Invisible Institute, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization out of Chicago, is launching a new tool meant to hold police in Champaign and Urbana accountable to the public. Members of the group will be at the …
One of my favorite things about living in the Midwest is the diverse weather that we experience. Not just on a day to day or week to week scale, either. No weather year is ever …
Happy New Year, readers, and welcome to the newest version of Smile Politely. Our website isn’t the only thing that’s new — there’s a new General Assembly and legislative session. To kick off 2023, we’ve …
Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get more involved in the community? If you are passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ people in C-U and beyond, this might be a good opportunity for you. Uniting …
On October 13, 2022, Tillie Deitz, a mother of three young children, died in the Champaign County jail. As I found in my own review of publicly available documents, Deitz admitted to being a drug …
Champaign County Forest Preserve District is bringing back its Snowflake Search beginning next week. From January 19th to February 28th, you are encouraged to visit the various forest preserves and see how many of the …
During this season of cold and sometimes inclement weather, access to clean, dry socks is awfully important for community members without a permanent residence. Throughout the month of January, you can bring new socks to …
Welcome to the newest version of Smile Politely. It is our fifth redesign that we’ve made over the course of 15 years of publishing, and I would venture to say, the most comprehensive and impactful …
Each year, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration recognizes three individuals that have made a difference in the community; people who are continuing to advance the work that Dr. King began. Here …
November was a dynamic month in central Illinois offering record warmth and our first snow of the season. December is off to a mild and dry start, but could a stormy transition lead us into a snowy holiday season?
