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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

Willie Cui

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 • April 26, 2024
Best Asian Cuisine: Bangkok Thai

Best Asian Cuisine: Bangkok Thai

By Willie Cui, News Editor • November 5, 2022
UI researchers use machine learning techniques to improve students’ learning

UI researchers use machine learning techniques to improve students’ learning

By Willie Cui, News Editor • October 6, 2022
University of Illinois police head to the Dance Studio, located on Nevada Street, to a reported fire on Sunday.

Fire reported at UI Dance Studio

By Willie Cui, News Editor • September 25, 2022
Lieutenant Joseph McCullough investigates a traffic violation on Friday, Sep. 23 2016.

UI student assaulted near Fifth and Daniel streets

By Willie Cui, News Editor • September 18, 2022
A health care worker handles a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Feb. 2021.

CUPHD expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shot

By Willie Cui, News Editor • September 12, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss, during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, on Tuesday. The Queen was pronounced dead today according to the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96

By Heather Robinson, Matt Novelli and Willie Cui • September 8, 2022
The suspect rides a bike near Wright Street on Monday.

UI student assaulted, robbed near Wright, Springfield streets

By Willie Cui, News Editor • September 5, 2022
Police surround the 200 block of E. Green St. after shots were fired.

Two wounded in shooting on Third Street

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 27, 2022
The Marching Illini perform on the steps of Foellinger Auditorium during Quad Day on Sunday. The band has announced that they will be performing on the stands of Memorial Stadium rather than on the field during the football game against Wyoming.

Marching Illini cancels football-field performance

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 26, 2022
Scott Currid, member of the Service Employees International Union Local 73, holds a flyers during the SEIU protest in front of the Ikenberry Commons on April 29.

UI service workers reach tentative agreement with UI

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 23, 2022
Service Employees International Union Local 73 protest outside of Illini Union on Thursday for better wages and treatment. SEIU plans ahead with a 15-day strike in the events that an agreement between the union and the University are not met during their upcoming final negotiations on Friday.

UI service workers union holds protest over wage increases, prepares to send strike notice

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 19, 2022
A graph showing the relationship between RSO categories on the Involved@Illinois website. Each blue circle represents a category that RSOs are listed under on the Involved@Illinois website. The size of each circle is proportional to the number of RSOs listed in the corresponding category. Each orange line connects with two blue circles and represents RSOs that are listed under both categories of the connected circles. The thickness of each line is proportional to the number of RSOs that are listed under both categories.

What kinds of student organizations are at UI?

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 18, 2022
A 120W Teal MTD bus arrives at the Pennsylvania Avenue Residence Hall on April 10, 2021. MTD has announced changes to bus routes 22/220 Illini, 12 Teal, 13/130 Silver and the 10 Gold as the beginning of the school year approaches.

Planned changes to MTD bus routes take effect

By Willie Cui, News Editor • August 15, 2022
Former Provost Cangellaris speaks during Terrell Jermaine visit to campus for a Q&A on the war in Ukraine on April 19.

UI starts search for new provost, considers nominees for search committee

By Willie Cui, News Editor • July 31, 2022
An emergency telephone stands by Talbot Laboratory. The phones are located all over campus and are one way the University provides safety for students.

Tips, resources for staying safe in C-U

By Willie Cui, News Editor • July 27, 2022
A SHIELD worker hands over an empty tube for COVID-19 testing at the State Farm Center on Oct. 9, 2020.

UI will not check COVID-19 building access or require face masks for fall semester

By Willie Cui, News Editor • July 26, 2022
View of East Green Street as police pursue the shooting that took place on Friday. Matthew Denbo who is in custody for the shooting and death of Joshua Berg requests a trial by jury while pleading not guilty towards four counts of first degree murder set against him.

Urbana man charged with murder in connection with Campustown shooting

By Willie Cui, News Editor • July 18, 2022
Police line the 200 block of Green Street after a shooting.

One dead, one in custody following Friday night Green Street shooting

By Faith Allendorf, Willie Cui and Matt Novelli • July 15, 2022
A health care worker prepares to administer a vaccine to a person for the prevention of monkeypox on Tuesday in Wilton Manors, FL. The CUPHD announced a case of monkeypox from an adult male resident on Tuesday.

Champaign County records first likely case of monkeypox

By Willie Cui, News Editor • July 12, 2022
Scene of hit and run traffic accident at Mount Hope Cemetery. On Sunday a hit and run incident outside of Joe's Brewery resulted in the victim being hospitalized and the offender abandoning his vehicle at Mount hope Cemetery after the incident in which he now faces jail time up to 22 years.

Savoy man arrested, charged in connection with Campustown hit-and-run

By Willie Cui, News Editor • June 30, 2022
A University police car patrols the streets on Sept. 29, 2020. An off-duty UI police officer has been charged with official misconduct on Monday in trying to obtain a personal advantage in pretending to be an undercover cop.

