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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
Jack Larson

Jack Larson, Audience Director

Freshman wing Will Riley drives to the basket against Michigan State on Feb. 15 at State Farm Center.

[Photo] Freshman wing Will Riley declares for 2025 NBA draft

By Sahil Mittal, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 14, 2025
The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology houses the Cancer Center at Illinois. Rohit Bhargava, director of the Cancer Center, broke-down the implications of NIH funding cuts with The Daily Illini.

[Photo] NIH cuts projected to cost UI System $67 million annually

By Naveed Ahmed and Ryan Pearlman • Apr 1, 2025
A Shawarma Joint staff employee prepares the meat in the kitchen for customers to enjoy on Feb. 10.

Best of CU ’25 | Best Middle Eastern Food: Shawarma Joint

By Jack Larson, Audience Director • Mar 6, 2025
Terrence Shannon Jr. reacts to his jersey banner being revealed upside down on Feb 15.

[Photo] ‘I’m just grateful’: Illini legend Terrence Shannon Jr. shines in Champaign return

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • Feb 20, 2025
Freshman forward Will Riley during Illinois loss to No. 11 Michigan State on Feb. 15.

[Photo] Illinois implodes in second half, Izzo becomes all-time winningest Big Ten coach

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • Feb 15, 2025
Former Illini center Kofi Cockburn speaks to local media, including The Daily Illini, ahead of his honored jersey ceremony on Feb. 11.

[Photo] ‘It means everything in the world to me’: Kofi Cockburn reflects on Illini legacy at honored jersey ceremony

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • Feb 14, 2025
Freshman guard Kasparas Jakučionis drives to the basket on Feb. 11, defended by former Illini and current UCLA Bruins junior guard Skyy Clark.

[Photo] Illinois survives scare over UCLA

By Ben Fader, Sports Editor • Feb 11, 2025
Review | The Weeknd beautifully fades to black in ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’

Review | The Weeknd beautifully fades to black in ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’

By Jack Larson, Audience Director • Feb 5, 2025
This image has been digitally altered.

[Photo] Review | ‘Intermezzo’ is emotionally unsettling, effortlessly gripping narrative

By Chloe Barbarise, Copy Chief • Jan 14, 2025
View of Illinois volleyball serving against Ohio State in Huff Hall on Nov. 15, 2023.

[Photo] Illini secure NCAA tournament bid

By Lexie Breymeyer and Ben Fader • Dec 3, 2024
Graduate student outside hitter Raina Terry gets fired up in a matchup against Purdue on Oct. 28, 2023.

[Photo] Quick turnaround up next for Illinois volleyball following Penn State

By Eric Brewer, Staff Writer • Nov 17, 2024
Foellinger Auditorium sits at the south end of the Main Quad, as seen from a drone on Sept. 6.

[Photo] Editorial | UI is at its carrying capacity — it’s affecting us

By The Daily Illini Editorial Board • Oct 21, 2024
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and its driver, Sarahkraut, on the corner of Wright and Sixth streets on Oct. 10.

[Photo] Hot dog! Ginormous wiener spotted in CU

By Jessie Wang and Aidan Miller-Hisgen • Oct 10, 2024
The Tower at Third, at 302 E John St, overlooking campus in Champaign.

[Photo] UI, Campustown face power outages

By Michael Sweeney and Aidan Miller-Hisgen • Sep 22, 2024
Graduate student Raina Terry serves during the second set in a match on Nov. 1, 2023.

[Photo] Record-breaking Illinois volleyball heads to Nashville this weekend, Lippy Invite

By Lexie Breymer, Staff Writer • Sep 20, 2024
11.15.23_IlliniVBvsOhioState_J.Larson-73

[Photo] Illinois with a sweep victory over Bowling Green to improve to 2-0

By Eric Brewer, Staff Writer • Sep 1, 2024
An aerial view of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

[Photo] Best kept campus secrets you should know

By Mackenzie Wranovics, Contributing Writer • Apr 30, 2024
An aerial view of Illinois Street Residence Hall. University Housing is offering students $2,000 and more to live off campus.

[Photo] UI offering money, meals to returning students who cancel housing contracts

By Athena Ly and Mary Piacente • Jul 29, 2024
An aerial view of the University's main quad in May of 2023.

