blog posts Fighting Illini cruise to dominant road win over Wildcats Jan 24, 2025 7:00 am For the first time this season, five scorers finished in double figures for the Orange and Blue, who never trailed in the contest and improved to 14-5 overall and 4-4 in conference play this season. Pritzker signs Illinois law barring sub-minimum wages for disabled workers Jan 23, 2025 4:30 pm Courthouse News Service (Jan. 21) 'It's frankly embarrassing,' said labor expert Robert Bruno of the Fair Labor Standards Act's sub-minimum wage carveout for disabled workers. 'Their labor is being dramatically undervalued.' Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award Jan 23, 2025 10:45 am Four U. of I. researchers were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their research careers. How did Trump’s speech stack up to previous inaugural addresses? Jan 23, 2025 9:30 am 'Inaugural addresses usually emphasize the humility of the new president as they face the profound responsibilities of the office. Trump does not do so. In fact, he says he was “saved by God” to make America great again.' Fighting Illini set for showdown at Northwestern Jan 23, 2025 8:00 am Illini women's basketball takes on Northwestern in Evanston tonight at 7 p.m. The game will be shown on the Big Ten Network. The Wildcats are on a five-game losing skid and enters the game with a 7-10 overall record, 0-6 in the Big Ten. Crushed rocks could be the next climate solution Jan 22, 2025 4:15 pm Scientific American (Jan. 21) Illinois professor Evan DeLucia found that fields treated with crushed basalt sequestered 10 metric tons of carbon dioxide per hectare and boosted corn and soy yields by 12-16%. Todd Phillips’ ‘The Hangover’ to close 26th annual Ebertfest Jan 22, 2025 1:00 pm 'In 2009, a cult phenomenon was born when Scott Budnick, Todd Phillips and the entire team involved with The Hangover unveiled this offbeat comedy classic,' said Chaz Ebert, co-founder and producer of Ebertfest. What does the future hold for Syria after Assad? Jan 22, 2025 10:45 am The outlook for Syria’s future is mixed, but there are reasons to be optimistic, says Rana B. Khoury, a professor of political science who studies comparative and international politics, with a focus on the Middle East. Illinois Football finishes season ranked #16 in AP poll Jan 22, 2025 9:45 am The Fighting Illini beat #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to secure the program's highest AP Top 25 finish since 2001. Illinois tied its program record with 10 wins in 2024, including four wins against AP Top 25 ranked teams. How does alcohol consumption elevate risks of various cancers? Jan 22, 2025 9:00 am The recent Surgeon General's advisory indicates women are much more likely to develop these alcohol-related cancers. 'Since breast cancer risk is closely related to elevated estrogen levels, this creates greater susceptibility to alcohol’s carcinogenic effects in women.' Cybercriminals are using AI to scam you – and you may not even know it Jan 21, 2025 1:30 pm CNET (Jan. 14) U of I researchers used voice-enabled AI to pull off some classic scams before safely returning money to victims. In some, the bots had greater than 60% success, and were able to pull it off in a matter of seconds. Book: Maya wisdom should guide humanity’s future Jan 21, 2025 9:15 am Anthropology professor Lisa Lucero’s book explores how the Maya survived for thousands of years by building their societies on a respect for, and integration into, the natural world. Illini women fall to Michigan State at State Farm Center Jan 21, 2025 9:00 am Illinois fell to No. 22 Michigan State, 86-68, at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon. Kendall Bostic registered her 11th double-double of the season, with 20 points and14 rebounds, plus a steal and an assist. Study: More employees are languishing than flourishing at work Jan 21, 2025 8:45 am 'Someone who is languishing will feel like they have little say in what they do...or that they are stagnating in their jobs,' said Professor Oscar Ybarra. 'Employees who get their mental well-being needs met will be more productive and loyal to the organization.' Illinois drops top-20 battle at Michigan State Jan 20, 2025 11:15 am No. 19 Illinois fell to No. 12 Michigan State, 80-78, at Breslin Center on Sunday afternoon. The Illini are set for a two-game home swing next week, which begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. against Maryland. Illini visit 12th-ranked Michigan State Sunday Jan 18, 2025 11:15 am No. 19 Illinois is back on the road for the second time this week, facing Big Ten leader (6-0) and No. 12-ranked Michigan State on Sunday at Breslin Center (11 a.m., CBS). Illini women in Bloomington tonight for clash with Indiana Jan 16, 2025 12:45 pm Indiana enters tonight's game with a 12-4 record and a 4-1 mark in conference play. The Hoosiers are 7-2 on their home court this season, which includes a victory