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MONDAY March 15, 2021

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Vol. 150 Issue 40

Illinois earns bid, top seed in NCAA tournament

BY GABBY HAJDUK

FORMER SPORTS EDITOR

Two years ago, Illinois basketball posted one of its worst season records in program history. Now, for the first time in eight seasons, the Illini are headed to the Big Dance as a top seed. Behind All-Big Ten first teamers Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, the Illini have looked as special as the 1989 and 2005 teams, who advanced to the Final Four and National Championship, respectively. This season, the Illini garnered the most regularseason conference wins — 16 — in program history, finishing the regular season at second in the Big Ten, while advancing to the conference tournament championship. The last time Illinois made the NCAA tournament was in 2013 during John Groce’s first season as head coach. The Illini fell in the second round of the tournament to Miami and hasn’t made an appearance since. While the Illini looked ready to make a touranament run last season with Dosunmu as a sophomore, COVID-19 forced March Madness to be canceled. Not only are the Illini even better than they were last season, but they have

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEA ANSFIELD/FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS

The Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball team links arms during the Big Ten Tournament matchup against Iowa on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Illini are entering the NCAA tournament for the first time in eight years.

also played some of their No. 9 Ohio State and No. 5 best basketball in recent Iowa, all within the last 13 weeks, defeating No. 23 days. Wisconsin, No. 2 Michigan, At the time this article

was written, the March Madness bracket was not out. But entering Selection Sunday, CBS Sports has

Illinois as the No. 3 over- first round. all team, headlining the Midwest bracket and fac- @gabby_h11 ing No. 16 Hartford in the ghajduk2@dailyillini.com

Cannabis dispensary set to open near KAM’s Weathering the storm: Eager staff establishes new era ALIZA MAJID

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

DIANA ANGHEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

perspective, kindness and determination. My staff and I will be prioritizing online publication over print. While the paper will continue, it is of imperative value that our online presence continues to grow and to develop in ways we have not reached yet. We will work on new digital creative projects, envisioning new podcasts, newsletters, social media storytelling and interactive web pages. In a world of changing media, we must adapt to stay atop. A goal that I’ve set for myself and the staff is to listen to you, the person reading this. Being part of this University means having the privilege of an immense and diverse network. The best stories oftentimes come from those who aren’t ever given an opportunity to speak. We will continuously and strenuously search to find these voices. Now more than ever, building trust with the community is crucial. While it feels like a huge mountain is facing me, I’m both determined and excited to start climbing it. I cannot wait to see the work and growth we create as a staff. Most importantly, I look forward to serving you, our audience and community.

For journalists all over the country, the past year has been a mountain to climb, to say the least. The Daily Illini was no exception. We had to stop printing for almost a whole semester. All communication and production was forced to be online, putting a strain on not only the quality of our work, but also completely destroying the warm and productive atmosphere we create in the newsroom. Our staff struggled through things no other staff at the DI has faced. And we persevered. The past year has shown me what the DI is capable of doing. Whether it is the pandemic, a ransomware threat, or any other unforeseen challenge, we will persevere. I’m proud and confident in the new staff, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will continue the excellency that has been left behind by the previous staff. J.J. Kim, 2020-2021 editorin-chief, was an inspiration through the ways in which he led the DI, from the way he interacted with staff, to his way of thinking when making decisions. It is my goal to lead the DI with the same amount of danghel2@dailyillini.com

NuEra, a cannabis dispensary in Illinois, has recently announced their new location opening in Champaign. “We’re gonna be right next to KAM’S,” Sean Alber, NuEra General Manager, said. Construction is going now, and we are very adamant about getting the construction done and finalizing inspections for an opening around mid-April as a guesstimate.” Pritzker’s legalization of recreational marijuana for adult use took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Many stores were granted access to recreational marijuana licenses by mid-2020 as a result of this law.

“This store will be a reconly or adult-use only dispensary, compared to the Urbana store where we can do both medical and recreational out of that store,” Alber said. “This store will be different in that we won’t be a medical supply.” Since the new dispensary will be located near KAM’S, many people have chimed in and discussed the placement of this dispensary and what this means for the future of Campustown, especially during the pandemic. “Just from the location, I figured more people would be outside of KAMS,” Matthew Mota, a senior in Engineering, said. Given what we’ve seen from the pictures of the area, there are clearly peo-

ple violating social distancing rules.” Campustown is usually a very popular area in the community due to the various number of attractions that pique people’s interests. The pandemic has highlighted a concern for these congested places as COVID-19 continues to affect the community. NuEra has been taking necessary precautions in order to stop the spread of the virus and will continue these safety measures once the new location opens in Champaign. “Everybody is required to wear a mask,” Alber said. “Not only that, if there’s a line outside we would prefer people to be six feet apart. Just following all Centers for Disease Control guidelines

as they come into the store — we will have markers on the ground that says please remain six feet apart. We also disinfect our spaces every 30 minutes,” Alber said. The cannabis dispensary will most likely increase foot traffic in the area with its placement in Campustown and bring in a variety of people into the area. “I do see the dispensary opening up as an overall positive,” Mota said. “The idea is good but just the timing interval does raise a few concerns, but it definitely would help out the community and takes a step forward to show how marijuana is not as bad as it’s been said to be for so many years prior.” alizam2@dailyillini.com

RYAN ASH THE DAILY ILLINI

The soon-to-be NuEra dispensary lies at the corner of First and Green streets on Sunday morning. Having a recreational marijuana dispensary in Campustown will help to increase foot traffic.

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Active Minds, a University RSO, recently succeeded in its campaign to put the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on students’ iCards. Students at any school in the University System will have the hotline on the back of their iCards starting in fall of 2022. President of Active Minds, Devin Dionne, said that the Illinois Student Government worked alongside them to help push the idea to the administration. “We worked really closely with ISG with that for a really long time,” Dionne said. “It was a really cool win.”

While the University recently passed the initiative, there was no acknowledgment that it was a result of student efforts. Shivom Patel, vice president internal of Active Minds, said that the University did not mention their group or their efforts. “Active Minds doesn’t want recognition for it; we don’t care about that,” Patel said. “But we want people to know that the students here care about mental health, and we’ve been vocal about that for a very long time.” The University has come under fire before for lack of mental health resources. Students for Mental Health Reform, another University student orga-

nization, planned a protest demanding more availability of mental health services in December 2019, though the event was canceled. The University’s chapter of Active Minds works to combat the shortage of mental health resources and awareness through community meetings, events and exhibitions. Last semester, Active Minds put on a ribbon exhibition in the South Quad, placing yellow ribbons to symbolize the 1,100 college students across the nation who have taken their lives. “We have signs that are still up with some national statistics and reminders for students that they matter,” Patel said.

The pandemic has caused increased mental health struggles, especially in students. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that one in four people ranging from the ages 18 to 24 seriously contemplated suicide in June. The University currently has 34 counselors for an undergraduate student population of around 33,000. According to Dionne, that amount of counselors is not enough to effectively serve the student population. The organization hopes that the accessibility of the hotline will help students in need of resources. mialg2@dailyillini.com

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MONDAY March 15, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

NEWS

University plans for increased in-person academics MONA ALRAZZAQ ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The University recently sent out a Massmail to all students and faculty that “considerably more” classes are planned to be held inperson this approaching fall semester than those that are currently offered. This transition is due to the growing amount of COVID-19 vaccines that are becoming available as well as the success of the University’s “ongoing COVID-19 mitigations” such as the COVID-19 testing and the Safer Illinois application. The University hopes to offer the vaccine to all students who want to take it by the beginning of the fall semester, according to Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for Public Affairs. As of Thursday, there have been 6,267 cases of COVID-19 reported on campus out of 1,602,677 total tests processed. The overall positivity rate is 0.39%. Kaler noted that this plan is subject to change depending on COVID-19 conditions or the tightening of state guidelines.

