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Illinois Public Media

@ilpublicmedia.bsky.social

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Educating, informing, and inspiring communities through the power of public media. Heard, seen, and experienced on WILL-AM, FM, TV, Illinois Soul, and beyond! 📍 Based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 🌍 Serving central Illinois and more!

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Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 14h

“The reality is, the playbook that we used to play by doesn’t exist anymore because they’re not abiding by it,” Villaneuva said. “So we’re going to get really, really creative and try to do what we can in order to stand up for people because this is not OK. This is not normal.”

Illinois lawmakers condemn ICE raids in Chicago, weigh state response - IPM Newsroom

State leaders pledge to explore new protections for immigrants but say their power is limited.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

A new shared kitchen space, known as ChefLab, aims to promote community among culinary artists in the Champaign-Urbana area. 🥐🥐🥐

Culinary professionals can pay to book time at the kitchen to prepare food for food trucks, catering and other food services.

Chef Lab, a shared kitchen space, aims to build a culinary community in Champaign-Urbana - IPM Newsroom

A new shared kitchen space, known as ChefLab, aims to promote community among culinary artists in the Champaign-Urbana area.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Donating an unwanted vehicle to Illinois Public Media is an investment in your community! 🛻 Learn more about donating your vehicle here: willillinois.careasy.org/home

Ravi H @ravihasanadka.bsky.social · 9d

The truck was picked up today as a donation to @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 1d

Data compiled by the Illinois Municipal League released Monday shows that 656 municipalities — a little more than half of the state’s municipalities — have passed an ordinance establishing their own grocery tax. Those communities are home to 7.2 million people, or 56.5% of the state’s population.

More than half of Illinois communities have enacted a local grocery tax - IPM Newsroom

Pritzker signed bill eliminating statewide tax, allowing local governments to create their own.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 2d

A new book and exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum aims to tell the story of our 16th president through objects and documents from his life. Listen to the interview with the authors on @21st.show 🎧

Abraham Lincoln in 100 objects | Illinois Public Media

A new book and exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum aims to tell the story of our 16th president through objects and documents from his life. Co-written by the ALPLM's chief ...

will.illinois.edu

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

The General Assembly convenes for the annual fall veto session for three days this week followed by another three days on Oct. 28-30. Lawmakers’ to-do list was already hefty with several issues, including public transportation and energy reform, which were left unresolved in the spring.

Veto session preview: Federal issues top of mind as lawmakers seek transit, energy solutions - IPM Newsroom

Violent protests, legally questionable immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard troops without the governor’s approval will be at the forefront of state lawmakers’ minds when they return...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

You might be planning a trip to your local orchard or pumpkin patch. But severe drought conditions in Champaign County and other parts of Illinois could affect what fruit is available this fall. 🍎🎃 Listen to the latest from "Weather Realness" to learn more.

The impact of drought on the 2025 fruit harvest | Illinois Public Media

Today on Weather Realness, the US Drought Monitor says Champaign County is in a severe drought. We'll visit a local orchard and pumpkin patch to see how that's impacting this fall's crop. If you have ...

will.illinois.edu

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 3d

“It was so Arab,” said Lama Alrabiah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign international student from Saudi Arabia. “To see people that look like me… singing music that I grew up listening to… It’s like two worlds collided.”

The National Arab Orchestra debuts in Central Illinois, increasing Arab visibility - IPM Newsroom

The Champaign-Urbana community got a taste of Arab culture this weekend — with a visit from the world-famous National Arab Orchestra.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 6d

City officials in Urbana hope a new financial literacy program will help residents better manage their finances and build strong credit profiles.

The virtual, self-paced course is free for Urbana residents ages 21 to 64. The city has requested people sign up by Friday, Oct. 10.

Urbana launches a free financial literacy program to help residents with money management - IPM Newsroom

City officials in Urbana hope a new financial literacy program will help residents better manage their finances and build strong credit profiles.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 8d

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board granted OSF a permit to restructure operations at the Heart of Mary Medical Center and the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville.

OSF HealthCare receives state approval to restructure services at Heart of Mary Medical Center - IPM Newsroom

Specialty services will be relocated from OSF HealthCare's hospital in Urbana to locations in Bloomington and Danville while mental health treatment options will expand at the facility.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 9d

Illinois is ranked fourth in the U.S. for the number of data centers — totalling more than with over 220 data centers, and this number keeps growing. It is a national trend accompanying the rise of artificial intelligence.

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 9d

“Today, it’s not much water,” said Mohammad Rantisi, the engineer monitoring NPCF operations. He pointed towards one of the pumps: “This is 575 gallons per minute.”

Virtual water: Inside Illinois’ data centers, water flows quietly — and unchecked - IPM Newsroom

The steady hum inside the National Petascale Computing Facility (NPCF) is so loud that it’s hard to hear anything else inside. But beneath this noise is a hidden current of water.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 9d

29 years ago today, the iconic Arthur premiered on PBS KIDS, shaping the childhoods of so many of us! 🎉 Premiering on October 7, 1996, Arthur taught us the power and fun of the library card! 📚💜
Feeling nostalgic? You can still catch Arthur today: pbskids.org/videos/arthur and on your PBS Kids App!

