Illinois Newsroom logo

A regional journalism collaboration focused on expanding access to trusted, timely and relevant information across three key statewide topics: Education, Political Impact and Health/Environment

Illini football coach Bill Cubit walks the sidelines during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign
Bradley Leeb/Associated Press

Illini Football Coach Cubit Signed To 2-Year Extension

The former Illini offensive coordinator, who took over after Tim Beckman's dismissal, will receive $1.2 million a year.  Interim athletic director Paul Kowalczyk said the move "will allow Bill to make decisions regarding the program as the head coach without the interim title, and lead the Fighting Illini into Saturday's game without speculation." 

Protesters march during a demonstration for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Chicago.
Paul Beaty/AP

Writer Tells How He Broke The Laquan McDonald Story

Chicago writer Jamie Kalven focuses on patterns of police abuse and impunity in Chicago. He heard about an attempted cover-up of the details in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old wielding a knife.  Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is white, shot Laquan McDonald, a black youth, 16 times in 14 seconds.