However, the University is optimistic about implementing the plan. “What we’re telling everybody is for planning purposes, assume that you can go back to face-to-face,” Kaler said. Classrooms for the next academic school year are currently planned to operate at 50% capacity in any room, with maximum capacity in rooms up to 200 people, according to Kaler. This plan allows for classes that are normally in person to be able to return to in-person in some form. Kaler said that a potential strategy to ensure this inperson component is implemented would be to have half the students enrolled in a class meet in person one day and the other half meet in person a separate day. The course catalog in April will give students a better idea of what classes are planned to be taught inperson and which classes are planned to be taught online in order to give students a better sense of what their upcoming year looks like. Even though classes will

remain in-person, safety measures will still be in place in order to continue stopping the spread of COVID-19. “We anticipate that existing COVID-19 mitigation strategies — face coverings, regular testing, contact tracing — will continue to be in effect during the fall semester,” according to the Massmail sent by the vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. In addition to the Massmail sent by the University, Gies College of Business students were also sent an email alerting them that the school is “fully prepared” to return to “normal levels of face-to-face teaching in Fall 2021.” “Given the outstanding testing protocols in place on campus, the rapid expansion of vaccinations and our other safety protocols on campus, we are very optimistic about our ability to provide normal levels of in-person education for the fall semesTHE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO ter,” said Jeffrey Brown, Dr. Luis Rodriguez and his students participate in an online video discussion regarding Puerto dean of Gies, in an email. Rico hurricane relief on Oct. 17, 2019. The University recently sent a Massmail informing monaa2@dailyillini.com

students there will be more in-person classes next year.

Students experience burnout during second semester SOPHIE CASABURI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There has been an increase in the number of students reporting loss of motivation and burnout compared to last semester, according to Dr. McCowan, director of the Counseling Center, and Dr. Stock, associate director of clinical services. Active Minds is a nonprofit organization that aims to end the stigma of mental health. Aliss Tomanek, vice president of the University’s Active Minds Chapter, has found it difficult to be motivated and complete work, given that the pandemic has taken away the social aspect of

student life. “Socialization is a way to work against burnout because people feed off each other’s energy,” Tomanek said. “I’ve definitely noticed people are grasping at straws to any socialization, like going to extra meetings and some students are already going to bars and what-not, which I personally don’t agree with but I understand why they’re doing it because they are missing that social part of being a student.” Tomanek also stated that many Active Minds members lack motivation this semester and feel more depressed.

In November, Chancellor Jones and Provost Cangellaris appointed a mental health working group, which consists of 64 faculty, staff and students across the University’s units and departments. The goal of the working group is to “plan, build and implement enhanced efforts to support the emotional and psychological well-being of our campus community,” wrote Dr. Danita Brown Young, vice chancellor of Student Affairs and co-chair of the mental health working group, in an email. One of the issues the mental health working group seeks to address is

student loss of motivation, burnout and “zoomfatigue.” The working group is addressing burnout concerns by making the current mental health resources more accessible to students via developing a website containing all campus mental health resources. According to Tyler Swanson, undergraduate in ACES and member of the mental health working group, mental health resources are distributed across campus, including the Counseling Center, McKinley Health Center, the Women’s Health Center and more. However, this distribution can make it difficult for students to

navigate. “It’s very hard to know exactly where you need to go when you have a problem,” Swanson said. “What we are hoping what this (website) will do is just take all these different myriad resources that are all in different places and put them in one place where students can go.” Current mental health resources offered by the Counseling Center include one-on-one counseling, group therapy and outreach programs including workshops for students struggling with perfectionism, test anxiety and time management. In addition, eight colleg-

es and departments have an embedded counselor in which students can schedule an appointment to discuss mental health concerns. According to Swanson, scheduling a meeting with his ACES embedded counselor was a simple process, as he only had to contact them through email and skip a long appointment process. “I know it ’s being expanded to more colleges, but I hope they can do it sooner, because it has been a very beneficial resource to me,” Swanson said. sophiec4@dailyillini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

The Main Quad is photographed from a bird’s eye view in the summer. Chancellor Jones recently announced that the University has surpassed its fundraising goal thanks to investments from alumni and friends.

UI surpasses significant fundraising goal of 2.25 billion BY NESHMIA MALIK STAFF WRITER

C h a nc el lor Rob er t Jones announced this past Thursday that the University reached its $2.25 billion fundraising goal a year ahead of schedule. Each year, the University receives investments from alumni and friends who are eager to help the college thrive and become successful. “The need for private support in higher education is greater than ever before, especially in these

u n iquely cha l leng ing times,” Jones said when announcing the result of the campaign. The fundraising campaign, First Illinois, was first commenced in October 2017, with an ambitious goal of $2.25 billion — the largest amount in the University’s history. According to the Campaign for Illinois, the goal has been surpassed a whole year later with more than 730,000 gifts from 158,000 donors from all 50 states and 61 countries worldwide

and a new high of $2.268 million. This put the university ahead of schedule, leaving plenty of time for added funds to roll in. The core ideals of this campaign prioritize propelling bright minds, finding solutions to the world’s challenges and building a university with distinction at the heart of Illinois. Some of these funds are allocated towards addressing the COVID-19 relief efforts, while other investments are geared to advancing the research

and development that goes into some of the biggest solutions on this campus and others are planned, endowed, matched, honorary or gifts of securities. The University has reallocated money to each college within the University to help advance the resources in their residing department. There are certainly larger funds donated by prominent figures in the University departments. According to the news release put out by the Campaign for Illinois, the fun-

draising money consisted of donations of $25 million from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation to establish the Siebel Center for Design, $150 million, the largest gift, from Larry and Beth Gies to the College of Business and a generous 10 million donation from board chairman Don Edwards and his wife. “As a trustee and donor, I am proud of the With Illinois campaign’s success, and deeply grateful to our supporters for their generosity and to our advance-

ment team for its hard work,” Edwards said. While the University has met its goal, the fundraising campaign will continue to proceed until 2022 in order to further support faculty and staff, larger capital projects and other initiatives such as Carle Illinois College of Medicine. The campaign will also further support the 21st-century vision, according to officials. nmalik20@dailyillini.com

MONDAY March 15, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

LIFE & CULTURE

JULIA EVERSMANN THE DAILY ILLINI

Women’s History Month sparks conversations BY JENNI KALLENBACK ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

Many people have been paying increasing attention to the language used to refer to people in relation to feminism and LGBTQ+ activism. For example, the words “womxn” and “Latinx” are gaining popularity. Beyond language, many people point to the need to focus more on intersectional feminism by centering on the stories of trans women and women of color. “The use of the ‘x’ in the term women is part of a long feminist history of tinkering with language to disrupt heteropatriarchal norms and practices,” Gender and Women’s studies Professor Emma Velez said. The ‘x’ is meant to take the words “men” or “man” out of “women” and “woman,” and some people use it to be inclusive of trans people. However, there is debate on whether it’s inclusive. People also use an “x” in Latinx to disrupt the gender binary in the Spanish language. Velez taught a Latinx feminism course in fall 2020, and she uses the

“x” because of what it signifies rather than for linguistic reasons. Velez pointed to poet, essayist and scholar Alan Pelaez Lopez’s understanding of the “x” in Latinx in Lopez’s piece “The X in Latinx Is A Wound, Not A Trend”. According to Lopez, the “x” signifies the prevalence of femicides in Latin America, the oppression and violence that trans and nonbinary people have faced in Latin America and colonization that imposed a gender binary on Indigenous peoples. “The ‘x’ can grant visibility to these issues that are particularly faced by women and femmes, but particularly trans women and femmes of color,” Velez said. However, Velez warned of the performative ally-ship that can happen when people use this language without making efforts to support these communities. Velez said he saw the need for more intersectional feminism that both highlights the activism and work of trans women and femmes of color and amplifies their stories.

