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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
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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
Advertisement
Freshman Matthew Vu Nguyen at the men's gymnastics Senior Day meet on March 8. Illinois lost the meet to Penn State 312.550-321.750.

[Photo] Season in retrospect

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • March 25, 2025
Freshman Chloe Cho waves to the crowd after being announced the winner of the floor exercise during a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9.

[Photo] Cho solidifies place in history books

By Evy York, Staff Writer • March 25, 2025
Freshman Chloe Cho transitions between bars during a meet against Missouri Sunday. Illinois lost the second meet of Alumni Weekend 197.200-196.675.

[Photo] Illinois gets back on track with victory at home

By Evy York, Staff Writer • March 21, 2025
Skeuomorphics club president Aaron Mukhopadhyay, a senior in LAS, shows off his inky hands after using the Skeuomorph Press on March 6. The club holds meetings at the Skeumorph Press in the Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab.

[Photo] Skeuomorph Press: The artistic haven reviving print media 

By Edgar Nava, Staff Writer • March 14, 2025
Students practice pull-up exercises at the UIUC Calisthenics Club meeting on March 1. The club meets in the ARC weekly for group workouts that accomodate members of all skill and strength levels.

[Photo] UIUC Calisthenics pulls its weight in fitness, community-building

By Maidely Davila, Staff Writer • March 13, 2025
Senior Emmalise Nock performs her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois upset Ohio State with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

[Photo] There’s no ‘I’ in team

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • March 15, 2025
Assistant coach Connor McCool speaks to freshman Matthew Vu Nguyen before he competes on the parallel bars at a meet on March 1. Illinois won the meet against Army and Greenville with a final score of 316.700.

[Photo] Opinion | What to keep, improve

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • March 12, 2025
A set table and menu is prepared for a company dinner at Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano on March 3. Its menu features classic Italian dishes and desserts.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Fine Dining: Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

By Sahil Mittal, Senior Sports Reporter • March 6, 2025
Students talk to members of Illini Waterski during Quad Day on Aug. 25.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Place to Meet People: Registered Student Organizations

By Reyanna Paul, Senior News Reporter • March 6, 2025
Mia Za's employees on E Green St. prepare food and speak with customers on Mar. 1.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Italian Food: Mia Za’s Cafe

By Sonya Luebbers, Slotter • March 6, 2025
The fountain at Alice Campbell Alumni center is dyed orange for Homecomeing Kickoff on Oct. 8.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Fountain: Alice Campbell Alumni Center Fountain

By Edgar Nava, Staff Writer • March 6, 2025
The chicken bacon ranch sandwich and Valentine's Day-themed beverage from Good Judy's Espresso & Bagel Bar at 2740 S. Philo Road in Urbana Feb. 12. The café serves Columbia Street Roastery coffee and other hot drinks as well as house-made bagels and bagel sandwiches.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best New Business: Good Judys Espresso & Bagel Bar

By Eleanor Henricksen, Senior Copy Editor • March 6, 2025
Artist Luke Caparoon tattoos a client's neck Feb. 21 at No Regrets Tattoos and Body Piercing in downtown Champaign. No Regrets is home to several local artists and piercers with unique styles and various levels of experience.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Piercing Shop: No Regrets Tattoos & Body Piercing

By Jude Panlilio, Staff Writer • March 6, 2025
Connor McCool, assistant coach of the Illinois men’s gymnastics team, throws up his hands to egg on the cheering crowd after fifth-year Will Hauke sticks his dismount on the parallel bars on March 1. Illinois won the meet against Army and Greenville with a final score of 316.700.

[Photo] A sport of improvement, injuries, interest, innovation

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • March 4, 2025
Matt Stines, owner of No Regrets Tattoos and Body Piercings, tattoos a realistic portrait of Jesus on a client's forearm Feb. 21. No Regrets is home to several local artists and piercers with unique styles and various levels of experience.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Tattoo Shop: No Regrets Tattoos & Body Piercing

By Jude Panlilio, Staff Writer • March 6, 2025
Associate head coach Josh Nilson talks to the women’s gymnastics team after the second rotation of a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9.

[Photo] Opinion | What Illinois can improve after B1G Four 

By Evy York, Staff Writer • March 4, 2025
The Bread Company's grilled turkey sandwich with pesto, gruyere, tomato and onion on Feb. 19.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Sandwich: The Bread Company

By Alexa Lis, Slotter • March 6, 2025
Customers look through The Original Pancake House's menu on the morning of March 3.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Breakfast Place: The Original Pancake House

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 6, 2025
Two customers look at the menu at The Bread Company in Urbana on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. The restaurant is known for its fresh-baked bread and cozy, rustic vibes.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Date Spot: The Bread Company

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • March 6, 2025
A map marking Roland Realty's properties with pins hangs on the wall in a Roland office on Friday, Feb. 28.

