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 Thousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loomGoogle Street View
The Housing Authority of Champaign County, located at 2008 N. Market St. in Champaign. Photo from Google Street View, captured August 2023.

Thousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loom

Nearly 4,000 applications for tenant-based housing vouchers have been filed in Champaign County over the last seven months, but none have been processed and…

Continue ReadingThousands wait for housing assistance in Champaign County while federal cuts loom

Several diseases on the rise in Champaign County as federal changes threaten prevention-based programs

Whooping cough, rabies, syphilis and strep. These are some of the infectious diseases on the rise in Champaign County over the past six years,…

Continue ReadingSeveral diseases on the rise in Champaign County as federal changes threaten prevention-based programs
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 University of Illinois research already suffering from federal funding cuts and DOGE Jessie Wang
A crowd at the Stand Up For Science demonstration on March 7, 2025, beside the University of Illinois's Alma Mater statue. Photo by Jessie Wang.

University of Illinois research already suffering from federal funding cuts and DOGE 

Wendy Dorman is the recipient of a NASA early career researcher grant to create a detailed grasslands map in Illinois to improve wildlife, agricultural…

Continue ReadingUniversity of Illinois research already suffering from federal funding cuts and DOGE 
Read more about the article Champaign County Head Start programs still funded amidst national concern of budget cutsDarrell Hoemann
Brookens Admin Center in Urbana, IL 61801 on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign County Head Start programs still funded amidst national concern of budget cuts

Head Start, an early childhood education program, hosts about 500 students a year with a budget of at least $9.1 million in federal funding…

Continue ReadingChampaign County Head Start programs still funded amidst national concern of budget cuts
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 Concerns rise at University of Illinois over $1.5 billion in annual federal funding; cutbacks leading to layoffs and program closureJessie Wang
The National Soybean Research Center at 1101 W Peabody Drive, where the Soybean Innovation Lab operates, on Feb. 11, 2025. Photo by Jessie Wang.

Concerns rise at University of Illinois over $1.5 billion in annual federal funding; cutbacks leading to layoffs and program closure

Last week, Peter Goldsmith, the executive director of the Soybean Innovation Lab, announced the lab will shut down in April as the U.S. Agency…

Continue ReadingConcerns rise at University of Illinois over $1.5 billion in annual federal funding; cutbacks leading to layoffs and program closure
Read more about the article Greater Community Aids Project reports issues with MTD paratransit serviceMTD
A paratransit bus from Champaign-Urbana MTD passes by a standard bus. Photo from the MTD website.

Greater Community Aids Project reports issues with MTD paratransit service

Some clients of the Greater Community Aids Project of East Illinois said they have been stranded and mistreated during the past year by Mass…

Continue ReadingGreater Community Aids Project reports issues with MTD paratransit service