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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Reporter’s Notebook: Thoughts behind writing “Making a home in C-U”

Reporter’s Notebook: Thoughts behind writing “Making a home in C-U”

By Abrar Al-Heeti • March 17, 2016
The view as you enter Big Grove Tavern in downtown Champaign.

How to survive a slower summer in Champaign-Urbana

By Abrar Al-Heeti • February 24, 2016

University-led center to produce more efficient mobile systems through new cooling design

By Abrar Al-Heeti • August 30, 2015
Venture off campus to find unique local spots

Venture off campus to find unique local spots

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 19, 2015
Keep priorities in mind when making your schedule

Keep priorities in mind when making your schedule

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 3, 2015

The top 5 local restaurants and dessert shops

By Abrar Al-Heeti • May 24, 2015
Students play cricket on the South Quad on April 24. Participants are members of the Cricket Club of Illinois, a registered student organization. Cricket tournament finals will be Sunday on the South Quad.

Unifying cultures through cricket

By Abrar Al-Heeti • April 30, 2015
Cory Scribner, senior in Engineering, uses the Oculus Rift virtual reality program to operate devices in a model of a research reactor that was once on campus. His research group, headed by Rizwan Uddin, develops virtual reality programs that can be used in academic and workplace settings.

University research group creates immersive experiences through virtual reality

By Abrar Al-Heeti • April 22, 2015
TASC Special Ops rehearses before the team's performance at Filipino Culture Night on Feb. 7.

TASC Special Ops: Stringing cultures together through yo-yo

By Abrar Al-Heeti • March 3, 2015
After the completion of Memorial Stadium, University President David Kinley marked it as tribute to those who lost their lives in World War I during a dedication in 1924.

A centennial look back on campus life during WWI

By Abrar Al-Heeti • February 16, 2015
Julie Angel, Parkland College instructor, stands on Mt. St. Helens in Washington on July 5. Angel scaled the volcano as part of a 20-person team, and the experience provides a focal point to her World of Science lecture on Friday. 

Parkland College Planetarium brings an array of programs to community

By Abrar Al-Heeti • February 5, 2015
Optimism may make a healthy heart

Optimism may make a healthy heart

By Abrar Al-Heeti • January 21, 2015
Open signs on Christmas Day

Open signs on Christmas Day

By Abrar Al-Heeti • December 24, 2014
Abrar Al-Heeti, staff writer. The Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA) uncovers many gems in the local area, including a key to the city of Champaign in a house located near the intersection of Fifth Street and Springfield Avenue.

PACA finds new uses for historic buildings

By Abrar Al-Heeti • December 4, 2014
Cliff Maduzia packages excess food from Unit 4's Central High School's lunches to bring to the TIMES Center. Maduzia is a volunteer for the Susan Freiburg Memorial Food Surplus program, which provides meals to the homeless.

Local organizations partner with schools to reduce waste in lunchrooms, offer meals to homeless

By Abrar Al-Heeti • November 10, 2014
Maggie Klinge, sophomore in social work, sells cupcakes on the Quad to raise money for “She’s the First” on Tuesday.

She’s the First supports girls’ educations in underprivileged countries

By Abrar Al-Heeti • October 29, 2014
Janardan Kukreti, former University professor of veterinary medicine and Champaign resident, celebrates his 102nd birthday in his son’s house on Saturday. 

Former UI professor celebrates 102nd birthday

By Abrar Al-Heeti • October 13, 2014
The outside of Lancaster Apartments at 112 E. Chalmers St. in Champaign.

New apartment buildings welcome tenants

By Abrar Al-Heeti • October 7, 2014
Members of WaterAid at UIUC run a bake sale on the Quad on Thursday afternoon. The RSO aims to improve clean water access worldwide through fundraising initiatives and eventual overseas volunteering.

