illinois
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 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 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
Read more about the article A tale of two Illinois coal plants: One is a major polluter, the other limits pollution University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Abbott Power Plant at 1117 S. Oak St. in Champaign, Ill. Photo from the University of Illinois website.

A tale of two Illinois coal plants: One is a major polluter, the other limits pollution 

At 1117 S. Oak St. in Champaign, the Abbott Power Plant has evolved from a traditional coal power plant to one that burns coal…

Continue ReadingA tale of two Illinois coal plants: One is a major polluter, the other limits pollution 
Read more about the article Foster care volunteers travel thousands of miles a year to check on childrenEmily Huffman
The miles traveled by volunteer advocates has increased in the past five years, from 24,856 miles during the pandemic in the 2021-22 fiscal year to over 39,000 miles in the current fiscal year. Chart created by Emily Huffman with data from Champaign County CASA. 

Foster care volunteers travel thousands of miles a year to check on children

Volunteer advocates in Champaign County, Ill., drove more than 39,000 miles last year to visit children placed in foster care just to maintain consistent…

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Read more about the article Local ambulance response times frequently fail to meet standardsMaidely Davila
An Arrow ambulance outside of the Seven07 apartments at 707 S. Fourth St. in Champaign on April 15. Photo by Maidely Davila.

Local ambulance response times frequently fail to meet standards

Ambulance services in Champaign and Urbana have frequently failed to meet response time standards over the past year, a review of ambulance call data…

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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 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…

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Read more about the article Despite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costsKatie Dalton
KAMS, a Campustown bar located at 102 E. Green St. in Champaign, in fall 2025. Photo by Katie Dalton.

Despite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costs

At least 128 underage University of Illinois students were so inebriated that their friends had to call 911 for emergency medical attention last fall.…

Continue ReadingDespite medical amnesty law, some university students hesitant to call for help due to lack of awareness, high costs