UI police officer fired, charged with official misconduct

By Willie Cui, News Editor • June 22, 2022
The Japan House, located in the University's Arboretum, has suffered vandalism damages regarding shattered glass from a rock on May 31.

Japan House, UIPD seek information about vandalism incident

By Willie Cui, News Editor • June 13, 2022
The Students for Justice in Palestine protest outside of the Hillel on April 18. A UI graduate has been charged with committing a hate crime for allegedly throwing a rock at students on the patio of the Hillel during the protest.

Recent UI graduate charged with hate crime against Jewish students

By Willie Cui, News Editor • June 10, 2022
A message from the Compass homepage announcing the site officially offline on Wednesday.

[Photo] The final countdown: Compass site meets ultimate end 

By Faith Allendorf, Interim Summer Editor in Chief • June 1, 2022
Members of the Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union strike outside of the Ikenberry Commons on April 29. More than 50% of the Local 73 group has voted to approve a strike authorization due to no progression being made with negotiations with the University.

UI service workers’ union votes to authorize strike over stalled contract negotiations

By Willie Cui, News Editor • May 24, 2022
The Alma Mater statue is seen wearing the University's graduation cap, gown and regalia in time for the Class of 2022's Commencement on Saturday. The recent graduates look back on their college experience when it comes to the pandemic and slow return to normalcy before graduation.

2022 graduates receive diplomas, reflect on pandemic college experience

By Willie Cui, News Editor • May 17, 2022
Stephanie Slife holds a sign saying "Bans off our bodies" at a protest in front of the Champaign County Courthouse on Tuesday. The protest was held in support of reproductive rights and abortion access following the leaked draft from the Supreme Court.

Protesters demonstrate for abortion rights in front of courthouse

By Sydney Laput and Willie Cui • May 5, 2022
Sara Hijab and D'Meneca Turner-Winston, freshmen from Parkland College, listen to the speakers speaking in front of the Swanlund Administration Building on Monday. The march, organized by the Students of Justice in Palestine, was in response to Israeli police raiding the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday.

Protesters march across campus in support of Palestine

By Lika Lezhava and Willie Cui • April 18, 2022
Joshua Hollingsead holds a sign, "Fair contract now," during the protest outside of the Illini Union on Wednesday. The protest was organized by AFSCME Local 3700 demanding back pay and wage increase from the University.

UI clerical workers protest for back pay, wage increases

By Matt Novelli, Lika Lezhava and Willie Cui • April 14, 2022
People gather around as others light up candles formed in the shape of the Ukrainian coat of arms on Thursday. The Ukrainian Student Association held the vigil to remember those who have passed due to the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian students host vigil for victims of Russian invasion

By Willie Cui, News Editor • April 10, 2022
University police patrolling Green and Wright Street on Aug. 8, 2020. The robbery that was reported on Thursday was announced that it did not take place.

UI student arrested for filing false police report

By Lilli Bresnahan and Willie Cui • April 8, 2022
Bernard Schoenburg worked for The Daily Illini and specialized in investigative reporting, and since his time at Illini Media he worked for The Pantagraph.

Daily Illini alum Bernard Schoenburg recounts career in journalism

By Willie Cui, News Editor • April 8, 2022
The Champaign Federation of Teachers has ratified the tentative agreement that was made with the Champaign Unit 4 School District.

Champaign teachers’ union ratifies agreement with Unit 4

By Willie Cui, News Editor • April 7, 2022
Students were notified of an assault around 308 East Armory building on March 29. The offender claimed to be a maintenance worker and proceeded to enter the building, touching the student’s leg without consent.

UI student battered in apartment by man posing as maintenance worker

By Willie Cui and Lilli Bresnahan • April 5, 2022
With the recent racist flyers seen around campus on Thursday, the Illini Hillel will be implementing extra security. This instance has happened twice this year.

Racist flyers found scattered across campus

By Willie Cui and Faith Allendorf • March 31, 2022
Bottenfield Elementary School is one of 12 elementary schools in the Champaign Unit 4 school district. The Champaign Federation of Teachers and district have reached an agreement after the 10-day strike.

Champaign teachers’ union reach ‘tentative agreement,’ avert strike

By Willie Cui, News Editor • March 31, 2022
Ryan Reeder looks at his Covid-19 PCR test at the ARC on Feb. 1, 2021. The University has announced new guidelines for those that are unvaccinated on Monday.

University updates COVID-19 testing requirements

By Ashley Gilbert and Willie Cui • March 24, 2022
GEO members protest outside of the Swanlund Administration Building on Wednesday. The protest was in response to the University's policy on lifting mask mandate.

GEO protests UI’s COVID-19 rules

By Thomas DeMouy, Vivian La and Willie Cui • February 25, 2022
Snow piles on the Alma Mater statue on Feb. 2. The University has announced that classes after 2 p.m. will be remote.

