News across Greater Champaign
Illinois set to jump into action against Purdue
Illinois begins a new season Friday at home against Purdue, also kicking off its 2026-27 season. The Illini are coming off a 7-4 year with all four losses coming in conference meets. After a 14th-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, the new squad splashes into a new season…
Ford County Probation & Court Services moving next week into downtown Paxton building
PAXTON — The former Market Street Dental building in downtown Paxton is the new home of Ford County Probation & Court Services. A sign added to the facade of the building at 140 N. Market St. on Thursday, Oct. 1, made it official. Jennifer Harrison, the probation department’s…
Opinion | Instagram sucks now
If you’ve ever seen long captions about the “Mercedes CLR GTR,” Vogue World: Hollywood or how #🇯🇵Japan is turning footsteps into electricity under Instagram posts, you’re not alone. How many times can you scroll through Instagram posts without seeing AI summaries or…
Column | Illinois prepares for high-stakes tilt vs. No. 22 Washington
Despite decisive victories over then-No. 15 Minnesota (6-4, 0-2) and then-No. 23 USC (7-5, 1-1), Illinois (10-3, 2-0) is still unranked. While one may quibble with that decision, one thing remains true: The Illini have the opportunity to earn the respect of their peers Friday, as…
Louisiana man arrested for theft of money bag at Hardee’s in Paxton
PAXTON — A northeast Louisiana man staying in Chicago has been arrested on a Ford County warrant charging him with burglary in connection with the theft of a bag of cash in August from the Hardee’s restaurant in Paxton. In a news release, Paxton Police Chief Coy Cornett said…
IGNITE empowers women in politics
For women interested in politics, getting involved can feel like one of the hardest parts of their journey. At the University, one student organization is working to bridge connections and make that first step a little easier. IGNITE is a nonpartisan group designed to encourage…
Retired astronaut Mike Hopkins to lead UI’s Homecoming Parade
Mike Hopkins, a retired astronaut and University alum, will be attending the University’s Homecoming Parade Friday as its grand marshal. He will lead the parade’s procession. “The thing that excites me the most about getting to come back on campus is just getting to spend some…
Obituary: Shirley Anderson
Shirley Keyes Anderson, 99 of Rantoul, formerly of Paxton, passed away in the early morning hours of September 30, 2026. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton The post Obituary: Shirley Anderson first appeared on Ford County Chronicle .
Piatt County teen facing trespassing, battery charges in Gibson City incident
PAXTON — Ford County’s prosecutor has dismissed a home invasion charge filed against a Piatt County teenager who allegedly entered a Gibson City home, climbed into bed with a sleeping juvenile and committed an act of sexual abuse against her. In dismissing the Class X felony…
Opinion | The undemocratic nature of selective reporting
As an avid CNN 5 Things reader, here are the five things I can tell you about CNN right now: Journalism. Is. An. Indisputable. Right. In all irony, a nation that prides itself on freedom of speech only seems to theoretically own up to its concept. Journalism is society’s leading…
Review | Oppenheim’s ‘Primetime’ is more unsettling than satisfying
Rating: 6.5/10 What does it take to catch a predator? Lance Oppenheim’s new film, “Primetime,” captures the behind-the-scenes operations of a television crew attempting to catch child predators while broadcasting it for NBC’s prime-time slot on television. Although it’s a…
Opening weekend reveals promise, room for Illini to grow
Illinois (2-1-0-1, 3pts.) and Michigan State (6-3-3-0, 6pts.) traded results in a whirlwind two-game set at the University of Illinois Ice Arena this past weekend. Illinois fell 5-4 on Friday but bounced back with an 8-1 win on Saturday. Friday’s game marked the Illini’s season…