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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

Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor

Patrons exit the Windsor Road Christian Church’s Free Food Store on Nov. 6. The food pantry has seen unprecedented demand since SNAP benefits briefly lapsed.

100 families in 35 minutes: CU food pantry meets unprecedented demand

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 17, 2025
Potatoes sit in a crate at Walmart in Urbana on Oct. 29. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal food-purchasing assistance program, is set to lapse Saturday, affecting Illinois residents who rely on the program.

CU community, Illinois prepare for SNAP suspension

By Avery Paterson and Aidan Sadovi • Oct 31, 2025
UIPD and Champaign Police Department SWAT officers carry out a search warrant at 57 E. Springfield Ave. after obtaining a warrant for a criminal investigation.

UPDATED: UIPD, SWAT team carry out search warrant near Campustown

By Anna Ceja, Qaasim Jatoi and Aidan Sadovi • Oct 23, 2025
Cam Higby, a right-wing commentator, sits at a debate table on the Main Quad on Tuesday. Higby and Turning Point USA’s chapter at the University hosted the debate, which drew a crowd of onlookers and participants.

Right-wing personality Cam Higby draws crowd to Main Quad for debate

By Aidan Sadovi and Elizabeth Bichkoff • Oct 10, 2025
Community members gather at Anniversary Plaza for an Oct. 7, 2023, memorial and to celebrate the Jewish holiday Sukkot.

Chabad holds Oct. 7 memorial, Sukkot celebration

By Qaasim Jatoi and Aidan Sadovi • Oct 8, 2025
TPUSA at UI meets for first time since Kirk assasination, previews guest speaker

TPUSA at UI meets for first time since Kirk assasination, previews guest speaker

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Oct 5, 2025
Union supporters and members rally outside of main library on Wednesday

Local union’s rally results in confrontation with Dean

By Lisa Chasanov and Aidan Sadovi • Jul 19, 2023
UI reckons with landmark affirmative action decision

UI reckons with landmark affirmative action decision

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Jul 7, 2023
Column | ‘Asteroid City’ bites off more than it can chew

Column | ‘Asteroid City’ bites off more than it can chew

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Jun 30, 2023
Bardeen Quad, home to Grainger administration and a majority of Engineering buildings.

Grainger College of Engineering graduation policy met with criticism from students

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • May 15, 2023
Erika Rosenberg shares journey from DI reporter to CEO

Erika Rosenberg shares journey from DI reporter to CEO

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • May 5, 2023
A semi-truck destroyed on the side of the road after multiple vehicle crash on Interstate 55.

Interstate 55 shuts down in multiple vehicle crash

By Ella Narag, Aidan Sadovi and Kiran Bond • May 1, 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
Rep. Nikki Budzinski during an interview on Thursday.

Nikki Budzinski discusses first 100 days in conversation with The DI

By Aidan Sadovi and Lisa Chasanov • Apr 19, 2023
UC Books to Prisoners supports education for the incarcerated, holds book sale 

UC Books to Prisoners supports education for the incarcerated, holds book sale 

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Apr 12, 2023
Student injured in Green Street battery incident on Sunday morning

Student injured in Green Street battery incident on Sunday morning

By Aidan Sadovi and Lisa Chasanov • Apr 5, 2023
Q&A with new UI trustee Wilbur Milhouse III

Q&A with new UI trustee Wilbur Milhouse III

By Aidan Sadovi and Lisa Chasanov • Apr 5, 2023
UPDATE: Unofficial Champaign municipal election results released to public

UPDATE: Unofficial Champaign municipal election results released to public

By Lisa Chasanov and Aidan Sadovi • Apr 4, 2023
Man charged in altercation at Chinese restaurant

Man charged in altercation at Chinese restaurant

By Jessie Wang, Aidan Sadovi, Lisa Chasanov and Park Mitchell • Apr 4, 2023
Meet the candidates: Unit 4 District School Board elections

Meet the candidates: Unit 4 District School Board elections

By Lika Lezhava, Lillie Salas, Lisa Chasanov and Aidan Sadovi • Apr 4, 2023
UPDATE: Champaign municipal elections voter’s guide 2023

UPDATE: Champaign municipal elections voter’s guide 2023

By Lisa Chasanov and Aidan Sadovi • Apr 4, 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 mammoth statue, which is currently unfinished, will soon make its way to its final home on the south side of the Natural History Building.

