Illinois saw a record number of visitors in 2025 | First Listen

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Michelle Eccles

Published September 8, 2026 at 6:54 AM CDT

2025 saw 125 million visitors to Illinois
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins announced a plan to streamline how the USDA collects and uses farm data
New Canadian tariffs go into effect today and could significantly impact dairy farmers
An audit of DCFS found documentation lapses
A new state report says those living in poverty in Illinois will continue to face an "alarming increase" in challenges
Eastern Illinois University implementing a voluntary separation program for certain employees

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Michelle Eccles

Michelle Eccles anchors NPR Illinois' Morning Edition. Michelle has more than 30 years of experience in broadcasting which all began at her high school radio station, Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. She attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale for her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a focus in Radio Television and went on to become an award winning anchor and reporter for stations in Decatur and Springfield.

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