JULIA EVERSMANN THE DAILY ILLINI

“In the history of feminine organizing, there’s been an appeal to a universal experience of being a woman, and we have to grapple with that history when we’re grappling with Women’s History Month or International Women’s Day because a lot of these events have arisen out of white feminist organizing,” Velez said. Maggie Scovic, senior in LAS, said there needs to be more support and focus put toward Black trans women

and femmes who have historically increased feminist efforts. “One issue I’ve been focusing on in my research is extending the definition of feminism to include more people. I think right now it’s really exclusive to cis white women still, and historically has been that way,” Scovic said. Scovic said that the origins of adding ‘x’ or ‘y’ in the word ‘women’ come from trans-exclusionary radical feminists who

believe women are only women if they are born female. Thus, Scovic said this modification of the word is not inclusive or effective as a feminist practice. “One thing that’s important to consider is how has our history of women been taught to us,” she said. Scovic also said that the contributions of Black women and Black trans women are not embedded in women’s history curriculums, and that the only

way to learn about them is to actively seek them out. They also point to the importance of community building in feminism. “The work of feminism shouldn’t just be placed on cis women. It definitely needs to be placed on men as well, and everyone involved in that process because you can’t really handle those power dynamics if you’re not tackling it from both sides,” she said. jk31@dailyillini.com

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Monday, March 15, 2021

RYAN ASH THE DAILY ILLINI

Students celebrate Unofficial at Red Lion on March 6, 2020. Due to the cancellation of spring break, some students plan to gather on campus for St. Patrick’s Day when they’d otherwise be travelling or visiting family.

Community experiences St. Patrick’s Day on campus University anticipates spike in COVID-19 cases

BY OLIVIA ORLANDI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Campus was crawling with green last weekend. House parties were in full swing and there were lines down the street to get into the bars. Large groups of students gathered on their way to celebrate. This is just a peek into what Wednesday might look like. St. Patrick’s Day typically falls over spring break, when students are on vacation or visiting their families. However, since there is no spring break this year due to COVID-19, students will be on campus. With COVID-19 placing restrictions on indoor occupancy at the bars and large gatherings carrying disciplinary action by

the University, students are finding other ways to celebrate. Jon Zheng, sophomore in Gies, said he has no plans for St. Patrick’s Day. However he knows many people that went out for Unofficial and have plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. He says being on campus for St. Patrick’s Day is just another reason for students to party. “(The police) really need to crackdown or COVID-19 is probably going to have a field day,” Zheng said. Zheng said the University has been inconsistent with their prevention of parties, citing that some Greek houses have been punished for partying, while others haven’t. PJ Coleman, junior in ACES, said he had plans for a small indoor gathering on Unofficial, but hasn’t made any for St. Patrick’s day. He said this year’s celebration was very different compared to years past, but that it was still fun to get together with a small group of friends for a bit of nor-

malcy. Coleman said he doesn’t think St. Patrick’s Day will be as big of a spectacle as Unofficial was. “I don’t think St. Patrick’s Day is going to rival Unofficial, because it’s during the week, and I know a lot of people, like my roommate, have a heavy workload,” Coleman said. He said it’s more unlikely for students to freely drink during the day on a Wednesday as opposed to a Friday. Although the possibility of a weekday may hinder some students from stepping out due to classes, there is no way to know until March 17. Jessica Brinkworth, assistant professor in LAS, gave some insight on how the cases may look after the holiday. She said that the most common trend campus may see after celebrations on campus is an increase in case numbers starting around four to five days after the event. “A week after that, there starts to be an uptick in hospitalizations,” Brink-

worth said. “About a week after that we start to see increasing ICU numbers, followed by an increase in COVID-19 deaths.” Brinkworth said this all happens over a four to five week period. Depending on how many students participate in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Brinkworth said a spike in cases is expected around campus. The COVID-19 resource center on campus said that students should look over the COVID-19 events and gatherings website to be sure their celebrations are in accordance with the University’s COVID-19 policies. “As long as everyone remains vigilant in their testing and does not participate in behaviors that put their health and the health of others at risk, we will have no need for additional worry,” Chantelle Thompson director of marketing and communications for student affairs said. odo3@dailyillini.com

JULIA EVERSMANN THE DAILY ILLINI

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ACROSS

1 Actress/TV host ___ Pinkett Smith 5 The five weekdays, for short 10 331/3 r.p.m. records 13 Satan’s doings 14 One who’s habitually afraid 16 Constitutional proposal supported by the National Woman’s Party, for short 17 “Scenter” of the face 18 Musical key with three flats 19 ___ Man (“The Wizard of Oz” character) 20 “You did it!” 22 Wandered off 24 “Without further ___ …” 25 Harp-shaped constellation 27 Annual science fiction awards 28 China’s Chairman ___ 30 Snake in “Antony and Cleopatra” 32 Ballyhoos 34 Celestial bodies 36 Like the newest gadgetry, informally 38 No longer employed: Abbr. 39 Winnie-the-___ 40 J’___ (Dior perfume) 41 Very 42 Banned pollutant, in brief 43 Lead-in to -stat 44 “Ant-Man and the ___” (2018 film) 45 Relative of a steam bath 47 Narrow inlet 48 Actor Mahershala 49 City NNW of Detroit 51 Times before eves, in ads

25 28

10 15

26 31

32 38 41 44

47 50

48 51

63 66

PUZZLE BY PORTIA LUNDIE

53 Deliverer of a noted speech upon the death of Martin Luther King Jr. (4/4/1968), in brief 56 February 29 58 Acquired lots of, as money 60 ___-country (music genre) 61 Music genre for Billie Eilish 63 Dog in Oz 64 Cry to a toreador 65 Monster slain by Perseus 66 Nincompoop 67 Unhappy 68 Tirades 69 St. ___ Bay, Jamaica

DOWN

1 Liz’s best friend on “30 Rock” 2 Shun 3 Completely confused

4 Away from the wind, at sea 5 “Star Trek” doctor 6 Lara Croft, in film 7 Conflict in 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” in brief 8 Light browns 9 Foam 10 “Loosen up!” … or a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters 11 “High” figure in a tarot deck 12 Beach composition 15 Noted sex therapist 21 Musical artist “from the block,” familiarly 23 In the past 26 Queens neighborhood 29 What’s left in a fireplace 31 Layer of soil that never thaws 33 Octagonal street sign

34 Antonyms: Abbr. 35 Record label co-founded by Jay-Z 36 “That’ll be the day!” 37 Corp. V.I.P. 41 Messenger bird in the Harry Potter books 43 Bicycle built for two 46 Tiny bite 48 Question 50 Horse whisperer, e.g. 52 Patatas bravas, calamares and others 54 Naturally belong 55 They may be hard to untie 56 Vientiane’s land 57 Who says “When you look at the dark side, careful you must be” 59 “At Last” singer James 62 Wordplay joke

The crossword solution is in the Classified section.

OPINIONS

MONDAY March 15, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEN EYESTONE

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh introduces Donald Trump at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Dec. 21, 2019. Columnist Dennis Austin argues that Limbaugh should not be remembered in a positive light.

