Since 1922, @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social has been a pioneer in broadcasting. I produced this video for a recent speech at UIUC. The journalism we produce is made possible from the generosity of our friends. We’ll need new friends and funds to continue. youtu.be/pvwVo4JRnjY?...

@spurlockmuseum.bsky.social's exhibit is open from now through January 11.

The first annual Farm Aid event was held 40 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1985, in what is now Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign. At the time, the U.S. was in a major agricultural crisis. Severe inflation and lessening exports caused family farmers across the country to lose their farms and homes.

“It might be unfair of me to suggest that there’s any nefarious motive, but it would seem to me that it reduces the value of the information that is available to analysts of all kinds,” said Carlisle Ford Runge, professor of applied economics and law at the University of Minnesota.

A joint town hall meeting hosted by state legislators in Champaign focused on rising energy costs and recent cuts to social services. The meeting was hosted by Sen. Paul Faraci and Rep. Carol Ammons at the Illinois terminal in Champaign Thursday.

“This is the most unusual situation I’ve seen in my entire lifetime,” the governor said Monday of what appears to be the first fatal shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent this year.

In the latest Weather Realness episode, Illinois professors Jeff Frame and Deanna Hence break down the immediate and lasting impacts of Hurricane Katrina. From the storm’s devastating power to the government’s failed response, Katrina remains a defining moment in U.S. history.

Politicians from across Illinois are remembering the late Jim Edgar. The Republican served two-terms as Illinois governor from 1991 to 1999.

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

Today the staff of IPM had the chance to celebrate Jim Meadows and his storied career in public broadcasting. His impact will continue to be felt here at Illinois Public Media and across the wider journalistic landscape through both his own work and mentorship. ipmnewsroom.org/farewell/

A $252 million makeover for Champaign’s busiest interchange is one step closer to completion. 🛣️

Congratulations to my @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social colleague Jim Meadows who is retiring. He has produced so many spot stories, great features and guest hosted in his 25 years of service. Before IPM he was at WCBU in Peoria. Enjoy Jim. ipmnewsroom.org/farewell/

On the @21st.show, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski gave her thoughts about a variety of issues including the consequences of pending government food-aid and health care cuts and dissatisfaction among some Democratic voters with their elected leaders.

The company, Flock Safety, was also allegedly used by out-of-state police earlier this year to look for a woman who recently had an abortion. That situation sparked the secretary of state’s office to audit Flock.

In front of gleaming skyscrapers along the Chicago River, Illinois’ Democratic leaders showed a united front Monday against President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy the military into Chicago’s streets to fight crime with one message: “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.”

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday aimed at pushing Illinois to reverse its law that eliminated cash bail.

University of Illinois's new chancellor talks to Illinois Public Media as the fall semester begins.

The ACLU of Illinois is involved in a lawsuit to keep Head Start open to all low-income children.

Very important quiz alert! And a happy International Dog Day to all the Illinois Public Media pups! What is your dog's favorite show on WILL? 🐶🐶🐶

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board held a public hearing Thursday as part of a required process to consider OSF’s proposal. An overwhelming majority said they were upset over the potential loss of services.

Weather Realness hosts spoke with Carl Bernacchi, professor in crop sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Carl is an expert on the impacts of atmospheric and climatic change on crop species important to the Midwest.

Student activists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are celebrating a new state law they helped enact. Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law Friday that requires public universities to offer contraceptives and medication abortion starting this school year.

Charles Isbell is still getting to know the community, but he’s also preparing for possible attacks from the federal government. “I am assuming that we will eventually find ourselves a target, as is everyone in higher ed,” Isbell said in an interview with IPM Education Reporter Emily Hays.

On a recent visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, director Christina Shutt took @21st.show through a special exhibit aimed at making Lincoln more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.

Congresswoman and Senate candidate Robin Kelly talks gun control, immigration policies, conflicts abroad will.illinois.edu/21stshow/sto...

IPM Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield sat down with one of her counterparts at NPR, Michel Martin. She asked her how she prepares for the early hours of the program — and how she’s thinking about the role of public media in the wake of the federal funding cuts. Listen in the link below 🎧

Insurance industry officials defended recent homeowners insurance rate spikes this week, blaming such factors as inflation and climate change while warning that attempts to regulate their ability to set rates would be bad for consumers.

