217 Today: Former U of I professor discusses Chinese and American history, how it connects with his own story

Friday, May 30, 2025

Today’s headlines:

• Many scholars at the University of Illinois are anxious after hearing the U.S. State Department will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students.
• The Champaign Unit 4 school board has voted to remove the district's superintendent.
• A bill to let terminally ill people medically end their own lives has cleared the Illinois House.
• Champaign County workers represented by the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees have voted to authorize a strike.

In today's deep dive, we bring you a conversation with a former professor at the U of I about his experiences in North America as what he calls "an accidental immigrant" from China.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Anna Koh, Penny Bradford, Emily Hays, Alex Degman, Jim Meadows and Nidhi Shastri.