Read more about the article Central Illinois county jails continue to lack respiratory illness isolation cells, but Champaign jail renovations add twoDarrell Hoemann
Satellite Jail exterior on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Central Illinois county jails continue to lack respiratory illness isolation cells, but Champaign jail renovations add two

Six of nine central Illinois county jails fail to meet state standards for a respiratory illness isolation cell, state records show.  A review of…

Continue ReadingCentral Illinois county jails continue to lack respiratory illness isolation cells, but Champaign jail renovations add two
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 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 Central Illinois airports see millions in losses due to COVID-19’s impact on air travelUniversity of Illinois Willard Airport
COVID-19 safety information is part of Willard Airport's plan to recover revenue lost by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Central Illinois airports see millions in losses due to COVID-19’s impact on air travel

The impact of COVID-19 on central Illinois airport revenue has been substantial as passenger travel was reduced by almost two-thirds.

Continue ReadingCentral Illinois airports see millions in losses due to COVID-19’s impact on air travel
Read more about the article Champaign County rail systems see frequent transport of hazardous materialsCity of Champaign website
A freight train pictured on the City of Champaign's "Choose Champaign" web page.

Champaign County rail systems see frequent transport of hazardous materials

Approximately 107 trains, often carrying hazardous materials, pass through Champaign County’s 225 miles of active rail lines each day. Freight traffic accounts for about 101 of these trains. According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, there have been 195 hazardous materials incident reports filed since 2010, with the majority of them being spills or leaks on local roads and streets, as well as some interstate highways.

Continue ReadingChampaign County rail systems see frequent transport of hazardous materials
Read more about the article Food insecurity projected to soar in eastern Illinois and Champaign CountyEastern Illinois Foodbank
Eastern Illinois Foodbank provides a graphic to explain how food reaches those in need.

Food insecurity projected to soar in eastern Illinois and Champaign County

The nonprofit organization Feeding America has projected Champaign County’s food insecurity rate to increase by 31% by the end of 2020 in comparison to data collected in 2018. Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.

Continue ReadingFood insecurity projected to soar in eastern Illinois and Champaign County
Read more about the article Gun violence in downstate Illinois in four mapsGoogle Maps
A map of gun-related incidents in Springfield, Illinois.

Gun violence in downstate Illinois in four maps

At least 100 people died from gunfire over the past three years and at least 500 were wounded, according to data obtained from a sample of police departments of eight small cities in downstate Illinois. Here's a look at where gun violence occurs.

Continue ReadingGun violence in downstate Illinois in four maps