[Photo] Best of CU ’25 | Best Leasing Company: Roland Realty

By Rachel Bui, Copy Editor • March 6, 2025
Freshman Chloe Cho hands candy to a young fan after her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois upset Ohio with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

[Photo] 4 big considerations for Big Four meet

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • March 1, 2025
Marcey Goldstein dances at the silent disco hosted by Hush Entertainment at The Canopy Club Thursday night. Attendees could choose from three channels all night, each playing different genres, including EDM, Latin, Afrobeats and R&B.

[Photo] Silence speaks volumes at ‘Hush University’

By Nina Issel, Staff Writer • February 22, 2025
Sophomore Olivia Coppola hugs head coach Nadalie Walsh after her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois pulled the upset with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

[Photo] Breaking down scoring after Senior Day

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • February 24, 2025
Fifth-year Amelia Knight joins in a huddle during a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9. Illinois lost the second meet of Alumni Weekend 197.200-196.675.

[Photo] No. 21 Illinois gymnastics spotlights mental health ahead of Senior Day

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • February 22, 2025
Senior Ruthuja Nataraj celebrates with head coach Nadalie Walsh after her beam routine during a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9. Illinois lost the second meet of Alumni Weekend 197.200-196.675.

[Photo] No. 21 women’s gymnastics moves up the ranks

By Evy York, Staff Writer • February 18, 2025
Freshman Chloe Cho celebrates with head coach Nadalie Walsh after her beam routine during a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9. Illinois lost the second meet of Alumni Weekend 197.200-196.675.

[Photo] Key matchups at Zou to the Lou this weekend

By Evy York, Staff Writer • February 14, 2025
Freshman Chloe Cho performs her floor routine during a meet against Missouri on Feb. 9. Cho won the event with a score of 9.950.

[Photo] Key moments from Illinois’ double-meet weekend

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer • February 11, 2025
Misty Martin and Tyren Ollie play Faye and Reggie in “Skeleton Crew” at The Station Theatre in Urbana.

[Photo] ‘Skeleton Crew’ brings passion, dedication to The Station Theatre

By Mariana Quezada, Senior buzz Reporter • February 8, 2025
Justin Michael Hendrix speaks at protest for transgender rights in downtown Champaign on Saturday. Hendrix is the founder of community organization HITNHOMEBOY, which focuses on providing resources to marginalized communities in Champaign-Urbana.

[Photo] Community protest for trans rights, opposition to new federal administration

By Patrick Herr, Staff Writer • February 3, 2025
Learning about sexual health and various types of contraceptives is part of a typical comprehensive sex education curriculum.

[Photo] Future educators discuss lack of sex education requirement in Illinois schools

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • January 30, 2025
A collection of sexual health products , most of which can be found at various locations across campus.

[Photo] Navigating campus resources: Where to find support, services

By Maaike Niekerk, Arts & Entertainment Editor • February 1, 2025
A bingo card for Dildo Bingo, the annual event hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center. The game highlights LGBTQ history and terminology.

[Photo] GSRC hosts annual Dildo Bingo

By Kayla Constabileo, Contributing Writer • February 1, 2025
Guests received souvenir cups with their special pineapple-themed drinks Saturday at Esquire Lounge's third annual Pineapplefest 2025.

[Photo] Pineapplefest draws crowds of tropical fruit lovers 

By Giuliana Means, Staff Writer • January 26, 2025
Dylan Cockrum, a building service worker at University Laboratory High School for six years, sits on a sign on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Green Street outside ISR on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, the fourth day of the Service Employees International Union strike.

[Photo] Weeklong SEIU strike upends UI housing

By Alice Mei and Jude Panlilio • October 19, 2024
Young Democratic Socialists of America hold a demonstration protesting the university's new speech policies Wednesday. The demonstration highlighted rules restricting the volume of protests and the height of structures.

[Photo] YDSA holds silent protest on Main Quad, promotes free speech

By Anna Ceja, Staff Writer • November 21, 2024
Community members work and view the “This is What Democracy Looks Like” art installation in the University YMCA on Friday. The installation features painted banners, picket signs, posters and opportunities for community members to make their own artwork encouraging voter participation.

[Photo] ‘This is What Democracy Looks Like’ exhibit highlights power of activist art

By Kathya Grau, Contributing Writer • November 8, 2024
Community members work and view the “This is What Democracy Looks Like” art installation in the University YMCA on Friday. The installation features painted banners, picket signs, posters and opportunities for community members to make their own artwork encouraging voter participation.

