The Daily Illini

22 hours 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.

3 days ago | dailyillini.com | Jessie Wang

I’ve asked Robin Kaler, the University’s spokesperson, for a statement countless times in my years writing for The Daily Illini. Last December, I asked for something different for my final story before I graduate — a profile on Chancellor Robert Jones. Jones is set to depart Champaign-Urbana in June. He will remain in the Big Ten conference as the next president of the University of Washington, heading UW’s three campuses: Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma.

6 days 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.

1 week 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.

1 week 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.