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C-U Reparations Coalition receives $1M to help repair harms caused by slavery, systemic racism

Mikiya Thomas and Sharon Irish hold up a ceremonial $1 million check at the Champaign-Urbana Reparations Coalition meeting on Oct. 15, 2026. A large part of the money, which comes from an anonymous ...
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‘Slap in the face’: Decatur Public Schools custodians say they were offered lower raises than other employees

SEIU Local 73 members rally in Decatur in September 2023 during previous contract negotiations. Photo: Emily Hays/IPM News DECATUR— Decatur Public Schools offered custodians a raise of 60 cents per ...
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Data center development is paused in Champaign County. That’s not curbing interest from developers though

Mika Raviv, right, leads data center protesters towards Alma Mater on Friday, Sept. 25. Raviv is action coordinator for the Students for Environmental Concerns. Photo: Olivia Taylor/Illinois Student ...
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Champaign County Board passes resolution prohibiting tax breaks for data centers

Champaign County Board member John Farney speaks during the board’s meeting in Urbana on Oct. 13., 2026. The board unanimously passed a resolution prohibiting tax abatements for hyperscale data center ...
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 15-18

Seasonal activities, jazz performances, a flea market and more are coming to central Illinois this weekend. Listen to Sam Rink and Lyric Roy talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – ...
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Two years after Illinois Answers exposed restraint-chair abuse, jails are doing better

At least ten Illinois county jails that weren’t reporting their use of restraint chairs to a state monitoring unit began doing so after an Illinois Answers Project investigation revealed jails were ...
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Natural American cheese? A Midwest company has revamped the ooey gooey classic

A grilled cheese sandwich made with Sargento natural American cheese is grilled at Sargento Foods Inc. in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Photo: Angela Major/Wisconsin Public Radio Rudy’s Drive-In in La ...
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Champaign County officials vote down Mahomet-led effort to ban leaf burning

Michelle Luksander, who lives in unincorporated Champaign County, speaks in opposition of a proposed leaf burning ban on Oct. 8, 2026. Photo: YouTube URBANA – Champaign County officials unanimously ...
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Youth speak out against violence in C-U neighborhoods

Tyshawn Clark, center, speaks at the gun violence response meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the YMCA’s “Y on the Fly” location on Springfield Avenue in Champaign. CHAMPAIGN – Recent shootings in ...
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WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 8-11

Details: From Thursday through Saturday, hear from folk, bluegrass, world and traditional artists and participate in family friendly activities in the oldest folk music festival in central Illinois.
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UPDATE: Mahomet school board approves raises in new teacher, staff contract

The Mahomet-Seymour Education Association represents teachers and staff working for the Mahomet-Seymour school district. All sides have voted to approve the new, four-year MSEA contract. Photo: ...
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Mahomet ends talks with data center developer after community backlash

The CyrusOne Data Center in Aurora has been the subject of consistent complaints from nearby residents. The rooftop cooling fans hum a noise to neighbors. Mahomet officials recently ended talks with a ...