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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
Luis Velazquez

Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor

Hey! My name is Luis Velazquez and I am a junior majoring in journalism with a minor in LLS. I have been involved with the DI since fall 2018. Outside of the DI and school work, you can catch me working at the UGL, drinking coffee or hanging out with my APsi brothers and sisters. I am a big horror movie fan! Deciding to write for the DI my sophomore year was life changing. Not only did I find a new passion, but also made good friendships along the way.

[email protected]

Students rest in La Casa Cultural Latina on March 7, 2016. The University has established a program to increase Mexican enrollment.

UI system establishes program to increase Mexican enrollment

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • March 3, 2021
A trio of biology students discuss a homework assignment in the main lounge of Allen Hall on March 9, 2019. University Housing plans to suspend and review the Multicultural Advocate position for the 2021-2022 school year.

Housing to suspend, review Multicultural Advocate position

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • October 22, 2020
Altgeld Hall stands prominently as the sun sets on Aug. 29.

University reports record enrollment: over 52,000 during COVID-19

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • September 10, 2020
Students board the 1S Yellowhopper bus at Transit Plaza on Jan. 25.

MTD employee tests positive for COVID-19

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • August 26, 2020
Don't be afraid to branch out

Don’t be afraid to branch out

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • August 5, 2020
Songs from various artists populate a playlist on Spotify. Creating playlists can be a good way to capture memories at college.

Capture memories to make most of University experience

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant Daytime News Editor • July 31, 2020
A sea of green fills the line at KAM's during Unofficial on March 6, 2020.

Mayor issues order to reign in campus bars

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • July 2, 2020
University announces online AP exams will be accepted for admissions, college credit

University announces online AP exams will be accepted for admissions, college credit

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • May 7, 2020
The intersection of Green and Wright sits under construction at noon on March 16. Construction is now halfway complete.

Campus construction continues during pandemic

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • April 22, 2020
Two University of Illinois students relax on the quad April 4, 2020.

University students choose to stay on campus

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • April 9, 2020
Illinois Student Government resolution calls for preferred names on student diplomas

Illinois Student Government resolution calls for preferred names on student diplomas

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2020
University increases Latinx graduation rate despite setbacks

University increases Latinx graduation rate despite setbacks

By Luis Velazquez, Assistant News Editor • March 23, 2020
People walk along Green Street the morning of Unofficial. The temperature is expected to reach a high of 41 degrees.

[Photo] Unofficial 2020: Live updates throughout the day

By The Daily Illini Staff Report • March 6, 2020
Students cross the intersection of Green and Sixth streets during Unofficial 2019. This green series of events offers drinking festivities for students around campus.

Unofficial Q&A: What you need to know

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • March 5, 2020
La Casa Cultural Latina, Native American House, Asian American Cultural Center and Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center line Nevada Street in Urbana. La Casa is one of the cultural houses hosting the Lunch on Us program.

La Casa Cultural Latina offers free lunch, well-being program for students

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • February 13, 2020
Champaign County Sheriff Dustin D. Heuerman explains the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association scholarships in his office Friday. These scholarships are open and available for Illinois residents.

Annual scholarship lacks applicants in Illinois

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • February 3, 2020
University boasts largest freshman class despite decline in Illinois population

University boasts largest freshman class despite decline in Illinois population

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • January 30, 2020
Champaign places No. 50 of 100 cities for sexually transmitted diseases

Champaign places No. 50 of 100 cities for sexually transmitted diseases

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • January 23, 2020
RSOs provide helping hand for students during finals week

RSOs provide helping hand for students during finals week

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • December 12, 2019
The exterior of Champaign Central High School located at 610 W. University Ave. on Sunday. The College of Law’s immigration clinic has given presentations throughout November to the high school about immigration resources.

Immigration Law Clinic educates high school students

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • December 2, 2019
David Northern (left), chief executive officer of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, discusses the new student voucher program that was passed recently with Executive Assistant, Lily Walton (right) on Nov. 14.

Housing approves student voucher programs to fund payments

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • November 21, 2019
The exterior of the Turner Student Services Building located on 610 East John Street on Oct. 5.

United Greek Council partners with ISG to encourage voter registration

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • November 14, 2019
The exterior of the Psychology Building is pictured on Nov. 1. The University’s program for industrial-organizational psychology is ranked number 10 for most prestigious programs according to the website Organizational Psychology Degrees.