[Photo] Column | Best and worst places to get a job on campus

By George Alexandrakis, Columnist • Jul 29, 2024
The Illinois football team during a game against Nebraska on Oct. 6, 2023. Single game tickets for the upcoming season are going on sale on July 18.

[Photo] Single-game football tickets available starting July 18

By Qaasim Jatoi, Summer Editor • Jul 13, 2024
An aerial view of the Main Quad on April 16, 2024.

[Photo] Exciting new additions to C-U await students in Fall 2024

By Lauren Castaldo, Staff Writer • May 2, 2024
Jay Leno speaks at the 2020 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert honoring Garth Brooks at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on March 4, 2020.

Review | Jay Leno falls flat at State Farm Center, outshined by opener

By Jack Larson, Audience Director • Apr 16, 2024
Sophomore Ryan Voois hits a pitch shot onto the 18th green at Atkins Golf Club during the first round of the 2023 Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate.

[Photo] Illinois men’s golf makes strong showing, finishes fourth at Augusta Haskins Award Invitational

By Jordan Goodhart, Staff Writer • Apr 7, 2024
Senior Piercen Hunt reads the break of the green on hole five of the University of Illini Golf Course during the 2023 Spring Colligate.

[Photo] No. 17 Illinois men’s golf travels to Georgia for Augusta Haskins Award Invitational

By Jordan Goodhart, Staff Writer • Apr 6, 2024
The second floor of Grainger Engineering Library on March 24.

Best of CU | Best Study Spot: Grainger Engineering Library

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Mar 28, 2024
Students study at the monumental study steps in the Campus Instructional Faciliy on Feb. 29. The CIF also has a Espresso Royale for students to purchase coffee to aid their studying.

Best of CU | Best Academic Building: Campus Instructional Facility

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Mar 28, 2024
An aerial shot of the intersection of Green and Wright streets on March 1.

[Photo] Best of CU | Best Intersection: Green and Wright streets

By Conor Blount, Assistant Sports Editor • Mar 28, 2024
The Main Quad on Feb. 29.

[Photo] Best of CU | Best Quad: Main Quad

By Anna Koh, Contributing Writer • Mar 28, 2024
Students sit, study, relax and possibly cry beside Boneyard Creek on Sept. 13. The creek runs for over three miles through midtown and down to campus.

[Photo] Best of CU | Best Place to Cry: Boneyard Creek

By Lillie Salas, Features Editor • Mar 28, 2024
Mumford Hall on March 20 after authorities identified a suspicious package.

[Photo] Suspicious package found at 1301 Gregory Drive, people advised to leave area

By Lika Lezhava and Maaike Niekerk • Mar 20, 2024
Fifth year Terrence Shannon Jr anticipates the ball during a Purdue drive during the first half on Mar. 5.

No. 2 Illinois rolls past No. 3 Nebraska in uncanny second-half comeback

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Mar 16, 2024
An assortment of groceries sits on an apartment countertop on Thursday.

[Photo] New H Mart set to open in downtown Urbana in late 2024, early 2025

By Abrahám Chávez, Staff Writer • Mar 2, 2024
Redshirt senior outfielder Danielle Davis hits a lead-off double to left-center field in the bottom of the third inning against Northwestern on Apr. 5.

[Photo] Notes, player grades from Illinois women’s basketball’s loss at Michigan State

By Adam Rosen and Tess Eken • Feb 29, 2024
Soundtrack to student living: Each UI residence hall captured in a playlist

Soundtrack to student living: Each UI residence hall captured in a playlist

By Felicity Abbott, Jack Larson, Kristina Muharremaj, Pratim Vasireddy, Riddhima Patllollu and Maaike Niekerk • Feb 21, 2024
Junior pitcher Lauren Wiles delivers a pitch at home against Eastern Illinois on Apr. 25, 2023.

[Photo] Illinois softball splits pair in Florida

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Feb 18, 2024

Daily Illini Artist Spotlight: Josh Spinner

In September 2023, The Daily Illini was granted behind the scenes access into a day in the life of a Champaign-Urbana musician as he and his band prepared for his upcoming performance at the 2023 "Pygmalion" festival.

[Video] DI Artist Spotlight | Josh Spinner

By Jack Larson and Lauren Jenkins • Feb 17, 2024
Manifest West lead singer and guitarist Cade Whitt sings "Modern Cowboy Blues" at a house show at Concordia on Nov. 10, 2023.

