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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
Michael Bales

Michael Bales, Staff Writer

Demolition work continues around the former Uniplace Christian Church in Champaign on Oct. 1. The church and connected apartment building were built in 1934, and the complex was sold over the summer to be redeveloped as apartments.

UniPlace exemplifies campus church struggles amid destruction

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Oct 22, 2025
The Bollywood dance team, Fizaa, practices in the ARC on Sunday, Sept. 21, for upcoming showcases and performances. They break down their dance moves, practicing the hands and legs separately, and seamlessly build them together.

Competition, camaraderie thrive in Bollywood Fusion scene

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Oct 3, 2025

UI Arabic debate team graces New York stage at nationals

By Michael Bales, Senior Copy Editor • Oct 25, 2024
The apartment complex at 310 S. First St. owned by the University Group. The University Group owns over 150 properties in the C-U area.

Students take action against withheld security deposits 

By Michael Bales, Senior Copy Editor • Oct 10, 2024
Students dine in the Illinois Street Residence dining hall for breakfast on Sunday morning, March 24.

Admission uncertainties create student housing shortage

By Michael Bales, Senior Copy Editor • Aug 14, 2024
Courtesy of Genius.

Review | Zach Bryan retains authenticity amid popularity on new album

By Michael Bales, Senior Copy Editor • Jul 8, 2024
Assistant Professor Augustus Wood from the School of Labor & Employment Relations speaks to students in the encampment on the morning of Wed. May 1.

UI professor details risks faculty run while supporting student protest

By Michael Bales, Senior Copy Editor • May 1, 2024
A banner with "Gaza will be free" written on it hangs at the north side of the encampment during the day on Friday.

Chancellor Jones addresses temporary resolution to Illini Union encampment

By Aidan Miller-Hisgen, Michael Bales and Athena Ly • Apr 26, 2024
An attendee is taken into custody by UIPD during a Palestine encampment in front of Alma Mater on Friday morning.

Live coverage: Students supporting Palestine hold encampment at Alma Mater

By The Daily Illini News Staff • Apr 26, 2024
Monica Lewinsky speaks at TED2015 on March 19, 2015 in Vancouver, Canada.

Monica Lewinsky shares experience, advocates against cyberbullying at Union

By Jessie Wang and Michael Bales • Apr 9, 2024
The T. rex burger with extra mushrooms from Jurassic Grill, a campus-favorite spot for late-night munchies and drunk eats, located accessibly on Green Street.

Best of CU | Best Burger: Jurassic Grill

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Mar 28, 2024
Students take pictures with the Alma Mater after Illinois wins the Big 10 Championship Tournament on Mar. 17.

Students react to Illinois’ first-round NCAA tournament win

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Mar 23, 2024
Bunny’s Tavern catches fire

Bunny’s Tavern catches fire

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Mar 11, 2024
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located on South Goodwin Avenue and Hazelwood Drive.

College of Veterinary Medicine sends acceptance letters to wrong students

By Jessie Wang and Michael Bales • Feb 28, 2024
Flyer for the Spring 2024 Student Elections placed near Illini Union

A guide to ISC president, vice president tickets

By Michael Bales and Ashwin Padmanabhan • Feb 27, 2024
Courtesy of Genius.

Review | For better or worse, Yeat stands alone in ‘2093’

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Feb 20, 2024
Attendees march on John Street on Saturday.

‘Hands Off Rafah’: Students, community members hold emergency protest amid war in Palestine 

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Feb 18, 2024
Proposed act would eliminate subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois

Proposed act would eliminate subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Feb 10, 2024
Illinois Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid talks pro-Palestine protesting

Illinois Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid talks pro-Palestine protesting

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Feb 4, 2024
Illinois anti-book-ban law takes effect in 2024

Illinois anti-book-ban law takes effect in 2024

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Dec 27, 2023
Mickey Mouse in 1928 cartoon short "Steamboat Willie." The original Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain at the beginning of next year.

Original Mickey Mouse enters public domain in 2024

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Dec 19, 2023
Om Badiyani presenting during the TEDxUIUC event at Illini Union on Tuesday.

TEDxUIUC platforms student voices at Crossroads salon

By Michael Bales and Sonpari Singh • Dec 7, 2023

Part of Kirby Avenue to close temporarily

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Dec 5, 2023
Thanksgiving weekend shooting under investigation in Champaign

Thanksgiving weekend shooting under investigation in Champaign

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Nov 28, 2023
UPD responds to shooting near Urbana schools

UPD responds to shooting near Urbana schools

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Nov 20, 2023
Firefighters with the Champaign Police Department attempt to put out the flames at a building on the corner of First and Clark streets.

