With the economic crisis and unemployment rates rising in the area, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) has lowered the annual pass rate from $235 to $60 to ensure that mass transit remains affordable.

Plans to develop a "clean coal" research project in Mattoon, Ill., previously killed under the Bush administration, were recently resuscitated.

Representatives from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and four surrounding public health departments came together Thursday morning to discuss the potential effect of state budget cuts on public health.

Champaign

Champaign

Champaign

Champaign

While residents in Urbana enjoy a recycling program that picks up their recyclables from the curb, there is no such program for local businesses.

Trisha Bates, owner of Cakes on Walnut, 114 N Walnut St. is taking sustainability seriously in her business. She uses compost, unprinted paper cups for her cupcakes and recycled paper napkins and boxes. She also helps make her business more environmentally-friendly by hiring the Illinois Green Business Association to help achieve green certification.

Champaign

While residents in Urbana enjoy a recycling program that picks up their recyclables from the curb, there is no such program for local businesses.

Trisha Bates, owner of Cakes on Walnut, 114 N Walnut St. is taking sustainability seriously in her business. She uses compost, unprinted paper cups for her cupcakes and recycled paper napkins and boxes. She also helps make her business more environmentally-friendly by hiring the Illinois Green Business Association to help achieve green certification.