CU’s house show network platforms small musicians

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Feb 15, 2024
Ty Dolla $ign and Kanye West.

Review | Mediocre ‘Vultures 1’ showcases West’s delusion on a new level

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Feb 15, 2024
Redshirt Senior outfielder Danielle Davis hits a lead-off double to left-center field in the bottom of the third inning during the game against Northwestern on Apr. 5.

[Photo] Illinois softball opens season at Tiger Invitational

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Feb 8, 2024
Senior outside hitter Raina Terry serves the ball at the second set against Rutgers on Oct. 15.

[Photo] Raina Terry motivated heading into final spring season with Illini volleyball

By Eric Brewer, Staff Writer • Jan 20, 2024
Illinois fails to advance quarterback Luke Altmyer to score from the 1-yard line on third down early in the first quarter against Nebraska, on Oct. 6 at Memorial Stadium. The Illini failed to score in two attempts from one yard away.

[Photo] Can the Illini hang on in revamped Big Ten?

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Jan 13, 2024

2025 guard Jeremiah Fears commits to Illinois basketball

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Jan 22, 2024
Album cover of INSANO.

Review | Kid Cudi can’t save mediocre ‘INSANO’ with star features 

By Jack Larson, Assistant buzz Editor • Jan 22, 2024
On Jan. 25, Facilities & Services worked to remove snow accumulation from the winter storm that morning. Early in the day, there was heavy snowfall and conditions were slippery.

Gallery | DI Photo year in review: Favorite captured moments, photos of 2023

By Jacob Slabosz, James Hoeck, Jack Larson, Angel Saldivar, Candice Zhou, Elena Baker, Jacoby Banks-Hull, Eric Chiang, Anika Khandavalli, Sofi Klein, Olivia McAfoos, Anh Khoi-Pham, Isaac Pinkus, Emma Pyatt, Damini Rana, Anne Schmidt, Alyssa Shih, Matt Stepp, Lucas Sun and Daniel Zhou • Dec 31, 2023
Cover of Childish Gambino's 2013 album, "Because the Internet."

Column | ‘Because the Internet’ is more than an album

By Jack Larson, Assistant Buzz Editor • Dec 10, 2023

Review | Illinois Wind Symphony stuns with concert at Foellinger Great Hall

By Jack Larson, Staff Writer • Dec 4, 2023
The DI ranks Thanksgiving dishes — and you can’t argue with it

The DI ranks Thanksgiving dishes — and you can’t argue with it

By Lillie Salas, Lisa Chasanov, Jack Larson and Park Mitchell • Nov 24, 2023
Andre 3000 performs at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square New York in 2014. Courtesy of David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons

Review | André 3000 of Outkast breaks 17-year dry spell with instrumental album

By Jack Larson, Staff Writer • Nov 22, 2023
Senior outside hitter Raina Terry spikes in the first set against Ohio State on Nov. 15. Terry's form continued as she led Saturday night against Michigan, accumulating 21 points and 17 kills.

[Photo] Illinois beats Michigan in straight sets on senior night, Terry announces fifth year

By Eric Brewer, Staff Writer • Nov 19, 2023
Snoop Dogg blows smoke while performing at The High Road Summer Tour 2016 at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Photo Courtesy of Charito Yap/Wikimedia Commons.

Rapper, cannabis icon Snoop Dogg announces he is ‘giving up smoke’

By Jack Larson, Staff Writer • Nov 16, 2023
RailTEC lays the track for all rail engineering programs

RailTEC lays the track for all rail engineering programs

By Jack Larson, Staff writer • Nov 14, 2023
Senior Piercen Hunt reads the break of the fifth green of Atkins Golf Club at the Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate on April 22.

[Photo] No. 18 Illinois men’s golf comes up short, finishes seventh at Pebble Beach

By Jordan Goodhart, Staff Writer • Oct 31, 2023
A basket full of popular Halloween candies spills onto the ground.

The DI ranks Halloween candy — and you can’t argue with it

By Lisa Chasanov, Lillie Salas, Lika Lezhava, Jacob Slabosz and Jack Larson • Oct 30, 2023
Senior Jerry Ji lines up his putt during the 2023 Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate at Atkins Golf Club on Apr. 22.