UI moves classes online for Thursday afternoon due to snowstorm

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime Editor • February 17, 2022
GEO members strike outside Henry Administration building after not reaching an agreement with the University on Mar. 7, 2018. The organization gets pressured by University for making classes go remote.

GEO says they may face discipline for moving classes online

By Ashley Gilbert and Willie Cui • February 9, 2022
A sign and red flags are posted on the quad by GEO on Tuesday. Each red flags represents the amount of Covid-19 cases since Jan. 24.

Graduate employees plant red flags on Main Quad to protest UI’s COVID-19 response

By Ashley Gilbert and Willie Cui • February 2, 2022
Jinda Han, graduate student in Engineering, speaks on his early full-time offer to work at Apple.

UI student gets full-time offer from Apple years in advance 

By Weiyu Ding and Willie Cui • November 10, 2021
Ellie Guyette receives her first pediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday morning. Carle Health has begun to rollout COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11.

Carle Health begins COVID-19 vaccine rollout for children ages 5-11

By Weiyu Ding, Lilli Bresnahan and Willie Cui • November 9, 2021
Madhu Khanna, interim director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, speaks at a University held event in honor of Campus Sustainability Day at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications building on Wednesday. Speakers celebrated achievements on sustainability while reiterating their commitment to the Universities climate action plan.

UI celebrates sustainability achievements, reiterates commitment to climate action plan

By Ashley Gilbert and Willie Cui • October 25, 2021
A clinic worker fills a needle with a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 at the I-Hotel & Conference Center on Feb. 11. CUPHD has recently began offering COVID booster clinics.

CUPHD hosts more COVID-19 booster clinics, allows ‘mix and match dosing’ for shots

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime Editor • October 22, 2021
Student Ryan Reeder checks to see how much saliva he has in his COVID-19 test sample. Illinois faculty have recently expressed concern over perceived relaxed COVID-19 contact tracing protocols this year.

UI Senate rejects proposal to examine ‘in-house’ contact tracing for classrooms

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime Editor • October 20, 2021
Boxes of disposable straws sit in a cardboard box at the ARC Covid-19 testing center on Feb. 1. The university announces new testing guidance for unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff.

UI announces new testing guidance for unvaccinated students, faculty, staff

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime Editor • October 12, 2021
The University Library's plans to convert into a special collections facility have been postponed until next fall.

UI Library postpones UGL closure to next fall, plans to hold ‘town halls’ on conversion project

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • September 29, 2021
Members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization protest outside of the Henry Administration Building on Thursday morning. The group demands the University take responsibility for its teaching staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graduate employees protest UI’s lack of COVID-19 precautions

By Alex Chang and Willie Cui • September 24, 2021
A student at the University of Illinois tests during the COVID-19 pandemic last fall. Faculty at the University of Illinois are worried about the Delta variant being carried around campus.

Faculty express concern about classroom COVID-19 transmission despite UI assurances

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • September 15, 2021
Students gather around the Illinois Space Society RSO on the Bardeen Quad Sunday during E-Night, a Quad Day specifically for engineering students. About 70 different RSOs were present at this event.

E-Night brings together engineering clubs, students

By Vivian La and Willie Cui • August 31, 2021
A welcome celebration is held in Lot 31 after new student convocation at State Farm Center at the MTD Booth. Illinois welcomes new students with open arms.

UI welcomes class of 2025 into Illini family

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • August 24, 2021
Lieutenant Joseph McCullough investigates a traffic violation on Friday, Sep. 23 2016.

Gunfire reported in Campustown on Saturday

By Vivian La and Willie Cui • August 22, 2021

Check out these available study spaces

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • July 15, 2021
Two University police cars and multiple police officers survey campus streets on Sept. 29.

Top police reports from 2020-2021

By Vivian La and Willie Cui • May 10, 2021
Student Anirudh Nandella deposits his completed University COVID-19 test into a receptacle at the ARC on Feb. 1. Testing at the University allowed for a safe return to campus by effectively identifying and quarantining infected individuals.

UI’s COVID-19 testing program passes test of reopening campus

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • May 10, 2021
UI library to undergo long overdue renovations

UI library to undergo long overdue renovations

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • May 6, 2021
A row of bikes is lined up inside the Campus Bike Center on April 6. The University Facilities and Services teamed up with Champaign County Bikes to host a bicycle census on Wednesday.

UI hosts annual bicycle census

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • April 29, 2021
A concept drawing of the Main Library after renovation is shown above. University faculty is concerned for new construction at the Main Library due to disruptions caused by the pandemic

UI library renovations move forward despite faculty concerns

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • April 21, 2021
Candidates reflect on spring campus election

Candidates reflect on spring campus election

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime News Editor • April 15, 2021
Student Trustee candidate Mariama Mwilambwe poses for a professional headshot outside of the Illini Union. Mwiliambwe is one of several students running for the position.