UPDATED: Fire at intersection of First, Clark streets

By Lisa Chasanov, Ella Narag and Michael Bales • Nov 7, 2023
Altercation escalates to shooting at Third, Green streets

Altercation escalates to shooting at Third, Green streets

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Oct 29, 2023
Andy Madadian, Persian-Armenian pop singer in a Nowruz concert at Oberhausen Arena, Germany on Mar. 22, 2014.

Iranian American artist Andy to perform at Foellinger Auditorium

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Oct 24, 2023
Chancellor Jones speaks at the university YMCA during its anniversary celebration on Sunday.

Chancellor Jones talks opportunity, inclusivity at YMCAʼs 150th anniversary

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Sep 29, 2023
Starmer introduces his tips on having a successful career and why he does not fear losing his role as an educator to AI on Sept. 21.

Reflections | Projections connects students to world of tech

By Michael Bales, Assistant News Editor • Sep 24, 2023
UI student reports aggravated assault

UI student reports aggravated assault

By Michael Bales and Abraham Chavez • Sep 18, 2023
Legacy 202, a luxury apartment complex on the corner of Second and Daniel streets, stands tall on an overcast day. The complex also includes the new house of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Legacy202 ushers in new look for Greek life

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Sep 14, 2023
Kaytraminé album cover

Column | ‘Kaytraminé’ ushers in summer with new project

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Jun 5, 2023
Mckinley Health Center on S Lincoln Ave

What is the McKinley Health Center and why should I care?

By Ella Narag and Michael Bales • May 26, 2023

Illinois success: Where students go after graduation

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Apr 27, 2023
Charlie Anderson, freshman at Parkland College, pulls up a turtleneck in front of a mural off of South Fifth Street.

Uncut: Dissecting circumcision

By Lisa Chasanov and Michael Bales • Apr 24, 2023
John Coleman appointed Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

John Coleman appointed Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

By Aidan Sadovi, Lisa Chasanov, Michael Bales and Liam Mathews • Apr 20, 2023

Sunday, 3 p.m.

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Apr 16, 2023
Illinois House passes bill to ban Styrofoam in restaurants

Illinois House passes bill to ban Styrofoam in restaurants

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Apr 9, 2023
DOJ weighs in on transgender health care case

DOJ weighs in on transgender health care case

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Apr 3, 2023

4-day workweek reintroduced in Congress

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Mar 25, 2023
UPDATED: Denver school shooting: Suspect found dead

UPDATED: Denver school shooting: Suspect found dead

By Aidan Sadovi, Liam Mathews, Lisa Chasanov, Michael Bales and Lika Lezhava • Mar 22, 2023
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Building is located on the North Quad off of Wright Street. The building is now the Uniiversity's first net zero energy building on campus, meaning it uses no more energy than it produces via its own methods, such as the solar panels located on the roof.

ECEB reaches net-zero energy status

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Feb 28, 2023
View of a bed bug nymph ingesting blood from a voluntary human host. Bedbugs are not a massive concern for the CU community but precautions should still be held.

Orkin labels Champaign 11th-worst ‘Bed Bug City’ in nation

By Michael Bales, Staff writer • Feb 21, 2023
2022 sees drop in Black student enrollment

2022 sees drop in Black student enrollment

By Michael Bales and Aidan Sadovi • Jan 30, 2023
At Gather Illinois, an apartment complex located off of North Lincoln Avenue in Urbana, lights can be seen on at night. Due to recent events, electricity prices for Urbana residents has increased drastically to approximately three times the price of the last two years.

Urbana residential energy rates triple

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Jan 24, 2023
Eesha Barua, sophomore in Engineering, pictured in a Santa hat, prepares a product demonstration from 7000 Languages at the Fall 2022 Hack4Impact UIUC Product Showcase.

Hack4Impact students reflect on their semester nonprofit projects

By Michael Bales, Staff Writer • Jan 3, 2023
Alma Mater wrapped with a banner protesting the Iranian regime during the rally on Nov. 30.

Students rally to support protests in Iran

By Michael Bales, Contributing Writer • Dec 1, 2022
Guaranteed Income Project to start in C-U

Guaranteed Income Project to start in C-U

By Michael Bales, Contributing Writer • Nov 15, 2022