RSO seeks to raise awareness about worldwide water availability

By Abrar Al-Heeti • September 30, 2014

A balancing act

By Abrar Al-Heeti • September 16, 2014
Impact of 9/11 still resonates with Muslim-American students on its 13th anniversary

Impact of 9/11 still resonates with Muslim-American students on its 13th anniversary

By Abrar Al-Heeti • September 11, 2014
University students go to the Philippines for Typhoon Relief

University students go to the Philippines for Typhoon Relief

By Abrar Al-Heeti • September 2, 2014
Interns for Sen. Dick Durbin pose after a meeting with the senator’s chief of staff. The internship lasted for seven weeks in Washington, D.C.

Urbana native, University students intern for Sen. Dick Durbin

By Abrar Al-Heeti • August 4, 2014

Graduate named senior member of engineering institute

By Abrar Al-Heeti • August 4, 2014
Demonstrators outside the federal courthouse in Urbana gather in a protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza on Friday. More than 150 people were in attendance. 

Local community speaks out against Israeli offensive in Gaza

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 28, 2014

Avicenna provides community health services to uninsured, underinsured

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 28, 2014

Catch a glimpse beyond your own world

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 26, 2014
Study abroad: Expanding your horizons

Study abroad: Expanding your horizons

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 26, 2014
Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity's Angel Build work on the foundation of the home they are building on Saturday. Nine Methodist Churches are teaming up with Habitat in the project. 

Nine local Methodist churches partner in Angel Build

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 21, 2014
Chancellor Phyllis Wise at Saturday's Investing in Women event, hosted at the I-Hotel.

Accomplished area women relay their stories at Investing in Women event

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 21, 2014
The Prosperity Gardens employ at-risk youth to participate in planting, watering and harvesting, as well as assisting in the weekly farm stand.

Prosperity Gardens employs at-risk teens to work in gardens

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 14, 2014

Champaign County hosts summit on Mahomet Aquifer

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 14, 2014
The Champaign Public Library, located at 200 W. Green St. in Champaign.

The library continues its battle with debt

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 7, 2014

Champaign named third fastest-growing city in Illinois

By Abrar Al-Heeti • July 7, 2014
Men pray at the Central Illinois Mosque & Islamic Center in preparation for Ramadan, which began on the 28th of June.

Local Muslims begin observing Ramadan

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 30, 2014
The Undergraduate Library is being recarpeted with tile carpeting, which is easier to clean, before school resumes in the fall.

Undergraduate library renovations underway

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 30, 2014
Hyatt Place opens in downtown Champaign

Hyatt Place opens in downtown Champaign

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 24, 2014
Participants in the 6th Summer Institute for the Languages of the Muslim World gather on Thursday, June 19, for a picnic at the Foreign Language Building.

Muslim language classes seek to teach language through immersion

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 23, 2014
Viewers at the Courtyard Cafe watch as Mexico plays Cameroon during the World Cup. The Cafe screens each game in the cafe for the duration of the tournament. 

Illini Union Courtyard Cafe hosting World Cup screening parties

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 16, 2014
The First Mennonite Church and the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center are collaboratively planting and maintaining peace gardens to celebrate their fellowship.

Peace gardens planted to establish collaboration and unity between congregations

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 15, 2014
A rededication ceremony was held in honor of Alma Mater’s 85th birthday on June 11.

Community celebrates Alma Mater’s birthday

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 9, 2014

I.D.E.A. Store raises funds for Champaign-Urbana schools by selling reusable items to the community

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 9, 2014
The chandelier and ceiling are both original to the Virginia Theater, which hosts weekly guided tours every Wednesday.

Virginia Theater guided tours showcase building’s history and renovations

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 2, 2014
Stephanie Ceman of Champaign, left, and Mari Kim of Urbana shop for produce sold by the Student Sustainable Farm on the Main Quad on Thursday.

Anniversary Plaza hosts market with fresh produce every Thursday from May to Nov.

By Abrar Al-Heeti • June 2, 2014
Five things to definitely take part in while living in Champaign-Urbana

Five things to definitely take part in while living in Champaign-Urbana

By Abrar Al-Heeti • May 28, 2014
Diversity and inclusion organizations on campus work to promote understanding

Diversity and inclusion organizations on campus work to promote understanding

By Abrar Al-Heeti • May 27, 2014
ILLordle: Play now