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Champaign’s Honorary Streets: the Stories Behind the Signs

Across Champaign, dozens of streets are named in honor of people and organizations that have made a significant cultural, historical, or humanitarian impact on the city. Illinois Student Newsroom reporters have produced an all-new series of stories spotlighting some of these local legacies. 

Latest News

IPM Newsroom

Juneteenth 2026

Photo of Raphael & Whitney, who will be performing for the Illinois Soul Juneteenth celebration on June 18 at 5:30pm.

WILL FM

Prairie Performances
Sonny rollins playing soprano saxophone.

Remembering Sonny Rollins

Saying goodbye to one of the art form's great innovators. 
Dialogue
man speaking and Obama Presidential Center

Get a sneak peak of the new Obama Presidential Center, then listen his 2004 interview with WILL-radio

IPM's Reginald Hardwick leads you on a tour of the grounds of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Then we listen to then-State Sen. Obama on WILL-AM.

WILL AM

The 21st Show
U.S. National Team goalkeeper Chris Brady acknowledges the fans after defeating Senegal in an international friendly soccer match on Sunday, May 31. A native of Naperville, Illinois, Brady is the top keeper for the Chicago Fire.

Who are the Illinoisans playing in the 2026 World Cup?

It’s almost time for the World Cup. This year hosting duties are being shared among the U.S, Mexico and Canada. Illinois has fairly strong representation in this year’s…
The 21st Show

Could new SNAP requirements lead to a hunger crisis in Illinois?

More than 100,000 Illinois residents are at risk of losing federal food support because of new work requirements. What does that mean and what’s being done about it?
The 21st Show

Illinois General Assembly: Top Republicans talk taxes, effects of federal policies on state government

Top leaders representing the Republican side of the Illinois House and Senate share their thoughts and criticisms on this year's budget.

WILL TV

Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 7 - May 2026

For this month's Prairie Fire, students from the University of Illinois’ College of Media spent a semester producing five short documentaries highlighting food, skating,…
News Local/State
man sitting at computer

Behind The Mic:  Newsroom editor Arjun Thakkar thinks public media is integral in combatting information overload

At Illinois Public Media, Arjun Thakkar helps reporters with story pitches, sources, and final editing, and sometimes reports stories himself.
State of Change

Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet

We visit a zero-waste general store, a garden bringing a community together in a Chicago food desert, a program protecting pollinators, and advice to increase sustainability…