Limbaugh’s legacy deserves no sympathy, warrants strict scrutiny DENNIS AUSTIN COLUMNIST

ush Limbaugh is dead. Good riddance. Tradition dictates that it is never appropriate to celebrate someone’s death even if we found them to be reprehensible. Such thinking is backward and morphs us into hypocritical creatures. Suppose we have spent years acknowledging and criticizing an individual’s immoral and unethical behavior and suddenly avoid any critique of their lives upon passing to maintain proper etiquette for the memory of the deceased. I cannot help but laugh. In retrospect, my condolences are to his cancer that unfortunately resided in an empty, soulless character with no regard for even the slightest of human decency. Perhaps the only positive development from his prognosis was his eventual succumbing to the illness, an act that could crown cancer itself as performing a humanitarian deed. My only regret was that he did not succumb to a drug overdose many years ago. Rush Limbaugh was

an obese, drug-addicted white supremacist who profited off the doting fears and ignorance from his predominantly white, conservative base. Limbaugh spent several decades fueling racial tensions, mocking those with disabilities, even bullying people with AIDS purely for his sickening pleasure. There are many other tales of impropriety, far too much to include in this article. Months before his death, Rush Limbaugh was part of the conservative media clown cavalcade that refused to acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory and stoked flames which led to a momentous day of reckoning in American history. The U.S. Capitol was overrun by criminally intent, morally devoid Trump supporters. This encouragement of treason is nothing beyond the pale for modernday conservative media. The cult of Trump did not begin alone with Donald Trump. It had a much more insidious genesis, one that predates the rise of internet conservative punditry, even Fox News’ existence. He was a culture warrior, yes for those who believed that brown people were

invading their pure, white, Anglo-Saxon nation, that abortion should be banned, and every church in America was at risk of turning into a mosque. It was no coincidence that Rush Limbaugh captivated the hearts and minds of the conservative movement. His program went national during the latter period of Ronald Reagan’s presidency. The conservative movement would lose one of its most prominent figures but would soon gain another one, just more brutish. He appealed to the lowest common denominator, lowIQ voters who couldn’t piece together coherent political thought. That didn’t matter. It wasn’t the truth that his listeners were seeking. It was affirmation. They didn’t want to be told their views were racist, sexist or homophobic. They wanted to be told that they were proud Americans who felt it was right to bash immigrants and attack racial justice movements. Threatened by the first Black president’s existence, he continued to promote doubt that he was not an American citizen. He questioned Obama’s intellect, painting him as an anti-Christ who was

on a mission to tear down democracy and replace it with radical communism. It was all a ploy to ensure conservative influence and power. It worked. From burning Obama effigies to Sarah Palin declaring that senior citizen death panels were a real thing, the country became engulfed with the Limbaughinspired Tea-Party mob that gave Republicans a majority in both houses of congress. I often say in conversation that if not for the Tea Party, Donald Trump may have never been president. There was a restless, racist base ready to tear at the seams. All they needed was someone who could take advantage of the situation. Establishment Republicans hesitated to throw their arms around the growing extremities of their party. John Boehner and Paul Ryan resigned, and Eric Cantor, an influential GOP lawmaker, lost his seat in a primary. Soon, the Republican Party’s transformation had taken hold, giving rise to Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley’s likes. These men encouraged the violent, attempted coup on our democracy last month. It has become a hub for ‘Fake News’ and QAnon

conspiracies. The past four years were nothing but North Korean-inspired bootlegged propaganda from government and right-wing media centers. It serves as no surprise that he was an early supporter of Donald Trump in 2015. The current degenerate state of the Republican party is part and parcel of Rush Limbaugh’s doing. He wanted an opportunity to influence American politics and culture. The Trump presidency was his chance to do so — and he did. It was reported various times that Rush had a personal line to the White House, and during an interview with Fox News last week, Trump seemingly confirmed that. For Limbaugh’s nearly 33 years on the air, it culminated w ith a Democratic president’s inauguration. Let’s not mistake ourselves here. While Rush Limbaugh may be physically dead, his ideology is still very much alive. Please pay attention to the outpouring of support from his equally morally bankrupt mourners. Many of your modern-day conservative political figures grew up as fans of the Rush Limbaugh program. He was as much a part

of their lives as their own family. He inspired these heathens and their quench for racism, greed, corruption and thuggery that now occupies power in our social, political and economic landscape. Rush Limbaugh was not a saint, nor does he deserve praise in any context imaginable. He succeeded in dividing a nation to the point of no return. Rush Limbaugh cared about only Rush Limbaugh. Some argued that it is impossible he believed his drivel. Nonsense. Narcissists tend to believe their delusions, questioning those who refuse to agree with them. He was an opportunist, benefiting from his low-IQ listeners who probably couldn’t point out California’s state on the map. I am honest in saying that an image of his lifeless carcass in some cold basement does make me chuckle. It seems to be the appropriate ending for such a rotten human being. Farewell, Rush. I genuinely do hope that wherever you may be, it is in a relatively warm climate. Dennis is a senior in LAS. dennisa2@dailyillini.com

Illinois basketball arrives at momentous opportunity for University history NOAH NELSON SENIOR COLUMNIST

hen Brandon Peters threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Barker with five seconds left in the game to secure their 37-34 victory over Michigan State, I was amongst the thousands of screaming Illinois fans. That day, on Nov. 9, 2019, Illini football had thus advanced themselves to a bowl game, the first time since 2014. Like everyone else, I couldn’t believe what had just happened. Soon after, the thought of

it all kept swirling through my mind. I had just witnessed one of Illini football’s greatest moments. Not only that, but it occurred during my time at Illinois as a student. My mind led me to Illini basketball. If only they could achieve something that spectacular while I’m a student. By the likes of the current season, they are paving the way for what could be a memorable year for the team. They are making history. With the Big Ten Tournament among us, the Illini have a great chance to play in the NCAA Final Four. And

why shouldn’t they? They have earned every right to do so. Throughout the 2020 season, the Illini have accomplished so much that makes every fan proud to wear their orange and blue. As a team, they currently stand with a 20-6 overall record and 16-4 in the Big Ten. Individually, guard Ayo Dosumu has earned himself two triple-doubles, two out of four in Illini basketball history. It’s been an incredible season thus far. And it will only grow better from here. There’s no doubt the likes of Lou Henson and his Flyin’

Illini team from 1989, Bruce Weber, Deron Williams, Dee Brown and others from 2005 are thinking about the current Illini team. I know I am all the time. Achieving greatness in Illini sports history is fantastic. It’s even better while you’re a student at the time of its occurrence. For this and so much more, I am grateful every day to be an Illini. However this year’s season ends, I will wear my orange and blue with pride. Noah is a junior in the College of Media. noahen2@dailyillini.com

LANIE HIBEL THE DAILY ILLINI

Fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis cheer on the Fighting Illini basketball team on Saturday. The team has a chance to make University history during the NCAA Big Ten Tournament.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Pandemic restrictions exacerbate mental health issues among campus students C

ollege students, while mostly spared of the more serious health risks of COVID-19, might be most at risk for mental health issues. It is no secret that getting mental health services at a college or university can be difficult. Many anecdotal stories tell of students calling the

health center needing help with a mental health issue, only to be told there is no room in the schedule. COVID-19 has especially been a burden on college students as they were asked to put most, if not all, of their lives on hold. In a study done by the Journal of Medical Inter-

net Research, 71% of students reported an increase in stress and anxiety due to COVID-19. They also reported negative impacts on their sleep patterns, concentration and social life. The University has done a commendable job of keeping students physically safe from

the effects of COVID-19 with innovative testing procedures but has not kept up with the mental health demands. The Welltrack App is a good start, but the counseling center should expand their outreach to target more students and streamline the process of accessing services provided

by professional therapists. Options include finding providers in Champaign county who are in network for the school’s insurance plan and linking them to students, launching COVID-19 specific mental health wellness campaigns and offering free mental health screenings to

all students. Mental health issues are as serious as physical health conditions and require early intervention to achieve the best outcomes. Ellen is a senior in Social Work. opinions@dailyillini.com

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS | opinions@dailyillini.com with the subject “Letter to the Editor.” The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit for length, libel, grammar and spelling errors, and Daily Illini style or to reject any contributions. Letters must be limited to 300 words. Contributions must be typed and include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college.

