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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.
Read more about the article Bloomington postpones algal bloom treatments as issue blooms across IllinoisIsabella Lazansky
Lake Bloomington in May 2026. Photo by Isabella Lazansky.

Bloomington postpones algal bloom treatments as issue blooms across Illinois

For years, Bloomington, Ill. has fought algal blooms in its two main lakes, which provide the city with its water. Algal blooms result from…

Continue ReadingBloomington postpones algal bloom treatments as issue blooms across Illinois
Read more about the article Potential contamination sources surround Monticello wells, but testing shows water meets standardsMadyson Magnus
The City of Monticello water tower near the center of town on June 3, 2026. Photo by Madyson Magnus.

Potential contamination sources surround Monticello wells, but testing shows water meets standards

Residents in Monticello received a cross-connection water survey in the mail this past spring, as questions continue to circulate in the community about the…

Continue ReadingPotential contamination sources surround Monticello wells, but testing shows water meets standards
Read more about the article City of Champaign towing fees have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in past few years Brendan Gallian
Tatman’s Towing at 810 E. Perkins Rd. in Urbana on May 10, 2026. Tatman’s is one of Champaign’s six licensed tow companies. Photo by Brendan Gallian.

City of Champaign towing fees have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in past few years 

Parking violators and other vehicle owners have paid an additional $340,000 in administrative towing fees to the City of Champaign over the last four…

Continue ReadingCity of Champaign towing fees have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in past few years 
Read more about the article Champaign County nursing home fines, violations soar as planning of new facility continuesBen Somerville
Clark Lindsey at 101 W. Windsor Rd. in Urbana on April 29, 2026. Photo by Ben Somerville.

Champaign County nursing home fines, violations soar as planning of new facility continues

In just one year, state and federal fines against the four nursing homes in Champaign County nearly tripled from $117,401 to $334,015, according to…

Continue ReadingChampaign County nursing home fines, violations soar as planning of new facility continues
Read more about the article While $55 million cleanup continues, Rantoul reaps revenues from leases at former Chanute Air Force BaseGoogle Earth
A view of the former Chanute Air Force Base campus in Rantoul, Ill. Image from Google Earth as of May 6, 2026.

While $55 million cleanup continues, Rantoul reaps revenues from leases at former Chanute Air Force Base

While dozens of businesses are leasing property from the Village of Rantoul on the former Chanute Air Force Base, the Air Force is still…

Continue ReadingWhile $55 million cleanup continues, Rantoul reaps revenues from leases at former Chanute Air Force Base
Read more about the article Loophole saves Champaign County landlords $1.8 million a year in property taxesPiotr Fedczuk
University Park Apartments on North Broadway Avenue in Urbana, Ill. in April 2026. Photo by Piotr Fedczuk.

Loophole saves Champaign County landlords $1.8 million a year in property taxes

Each year, Champaign County property owners each get a tax exemption of up to $6,000 for living in their one home. But about 1,400…

Continue ReadingLoophole saves Champaign County landlords $1.8 million a year in property taxes