New mammoth sculpture to stomp onto campus

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Mar 14, 2023
Archive photo of the construction of recently demolished Illini Hall. A time capsule was found at llini Hall amidst its current destruction this month.

Time traveling back to 1907’s Illini Hall

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Feb 20, 2023
Protestors with the Party for Socialism and Liberation gather outside of the Champaign County courthouse on Sunday. The demonstration called for justice for Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man killed earlier this year by police officers in Memphis.

PSL holds rally for Tyre Nichols, organizes against adoption of new FOP contract

By Jessie Wang and Aidan Sadovi • Feb 1, 2023
2022 sees drop in Black student enrollment

2022 sees drop in Black student enrollment

By Michael Bales and Aidan Sadovi • Jan 30, 2023
Accident involving cyclist and MTD bus occurs near UI bookstore

Accident involving cyclist and MTD bus occurs near UI bookstore

By Matt N and Aidan Sadovi • Jan 30, 2023
Champaign shooting incidents drop by half in 2022

Champaign shooting incidents drop by half in 2022

By Aidan Sadovi, Assistant News Editor • Jan 15, 2023
Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett speaks during Gov. JB Pritzker's campaign at the Illini Union on Aug. 25. Bennett passed away at the age of 45 on Friday at Carle Hospital in Urbana around 1 p.m.

State Senator Scott Bennett passes away at 45 

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Dec 9, 2022
Narcan, a drug that can help reverse opioid overdose, is seen in a vending machine at the Ikenberry Commons.

‘Lifesaver’ drug Narcan now available at three campus locations free of charge

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Dec 5, 2022

Fires reported on Second Street

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Dec 3, 2022
Lieutenant Joseph McCullough investigates a traffic violation on Friday, Sep. 23 2016.

Armed robbery occurs on University Avenue

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 29, 2022
Lieutenant Joseph McCullough investigates a traffic violation on Friday, Sep. 23 2016.

Stabbing reported at Fourth, Green streets

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 24, 2022
A look at campaign finances of local political candidates

A look at campaign finances of local political candidates

By Lilli Bresnahan, Jacob Slabosz, Aidan Sadovi and Park Mitchell • Nov 14, 2022
Dustin Heuerman (left) and John Brown (right) are the two candidates for Champaign County Sheriff during the 2022 midterm election

Election spotlight: Champaign County Sheriff

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 8, 2022
Voters wait in line at the Siebel Center for Design on Nov. 8 to participate in the polls.

Cyberattack targets Champaign County clerk office during elections

By Lika Lezhava and Aidan Sadovi • Nov 8, 2022
People attend the Champaign County Clerk forum featuring Democrat Aaron Ammons and Republican Terrence Stuber on Oct. 25.

County clerk contenders discuss election security at candidate forum

By Aidan Sadovi and Lisa Chasanov • Nov 7, 2022
CU fire department post outside 901 S. Fourth St. as residents evacuate the building on Thursday. The fire was caused by a trash bin catching flame in an apartment which alerted the fire department but the bin was put out through the unit's sprinkler system.

Fire reported at 901 S Fourth St. in Champaign

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 4, 2022
Champaign county sheriff candidates, Democrat Dustin Heuerman (left) and Republican John Brown (right), answer questions at a forum held in the ARC’s Clements Auditorium on Oct. 26.

Champaign sheriff candidates discuss crime, corrections issues at forum

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Nov 4, 2022
RSO treasurer accused of stealing over $10,000 from club bank account

RSO treasurer accused of stealing over $10,000 from club bank account

By Aidan Sadovi and Fiza Dahra • Oct 19, 2022
People evacuate the Illini Union as the alarms sound off on Friday.

Illini Union asbestos cleaning causes fire alarm, evacuation

By Lisa Chasanov and Aidan Sadovi • Oct 14, 2022
Cannabis plants located in the University’s fruit research farm on Oct. 12, 2022.

Cannabis certification buds student interest

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Oct 13, 2022
New exit sign is added into Scott Hall following the vandalism that occurred Sept. 15. The student allegedly tore out 23 exit signs, damaged ceiling tiles and revealed inner wiring. 

UI repairs Scott Hall damages, student charged for incident

By Aidan Sadovi and Fiza Dahra • Sep 27, 2022
Students gather outside the Swanlund Administration Building for the Students for Environmental Change climate strike on Friday. The group began their strike at the Alma Mater statue and walked around the campus with students speaking throughout the march.