MONDAY March 15, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEA ANSFIELD/FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS

Trent Frazier runs past his defensive opponents during the Big Ten Tournament matchup against Rutgers on Friday. Frazier has grown to dominate both sides of the ball which has helped the Fighting Illini become a highly successful Big Ten team.

Frazier embraces new role in senior season BY CARSON GOURDIE STAFF WRITER

Down with four seconds left against a young Luka Garza-led Iowa team, the struggling Illinois, losers of four straight conference games, needed to make a three-point shot to force overtime. But the Illini couldn’t count on Ayo Dosumnu. He was busy

playing for Morgan Park. Brad Underwood had freshman Trent Frazier leading Illinois in the scoring department. Even though the Illini ended up falling to the Hawkeyes in overtime, Frazier did make that shot. As a freshman, the Florida native had the responsibility of leading a

program devastated by the John Groce era, and he did the best he could, leading the Illini with 12.5 points per game on the season. To the casual, current Illini basketball fan who prepares to watch them participate in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013, Frazier being “the guy” may seem

surreal after watching Dosunmu guide the Illini to prosperity. But in a way, it’s a testament to Frazier’s ability to adapt and benefit an Illini team that needs him for a Final Four run. “I’ve learned throughout my years here, it’s not all about scoring,” Frazier said. “I’ve decided to grow (defensively) and play both sides of

the ball.” Frazier’s transition from leading scorer to a defensive prowler has correlated with Illini becoming a Big Ten — and now national title —contender. With players like Dosunmu, Cockburn and Curbelo on the roster, Frazier doesn’t need to take that shot against Iowa to win the game.

When Frazier came to Illinois in 2017, it was a program that needed a fresh start. With John Groce at the helm, the Illini were NIT regulars, as they regularly were doomed with late-season collapses. In what turned out to be Groce’s final regular-season game, last-place Rutgers stunned Illinois, ending their tournament hopes. Athletic Director Josh Whitman had a vision for his program, and he didn’t care if it needed to be unorthodox to achieve it. Whitman flew down to Stillwater, Oklahoma and lured a first-year Power Five coach away. However, as Illini fans know, the Underwood saga wasn’t anything but smooth at first, Fraizer having a front-row seat the entire way. Back-to-back losing seasons cast doubts whether the Illini program would ever turn around, but signs of improvement were showing. While the Illini were one of the Big Ten most improved teams last season — going from 12 to 21 wins — Frazier’s role as a primary scorer officially vanished. Frazier’s point per game average dropped 4.6 points, and his ability to shoot the outside shot plummeted, converting only 30% of his attempts. Meanwhile, Dosunmu was paving his way as an Illini legend, hitting multiple game-winning or clinching shots that locked up a would-be NCAA tournament bid, if not for COVID-19. When Frazier was a freshman, he was the guy, but Dosunmu took that role SEE FRAZIER | 3B

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Illini must bring intensity to make deep tournament run BY GABBY HAJDUK FORMER SPORTS EDITOR

For the first time in nearly a decade, Illinois basketball watched Selection Sunday knowing they’d be playing in the NCAA tournament. With one of the best teams in program history, Brad Underwood’s squad is prepared to make a deep run through March and April. I broke down five things the Illini need to do to make a historic run for the University’s first National Championship title. Ayo needs to be Ayo This is a no-brainer. While the Illini still won when Dosunmu was out with the an injury, the NCA A tournament is a different animal. Dosunmu will need to be at the top of his game each round, but that doesn’t just mean scoring. What makes Dosunmu so special is his ability to make the players around him better. He’s averaging over five assists per game while also scoring over 20 points a game. When Dosunmu is able to facilitate and create his own shots, the Illini offense flows at a different level. Dosunmu’s energy also just radiates through the team. When Dosunmu gets hyped or makes a huge shot, the entire bench and crowd go insane. That type of team energy can create so much momentum, which is even more important in a loseand-go-home game. Luckily for the Illini, Dosunmu was born for the spotlight. He rarely, if ever, hesitates in big moments or lets his team down when the game is on the line, so there’s no doubt that will continue once the Big Dance rolls around. Kofi needs to prove he’s the better center It’s difficult to outscore Iowa’s Luka Garza in any scenario; Garza is a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year for a reason. But on Saturday in the conference tournament semifinals, Cockburn established he was the stronger center — in that game. Cockburn scored 26 points on 65% shooting compared to Garza’s 21 points on 38% shooting.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVIDCRAAN/FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS

Ayo Dosunmu dribbles down the court in the Big Ten Tournament matchup against Iowa on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Fighting Illini have to focus on five aspects to thrive in the NCAA tournament.

While there’s no doubt Garza is the better player as a whole, Cockburn was better that night, which is all that matters in March Madness. In the past, Cockburn has struggled with using his size to his advantage, defending on the perimeter and keeping the ball secure. But in recent weeks, or even months, Cockburn has improved in all of those areas. Saturday night, Cockburn was more physical than Garza, stuck with him along the perimeter and was strong with the ball, even passing out of a double or triple team at times. Cockburn has seen the best of the best when it comes to centers. Not every tournament team is going to have a Garza or an E.J. Liddell, so the key for Cockburn is keeping that

same energy for any center that comes his way. And, of course, the Illini need to continue to find ways to get him the ball nearly every play, something that’s not always easy. Freshmen must play like veterans With Dosunmu gone near the end of the regular season, guys like Andre Curbelo, Adam Miller, Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison all stepped up to fill the massive void left by their star. And while you can’t possibly think the injury was a “blessing in disguise,” it gave some other Illini guards the chance to establish their own games. This entire season Curbelo and Miller each struggled with consistency. One game they’d look like future program leaders and another game they’d look like strug-

gling freshmen. But down the stretch, Curbelo has tightened up his game — limiting turnovers, making smarter looks and finding ways to get to the hoop — while Miller has found consistency in his deep ball while also turning himself into one of the team’s best defenders. When the freshmen duo is playing at their highest level, neither of them can be stopped. They’ve each proven if Dosunmu or Cockburn aren’t having their best scoring nights, one of them can step in and put the points up. Kills, kills, kills This Illini defense is legit; there’s no doubt about it. But, what makes them so dynamic is how they can turn defense into offense so quickly. Their main goal throughout games is to get

kills — three stops in a row. W hat is so important about kills is they let the Illini offense get in transition. And while we all know Dosunmu is a transition god, the rest of the offense also thrives at that pace. Whether it’s Frazier or Miller pulling up for a quick three, an alley-oop to Cockburn or a crafty layup from Curbelo, Illinois’ transition game almost never fails. And, of course, there’s always the saying, “offense wins games, defense wins championships.” While very cliche, it’s almost always true, and when the Illini are slapping the floor on defense and locking down each guy, even the best offensive teams struggle to get good looks. With an electric Illini offense, that combo is deadly.

