.…

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Read more about the article UI Foundation failed to meet endowment return benchmark with 3.3% in fiscal year 2025; Among worst returns at university foundationsMadyson Magnus
Harker Hall, headquarters of the University of Illinois Foundation on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Photo by Madyson Magnus, June 10, 2026.

UI Foundation failed to meet endowment return benchmark with 3.3% in fiscal year 2025; Among worst returns at university foundations

The University of Illinois Foundation’s endowment returned 3.3% in fiscal year 2025, well below the foundation’s benchmark of 13.2% and significantly lower than the…

Continue ReadingUI Foundation failed to meet endowment return benchmark with 3.3% in fiscal year 2025; Among worst returns at university foundations
Read more about the article No warnings or fines issued for Carle Arrow despite noncompliance with municipal response time standardsMaidely Davila
The exterior of Carle Arrow Ambulance Services at 210 E. University Ave. in Champaign, Ill. on April 12, 2026. Photo by Maidely Davila.

No warnings or fines issued for Carle Arrow despite noncompliance with municipal response time standards

Under municipal code, ambulance services in Champaign and Urbana can be fined by the fire departments for not meeting response time standards.  Yet despite…

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Read more about the article While officials debate data center regulations, residents want to know where they’ll be builtKaniz Fatema
Members of the Champaign County Data Center Activities Task Force met July 13, 2026 to discuss regulations for data centers, including noise, vibration and minimum separation distances. Photo by Kaniz Fatema.

While officials debate data center regulations, residents want to know where they’ll be built

Although Champaign County is under a 12-month moratorium on new large-scale data centers, concerns about the location of a potential facility continue to grow…

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Read more about the article Champaign County seeking legal counsel to regulate data centers following failure of Illinois POWER ActChampaign County
Committee members of the Champaign County Board's Data Center Activities Task Force met on June 22, 2026. Screenshot captured July 2.

Champaign County seeking legal counsel to regulate data centers following failure of Illinois POWER Act

The failure to pass a proposed state law on data centers has pushed Champaign County officials to develop their own regulations to address concerns…

Continue ReadingChampaign County seeking legal counsel to regulate data centers following failure of Illinois POWER Act
Read more about the article Despite local concerns, Illinois health officials say Piatt County glioblastoma rates remain within expected rangeMadyson Magnus
A street sign marks the intersection of East Grant Street and Monticello Street in Monticello on June 3, 2026. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Despite local concerns, Illinois health officials say Piatt County glioblastoma rates remain within expected range

The Illinois Department of Public Health said a recent review of cancer registry data found no evidence of an increase in glioblastoma cases in…

Continue ReadingDespite local concerns, Illinois health officials say Piatt County glioblastoma rates remain within expected range
Read more about the article Dozens of Champaign County bridges show signs of wear. Some carry thousands of drivers a day.Google Street View
The bridge on West Country Club Road in Urbana that crosses a drainage ditch is marked with poor structural evaluation scores and sufficiency rating, metrics used by county engineers to prioritize repairs. Photo captured on Google Street View.

Dozens of Champaign County bridges show signs of wear. Some carry thousands of drivers a day.

Every day, tens of thousands of drivers cross the 735 bridges in Champaign County — and thousands cross the 53 bridges with poor structural…

Continue ReadingDozens of Champaign County bridges show signs of wear. Some carry thousands of drivers a day.