CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Last month, Chambana Today turned one year old!
It’s easy to forget things, and a lot has happened since then, so here’s a look at the ten biggest headlines from our first year:
10. Central Illinois prepares for winter storm with regional closures and emergency plans
January 5, 2025
Remember this? Earlier this year, a massive winter storm threatened at least six inches of snow in Champaign, Vermilion, Piatt, and Douglas counties, resulting in closures and emergency plans. Suddenly the heat and humidity of June doesn’t seem too bad.
9. Illinois Treasurer returns record $301 million to state residents
August 12, 2024
Last fall, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned $301 million to 321,558 Illinois residents through the state’s missing money program, also known as I-CASH. The program helps residents reclaim unclaimed property, including the contents of overlooked safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and unused rebate cards.
8. An Illinois lottery player wins $10 million prize on scratch-off ticket
November 17, 2024
From a scratch-off? Just weeks before Thanksgiving last year, a lucky shopper at a Jewel Osco in Countryside, Ill. won $10 million from a scratch-off ticket. That’s a lot of turkeys!
7. Illinois State Police announces multiple road and driver safety patrols
October 17, 2024
Last fall, Illinois State Police’s Brian Dickmann added a number of new driver-related safety patrols that would apply across several counties including Champaign. The patrols included Roadside Safety Checks, Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement patrols, Distracted Driving Enforcement Program patrol, and the Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols, which address impaired driving, occupant restraint, speeding, and distracted driving.
6. Illinois Lottery hits a whopping $670 million jackpot
December 13, 2024
Just weeks before Christmas last year, the Illinois Lottery bubbled up to a $670 million jackpot. The winner would have won the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in United States history.
5. Governor Pritzker and Illinois Department of Revenue encourage taxpayers to claim tax credits
February 5, 2025
With tax season just around the corner, Illinois governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue urged eligible Illinois residents to take full advantage of available tax credits when filing their 2024 income tax returns. The credits could provide significant savings, potentially reducing the amount of taxes owed or increasing refunds to residents.
4. Illinois middle school basketball championships delayed after hundreds locked out at ARC
March 22, 2025
Some serious March Madness. A staffing issue at the University of Illinois’ Activities and Recreation Center was the center of a mass delay for the Illinois Middle School Basketball Championship, causing hundreds of attendees to be locked out of the building. The event, designed to provide 4th-8th grade players with a true March Madness experience, was canceled when organizers realized they had not secured the necessary medical personnel to safely operate the event.
3. Governor Pritzker announces disaster tax relief for southern California fire victims
January 23, 2025
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue announced a disaster tax relief that would be available to individuals and businesses in southern California impacted by the wildfires that began on January 7. The relief applied to any areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with Los Angeles County currently qualifying for the tax relief.
2. More details released on Illinois State Police trooper’s death
October 19, 2024
Last fall, Illinois State Police held a press conference to release more details on the death of Illinois state trooper Corey Thompsen. The 28-year-old Thompsen was killed when he was struck by a truck while driving a motorcycle on Leverette Rd. The crash took place at around 3:40 p.m., and Thompsen was pronounced dead at an area hospital at 4:32 p.m.
1. Illinois Department of Human Services announce Summer EBT benefits
April 26, 2025
This past spring, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced Summer EBT benefits for the 2024 to 2025 school year. The benefits were issued to families starting in May, and each eligible school-aged child was set to receive a one-time benefit of $120. The Summer program aims to provide essential support to economically disadvantaged children during the summer, making sure they have access to nutritious meals.
Thanks for a great first year, and we look forward to the next year of providing always local, and always free coverage!