Free throws Illinois’ weakest point this season is arguably its production at the free-throw line, something that is a huge factor come tournament time. It’s rare you see big blowouts in March Madness, so every point counts, especially the free ones. As a team, the Illini are shooting 68% from the line and Cockburn, who shoots the most free throws, makes only 55% of his attempts. The Illini score more of their points in the paint than from the perimeter, so they inevitably get to the line a lot in games. Having the poise and confidence to knock down those shots could be the difference-maker late in the tournament. @gabby_h11 ghajduk2@dailyillini.com

2B Monday, March 15, 2021

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RYAN ASH THE DAILY ILLINI

Sophomore Kofi Cockburn shoots a free throw during the game against Purdue on Jan. 2. Cockburn shot 54.1% from the free-throw line during regular-season Big Ten play.

Numbers tell story of unususal, historic Illinois season BY JACKSON JANES SPORTS EDITOR

Despite an unprecedented and unpredictable season, the Illini have lived up to their preseason hype and proven that they are one of the top teams in the country. Head coach Brad Underwood inherited an underperforming program in 2017 and has since turned things around, as the Illini are back on the national stage where they belong. Illinois looks to continue its winning ways next week and beyond, with the entire team playing some of its best basketball all season. Let’s take a deep dive into some notable numbers with the NCAA tournament around the corner. 2013 For the first time since 2013 — and the first time under Underwood — the Illini will be dancing in March. Led by junior guard Ayo

Dosunmu and sophomore center Kofi Cockburn, Illinois looks like the real deal, as it brings intense defense and lights-out shooting every game. The last time the Illini made the tournament they received an at-large bid and were a 7-seed in the competition. In his senior season, star guard Brandon Paul led all scorers with 17 points, and Illinois took down Colorado to advance to the second round, where it lost to 2-seed Miami by four points. The historic 2005 team was the last Illini squad to make it to the Sweet Sixteen, and this year’s squad looks hungry to make it much farther in this season’s tournament. 20, 6, 5 After announcing he would be returning for a third season, Dosunmu has exceeded already lofty expectations, as he is the first player in the last 11 seasons to average 20

points, six rebounds and five assists. The Chicago native is a Swiss Army knife, as he’s essentially unstoppable when driving to the rim, aggressive on the boards and selfless with the ball, always looking to find a teammate for an open trey or Cockburn, his partner in crime, at the rim. Though he was not named the Big Ten’s Player of the Year, Dosunmu has certainly left his mark on Champaign and this Illini program, and his jersey will deservedly hang in the rafters after he heads to the NBA following the team’s run in the NCAA tournament. 66.4% When Cockburn gets the ball in the paint, he’s dominant and brushes off defenders. He converts 66.4% of his field goals — free throws are a different story — and has made Big Ten centers look weak on countless occasions.

There are few big men who can match Cockburn’s size and strength, and in matchups with Iowa’s Luka Garza and Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson this season, the Illinois sophomore has won the battle. After shooting 53.2% from the field last season, the Jamaica native has brought a whole new level to his play so far this year, and he’s one of the biggest reasons why the Illini have been so dominant in Big Ten play. 68.8% After shooting 72.8% from the free-throw line last season and ranking 111th in the country, the Illini have gotten worse this year. The team shot 68.8% from the line during regular-season Big Ten play, the fourth-worst percentage among teams in the conference. Cockburn got to the line more than anyone on the Illini, yet he shot a dismal

54.1% from the line during the team’s 20 conference games. Free throws have been anything but free for the big man, which is even more of an issue when he takes an average of around seven free throws per game. 16 The Illini’s 16 regularseason Big Ten wins are the most in program history, eight of which happened at State Farm Center. The eight away wins are also impressive, as Illinois beat Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State on the road in the last three regular-season games of the year. Though fans were not in the stands at any Big Ten regular-season games, the Illini got the job done regardless of their opponent or location while, in the process, making history. Look out for the Illini in March, and don’t be surprised when they are still playing in April.

0 While fans may not like it, here’s the number of NCAA tournament championship titles the Illini have won. With selfless guard play from Dosunmu and freshman Andre Curbelo, clutch 3-point shooting from Trent Frazier and Adam Miller, dominance in the paint from Cockburn and Giorgi Bezhanishvili and rebounding aggressiveness from Da’Monte Williams and Jacob Grandison, the Illini are a force to be reckoned with. With intense defense and a high-paced offense, any team should be worried about a potential meeting with Illinois come the NCAA tournament, as it has proved game in, game out that it is one of the best all-around teams in the country. @JacksonJanes3 janes6@dailyillini.com

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Monday, March 15, 2021

Photo Courtesy of Fighting Illini Athletics Freshman Andre Curbelo celebrates after scoring during the Big Ten semifinal match against Iowa. Curbelo is one of several freshmen who have shown promise this season.

Curbelo’s creativity, Miller’s grit help team find success BY JACKSON JANES SPORTS EDITOR

After the 2018-2019 season, Illinois looked worn out. Losing five of their final six games in the regular season, the Illini limped into the Big Ten Tournament and struggled, needing overtime to beat lastplace Northwestern before losing to Iowa in the second round. But, there was some hope for the future. Freshmen Ayo Dosunmu and Giorgi Bezhanishvili looked like the real deal, averaging 13.8 and 12.5 points per game, respectively, while sophomore Trent Frazier continued to improve after

being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team the year prior. Despite all the uncert a i nties su r rou nd i ng the team, head coach Brad Under wood put together an impressive 2020 recruitment class, as it was the third-best in the Big Ten and the 16th-best across all of college basketball. On Sept. 21, 2019, Brad Underwood landed his first target, with Coleman Hawk ins, a 6-foot-10 inches forward from California, agreeing to come to Champaign. Hawkins was a good get, but the Illini’s next two

signings were the most influential in the team’s success this season. The month of November was a big one for Illinois, as both Andre Curbelo, a nifty point guard known for his vision and selflessness, and Adam Miller, another Morgan Park prospect with loads of potential, both announced their commitments to Underwood and the Illini. The team also added 7-foot Deerfield native Brandon Lieb in June of 2020, though he has seen little game time this season. A f ter Dosunmu announced he would be returning for a third year

following the 2020 season that was cut short due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many people questioned how the roles of Miller and Curbelo, who were both expected to immediately jump into the starting lineup, would change. That hasn’t been an issue for the team this season, as Miller has solidified his place in the starting lineup with his 3-point shooting. Curbelo has provided a spark off the bench and earned the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award, and Hawkins has been a reliable presence off the bench whenever he’s called upon.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS

Freshman Adam Miller defends during the Big Ten semifinal match against Iowa.

FROM 1B

FRAZIER

the Herald & Review after the game. While Frazier isn’t a prolific scorer, he has proven that he is able to step up his game and allow the team to count on him. On top of his shooting improving back to freshman form, the Illini have one of the most diverse and balanced scoring attacks in the nation. As Frazier says, basketball is more than scoring, and he’s become one of the best on-ball defenders in the nation. “The coaches tell me to guard the best player,” Frazier said. Frazier’s impact, although changed, can’t be overstated. His contribution to the program is about to pay off with the first Illini tournament berth since 2013, even without being able to hang a Big Ten championship banner. As for Frazier and the Illini, who haven’t even reached the Sweet 16 since 2005, they have bigger fish to fry. “That was the regular season. It’s postseason now,” Frazier said. “We’re focused on the national championship. You know, bigger things.”

from him. The all-defensive guard doesn’t mind the new role he’s taken on and appreciates Dosunmu’s impact on the program. “He loves having the ball in his hands and (hitting) that big shot,” Frazier said. “We need a guy like that, and he’s been great for this team.” Dosunmu has the chance to become the face of college basketball this March, with his swagger, black mask and game-clinching shots in his arsenal. But while Dosu n mu has all bu t secured his number being put up in the State Farm Center rafters, he is human, and his teammates have proved Illinois is more than No. 11. Facing a bubble-bound Indiana squad earlier this year, Dosunmu had an off-night, eventually fouling out. Instead of packing up the bags and accepting the upset loss, Frazier went off for 19 points, including a stretch of making threestraight 3 pointers to hold off Archie Miller’s team. “We’re almost shocked when Trent misses one now because he’s been on such @gourdiereport a burner,” Underwood told gourdie2@dailyillini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIGHTING ILLINI ATHLETICS .

