More than 120 years after his death, local historians finally feel confident of the burial spot for the first Black man to vote in Illinois. A reddish granite headstone sits in a quiet plot near the back of El Paso’s Evergreen Cemetery. It proudly bears the name David A Strother.

El Paso burial site of first Black man to vote in Illinois confirmed 121 years after his death - IPM Newsroom

More than 120 years after his death, local historians finally feel confident of the burial spot for the first Black man to vote in Illinois.

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🌧️ Why did central Illinois get hit so hard with flooding this August? In the latest episode of Weather Realness from @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social, @ilclimatologist.bsky.social and atmospheric scientist Deanna Hence break down the science behind it. Listen here: will.illinois.edu/weatherrealn...

The science behind Illinois’ August flooding | Illinois Public Media

We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall.

will.illinois.edu

Parkland College in Champaign and Lake Land College in Mattoon are among five downstate community colleges receiving capital grant money from the state to build and equip new Manufacturing Training Academies.

Two local community colleges to implement manufacturing training programs with state grant - IPM Newsroom

Governor JB Pritzker said that the new training academies will help more Illinoisans learn in-demand skills, and give manufacturers more reasons to keep and expand jobs in Illinois.

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Old Joliet Prison is now a tourist destination along a stretch of road that was briefly Route 66 when another part of the highway was still under construction.

Route 66 in Illinois: Exploring Old Joliet Prison

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media

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The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District recently announced changes aimed at improving riders’ experiences, including a new bus route, efforts to improve on-time performance and progress on terminal renovations.

C-U Mass Transit District riders may notice some changes — now and in the future - IPM Newsroom

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has made some bus route changes to offer better service to its riders and has taken steps toward the redesign of the Illinois Terminal.

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The Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office, which opened Thursday, Sept. 10, is part of the larger Philo Road Ahead Initiative led by Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams. One of the main goals of the new office is to connect residents with the resources they need.

Philo Road Ahead Initiative moves forward with opening of Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office - IPM Newsroom

Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams stands in front of the newly opened Community Engagement & Violence Prevention Office in Urbana on Sept. 10, 2026. He says the goal is to improve safety and help resident...

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Jim Meadows was a full-time reporter at Illinois Public Media on September 11, 2001, and he shared some reflections with IPM News and Public Affairs Director Reginald Hardwick earlier this week. Listen or read the interview in the link below.

IPM News reporter recalls Champaign-Urbana's reaction to September 11 terror attacks - IPM Newsroom

Jim Meadows was a full-time reporter at Illinois Public Media on that day, and he shared some reflections with IPM News and Public Affairs Director Reginald Hardwick earlier this week.

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Illinois’ legislature will once again soon find itself without a legislative inspector general. Michael McCuskey will resign that watchdog post amid criticism about his ability to handle investigations.

Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey resigns amid criticism - IPM Newsroom

Recent ethics investigations raised questions about office’s professionalism.

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A federal judge is weighing whether to block the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, or EOLA, from its Sept. 12 operative date after hearing arguments Friday in a lawsuit that alleges EOLA discriminates against people with disabilities.

Judge weighing arguments to halt Illinois’ ‘medical aid in dying’ law ahead of Sept. 12 start - IPM Newsroom

Disability rights advocates worry about potential for coercion and want more state oversight.

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Workers at The Literary — a bookstore, cafe and bar in downtown Champaign — voted to unionize in late August. A day before the vote, former owner Jenny Shima sold The Literary to Jeffrey and Lauren Brokish, according to reporting from Smile Politely.

Workers at The Literary are hopeful unionization and new ownership will bring positive changes - IPM Newsroom

The Literary - a bookstore, bar and cafe in downtown Champaign - is under new ownership. Newly unionized workers hope to see better wages, more predictable shift scheduling and better staffing going f...

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Decatur resident Ranjohd Singh is a general and colorectal surgeon at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He emigrated from India in 2003 to attend medical school. Singh is a member of the Sikh Religious Society of Central Illinois. He lives in Decatur with his wife and two teenage children.

America @ 250: Ranjodh Singh asks that his fellow Americans see God in everybody - IPM Newsroom

Decatur resident Ranjohd Singh is a general and colorectal surgeon at Decatur Memorial Hospital and a member of the Sikh Religious Society of Central Illinois. He lives in Decatur with his wife and tw...

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The NRCS was founded almost a century ago in response to the Dust Bowl. But it lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationally in 2025 after President Donald Trump’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce, leaving many farmers with less access to environmental conservation practices.

U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump's federal cuts. Now they're hurting for help - IPM Newsroom

The Natural Resources Conservation Service lost nearly a quarter of its staff nationwide in 2025 after the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government. Many were local experts that help farm...

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Extreme heat in Central and Southern Illinois will continue until Friday evening. The National Weather Service said conditions are dangerously hot, and that it could feel like 105 degrees. This means heat related illnesses are more likely.

Heat wave continues in Central Illinois ahead of Labor Day weekend - IPM Newsroom

The National Weather Service said conditions are dangerously hot, and that it could feel like 105 degrees.

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“Our hope is that when our young people pass this, they stop and ask, ‘Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?’ and, ‘What happened right here in Rantoul?’” said Dr. Jennea Klingenberg, the founder and executive director of the H.O.Y.C.E. Center, one of the sponsors on the project who spoke at the unveiling.

New Rantoul mural honoring Tuskegee Airmen bridges history and community through art - IPM Newsroom

A new mural unveiled this week honors the lives of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-Black flying squadron for the U.S. Army Air Corps. The artwork is the newest stop on the Champaign County African ...