over No. 24 Stanford. The 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration events at Illinois Jan 16, 2025 12:30 pm The 2025 celebration theme is “Our Beloved Community: Protecting Freedom, Justice & Democracy.” Study: Schools should boost entry-level salaries to better compete for novice teachers Jan 16, 2025 12:30 pm Despite concerns about teacher shortages in certain school districts and subject areas, a recent study found that schools are not adjusting their salary scales strategically so they can better attract novice teachers. New research helps eliminate dead zones in water desalination technology Jan 15, 2025 12:30 pm U. of I. researchers are leading the charge toward wide-scale implementation of water desalination by developing an efficient new electrode for use in battery-based desalination. Illinois history professor awarded NEH Fellowship Jan 15, 2025 12:15 pm The NEH awarded just 78 fellowships across the nation. They are competitive awards granted to individual scholars pursuing projects that embody exceptional research, rigorous analysis and clear writing. Songbirds socialize on the wing during migration, new study says Jan 15, 2025 12:00 pm Birds' flight paths may not be entirely innate, according to U. of I. research. Evidence from recorded flight calls suggests songbirds may 'talk' to other species as they migrate, forming social connections and, perhaps, sharing information about the journey. Illinois joins IRS Direct File program, allowing some to file federal taxes for free Jan 15, 2025 9:45 am The Chicago Sun-Times (Jan. 10) 'It’s a reasonable proposition that...filing your taxes, should be something the government makes easier, if not make available completely without charge,' says U. of I. law professor Richard Kaplan. Illinois rolls past Indiana; widest-ever margin in road win over Hoosiers Jan 15, 2025 9:15 am The Illini led by as many as 31 points en route to their largest road win against the Hoosiers in program history, 94-69. Despite missing the last two games, Kasparas Jakucionis finished with 21 points. Students' research points to concussion risks, symptoms in high school athletes Jan 15, 2025 9:00 am New research from a Carle Illinois College of Medicine team reveals certain high school athletes may be more likely to sustain a concussion while playing school-sponsored sports than others. Paris research trip reconnects Native American tribes with historic painted robes Jan 14, 2025 11:15 am History professor Robert Morrissey traveled with members of the Miami and Peoria Nations to a Paris museum to see four ceremonial robes created more than 300 years ago by Native American tribes in Illinois. Trump supported dockworkers in a labor dispute. Will he continue to support labor? Jan 14, 2025 9:00 am Politico (Jan. 10) 'There will be a point of conflict sooner rather than later' with Trump-appointed judges being opposed to powers wielded by the NLRB and Labor Department, says Illinois labor expert Michael LeRoy. Fighting Illini set for road battle tonight at Indiana Jan 14, 2025 8:15 am Illinois has back-to-back road games this week, beginning tonight at Indiana (6 p.m. CT, Peacock).Illinois has won two of its last three games at Indiana, posting consecutive wins in 2021 and 2022 before a one-possession loss in 2023. Illini gymnasts earn three event titles in season opener Jan 13, 2025 9:30 am The Illinois Women's Gymnastics program completed their first meet of the 2025 season at the Ball State Quad on Sunday. Seven gymnasts made their Illini debuts on the team's way to a runner-up finish. Board gender diversity improves investment efficiency for companies Jan 13, 2025 9:30 am The study finds that mandatory and strongly enforced gender diversity interventions trigger larger enhancements in investment efficiency compared to voluntary or weakly enforced policies. Team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene Jan 13, 2025 9:15 am Illinois researchers developed a method for converting waste polystyrene into a sustainable jet fuel additive, overcoming a key obstacle to the wider use of sustainable aviation fuels. How Trump’s tariffs have - and could again - affect Illinois agriculture Jan 10, 2025 10:45 am WILL-AM (Jan. 8) Trump's first-term tariffs caused Chinese buyers to look elsewhere for soybeans. U. of I. ag economist Joana Colussi says that if China again turns to South America to replace U.S. soybeans, 'South America will be able to match this demand.' Targeting cancer solutions with Grainger Engineering Jan 10, 2025 8:45 am Two Grainger Engineering-led teams received $54 million from ARPA-H to deliver solutions to cancer-related problems. 