Industrial-organizational psychology ranks number 10

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • November 7, 2019
Students cross Lincoln and Indiana avenues on Tuesday. The City of Urbana is working to create more regulations for pedestrians to reduce accidents and improve safety for residents crossing Lincoln Avenue.

Lincoln Avenue remains a safety concern for residents, pedestrians

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • October 31, 2019
People step on an MTD bus at the Illinois terminal on Oct. 19, 2019.

MTD announces plans for Illinois Terminal expansion

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • October 24, 2019
The exterior of the Native American House on Nevada Street is pictured on Friday. Though the U.S. recognizes Columbus Day as a federal holiday, the University does not acknowledge it as a holiday in its academic calendar.

University works to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • October 14, 2019
University receives $3 million grant for research on cannabis molecules

University receives $3 million grant for research on cannabis molecules

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • October 10, 2019
Recycling and trash bins lie near the west courtyard of the Union on Wednesday. The University offers more than 3,000 recycling bins around campus including glass deposits.

Glass recycling finds funding on campus

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • October 10, 2019
The Solar Power Panel Farm near First Street and Windsor Road has been in operation since December 2015. The University has recently agreed to a contract on creating a new solar farm.

UI signs $20 million contract to build second solar farm

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • September 23, 2019
Students get on an MTD bus at Illini Union. UI Ride will be available starting Oct. 31, and was created to promote collaboration between the University and Chicago campuses.

Shuttle service connects UI, Chicago campuses

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • September 16, 2019
The interior of the Espresso Royale in Urbana is pictured on May 6. Espresso Royale recently changed the lids on their drinks to be more eco-friendly by making them straw-less.

Campus coffee shops go green

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • September 12, 2019
University offers adjustment to MAP grant award letters

University offers adjustment to MAP grant award letters

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • August 26, 2019
Students in the basement of the Illini Union on Tuesday. In light of recent concerns about security of internet-connected devices, the state of Illinois has passed new legislation banning manufacturers from collecting audio without consumers’ consent. This new bill will calm the public’s fear of invasion of privacy.

Illinois bill to improve privacy on Internet devices

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • April 22, 2019
New technology patches are placed on a baby’s skin to monitor those who are premature or have medical conditions. These devices will allow parents to have physical contact with their babies.

New technology patch helps babies with medical conditions

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • April 18, 2019

MTD app allows requests for SafeRides

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • April 11, 2019
The English department’s advising office was open on Tuesday. The department recently hired a new adviser to help combat the faculty shortage.

English department deals with faculty shortage

By Luis Velazquez, Staff writer • April 4, 2019
Bins are used to divide different food types after students disposed food in the dinning halls. University researchers conducted their food waste study at Ikenberry and Pennsylvania Avenue dining halls.

UI professor examines dining hall food waste

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • March 28, 2019
On Friday, Stephen Sears, associate professor in FAA, points to a section of a map where his students worked on a long-term project for his class.

Landscape architecture earns national recognition

By Luis Velazquez, Staff writer • March 11, 2019
Students Wesley Blodig, Kyle Biedron and Bernard Chan play Super Smash Brothers Melee for the Nintendo Gamecube in the basement of the Illini Union on Oct. 5.

Tournament expected to smash

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • February 21, 2019
VeoRide bikes lay abandoned on the South Quad on Thursday. VeoRide management checks bikes daily to prevent weather damage.

VeoRide adapts to colder weather

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • February 4, 2019
Punxsutawney Phil is raised into the air on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to ancient German traditions, if the groundhog comes out of his hole and does not see his shadow, spring will come early.

Groundhog Day continues old traditions

By Luis Velazquez, Staff writer • January 31, 2019
Source: Bias Assessment and Response Team Annual Report

University offers bias report resource

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • January 24, 2019
Guilford College filed a lawsuit against Kirstjen Nielsen after her decision to change the visa policy. While the University did not sign, 65 other institutions joined in on an amicus brief.

UI opts out of visa policy petition

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • January 17, 2019
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

Survey finds surge in teen e-cigarette usage

By Luis Velazquez, Staff Writer • November 29, 2018
University graduate student Sean MacDonald watches for birds in Oahu, Hawaii. Different bird calls were recorded to attract birds to disperse seeds of plants.

Bird calls to save endangered plant species

By Luis Velazquez, Contributing Writer • November 12, 2018

Future business students visit UI

By Luis Velazquez, Contributing Writer • November 1, 2018

Research team incorporates patient experience in developing imaging scanner

By Luis Velazquez, Contributing Writer • October 17, 2018
ILLordle: Play now