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“We do not have the legal authority to ban data centers; I want to make that really clear,” said Emily Rodriguez, vice chair of the Champaign County Board who also serves on the task force, at a public task force meeting Monday, Aug. 31.

Champaign County officials say they can’t ban data centers. But residents want tighter restrictions - IPM Newsroom

A ban on large data center development could expose the county to a lawsuit from a developer, according to Champaign County officials. A proposed ordinance offers guardrails for new centers, but some ...

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A federal judge this week ordered the U.S. Forest Service to suspend a commercial logging project in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, finding the 2024 approval of the project under President Joe Biden violated the Endangered Species Act.

Judge orders federal logging project halted in Shawnee National Forest - IPM Newsroom

Ruling finds Biden administration’s approval violated Endangered Species Act.

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The candidates for Champaign County Clerk and Recorder sat down with Illinois Public Media for a candidate forum to discuss issues ranging from election administration to federal policies. Filmed forum link in comments.

Champaign County Clerk candidates disagree on Trump's SAVE Act, decline to discuss federal charges - IPM Newsroom

Champaign County's incumbent clerk, Democrat Aaron Ammons, faces a challenge from Republican Alan Anderson. During a candidate forum hosted by IPM, the two discussed election administration and local ...

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A native of Urbana is among the many scientists involved in the launch of The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. NASA’s newest observational tool took off from the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, Aug. 30.

NASA’s newest space telescope has launched — and a Champaign-Urbana native helped build it - IPM Newsroom

Over the next five years, NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is expected to reveal more information on the expansion of the universe, dark matter and distant planets.

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Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is calling for major reforms to how ICE operates. But speaking on IPM's @21st.show, the Democrat stopped short of calling for abolishing ICE as some candidates and other members of Congress have. Budzinski is running for a third term against Jeff Wilson (R).

Republican Jeff Wilson explains his support for President Trump's tariffs on IPM's @21st.show Wilson is a former Champaign County Board member who is challenging incumbent congresswoman Nikki Budzinski to represent Illinois' 13th U.S. House district.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Wednesday he has joined a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service challenging new rules that purport to give it authority to regulate mail-in voting in federal elections.

Illinois attorney general joins suit against Postal Service over mail voting rules - IPM Newsroom

The case follows Supreme Court ruling allowing Trump administration to proceed with restrictions.

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The Urbana City Council is accepting applications for a new member to represent Ward 6. The ward’s incumbent council member, Grace Wilken, stepped down on Monday after representing the southeast part of the city since 2021.

Urbana City Council's Ward 6 seat open after incumbent member steps down - IPM Newsroom

Southeast Urbana's incumbent council member Grace Wilken resigned earlier this week. Residents of Ward 6 can apply by September 11 to be appointed to Wilken's former seat.

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Champaign Unit 4 School District has used trailers to temporarily add space at Jefferson Middle School for 25 years. The school board is putting a question to voters in a ballot referendum – do they support the school district selling bonds to solve that and other facility problems?

Champaign Unit 4 School District would like to build a fourth middle school. It needs approval from voters - IPM Newsroom

The school board is putting the question to voters in a ballot referendum - do they support the school district selling bonds to build and rebuild its middle schools?

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An attempt to pass home rule in Champaign County Monday night was cut short when a bipartisan group of county board members left the meeting early, forcing the meeting to end after three minutes and before any member of the public could comment on the issue.

Bipartisan group of Champaign County Board members thwart vote on home rule, blocking a plan to ban data centers - IPM Newsroom

Several Champaign County Board members left the special meeting early, causing it to end after only three minutes and before any member of the public could speak on the home rule issue.

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Teachers in Urbana are getting a raise. A majority of Urbana Education Association members voted for the new contract Wednesday evening, and the District 116 School Board approved it on Thursday. School Board President Paul Poulosky said the contract includes annual 5% raises.

Urbana teachers to receive annual 5% raise under new contract - IPM Newsroom

Under the new contract, teachers in Urbana will get 5% raises each year for the next 3 years.

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Darren Bailey, Illinois’ Republican candidate for governor, discussed his critique of the SAFE-T act with Brian Mackey on @21st.show. You can find the full interview on our website or at the Illinois Public Media YouTube channel: youtu.be/qQXG5c1OIbE?...

Urbana Mayor Deshawn Williams spoke about public safety, infrastructure improvements, accessibility and public input in his first State of the City Address at the Urbana Fire Station No. 3 on Wednesday.

Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams' state of the city address highlights decrease in crime, plans to confront housing challenges - IPM Newsroom

Mayor Deshawn Williams spoke at his State of the City address about public works improvements, including new street lights and sidewalks as well as public safety and violence prevention.

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A Champaign County group organizing against data centers held its second teach in Monday night. The group – called Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County – was launched last month to push against data center development in the county.

Champaign County group rallying against data centers hosts second information session - IPM Newsroom

Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County launched last month to push against data center development in the county.

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On @21st.show, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker responded to critiques of billionaires like himself who are involved in politics. Watch the full conversation with Brian Mackey via our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYhQ...

The deadline for Champaign residents to opt out of the city’s new electric aggregation agreement is Wednesday. The program allows city officials to pool resident and commercial electricity accounts to negotiate a bulk rate.

Champaign residents have until Wednesday to opt out of electric aggregation agreement - IPM Newsroom

Champaign officials have signed an agreement with Homefield Energy to be the city's new energy supplier.

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