Maaike Niekerk

Champaign

Arts & Entertainment Editor at The Daily Illini

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Articles

Column | 5 places to eat like a local in Campustown

3 weeks ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

**This story was originally published on the Chambana Eats website on April 13.**Whether you’re new in town or already familiar with the Champaign-Urbana food scene, eating and drinking up and down the Campustown drag can be an intimidating experience. Braving the crowds of Green Street revelers, avoiding massive lines but still having a quality experience is key to making anyone — student or not — feel like a regular.
The Daily Illini

3 weeks ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

**This article was originally published on the Chambana Eats website on April 13.**Downtown Champaign was in desperate need of something different. Something fresh. Nearly two years ago, in April of 2023, The Space brought exactly that. Simply put, The Space is weird. From the McDonald’s kiddie plates to the grilled octopus appetizer to the abstract artwork coating the walls, everything inside the restaurant-music venue is just a little bit unconventional.
The Daily Illini

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

Preparing to write my last column for this publication has provoked an introspective reflection on how journalism — and my own interest in United States politics — have evolved, especially in the context of the Trump administration’s first 100 days. It’s safe to say that President Donald Trump has never had a friendly relationship with the media — his coined term “Fake News” speaks for itself.
The Daily Illini

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

There’s always a lot going on with Illinois sports, but this fall features a whole new set of intriguing storylines for fans to follow. From basketball to tennis to football, here are five must-know sports stories new and old Illini sports fans should pay attention to. Ivišić brothers unite in frontcourtIllini men’s basketball just got a whole lot bigger. Seven-foot-one rising junior center Tomislav Ivišić was a major part of the 2024-25 Illini squad, and he is returning to the team next season.
Opinion | E-scooters: The worst transportation on campus

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

From a high-rise view, one can see little blobs on campus buzzing around like the jetpack elves from “The Santa Clause.”Veering left, right and between students and cars, the little blobs lack a sense of responsibility and respect for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Stop signs are rarely followed, and the distinction between sidewalk and road is ambiguous. Ugh. Electric scooters: the worst form of transportation on campus. For everyone. For starters, the regulations for e-scooters are often unknown.
CU venues talk history, culture of music spaces

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

It might be difficult to see what’s so special about Champaign-Urbana, a college town surrounded by cornfields. But hidden within its bustling campus, the community has something unique to offer — a lively music scene. Beyond its nightly shows, each C-U venue has a rich history and culture. The Daily Illini spoke with organizers at different locations to learn more about their stories and provide an introduction to this remarkable campus.
An introvert’s guide to Welcome Week at UI

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

Welcome Week at the University is nonstop — events every hour, awkward small talk and hoping no one notices you’ve already forgotten their name … again. It’s the official launch into college life — for introverts, it’s the ultimate test of endurance. With events stacked back-to-back and social expectations running high, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind if you’re not immediately clicking with people on your floor or running from one frat party to the next.
Opinion | Reaganomics failed, so will DOGE

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

If you had to state the goal of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency charitably, how would you describe it? I would argue that the Trump administration created DOGE to identify waste, fraud and abuse within the government and eliminate that spending to save taxpayer dollars. Let’s run with that framing for a moment. The logic is that when we decrease the size of our government and institute tax cuts, it helps all Americans. If we let the free market go, people will be better off.
Opinion | True crime creates entertainment at expense of the truth

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault, abuse and violence. There has always been a dark side to human nature. It is why we can’t look away from a car crash or a burning flame. This primal fascination with the morbid is not new but has found a strong outlet in true crime media. From bestselling podcasts to hit Netflix series, true crime has become a cultural phenomenon.
Opinion | TikToks and Reels: Brave New blue-light World

1 month ago | dailyillini.com | Maaike Niekerk

In his renowned novel “Brave New World,” author Aldous Huxley describes a futuristic London society functioning on pleasure. Babies are made in a lab, and citizens have as much sex as they want, as women wear belts carrying contraceptives. Citizens also rely heavily on a substance called “soma,” which they take in “grammes.” This soma takes them to alternate forms of reality, functioning as a high-quality drug.