The U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting Monday, May 5. This marks the end of a pause that began in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average amount of student loan debt college graduates leave with in […]
Other News
Light in the Darkness’ May 1 Event in Urbana Joins Global Movement Against “Billionaire Takeover”
The grassroots movement “50501” is planning a peaceful demonstration called “Light in the Darkness,” on May 1. The event will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. along Florida Avenue/Kirby Avenue in Urbana, stretching from Blair Park to Hessel Park. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring signs to display before […]
Letter to the Editor: Trump’s Lawless Immigration Tactics Undermine Due Process, Police, and Public Trust
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three, has never been charged with a crime. Yet, the Trump Administration sent him to an infamous prison in El Salvador. Trump has since defied judges at every level, including the Supreme Court, ignoring orders to provide Abrego Garcia his right to due […]
Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice to Host Listening Session on Public Defense Reform
The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice has announced a public listening session to address the state’s ongoing public defense crisis, scheduled for May 1. The event aims to gather community input and spotlight policy solutions for improving legal representation for those awaiting trial across Illinois. Date & Time: Thursday, May […]
FDA Halts Key Food Safety Program Amid Major Staff Cuts and Trump-Backed Budget Overhaul
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended a major quality control program used in food safety testing due to significant staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to Reuters. These reductions, affecting around 3,500 full-time employees, nearly 19% of the FDA’s workforce, were […]
State reports first measles case in southern Illinois
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois April 23, 2025 Editor’s Note: This story and subtitle have been updated to reflect that more than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions, not states. The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday afternoon the first case of measles in the state. […]
Illinois community-based foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 25, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend […]
Trump Administration Considers $5,000 ‘Baby Bonus’ to Reverse Declining Birthrates Amid Soaring Childcare Costs
The Trump administration is actively weighing a series of proposals aimed at encouraging American women to have more children. Among the most discussed ideas is a $5,000 “baby bonus” – a direct cash incentive that would be awarded to every American mother following childbirth. The bonus, if implemented, could supplement […]
Illinois College Leaders Join National Push to Defend Free Expression, Oppose Political Interference in Higher Ed
A coalition of higher education leaders, including several prominent Illinois colleges, has joined a nationwide initiative urging campuses to foster constructive engagement and uphold the principles of free expression amid rising tensions and polarization. “As leaders of America’s colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the […]
Trump Signs Executive Order Rolling Back Disparate-Impact Liability, Shifting Federal Civil Rights Enforcement
President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at eliminating the use of disparate-impact liability in federal civil rights enforcement, marking a significant shift in how the government addresses discrimination and affirmative action policies. The order, titled “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy,” asserts that the United States […]