Trent Frazier runs past his defensive opponents during the Big Ten Tournament matchup against Rutgers on Friday.

Curbelo has been the brightest bulb of the freshman class. Averaging 20.5 minutes and 8.8 points per game, the Puerto Rico native has played in all even games this season. After an up-and-down first few weeks, Curbelo has settled in, as he averaged 15 points per game during the Illini’s final five regular-season games, including a career-high 19 in the regular-season finale against the Buckeyes. “One thing you never have to worry about with Andre Curbelo is there’s going to be something happening,” Underwood said after Illinois’ 23-point win over Michigan on March 2. “And he’s always ready. He plays with zero fear and so much confidence.” Known for his passing and play-making abilities, Curbelo finished first in the Big Ten in assists during conference play with 91. “He sometimes makes passes that nobody expects him to make,” Cockburn said of Curbelo on Dec. 16. “He sees the f loor differently. I just have to start getting used to that. I’ve never played with someone like him that has that vision.” While Curbelo brings f lashy passing, Miller’s biggest attributes are his 3-point shooting and intense defensive presence. The Peoria native made the second-most threes on the team — behind only Frazier — during the Big Ten regular season, and he is also a big reason why the

Illini have allowed an average of less than 69 points per game. Though his of fensive production was a bit inconsistent throughout the season, Miller still averaged 7.2 points and three rebounds while also starting every game this year. He also credits Dosunmu, who he played with at Morgan Park, for helping him find his role this season. “I came to play for the school,” Miller said on Feb. 26. “To have him here, it really has helped me. My production might not be as much, but we are winning and learning so much in the process.” It’s also a testament to Underwood’s coaching and recruiting that the Illini have had a player on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team — Frazier in 2018, Dosunmu in 2019, Cockburn in 2020 and now Curbelo in 2021 — in four consecutive seasons. Both Miller and Curbelo have the ability to make up for Dosunmu’s likely departure next year and beyond, and they are both essential pieces to this Illinois puzzle this season. With March Madness on the horizon, Miller and Curbelo will need to continue to step up and shine in the big moments as they have done all year, and with the Illini’s championship aspirations, they must prove why Underwood and the Illini were so eager to bring them to Champaign. @JacksonJanes3 janes6@dailyillini.com

CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood waves to the crowd as he boards the bus headed for the Big Ten Tournament.

4B Monday, March 15, 2021

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Monday, March 15, 2021

buzz calendar BY RUKAYAH HUSSEIN BUZZ CALENDAR EDITOR

The buzz calendar is a compilation of events happening in the Champaign-Urbana area. Follow our top picks in Monday’s and Thursday’s papers for ideas on what to do on any night of the week, from where to eat to what to watch. Want to submit an event? Email calendar@readbuzz.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 15

Virtual Open Mic Night with Canopy Club PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBBY KLEIN

Country artist Bones Owens poses for an album cover photoshoot. Owens talks about his love of music and how he got started in the industry.

Bones Owens discusses debut album BY JILLIAN LITTLE STAFF WRITER

Buzz sat down to talk with country artist Bones Owens, who released his debut, self-titled album in February. Owens was raised in rural Missouri and moved to Nashville when he was 21, building up his performing experience before signing with Thirty Tigers in 2019. He talks to buzz about his musical journey and how his passion for music started. buzz: What was your musical upbringing, and what inf luenced you to start making music? Bones Owens: “My parents are both musical. They sing, and my mom plays piano, so I grew up around a lot of music. There was always someone singing in the house. I started taking lessons for piano when I was six and switched to guitar at 10. I started making music of my own as soon as I got good enough at guitar to put a few chords together. The influence probably came from a combination of my dad’s ‘70s rock record collection and my uncle who was introducing me to alternative music at the time.”

buzz: What does your typical creative process look like? BO: “I write most of the songs by myself, so it’s just me in a room with a guitar, messing around on my guitar, till I play something that seems worth chasing down. Then, I start building melodies and lyrics around that, and the song takes shape as I demo it at my home studio. There are exceptions, but that’s how most of this record was created.” buzz: What can fans expect from “Bones Owens?” Are there any resonant themes you’d like them to think about after listening to the album in its entirety? BO: “I’m a big proponent of people creating their own takeaway, but I would say that this record is more celebratory and feel-good overall when compared to my previous EP’s. Some of the more serious subject matter deals with loss, breaking ties and moving on, etc., but there are also several love songs, which is a subject I haven’t hit on much in the past.” buzz: Has the musicmaking process changed for you at all during the pandemic?

BO: “Very much. I draw a lot of inspiration from staying on the move and traveling around playing shows. The act of sitting still for long periods of time is very foreign to me and my creative process.” buzz: If there’s one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be? BO: “How much time do you have? Haha. I’ll just say this. I’ve lived in Nashville for 15 years. That’s more than enough time for anyone to get a sour taste in their mouth about certain aspects of the business. The one thing I haven’t let it do is ruin music for me, though. I love music. I love what I get to do for a living, and I refuse to let anyone take the joy of that away from me. I try to burden myself with the ‘industry’ aspect of music as little as possible.” buzz: What’s next for Bones Owens? BO: “Hopefully playing shows for live audiences again as soon as that’s safe for everyone. In the meantime, I’m hunkered down here at home writing the next album.” jel3@readbuzz.com

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 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.  Virtual Event hosted by The Canopy Club  Free Join the Champaign-Urbana Open Mic Nights crew, including Anika Emily, Jake Fava Music, Moe Pesci da Goodfella, Lola Honey and more for weekly COVID-19 induced Zoom open mics. Until we can all be back at The Canopy Club, this is the best we’ve got.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Celebrate March Madness with JNF-USA

 6:30 p.m.  Virtual event hosted by Jewish National Fund on Campus  Free, but registration required Join JNF on Campus and Illini Hillel to celebrate March Madness as Jewish National Fund-USA Board Member Scott Gendell interviews former AmericanIsraeli basketball star Deon Thomas. Scott and Deon will discuss Deon’s upbringing on Chicago’s West Side, his esteemed basketball career, specifically playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv, and his relationship to Judaism. Zoom information provided upon registration.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17

Lunch and an Irish Jig

 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Harvest Market, 2029 S. Neil St., Champaign, Illinois  Free Harvest Market is excited to host the Shamrock Academy of Irish Dancers. Watch these great dancers perform an authentic Irish Jig and grab lunch from the restaurant, delicatessen or salad bar while you watch!

Lunchtime Live Storytelling

 1:15 pm-1:45 pm  Virtual Event hosted by Spurlock Museum  Free Take a soothing lunch break and join Kim Sheahan Sanford, assistant director of Education and resident storyteller, for family-friendly stories from around the world.

Teen Book Club

 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Virtual event hosted by the Urbana Free Library  Free, but registration required Join this Teen Book Club where members get to choose the books that they read! Have a book you want to discuss? Let them know and they’ll add it to the list! And if you don’t have a copy of the book already, they’ll provide one for you. Each week, the group will discuss a section of the book they’re currently reading. Discussions are casual and fun, so come by to hang out and talk about great books!

