University food service, building service workers ratify new contracts, avoid a strike
By Eunice Alpasan, Staff writer
August 20, 2019
University food service and building service workers recently voted to ratify new contracts and thus avoid a strike authorized to start on Thursday. Food service and building service workers, who are represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 73, held a week-long vote after the union’s ...
Tornado warning in effect in Champaign area Tuesday morning
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
August 20, 2019
An Illini Alert was sent out on Tuesday around 11:07 a.m. informing recipients of an active tornado warning, and people in the area should take shelter immediately. The Illini Alert also said more information will be available soon. Update: Around 11:22 a.m., an Illini Alert was sent out to inform...
Yingying’s Fund officially established to help international students, families
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
August 19, 2019
Yingying Zhang was smart, beautiful and kind. She was also always willing to help when she saw others were in need. That is what her family said about her Monday at the official establishment of Yingying’s Fund. It has been two years since Yingying went missing, and now to honor her memory, a permanent...
Diverse Business Opportunity Fair to explore expanding diversity at UI
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
August 12, 2019
Following last year's fair involving more than 200 business, the University announced plans for the second annual Diverse Business Opportunity Fair to take place on Aug. 28. The fair kicks off with opening remarks at noon and will contain both a vendor fair from 1-4 p.m. and a networking reception...
White supremacist propaganda surges at University during 2018-2019 school year
By Eunice Alpasan, Staff writer
August 8, 2019
A recent Anti-Defamation League report found white supremacist propaganda on college campuses increased 57% across six Midwest states during the 2018-2019 school year. The ADL reported 36 cases of white supremacist propaganda on campuses across Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakot...
Recovery of Yingying Zhang’s remains ‘has no certainty of success’
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
August 7, 2019
Yingying Zhang's family and their attorneys gathered Wednesday morning for a press conference at Beckett Law Office in Urbana to discuss what they learned about the conditions of their daughter's death following discussions between prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office and Brendt Christensen's...
Yingying’s Fund created to assist international students, families
By Samantha Boyle, News Editor
August 6, 2019
To assist international students and their families who may be in crisis, an endowment called Yingying’s Fund will be established at the University. The announcement of Yingying’s Fund was made by the Illinois News Bureau on Monday, and an official announcement will be at a later date. Yingying’s Fund is an endowment honoring Yingying Z...
The Head and The Heart joins 2019 headliners at State Farm Center
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
August 5, 2019
On Monday, the State Farm Center announced The Head and The Heart, known for their hits in alternative music like “Lost in My Mind” and “All We Ever Knew,” will be coming to Champaign this fall. The concert will take place on Sept. 14 at State Farm Center and will feature rock band The Moondoggies...
Illini Fest promotes nostalgia for Chicago-based alumni
By Zack Fishman, Contributing writer
August 4, 2019
The University held its first Illini Fest alumni event in downtown Chicago, and it hosted a variety of speakers and entertainment while promoting its role in the city’s history. Illini Fest was held in Millennium Park’s Park Grill Plaza on July 18, next to The Bean, and it attracted hundreds o...
Yingying Zhang’s family given lead to where her remains lie
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
August 2, 2019
On Friday, Yingying Zhang’s family announced they have been told her remains may lie in a landfill in Vermilion County. They were given this lead on July 25 when they met with prosecutors following Brendt Christensen’s sentence to life in prison for Zhang’s kidnapping and murder. Vermilion County...
University begins work with state, federal governments to close financial aid loopholes
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
August 1, 2019
After a financial aid scandal involving families from wealthy counties in Illinois giving up custody of their children to qualify for higher amounts of aid was reported on Monday by ProPublica and The Wall Street Journal, both the state and federal governments addressed the issue at hand and have spoke...
Memorial service for Yingying Zhang to be held Monday
By Hannah Preston, Interim editor-in-chief
July 31, 2019
A memorial service honoring the life of Yingying Zhang will be held Monday at First Baptist Church in Savoy at 1 p.m. Zhang’s family helped to plan to the service and will be in attendance. Both English and Chinese translations will be available, and the service will also include a Chinese choir....
