Technology
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…

Continue ReadingWhile officials debate data center regulations, residents want to know where they’ll be built
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 Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centersChampaign County Board
Andrew Rehn, director of climate policy at Prairie Rivers Network, speaks at the April 23, 2026 county board meeting about data centers. Screenshot from meeting video captured April 28.

Champaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers

Last week, Champaign County officials voted to establish a one-year moratorium on new data centers on April 23, following “serious” inquiries into new developments…

Continue ReadingChampaign County put brakes on “mystery” data centers; joins state, other communities’ efforts to pause construction of centers
Read more about the article Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional mediaMadyson Magnus
Former newsroom and offices of The News-Gazette at 15 E. Main St. in Champaign in April 2026. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Champaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional media

On Main Street in downtown Champaign, the former News-Gazette building still stands, like a mausoleum to what is known as legacy news. Its signage…

Continue ReadingChampaign community news, culture sites filling gaps left by shrinking traditional media
Read more about the article In Champaign, getting a driver’s permit requires a 6:30 a.m. alarmKaniz Fatema
The Champaign DMV, located at 2012 Round Barn Rd., on March 25, 2026. Photo by Kaniz Fatema.

In Champaign, getting a driver’s permit requires a 6:30 a.m. alarm

In 2023, the Illinois Secretary of State launched the “Skip the Line” program to lower wait times at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facilities…

Continue ReadingIn Champaign, getting a driver’s permit requires a 6:30 a.m. alarm
Read more about the article Hundreds of Champaign County elevator certificates listed as expired in state databaseAdelyn Mui
The elevator in Gregory Hall on Dec. 10, 2025. Photo by Adelyn Mui.

Hundreds of Champaign County elevator certificates listed as expired in state database

Nearly one-third of the active elevators and conveyances like escalators and lifts in Champaign County appeared to have expired safety certificates in the Office…

Continue ReadingHundreds of Champaign County elevator certificates listed as expired in state database
Read more about the article Software issues led Champaign to axe SeeClickFix in favor of new public reporting system BrightlyBrightly Citizen Portal
The Brightly Citizen Portal, the new public reporting system for the City of Champaign, which replaced SeeClickFix. Screenshot taken Dec. 9, 2025.

Software issues led Champaign to axe SeeClickFix in favor of new public reporting system Brightly

Pothole repair requests appearing at residential addresses. Mapping software preventing reports within the city. Anonymous reports limiting city follow-up to resolve reported issues. These…

Continue ReadingSoftware issues led Champaign to axe SeeClickFix in favor of new public reporting system Brightly
Read more about the article Residents hit with higher summer electricity bills that exceeded estimated increases
The Ameren Illinois service zone and the grid operator's zone covers much of the same territory. Source: Ambit Energy Pros (Left), MISO Planning Resource Auction for Planning Year 2025/26 Results (Right) 

Residents hit with higher summer electricity bills that exceeded estimated increases

This past June, Ameren Illinois increased its summer electricity supply rates from 8 cents per kilowatt-hour to 12, projecting bills to increase from 10%…

Continue ReadingResidents hit with higher summer electricity bills that exceeded estimated increases
Read more about the article Champaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending
A pie chart from the Illinois Opioid Settlements website shows how more than $531 million in settlement payments have been allocated statewide to date. The remediation fund receives the largest share at 55%, followed by 33% to local governments and 12% to the state. Screenshot on Nov. 3, 2025.

Champaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending

Champaign County’s Opioid Settlement Task Force approved about $161,000 in new spending this week toward emergency medical equipment for fire protection districts across the…

Continue ReadingChampaign County task force approves $161,000 in new opioid settlement spending
Read more about the article Urbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.
The City of Urbana now uploads public data to the Illinois Open Data Portal after discontinuing its city-managed portal earlier this year. Screenshot taken Nov. 11, 2025.

Urbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.

Without notice to the public, the Urbana Open Data Portal was shut down after nearly 10 years of service.  Urbana residents and the general…

Continue ReadingUrbana quietly closed its open data portal. Suddenly several public safety datasets were gone.