'We're one of a few institutions to receive two separate awards. This speaks to the power of (our) engineering-driven science.' Illinois defeats #23 Iowa, securing second ranked victory of season Jan 10, 2025 8:30 am Four Illini finished in double figures in the victory over the Hawkeyes. Kendall Bostic secured her 10th double-double of the season, registering 17 points and 14 rebounds. She also had three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Physical neglect as damaging to children’s social development as abuse Jan 9, 2025 12:45 pm 'Maltreated children often feel shame and may have lower self-esteem and sense of belonging... Experiencing abuse or neglect may also cause children to anticipate rejection or victimization by their peers, making them less likely to reach out to others.' Ninety percent of all diseases can be traced back to the gut and the health of the microbiome Jan 9, 2025 12:00 pm The Microbiologist (Jan. 6) That’s why researchers at U. of I.'s National Center for Supercomputing Applications are developing ways to map the microbiome to help create personalized nutrition plans for individuals. New law could mean bump in Social Security benefits for some public pensioners, expert says Jan 9, 2025 11:30 am The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act means some retirees will receive a modest increase in their monthly checks, says Richard Kaplan, an internationally recognized expert on U.S. tax policy, elder law and retirement issues. Flashback: 1984 Jan 9, 2025 11:15 am Being a student in 1984 meant midnight movies at the Co-Ed and browsing vinyl at Record Service. Let’s travel back in time for a look at life on campus in the eighties. Three 20-point scorers guide Illinois to dominant win over Penn State Jan 9, 2025 10:45 am No. 13 Illinois earned its fifth-consecutive victory and its fourth-straight Big Ten win with a 91-52 win over Penn State on Wednesday night. Three Illini scorers finished with at least 20 points - Ben Humrichous, Morez Johnson Jr. and Tre White. For Illini in Chicago, it's like Cheers Jan 8, 2025 10:30 am Eric and Carrie Schmidt’s Illini-themed bar, Orange & Brew, earns local—and international—recognition. Is the highly pathogenic avian influenza a threat to pets? Jan 8, 2025 10:00 am The American Veterinary Medical Association has issued recommendations for keeping pets and backyard flocks safe from highly pathogenic avian influenza, and the recommendations are also a useful guide for humans. Illini carry 4-game winning streak into Penn State matchup on Wednesday Jan 7, 2025 1:45 pm #13 Illinois returns from its Pacific Northwest road swing, which included wins at No. 9 Oregon and Washington, to host Penn State Wednesday (8 p.m., BTN) in the first of back-to-back home games this week. America’s oldest Black town is in Illinois — and it’s dying Jan 7, 2025 8:45 am Chicago Tribune (Jan. 5) African American studies professor Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua and archaeologist Alleen Betzenhauser, both at U. of I., are spearheading efforts to uncover Brooklyn's history and revitalize the community. Will presidential transition affect potential East Coast dockworkers strike? Jan 7, 2025 8:45 am An East Coast dockworkers strike during the presidential transition could snarl supply chains and lead to another spike in inflation, says Michael LeRoy, a labor expert at Illinois. Jakucionis earns second B1G Freshman of the Week honor Jan 7, 2025 8:00 am Jakucionis earns his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week award this season, following recognition on Dec. 16. Jakucionis is currently averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 rebounds on the season Eugenics isn’t dead—it’s thriving in tech Jan 6, 2025 12:30 pm Mother Jones (Jan. 2) Eugenic researchers 'grew a global disinformation movement...to demonstrate poverty...as the result of inherited deficiencies that directly limited intellectual potential...Our contemporary datafication systems do this today.' Gies researcher uses novel approach to uncover prevalence of earnings manipulation Jan 6, 2025 11:00 am 'Because executives are often the only people who know that earnings have been manipulated, we thought it would be worthwhile to at least try asking executives directly about whether they have manipulated earnings,' said researcher Alex Vandenberg. Flying squirrel documented in U. of I.'s Brownfield Woods Jan 6, 2025 11:00 am A student researcher recently identified a Southern flying squirrel in Brownfield Woods. Flying squirrels are native to Illinois, but this was the first time one has been documented in the area in recent memory. Illinois closes West Coast road trip with win over Washington Jan 6, 2025 8:15 am No. 22 Illinois completed its West Coast road trip with a hard-fought 81-77 win over Washington at Alaska Airlines Arena on Sunday afternoon. Building one of Earth’s first commercially useful quantum computers - despite huge obstacles Jan 3, 2025 2:00 pm Chicago Tribune (Dec. 26) 'The potential for our work in the park to change the world is drawing comparisons to historic tech initiatives like the Manhattan Project or the development of Silicon Valley,' said U. of I. Professor Harley Johnson.