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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…

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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 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 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…

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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.…

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Read more about the article More restaurants closed after failing routine inspections last year in Champaign-UrbanaAndrew Burkey
Newman Hall’s dining hall was shut down on Oct. 24 after receiving a red placard. Photo by Andrew Burkey 

More restaurants closed after failing routine inspections last year in Champaign-Urbana

More restaurants in Champaign and Urbana received a red placard and were closed during a routine inspection last year compared with 2024. At least…

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Read more about the article Long waits for appointments at social security district office persist, but recipients report faster service once appointment madeDarrell 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

Long waits for appointments at social security district office persist, but recipients report faster service once appointment made

Getting an appointment at Champaign’s social security district office continues to take 30 days or more, but some recipients report that once they are…

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Read more about the article Illinois relies on complaint-driven enforcement as pesticide drift concerns grow
Organic farmer Patsy Hopper examines an apple tree on her property in November, pointing to late-season leaves she says show signs of pesticide drift damage.

Illinois relies on complaint-driven enforcement as pesticide drift concerns grow

Organic farmer Patsy Hopper, who lives five miles south of Urbana, has filed at least 11 complaints about pesticide drift with the Illinois Department…

Continue ReadingIllinois relies on complaint-driven enforcement as pesticide drift concerns grow