Good morning, Champaign.

A baseball tournament honoring fallen Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim will be held in Forsyth Park from May 16 to May 18 to celebrate his legacy with youth baseball and family activities—hosted by his niece Kelsey Washburn and her husband Wyatt Washburn—while funds are raised for Concerns of Police Survivors, Illinois Chapter.

Jarling’s Custard Cup marks 42 years of serving sweet treats and giving back to the Champaign community — the shop partners with local businesses every Monday to fundraise and offer discounts.

Store manager Ashlee Rhodes said the business is proud to support local nonprofits and looks forward to many more summers of community service.

University of Illinois researchers provided an update on their analysis of a dust storm that caused a deadly pileup on Interstate 55, reporting that bare soil and a clump of trees on the east side created dangerous dust conditions while unusual wind patterns also played a role.

The team noted that a lack of investment in soil conservation programs in Illinois may have worsened the situation—further studies are planned to guide future safety measures.

University of Illinois researchers released updated findings on the dust storm that nearly two years ago killed eight and injured dozens in Montgomery County.

The report shows that bare soil—worsened by low rainfall and high temperatures—likely intensified the storm and highlighted the need for more conservation funding.

The Illinois House energy and environment committee passed a plan Tuesday that bans carbon sequestration over the Mahomet aquifer except for one facility in Gibson—this measure received a 20—5 vote and now heads to the House floor for further debate.

Illinois American Water said it will build a new water tank to replace a 78 year old tank on Market Street — the project will nearly double the current 1 million gallon storage capacity with construction starting later this year north of Interstate 72 and finishing in late 2026 at a cost of $4.5 million.

Tick season is here in Champaign and experts warn residents to be alert for ticks like the Blacklegged and Lone Star, which can spread diseases.

The Illinois Department of Public Health offers a tick map and advises wearing long sleeves, using insect repellent with 10 to 30 percent DEET—checking for ticks every few hours is crucial— and washing bites immediately if they occur.

Cinderella Concert

7:30-11:30 p.m. — Virginia Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Rock out to the iconic sounds of hard rock band Cinderella, known for their hits from the '80s.

Champaign Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl

4-11 p.m. — City of Champaign — Tickets available — Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with exclusive access to top bars and festive vibes.

Star Wars Trivia at Pour Bros

2-4 p.m. — Pour Bros. Craft Taproom — Free to play — Test your knowledge of the galaxy far, far away with exciting trivia and great prizes.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration

11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. — Esquire Lounge — Order a Modelo pint and keep the souvenir glass while enjoying food and drink specials.

Touch-A-Truck Day

9 AM – 1 PM — Centennial Park — Free entry — Experience the thrill of climbing and honking real trucks and vehicles.

2025 Springtime Showdown #2

5 PM - 5 PM — Rantoul Family Sports Complex — $30 Adult Weekend Pass — Compete for a chance to enter the USSSA Great Lakes National Championships with exciting fastpitch action.

Illinois PTA SPOTLIGHT 2025

11 AM – 5 PM — Centennial High School — Registration required — Celebrate young artists' achievements with engaging workshops and an inspiring showcase of creativity.

The Space CU x Morning Jay’s Brunch Pop Up

10 AM – 3 PM — The Space — RSVP required — Experience a creatively delicious scratch-made brunch during UIUC Graduation weekend.

May Game Night: Theme TBA — CUDO Plays

6:30-9 p.m. — Hyatt Place Champaign/Urbana — Free entry — Connect with fellow game lovers and enjoy an evening of fun games and camaraderie.

Wiz Khalifa Concert

8-11 p.m. — The Canopy Club — $85/ealistmap — Get ready for a night of live music with Wiz Khalifa at the Canopy Club in Urbana.