The Illini flew under the radar on their way to a 10-win season last year — their first since 2001 — and they return 18 starters including star quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Have you seen Illinois Public Media's all-new Weekly News Quiz? Test your knowledge of the latest local news in Central Illinois! ➡️ ipmnewsroom.org/quiz/

Former judge and state’s attorney Dennis Middendorff reminded the crowd this was not the first time Clinton County had faced such a test. In the 1980s, he recalled, the KKK received a permit to rally at nearby Carlyle Lake.

School started in Martinsville and Windsor last week — without cell phones. Seventh through twelfth grade students in the two central Illinois districts have to lock their phones away during the school day. Read more from our Education Reporter, Emily Hays. ⬇️

A billboard rising from a Clinton County cornfield near Breese that appears to be a recruiting tool for the Proud Boys — a far-right extremist group tied to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol — has touched off outrage in the small southern Illinois community.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Monday that he has joined a multistate lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from withholding federal funding to support crime victims in Illinois due to the state’s policy on immigration.

“I like hearing the buzz of excitement when people come in the doors and everyone wants to share their story with you,” Powell said. “We had someone drop off a photo from her parents’ wedding that has Gene in it.”

Charlotte Colella and her mother, Alexa Colella are organizing a fundraiser at Fire Doll Studio in Champaign on Tuesday, Aug. 19, to support the first U.S. clinical trial for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C, or LGMD2C.

@brianmackey.com speaks to some of the 400 new Americans at a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fair.

Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield spoke with the theatre’s interim director Ashton Greer about the inaugural FischerFest. Read or listen to the interview below! 🎧

The Savoy Village Board voted unanimously Wednesday to maintain a local version of the tax starting in 2026, when Illinois is set to phase out the statewide tax.

The governor told the gathering of Illinois Democrats to stop analyzing why Republicans and Trump were victorious in 2024. Pritzker argued Illinois Democrats have already successfully implemented a message that resonates with voters.

Williams said the first 100 days of his term was focused on listening to the community’s needs, and he pledged to continue to listen to actualize the city’s wants and needs.

“I just want to say I miss my mom every day – like every day. And it hurts that she’s not here with me,” Massey’s son, Hill-Massey said at a news conference. “But I am very happy that we could also get a bill put in her name and her name could live on for forever.”

There are few other schools in the state focused entirely on sixth graders. In 2024, there was only one public school for sixth graders, Creative Communications Academy in Cook County, according to Illinois State Board of Education data.

Vying for Senate seat, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton discusses foreign affairs, Medicaid, and tax breaks for middle class @21st.show @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social will.illinois.edu/21stshow/sto...

Currently in the studio! Call in and ask Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton @ltgovstratton.illinois.gov a question: Listen now -> will.illinois.edu/21stshow Call in and ask her a question -> (800) 222-9455 Text your question -> [email protected]

We're LIVE for the hour today with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who's seeking to succeed U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. You can share your questions with us throughout the hour at (800) 222-9455.

Today, the first in a series of interviews with the people who want to be the next U.S. Senator from Illinois. First up, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. Share your questions for Stratton at [email protected]. Then join us live at 11: will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer

A major ultimate frisbee competition is making its way to East Central Illinois for the first time. A 2025 USA Ultimate Sectional Championship tournament is being held September 6 and 7 at the Danville Area Soccer Complex on the city’s north end.

This week on “Dialogue," the hosts talk with a scholar about how Black women and girls use beauty to empower themselves and push back against the world’s expectations. Dr. Brittney Miles shares what her research uncovered about how beauty connects to identity. Listen now 🎧

Listen to 217 Today 🎧 In today’s deep dive, students across Illinois will soon head back to class. But one college in our state is phasing out ten majors.

“People are traveling to places where measles cases are more endemic, and they’re coming back here,” said Awais Vaid, the executive director of McKinley. “So what happens is, if there are enough people out here who are not vaccinated, then the cases continue to spread.”