[Photo] Democracy Summit talks free speech on campus

By Alice Mei, Staff Writer • November 3, 2024
The Social Justice Initiative speaks to students at the block party hosted by Illini Vote at Anniversary Plaza on Tuesday. Both students and community members can vote early in-person at the Illini Union.

[Photo] Block party on Main Quad promotes voting registration

By Zach Shapero, Contributing Writer • October 30, 2024
A stack of five magical realism books sit on a table in the Main Library on Sept. 6.

[Photo] 13 spooky reads for your Halloween reading list

By Magdalena Neff, Staff Writer • October 23, 2024
Daniel Fallah from Iran, Joseph Saoud from Lebanon and Eddie Winner from Israel, all graduate students in the College of Law, sit and talk about their experience as international students with families in the Middle East. The three met on campus and remain close friends despite ongoing international conflict involving their home countries.

[Photo] ‘We’re not supposed to like each other’: 3 law students find unlikely friendship

By Mary Piacente, News Editor • October 31, 2024
Hotel Royer Urbana at 210 S. Race St. in downtown Urbana is still under construction as of Wednesday, Oct. 16. The original Urbana-Lincoln Hotel was completed in 1924, and the building was bought and renovated several times before Icon Hospitality LLC purchased it in 2020 with plans to re-open as Hotel Royer.

[Photo] Hotel Royer renovations expected to conclude by end of 2024

By David Flores, Staff Writer • October 22, 2024
Illini Chabad holds a demonstration at Anniversary Plaza on Monday including structures such as milk cartons depicting photos of American hostages captured by Hamas and several large art installations.

[Photo] Hillel, Chabad partner with Milk Carton Project

By Mary Piacente and Jessie Wang • October 16, 2024
The Morrow Plots on Oct 1. Established in 1876, they have been a place of agricultural research at the University of Illinois for over 100 years. ACES alumni Stuart Levenick recently donated $10 million to build a new science center focused on creating a more sustainable, circular bioeconomy within the agricultural industry.

[Photo] UI alum donates $10 million for new science center

By Naveed Ahmed, Staff Writer • October 15, 2024
Champaign County Deputy Treasurer DeShawn Williams sings alongside New Souls, an R&B, soul, and hip-hop band, on stage at 40 North's Fall Fusion Festival in Downtown Urbana on Saturday. Williams is currently running for mayor of the city of Urbana as a Democrat, and will run against Annie Feldmeier Adams in the February primary.

[Photo] Annual Fall Fusion Festival celebrates Urbana art community

By Jahzara Norris, Staff Writer • October 7, 2024
The Courier Cafe's banana walnut pancakes and hot chocolate. This historic fixture of downtown Urbana serves breakfast all day.

[Photo] Review | Courier Cafe provides cozy brunch for fall

By Kristina Muharremaj, Staff Writer • September 26, 2024
Chicago native and rapper CupcakKe performs on The Canopy Club's main stage for the 2024 Pygmalion festival Saturday night. Her set opened with some of her most viral hits, inlcuding "CPR" and "Squidward Nose."

[Photo] CupcakKe brings the freak to Pygmalion day 3

By Annisyn Krebs-Carr, Senior buzz Reporter • September 23, 2024
Otis Pavlovic, lead singer of Australian alternative band Royel Otis, performs with the band during the 2024 Pygmalion festival at The Canopy Club on Friday.

[Photo] Royel Otis jumpstarts Pygmalion main stage

By Bella Schott, Staff Writer • September 21, 2024
A Quad Day attendee drinks from the water station on the Main Quad to stay hydrated in the extreme heat.

[Photo] Why C-U is feeling the heat this September

By David Flores, Staff Writer • September 19, 2024
An employee bags loose-leaf tea inside Walnut Street Tea Company's location at 2510 Village Green Place in Champaign. The store sells tea, coffee and mugs, and it serves drinks in the café and drive-thru.

[Photo] Walnut Street Tea Company offers tea-licious experience

By Felicity Abbott, Staff Writer • September 11, 2024
Five magical realism books sit on a table in the Main Library.

[Photo] Day1Access is another way to squeeze money out of you

By Sanchita Teeka • September 12, 2024
Champaign police officers pay their respects to lives lost by first responders on 9/11 at the Champaign Fire Department's annual 9/11 memorial at West Side Park in Champaign, Ill. on Sept. 11.

[Photo] Champaign Fire Department remembers 9/11 with public memorial

By Jude Panlilio, Staff Writer • September 11, 2024