Good morning, Champaign.

Families gathered at Marketplace Mall for the Champaign Unit 4 Back-to-School Giveaway, where community groups and school representatives distributed essential supplies and information to help students prepare for the coming school year.

The City of Champaign announced construction began on Phase 2 of Downtown Plaza yesterday, adding a splash pad, lawn, musical benches and bench swings.

Parking access on Fremont and Hill Streets will improve while Washington Street between Hickory and Walnut closes by the end of August.

Gov. Pritzker announced a second round of regional site readiness awards to create jobs and support business growth statewide, and state leaders expect the program to benefit Illinois organizations and projects.

The initiative, first launched in 2025, aims to boost the state’s competitiveness.

Sen. Dick Durbin’s amendment to offer $8 million per rural hospital was defeated by the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, leaving 24 Illinois hospitals at risk and prompting Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson to urge a modernized farm bill for farmers facing rising health care costs.