Illinois Public Media News

Mayor Bob Harwood said the city is starting see flood waters recede after experiencing its worst conditions since January 2008.  A few hundred residents could return home early next week.

Champaign’s Fire Department plans to celebrate its 150th anniversary this Sunday (July 19) with a parade and fire muster --- defined as a ceremonial assembly of firefighters. Residents will also get a chance to see some of the gear that's transformed the job of a firefighter over the years.

In what appears to be a fundamentally new strategy in the use of campaign cash in Illinois, the state’s new Republican governor in May doled out $400,000 in a single day from his main campaign committee, giving to all 67 Republicans in both chambers of the legislature.

High profile racial violence has captivated the nation in recent years. From the death of Trayvon Martin to most recently a fatal shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston South Carolina, an unspeakable tragedy that is reminiscent of the 1960's.

Twenty-six annually contracted faculty have already been told they won't be reappointed, while some positions won't be filled.  Some Administration and Professional employees will be required as many as 14 furlough days.