Read more about the article ‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cutsDarrell Hoemann
Champaign Social Security office exterior at 101 S. Country Fair Drive in Champaign on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cuts

For Kiel Hodges, replacing a lost Social Security card has turned into a five-week ordeal with three office visits.  "I need it to get…

Continue Reading‘It’s amazing they function at all’: social security recipients and workers brace for cuts
Read more about the article Protesters say ‘Hands Off’ federal support, services in response to looming funding cutsJordan Butler
Protestors gathered at West Side Park in Champaign on April 5, 2025. Photo by Jordan Butler.

Protesters say ‘Hands Off’ federal support, services in response to looming funding cuts

“Hands off” was the message shared by hundreds in Champaign calling on the federal government to halt funding cuts to essential services across the…

Continue ReadingProtesters say ‘Hands Off’ federal support, services in response to looming funding cuts
Read more about the article Built on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown ChampaignRachel Johnson
Gayle Starks and her family run Neil St. Blues at 301 N. Neil St. in downtown Champaign. Photo by Rachel Johnson.

Built on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown Champaign

A family-run restaurant’s journey through community, culture, and economic resilience. Inside Neil St. Blues, warm golden light reflects off a polished concrete floor and…

Continue ReadingBuilt on Soul: How Neil St. Blues Became a Cornerstone of Downtown Champaign
Read more about the article Champaign social security office overflows with residents seeking help with benefits and statusMolly Hughes
Some residents were sitting on the floor on April 2, 2025 at the Champaign Social Security Office at 101 S. Country Fair Dr. Photo by Molly Hughes.

Champaign social security office overflows with residents seeking help with benefits and status

Richard Sexton, a man from Effingham who has been receiving disability benefits, said last week that his Social Security account and his retired wife's…

Continue ReadingChampaign social security office overflows with residents seeking help with benefits and status
Read more about the article Illinois cancer registry to reexamine multiple cases of glioblastoma reported in Piatt CountyDarrell Hoemann
A view looking north on Independence Street, just south of Marion St. in Monticello, IL on Friday, June 14, 2024. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Illinois cancer registry to reexamine multiple cases of glioblastoma reported in Piatt County

The Illinois Department of Public Health has reasserted Piatt County has been added to the list of sites that its cancer registry examines each…

Continue ReadingIllinois cancer registry to reexamine multiple cases of glioblastoma reported in Piatt County
Read more about the article Concerns about brain cancer cases in Piatt County grow, but Illinois public health agency yet to investigateDarrell Hoemann
A view looking north on Independence Street, just south of Marion St. in Monticello, IL on Friday, June 14, 2024. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Concerns about brain cancer cases in Piatt County grow, but Illinois public health agency yet to investigate

Lessie Ann Patterson lived in Monticello, Illinois, for 25 years before dying in 2015 from glioblastoma, a rapidly advancing brain cancer with an average…

Continue ReadingConcerns about brain cancer cases in Piatt County grow, but Illinois public health agency yet to investigate
Read more about the article Central Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remainDarrell Hoemann
Tisha Bryson at her home in central Illinois on Saturday, June 4, 2022. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Central Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remain

Tisha Bryson has been shackled, hospitalized and shoved to the ground by central Illinois law enforcement officers more times than she can count while…

Continue ReadingCentral Illinois police training for mental health cases questioned, involuntary commitment issues remain
Read more about the article Community members, businesses rally to clean littered fields in business areaDarrell Hoemann
Litter in a field by Interstate Drive in north Champaign, IL on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Community members, businesses rally to clean littered fields in business area

In response to uncontrolled trash piling up in the North Prospect business area, community members rallied together to pick up 29 bags of litter…

Continue ReadingCommunity members, businesses rally to clean littered fields in business area
Read more about the article Former News-Gazette building sold to local businesswoman
The former News-Gazette building in downtown Champaign on Monday, September 28, 2020. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Former News-Gazette building sold to local businesswoman

The former owners of the News-Gazette have sold the building at 15 East Main Street in Champaign for nearly $1.2 million to local businesswoman Laura Kalman, according to documents filed in U.S Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

Continue ReadingFormer News-Gazette building sold to local businesswoman

With closure of Rantoul Press and cutbacks at Commercial News, local newspapers continue to shrink

The News-Gazette’s owners are shutting down the Rantoul Press - while the Commercial News, based in Danville, has announced reduced days of publication. The Rantoul Press has been in operation since the early 1900s and is published weekly on Wednesday. It was formerly owned by Glenn Hansen, who died in 2008. The newspaper was sold to the News-Gazette in 2004. “It’s sad because it’s been our little newspaper,” said Kaye Heath, secretary and treasurer of the Rantoul Historical Society and Museum. Heath, 75, is a lifelong resident of Rantoul and said that in addition to retaining a copy of the full paper, the historical society often clips articles from the newspaper, such as fires and other happenings, for their files. “We’re going to miss it,” she said.

Continue ReadingWith closure of Rantoul Press and cutbacks at Commercial News, local newspapers continue to shrink