Read more about the article Thousands of tons of nuclear waste remain stored at power plants throughout Illinois; Some quietly transported on state highways
Spent nuclear fuel shipments are transported in shielded containers designed to withstand severe conditions. (Source: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)

Thousands of tons of nuclear waste remain stored at power plants throughout Illinois; Some quietly transported on state highways

They are metal tubes that are about 12 feet long and less than an inch wide. Inside those tubes are 11,000 metric tons of…

Continue ReadingThousands of tons of nuclear waste remain stored at power plants throughout Illinois; Some quietly transported on state highways
Read more about the article Efforts continue to keep Illinois’ aging nuclear power reactors operating
Aerial photo of the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant facility. Photo from the Constellation Energy website.

Efforts continue to keep Illinois’ aging nuclear power reactors operating

The Clinton Power Station nuclear reactor, about 34 miles from Champaign, generates enough energy to provide heating and electricity for over 800,000 of Illinois'…

Continue ReadingEfforts continue to keep Illinois’ aging nuclear power reactors operating
Read more about the article Problems with leaking underground storage tanks persist in IllinoisDylan Tiger
A leaking underground storage tank was reported at the Citgo gas station at 1201 N. Mattis Avenue in March 2025. The location was formerly a Phillips 66 gas station. Photo by Dylan Tiger.

Problems with leaking underground storage tanks persist in Illinois

Last month, an underground storage tank located at the gas station on 1201 N. Mattis Avenue was reported as the latest leaking tank in…

Continue ReadingProblems with leaking underground storage tanks persist in Illinois
Read more about the article ‘Mission Accomplished’ for Rantoul air force base, yet $76 million of environmental clean-up work remains amidst its deteriorating buildingsJordan Butler
The exterior of the 909 Pacesetter Dr. building facing Arends Boulevard, with a blue car parked outside. Photo by Jordan Butler / CU-CitizenAccess

‘Mission Accomplished’ for Rantoul air force base, yet $76 million of environmental clean-up work remains amidst its deteriorating buildings

Numerous abandoned buildings still sit on the 2,125 acres of the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. Some are boarded up —…

Continue Reading‘Mission Accomplished’ for Rantoul air force base, yet $76 million of environmental clean-up work remains amidst its deteriorating buildings
Read more about the article ADM’s well leak draws allegations of environmental violationsADM
Archer Daniels Midland regional headquarters in Decatur, Illinois. Photo from ADM's website.

ADM’s well leak draws allegations of environmental violations

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) was the first company in the nation to operate a permitted commercial carbon sequestration facility at its Decatur location. But…

Continue ReadingADM’s well leak draws allegations of environmental violations
Read more about the article Emulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaintsHenry Young
Emulsicoat Inc.'s new location on Saline Court in Urbana. Photo by Henry Young.

Emulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaints

Emulsicoat’s asphalt plant located in the Historic East Urbana neighborhood is now operating at a new site 15 minutes away. The long-criticized plant is…

Continue ReadingEmulsicoat asphalt plant moves to new location following decades of neighborhood complaints
Read more about the article Prairie land preserved in finalized Weaver and Prairie Park renovations following community concerns
Part of the Weaver and Prairie Park master plans, approved by the Urbana Park District this fall.

Prairie land preserved in finalized Weaver and Prairie Park renovations following community concerns

After community outcry over the potential loss of natural prairie, the Urbana Park District finalized updates to the master plans that reduced the loss…

Continue ReadingPrairie land preserved in finalized Weaver and Prairie Park renovations following community concerns
Read more about the article Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
The Kraft Heinz factory in Champaign. Screenshot taken from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals

The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility in Decatur, which processes grain products into food ingredients and ethanol, released 2.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals…

Continue ReadingToxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
Read more about the article Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two yearsDarrell Hoemann
The former C.S. Johnson factory in Champaign on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years

Building paint is peeling, junk litters the property and “no trespassing” signs sporadically adorn fences surrounding the approximately 330,000 square feet of property of…

Continue ReadingChampaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years