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 10d

In celebration of Latine Heritage Month, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s La Casa Cultural Latina welcomed former NASA astronaut José Hernández to speak with students, staff and community members at the Illini Union Oct. 2.

Former NASA astronaut José Hernández visits the U of I, shares his story of perseverance - IPM Newsroom

In celebration of Latine Heritage Month, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s La Casa Cultural Latina welcomed former NASA astronaut José Hernández to speak with students, staff and community...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 10d

The event took place at the Krannert Center in Urbana and was hosted by the State of Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission (ADCRC) and local activist group Champaign-Urbana Reparations Coalition (CURC).

The historical mistreatment of Black Americans prompts calls for reparations in Urbana - IPM Newsroom

Community members gathered Saturday morning for a public hearing that explored the historical and ongoing hurt of Black Americans in Illinois, with a call to action for reparations. The event took pla...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 10d

At the Oct. 6 City Council meeting, stakeholders from law enforcement, health care, and advocacy groups will begin discussions on building an alternative crisis response model. The discussions will be facilitated by a nonprofit organization, Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP).

Urbana will explore alternatives to mental health crisis intervention without police involvement - IPM Newsroom

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a counselor. URBANA — The City of Urbana will launch a new initiative aimed at helping people ...

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 13d

When the full moon comes out — and the weather is nice — a group of cyclists in Champaign-Urbana get excited. They gather at sunset for a bike ride through the prairie, with a break for ice cream at the Sidney Dairy Barn.

Central Illinois cyclists connect with the prairie, grab ice cream on moonlight bike ride - IPM Newsroom

IPM's Arjun Thakkar hopped on his bike to ride 22 miles with cyclists under the fool moon — and see how the experience helps them get in touch with the countryside.

ipmnewsroom.org

Reposted by Illinois Public Media

The 21st Show @21st.show · 14d

Amid economic uncertainty and layoffs, job seekers are competing with thousands of applicants at times.

Why is the job market so tough right now?

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media

www.youtube.com

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 13d

Jessica Clotfelter volunteered to be one of around 500 people aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza. On Wednesday night, Israeli forces boarded the boats.

Illinois family members of those on Gaza aid flotilla worry after Israeli detention - IPM Newsroom

Central Illinoisians are among those who have been detained after Israeli forces intercepted boats carrying food and medicine meant for starving people in Gaza.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 15d

“Sometimes the only thing we have is resistance. Particularly at this moment, we don’t know where this is going to end,” Cavazos says. “But you have faith in justice. You have faith in principle. You have faith.”

Standing up to ICE in the suburbs, the People’s Patrol puts its faith in resistance - IPM Newsroom

Cavazos’ network focuses on Chicago’s western suburbs. It’s housed at the Casa DuPage Workers Center, a small nonprofit devoted to immigrant rights.

ipmnewsroom.org

Reposted by Illinois Public Media

The 21st Show @21st.show · 15d

The U.S. Government has shut down. We'll talk about it today on the show.
-We'll talk with @seancasten.bsky.social about how we got here, and what it could mean for Illinois.
-Plus, a look at the political and economic stakes of the shutdown.

It's all live at 11:
will.illinois.edu/am/willplayer

WILL AM 580 Live Stream | Illinois Public Media

WILL AM 580 live stream.

will.illinois.edu

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 15d

The chimes are returning to the Altgeld Hall bell tower as renovations continues on the more than 125-year-old facility.

Chimes return to Altgeld Hall at University of Illinois - IPM Newsroom

Half of Altgeld Hall's bells were installed on Monday, and crews plans to finish installing the other half on Tuesday.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 16d

“What he plans to do with that power now or during the 2026 elections should worry all of us,” Pritzker said at a Monday afternoon news conference, saying, “You cannot call this anything except an attack on the Constitution of the United States.”

Pritzker says feds seeking Chicago troop deployment. ‘What I have been warning of is now being realized’ - IPM Newsroom

Pritzker has said for weeks that the Trump administration would use any skirmish resulting from its Chicago-area immigration crackdown as a “pretext” for a military deployment.

ipmnewsroom.org

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 16d

Our beloved WILL-FM 90.9 Classical is rebranding as Illinois Classical! 🎼✨

Please follow Illinois Classical to support and stay in the know with classic happenings in Central Illinois.🎺

FB: www.facebook.com/illinoisclas...
IG: www.instagram.com/ilpublicmedia/

Illinois Public Media @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social · 17d

Durbin brought $8 million to the school for the initiative over the last five years.

The funding has helped U of I researchers sequence the DNA of 150 species of bees to better understand how to protect the pollinators.

Senator Durbin touts value of federal research funding in visit to University of Illinois bee facility - IPM Newsroom

Sen. Dick Durbin brought $8 million to UIUC over five years for research on bee DNA. He came to campus on Thursday to see the results.

ipmnewsroom.org