Student trustee candidates seek to bridge gap between students and UI board

By Willie Cui, Assistant Daytime Editor • March 22, 2021
Enoma Egiebor and Nicole Arnold pose for a campaign photo.

ISG’s first COVID-era election begins

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • March 11, 2021
A University COVID-19 test site worker hands a student a funnel at the ARC testing site on Feb. 1. The UI saliva test has received FDA emergency authorization

UI saliva test gets FDA emergency authorization

By Chieh Hsu and Willie Cui • March 1, 2021
The Alma Mater statue stands on the corner of Green and Wright streets on a spring day. The Graduate College is expecting an increase of applicants with credit/no credit grades in their transcripts.

Graduate applicants face uncertainty over credit/no credit grades

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 25, 2021
An electrical tower holds wires high above the ground. The University of Illinois Facility and Services has asked residents to conserve energy as much as possible following heavy snowfall.

UI calls for maximum energy conservation amid winter storm

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 16, 2021
UI adopts “Pass COVID/No Pass COVID” grading for spring semester

UI adopts “Pass COVID/No Pass COVID” grading for spring semester

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 9, 2021
UI Senate to discuss revamped COVID-19 grade policy

UI Senate to discuss revamped COVID-19 grade policy

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 8, 2021
Linda Moorhouse, chair of the Education Policy committee, discusses the day's agenda. On Monday, the Senate Executive Committee voted to send the "Pass COVID/No Pass COVID" proposal to the UI Senate's meeting next Monday.

UI Senate to consider more lenient “Pass COVID/No Pass COVID” grading for spring semester

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 2, 2021
An MTD terminal on Wright Street informs riders when the next buses are coming on Sunday morning. MTD has recently reduced their service.

MTD cuts down service after UI lowers student fees

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • February 1, 2021
Residents of The Dean apartment building wait outside on Saturday night after a fire broke out inside the building. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Fire leads to evacuation of Dean apartment complex

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • January 30, 2021
Shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrive at Carle Foundation Hospital on Dec. 16. Some Champaign County residents 75 and older will receive COVID-19 vaccines this week.

Vaccinations to begin for Champaign County residents 75, older

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • January 11, 2021
UI imposes credit/no credit policy after administration expresses time, technology concerns

UI imposes credit/no credit policy after administration expresses time, technology concerns

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • December 8, 2020
A student protester sits in on the Illinois Student Government meeting in the Illini Union Pine Room on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Chief Illiniwek made an appearance in the Homecoming Parade that year, so Illinois Student Government boycotted the parade in support of Native American students.

UI releases new plan for relationship with Indigenous peoples

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • December 5, 2020
UI announces official CR/NC policy for fall

UI announces official CR/NC policy for fall

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 25, 2020
A wide view of the main quad on August 21

UI Senate votes for CR/NC option, extends drop deadline

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 21, 2020
An 8-bit classroom? Professors try new methods of virtual engagement

An 8-bit classroom? Professors try new methods of virtual engagement

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 16, 2020
Student Zachary Chalmers takes a university COVID-19 test at the State Farm Center testing site on Oct. 9. A recent Massmail has instructed faculty, staff and graduate students to test twice weekly.

Chancellor orders faculty, staff, grad students to test twice weekly

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 11, 2020
A pair of students walk on the Main Quad on Oct. 18, 2019. The University recently released guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during Thanksgiving break.

The University calls for limited activities before fall break

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 9, 2020
Three students sit socially distanced during professor Peter Abbamonte’s hybrid class on Monday. Abbamonte teaches his class both in person and through Zoom at the same time.

Hybrid instruction set to continue in spring

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • November 5, 2020
Junior Zachary Chalmers takes a COVID-19 test at the State Farm Center COVID-19 testing site on Oct. 9.

New restrictions hit region as COVID-19 spikes statewide

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • October 30, 2020
A University worker unloads completed COVID-19 tests outside the Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building on Friday. The Veterinary Diagnostics Lab staff is equipped to test about 10,000 saliva tests per day.

“A tall order”: Inside UI’s COVID testing lab

By Willie Cui, Staff Writer • October 19, 2020
A University coronavirus testing worker hands student Alexa English her test tube in order to take a COVID-19 test at the Illini Union on Sept. 30.

University COVID testing exceeded original lab capacity

By Willie Cui, Contributing Writer • October 12, 2020
Senior Eric Peronto places his completed COVID-19 test into the receptacle at the Illini Union testing site on Wednesday. The receptacles are then shuttled to the diagnostic laboratory.

Average campus test result sent within 8 hours, SHIELD says

By Willie Cui, Contributing Writer • October 5, 2020
ILLordle: Play now