[Photo] Illinois men’s golf comes up 1 stroke short, finishes second at Flyer Invitational

By Jordan Goodhart, Staff Writer • Oct 17, 2023
Fifth-year outside hitter Jessica Nunge leaps to spike the ball in the first set against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Huff Hall on Oct. 15.

[Photo] Illinois volleyball conquers Scarlet Knights at home

By Brendan Recka, Staff Writer • Oct 16, 2023
Senior outside hitter Raina Terry prepares to serve against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huff Hall on Oct. 7.

[Photo] Illinois volleyball drops third straight match vs. Ohio State

By Eric Brewer, Contributing Writer • Oct 14, 2023
Overhead view of a relatively empty Bardeen Quadrangle in Urbana, IL, on the afternoon of Sept. 7. The Grainger Library (bottom), Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (left), Talbot Laboratory (right) surround the quad and hold classes throughout the school day. Columnist Amartya Nalluri voices their opinion of the quads on campus.

[Photo] Opinion | Our quads suck, and here’s why

By Amartya Nalluri, Columnist • Oct 16, 2023
The Illini celebrate at center court after advancing narrowing the deficit to 20-12 in the second set against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday at Huff Hall. Illinois will be playing against Ohio on Friday night.

[Photo] Illini volleyball continues conference competition in upcoming battle against Buckeyes

By Brendan Recka, Contributing Writer • Oct 13, 2023
Junior wide receiver Pat Bryant celebrates after the Illini score a touchdown.

Gallery | Defeat by Cornhuskers furthers disappointment in the Illini

By Thomas Cai and Jack Larson • Oct 9, 2023
Graduate middle blocker Kennedy Collins prepares to serve in the second set against the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Illini will face off against Purdue on Wednesday.

[Photo] Illinois volleyball takes on No. 19 Purdue in Big Ten road matchup

By Brendan Recka, Contributing Writer • Oct 4, 2023
ISE PHD student Sanyukta Deshpande talks with a representative from ExxonMobil at the career fair on the second floor of the Illini Union on Wednesday.

[Photo] Grainger College of Engineering holds annual career fair, boosts student motivation

By Saaniya Makandar, Contributing Writer • Sep 17, 2023
An aerial view of the Main Quad on May 9.

[Photo] Letter to the Editor | 2 things I wish I knew sooner

By Eddie Ryan • Aug 17, 2023
University quad shown from above

[Photo] Money magazine names UI as one of 50 ‘five-star’ colleges in US

Jun 25, 2023
Catcher Jacob Schroeder settles into the batters box for his at-bat in the bottom of the seventh inning against Eastern Illinois on April 18. The Illini finished the game with a 9-3 win on date.

[Photo] Illinois baseball sweeps Minnesota in epic fashion

By Adam Rosen, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 23, 2023
Center fielder Cam McDonald flies out to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning. Tuesday's contest marked McDonald's 200th game as an Illini.

[Photo] Illinois baseball falls to Eastern Illinois in 12 innings

By Adam Rosen, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 18, 2023
On Wednesday and Thursday, a strange sight made its way throughout the University campus. The Planters NUTmobile, which arrived Tuesday afternoon, spent Wednesday in the surrounding C-U area, but placed a heavy focus on the campus community Thursday.

Gallery | Planters NUTmobile visits UI

By Jacob Slabosz, Michael Chew, Yichen Liu and Jack Larson • Apr 13, 2023
Junior shortstop Megan Ward swings at strike two in the bottom of the fifth inning during a game against Northwestern on April 5. On Wednesday, Illinois will face off against Evanston once again, but this time, they will be away.

[Photo] Illinois softball seeks revenge in Evanston

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 12, 2023
Illinois softball huddles during a game against Northwestern on Wednesday. This weekend, the Illini will travel to Michigan for a series against the Wolverines.

[Photo] Illinois softball visits Michigan in must-win series

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 7, 2023
Right fielder Danielle Davis hits a lead-off double to left-center field in the bottom of the third inning.

[Photo] Illinois softball continues to struggle in Big Ten play

By Ben Fader, Assistant Sports Editor • Apr 5, 2023
Amaan Mirza, senior in Engineering, constructs a cardboard prototype for his INFO 418: Makerspace: Escape Rooms class offered through the University to make hands on projects in the CU Fab Lab. The University also offers various other courses through the Fab Lab.

[Photo] C-U Fab Lab: Where art meets technology

Feb 9, 2023