Students protest in climate strike demanding UI fossil fuel divestment

By Fiza Dahra and Aidan Sadovi • Sep 26, 2022
Students catch the 10E Gold MTD bus after Freshman Welcome Celebration and Convocation on Aug. 20, 2021.

Bus driver shortage continues despite MTD efforts

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Sep 21, 2022
Police assess a threat of violence after apprehension of aggravator by UIPD outside of Noodles & Company located at the intersection of S. 6th St. and E. Green St on Friday. The individual apprehended was not put into custody after discussing the altercation.

Police respond to potential stabbing threat near Sixth and Green streets

By Aidan Sadovi and Fiza Dahra • Sep 16, 2022
Lollapalooza festivalgoers line up at the food station on Sunday featuring many local, Chicago foods. More than 40 Chicago restaurants were featured at the festival including The Billy Goat Tavern, Cheesie's Pub & Grub and more.

Lollapalooza takes festivalgoers on a culinary tour of Chicago

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Aug 2, 2022
Charli XCX performs onstage during the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball 2021 Pre-Show on Dec. 10, 2021. The artist performed at Lollapalooza singing "Lighting," "I Love It" and more on Sunday. The photo pit was closed for Charli XCX's Lollapalooza performance.

Charli XCX takes control, makes her fans take it too

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Aug 2, 2022
Billie Joe Armstrong, lead, vocalist of Green Day, plays a guitar from behind without looking on the T-Mobile stage on Saturday. Other artists featured on the last day are J-Hope, Djo and more.

Lollapalooza brings the heat literally, figuratively on final day of festival

By Sydney Wood and Aidan Sadovi • Aug 1, 2022
Lee Kiernan, guitarist for rock band IDLES, rushes into the crowd with his guitar during the group's performance on the Bud Light Seltzer stage on Saturday.

IDLES wear its heart on tattered sleeve

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Jul 31, 2022
Dylan Minnette of Wallows sings on the T-Mobile stage on the third day of Lollapalooza on Saturday. Other performers featured for Lollapalooza on Saturday are J. Cole, Willow and more.

Third day at Lollapalooza highlights camaraderie among festivalgoers, artists

By Sydney Wood and Aidan Sadovi • Jul 31, 2022
Rhian Teasdale sings alongside Hester Chambers as rock duo Wet Leg on the Discord stage for Lollapalooza on Friday.

Wet Leg showcases humor, crowd banter in lyrics at Lollapalooza set

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Jul 30, 2022
Machine Gun Kelly, also known as MGK, performs at the Bud Light Seltzer stage during the second day of Lollapalooza on Friday.

Lollapalooza rages on with Avril Lavigne resurgence, Dua Lipa-inspired drone show

By Sydney Wood and Aidan Sadovi • Jul 30, 2022
The Last Dinosaurs performed at the Bud Light Seltzer stage on Thursday singing “Dominos,” “The Hating" and more. This is the groups first American festival appearance.

In the case of The Last Dinosaurs, seeing is believing

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Jul 29, 2022
Ashnikko points the microphone towards the crowd at the Coinbase stage during her performance of her song “STUPID (feat. Yung Baby Tate) on Thursday. The first day of Lollapalooza featured 48 sets from artists with Metallica as Thursday's headliners.

Lollapalooza opening day kicks off with a bang, ends with Metallica fireworks show

By Sydney Wood and Aidan Sadovi • Jul 29, 2022
People line up at the Lollapalooza box office on Wednesday the day before the first day of the event.

[Photo] Lollapalooza eve: Festival prepares Grant Park, Grant Park prepares for the festival

By Aidan Sadovi, Staff Writer • Jul 27, 2022
The Rose Bowl Tavern, located in downtown Urbana, will be hosting their "Halloween in July" event featuring DJs from the C-U area this Saturday.

Halloween to come early to Urbana’s Rose Bowl Tavern

By Aidan Sadovi, Contributing Writer • Jul 14, 2022
Pro-abortion protestors march in a Chicago rally on June 24. Life-long abortion activists and politicians speak on the Roe v. Wade reversal.

A view of the Roe reversal from Chicago

By Aidan Sadovi, Contributing Writer • Jun 30, 2022
Joji releases new single “Glimpse of Us' on June 10.

Joji’s sound takes a softer turn on new single

By Aidan Sadovi, Contributing Writer • Jun 20, 2022