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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
Medical marijuana legal in Illinois, illegal on campus

Medical marijuana legal in Illinois, illegal on campus

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Oct 29, 2018
Student-run food truck to dish out Chinese cuisine

Student-run food truck to dish out Chinese cuisine

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Sep 18, 2018
The State Farm Center is located at 1800 S. 1st St. in Champaign.

State Farm Center to host four diverse Broadway productions

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Sep 4, 2018

How to lose your roommate in 10 days

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Aug 22, 2018
A bartender serves drinks to people celebrating in KAM's on Unofficial on March 2. Assistant features editor Marissa explains official and unofficial University traditions students can choose to take part in.

University traditions explained

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Aug 15, 2018
Student Alyssa Pappas walks east on Springfield Avenue with Student Patrol officers Hannah McCullough and Zach Armstrong on Nov. 4. SafeWalks is a service mentioned by assistant Features editor Marissa to take advantage of while on campus.

Don’t let the party school reputation scare you

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Jul 17, 2018
Students coming out to enjoy Quad Day on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016.

Best ways to meet people within your first two weeks

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • May 20, 2018
Experimental treatment cures University cancer patient

Experimental treatment cures University cancer patient

By Marissa Plescia, Assistant Features Editor • Mar 28, 2018
Jackie Walk and her athlete Emmerson Hjort at the Regional bowling competition.

Special Olympics Illinois sports director, Jackie Walk, makes things possible

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Mar 19, 2018
Professor Brian Gaines running over the finish line at the Fin del Mundo Marathon in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, about a week after the Antarctica marathon, in 2005.

Political science professor, Brian Gaines, completes 13 marathons

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Mar 5, 2018
Amy Myers, manager at 51 Main venue in Champaign, has been in the drag business for 25 years as a male impersonator. Myers started as a drag king at Chester Street Bar; Myers is improving 51 Main's drag scene after Chester Street's closing.

51 Main bar manager, Amy Myers, shares drag show past

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Feb 22, 2018
Patrick Li

Marquise Linnear overcomes difficult past to reach success

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Feb 15, 2018
Dustin Frye sits on the edge of a construction crane 150 feet in the air. The crane was located above the midtown apartment building just north of Green Street.

Recreational climber Dusty Frye pushes himself with high feats

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Feb 1, 2018
Grant Richardson, senior in LAS, has traveled to about 15 countries including Kenya, China, and South Africa. In Kenya, he did enterprise development and worked in a children's home. After graduation, he will be teaching elementary school kids in Houston through Teach for America.

Student aids impoverished countries through University programs

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Jan 22, 2018
Whitney Setterdahl sits with her donations to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Last year, Setterdahl raised over $3000 dollars for her charity Stockings for Strength.

Student supports teens battling cancer through Stockings for Strength

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Dec 13, 2017
Attendees dance at the Athletic department's 2017 Winter Ball. The Winter Ball is held to support the Tom Jones Challenger League.

Winter Ball supports Tom Jones Challenger League at ARC

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Dec 4, 2017
Rebecca Ginsburg works with the Education Justice Project located at the YMCA. Here, she poses in front of the University YMCA.

Education Justice Project provides incarcerated with pathway to success

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Nov 29, 2017
'Wizard of Paws' at Curtis Orchard gives animals second chance

‘Wizard of Paws’ at Curtis Orchard gives animals second chance

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Oct 30, 2017
Alexandra Diamond performs in the Chicago Extravangza drag show at 51 Main on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Drag shows move to 51 Main following C-Street closing

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Oct 17, 2017
Elise Utley (orange) and her friends participate in the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk at the Champaign County Fair Grounds on Saturday, October 7.

Buddy Walk brings Down syndrome awareness to community

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Oct 9, 2017
Mary Kaylle Idor (left) and Anahi Diaz (right) work at the counter of Super Paris Crepe. The shop is located at 601 S. Sixth St. in Champaign.

Paris Super Crepe, Asian-style ice cream and crepe store, opens Monday

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Sep 13, 2017
Sarah Fischer The Daily Illini The Farmer Market outside the Illini Union displays its produce for all the Quad to see on Thursday, May 23, 2013.

CU celebrates recognition as ‘Greatest Midwest Food Town’

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Sep 6, 2017
Students, faculty speak out about University life as a triple major

Students, faculty speak out about University life as a triple major

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Aug 28, 2017
Country music singer Alan Jackson performs at State Farm Center on Saturday.

Country singer Alan Jackson returns to State Farm Center

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Aug 28, 2017
The Independent Media Center in Urbana is hosting the Sharing Memories: The Mirror art exhibit. Highlighting the struggle of immigration within the Latino community,the exhibit will run through April 16.

‘Sharing Memories: The Mirror’ exhibit opens community to Latino culture

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Apr 12, 2017

Baby goats warm community hearts

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Apr 2, 2017
Protestors march in response to President Trump’s first travel ban in front of Willard Airport on Jan. 29. Students without citizenship face detrimental consequences because of the ban.

Students struggle for citizenship after immigration

By Marissa Plescia, Staff Writer • Mar 15, 2017
Students wait outside Co. Daniels, a popular bar at the time, on Unofficial, March 5th, 2004.

Students reflect on 21 years of Unofficial

By Marissa Plescia, Staff Writer • Mar 2, 2017
Students perform at last year's Cotton Club variety show. The Central Black Student Union hosts the variety show and fashion show, which focuses on black student talent, including a featured clothing line.

Variety show, fashion show pay tribute to black culture

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Feb 16, 2017
Students chat with each other in Asian American Cultural Center, one of many cultural and resource centers offered by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations.

I-Connect encourages inclusive campus

By Marissa Plescia, Staff writer • Feb 1, 2017
Ellie Gallo, student teacher at the Carrie Busey Elementary School in Savoy (part of Champaign school district), sits with kids during class.

Student teachers skip last semester on campus

By Marissa Plescia, Staff Writer • Nov 16, 2016
Cody McClintock, President of the Falling Illini, skydives at the Illinois Skydiving Center.

Falling Illini, an RSO at new heights

By Marissa Plescia, Staff Writer • Nov 2, 2016
Lucas Anderson, a Specialist in Education and part of The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, presented Make 'em laugh, a workshop on the usage of humor in classrooms on Monday, October 17th 2016.

Bringing humor to the classroom is no laughing matter

By Marissa Plescia, Contributing Writer • Oct 19, 2016
Vegetarian Awareness Month highlights health

Vegetarian Awareness Month highlights health

By Marissa Plescia, Contributing Writer • Oct 5, 2016