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MONDAY March 15, 2021 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

Anita Purves offers virtual environmental experience BY JULIA YOUMAN STAFF WRITER

On a warm March Wednesday, Busey Woods is fairly quiet. Tree branches rustle in the background as the chorus frogs faintly sing. While there are no physical hikers, nearly 200 people tune in to take a virtual hike on Facebook Live. Savannah Donovan, the environmental public program coordinator at the Anita Purves Nature Center, leads virtual hikers through the woods, stopping to point out the animal tracks and answer questions from the comments. Donovan said that even when everything shut down in March, the center still found ways to connect people to nature, just through an online format. For the most part, they’ve kept everything free. “We want people to connect with nature on an emotional level and appreciate all it does for us,” Donovan said. “Because building on that love and appreciation is how we build people who are good stewards of the environment.” While the center only recently opened for private in-person visits, Donovan and the other program coordinators have continued to livestream their hikes through Busey Woods. They host owlwatching parties on Zoom and post videos of their snakes and turtles. In fact, one of their most popular online programs has been the Amaz-

ing Owl Zoom series where they teach viewers how to safely find and watch owls outside. In addition to seeing one of the center’s screeching owls up close, viewers also get a kit to dissect a real owl pellet at home. Donova n sa id that doing things virtually has allowed them to reach a whole new audience that they weren’t able to reach before. She said she’s gotten to meet new people online that wouldn’t normally come into the center. “We really miss those one-on-one experiences of taking groups out in nature,” she said. “But the livestreams are fun, and it’s a great way to interact with all different types of people on the trail.” She said that the number one goal of the online environmental programs is to help people de-stress and relax with everything that is going on since the start of the pandemic. She pointed to how research shows that connecting with nature during lockdown has been beneficial for mental health. Most recently, they’ve started offering more inperson opportunities for people to get out of the house and into nature. Household groups of up to eight people can arrange an exclusive hour-long visit to the center’s Field Station exhibit hall. This, like most of their programs, is free. Groups just have to schedule two days in advance.

In addition to revamping the field station to be more COVID-friendly, the center has also been working with schools in the community to educate young students about nature. In their most recent collaboration, David Subers, an environmental staffer at the center, helped put together individual kits with sand, water and sugar cubes to help students learn about erosion at home. Subers, who has been in environmental education for five years now, said that he hopes when people come to the center they get just as excited about nature as he is. “My thinking is if I can make one person’s week a little bit better, a little brighter, maybe inspire them to take on a natural resource stewardship mentality, that’s a bonus,” he said. “But even just trying to get people out of the house during this very difficult time and interacting with people is important.” When people come in for tours, Subers said he tries to be as engaging as possible. He leads people through leaf rubbings, nature-journaling and wildlife observation. And he is a big proponent of the Friendship Grove Nature Playscape, where kids can freely play in nature. “Research shows that young people exposed to natural surroundings essentially create land ethics,” Subers said. The center has long been

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSE GOTFRIT

Alternative rock group DISHPIT poses for a photo. Vocalist and guitarist Nora Kelly hopes their debut album will inspire female artists to pursue a future in rock music.

DISHPIT empowers female rockers BY NATE SUN STAFF WRITER

There’s a certain nostalgic quality to the sound of alternative rock throughout the ‘90s and 2000s. Bigname acts such as Nirvana and Hole presented a vigorous sound that, combined with a brazen attitude, resonated with many peo-

ple. To this canon, emerging femme three-piece group DISHPIT encapsulates these sentiments with great passion — energetic and experimental instrumentals accompanied by fiery, progressive lyrics. As DISHPIT releases their self-titled debut album this year, vocalist and gui-

tarist Nora Kelly described what it’s like to be a new set of boisterous rockers on the scene. “We’re trying to embody the personality type of male rockers in the past,” Kelly said. “A lot of the time we’re the only women in the set, but we’re the loudest people.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ANITA PURVES NATURE FACEBOOK PAGE

The Anita Purves Nature Center stands at 1505 N. Broadway Ave. in Urbana, Illinois. The center has been conducting Facebook lives and taking followers on virtual hikes during the pandemic.

a proponent of sustainability. They’ve turned to renewable energy sources, restored wetlands and planted several hundred trees in the community. They are also collaborating with the Urbana Park District on the Climate Action, Resilience, Education and Sustainability plan, which they are working to finalize by Earth Day 2021. The plan aims to improve the health

and sustainability of Urbana and work to combat the climate crisis on a local level. A core part of the plan is involving community members. Donovan said that while the center has always taught about climate change awareness and how to limit greenhouse gases, this plan will take it further to a districtwide level. She hopes that the whole community can

begin using renewable energy sources and steer away from fossil fuels. “A lot of people want to do things that help nature and the environment, but they don’t know where to start,” Donovan said. “We want to give them an opportunity to volunteer their time, get their hands dirty and feel like they are making a difference.”

For DISHPIT, female empowerment plays a big role in how they conduct themselves. Kelly said that although a lot of female artists are excited to play in rock bands, they still feel an inherent sense of nervousness. “We hope to be inspiring to other people who have been marginalized in the rock world,” she said. If any of this sounds familiar, it could be because this credo echoes the “Riot grrrl” feminist movement in alt-rock during the ‘90s. As is the case, many of the artists from this era are big influences on Kelly and DISHPIT’s music. “I love Hole, and I love The Breeders and PJ Harvey, all of these badass women,” Kelly said. “Those are the kind of bands that I go back to, and I want to know all of the lyrics” The icing on top of all of this is the fact that prolific music producer Steve Albini, who has worked with acts such as The Breeders and PJ Harvey, produced DISHPIT’s debut. As described by Kelly, Albini advocates for artists to have more creative liberty in the studio and even sees himself as more of an audio engineer than a producer. Kelly describes this

as a “music first” sort of attitude, a value that DISHPIT also shares. Such is evident with the songwriting in DISHPIT’s music. Kelly’s creative process often comes as a form of catharsis. “Half the songs are very personal and have to do with what I’m going through,” she said. However, not every song is rigidly veracious. “The lighter songs are usually like kind of a part of my personality that I can see, and I take it to like a thousand,” she said. Kelly describes this as making for a more peaceful life as a musician. Of course, DISHPIT also has its fair share of comedic moments to contrast with the emotional libretto. “I feel like you need a sense of humor in the band,” Kelly said. “That’s a good way to win people over,” she said. When it comes to writing the instrumentals, the process is very much a fullband operation; both bassist Jed Stein and drummer Ethan Soil add their input to form a complete idea. “I have an acoustic guitar, and I just like play around on it and come up with some theme — Ethan and Jed will add their drum

and bass parts,” Kelly said. Releasing a debut album during a pandemic isn’t easy, but DISHPIT still has many plans for the future. “I would really like to keep recording songs while the pandemic is going on and [afterward] going on a tour,” said Kelly. Impressively, DISHPIT is already working on new music. Kelly said the group’s new songs are becoming more diverse and more experimental, and everybody is getting better at their instruments. Fortunately, DISHPIT has been able to stick to its passions and release its empowering debut album, produced by the legendary Steve Albini, despite all that’s going on in the world. As for any aspiring artists, Kelly has some choice words of advice. “Make a pentagram in your room and summon Satan,” she said. In all seriousness, she said, “If you really put a lot of heart and soul into music, music will hook you up.” Just as DISHPIT did, Kelly champions the idea that “if you are loving it already, keep focusing on that part of it.”

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