May 2:

SPRINGFIELD — Given a second chance, a bill to prohibit smoking on all public university campuses in Illinois was approved by the Illinois Senate.

Last week, the measure, SB 2202, fell five votes short of passing the Senate, and it was placed on "postponed consideration."

In 1913, Champaign is to have a new and modern motion picture theater, one that will be the equal of anything in the Middle West. Mark and Bert Cooper are to build a theater on the T.D. Wilson lot on Church Street, just west of the Trevett & Mattis Bank, and work will begin in a short time.

Local history

In 1913, 5.18 inches of rain has fallen in Champaign in the last four days and it is little wonder that basements in all parts of the city are flooded and creeks in the vicinity are overflowing their banks. With the heavy rains has come high winds. Gusts reached 41 mph Sunday afternoon. A lake has formed on North Willis Avenue where 3 acres are covered with water.

National Weather Service analysis shows most of ChampagnCounty got about 3 to 4 inches of snow Thursday evening and night.

Greater amounts (4 to 6 inches) fell in Decatur, Litchfield and Pana, and lesser amounts (1 to 3 inches) in Danville, Bloomington-Normal, Charleston-Mattoon and Paris.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge2/snow/index.php?site=ilx&lat=40&lon=-89&zo...

Saturday's history column

Saturday

In 1913, members of the Champaign Chamber of Commerce today heard of the proposed bond issue of $17,000 to purchase two automobile firetrucks and to make other improvements. Chamber members also learned that the Textile Manufacturing Company’s plant, destroyed by fire some time ago, has been rebuilt and is almost in full operation.

In 1912, Illinois Central Railroad officials announced a number of changes along the railroad’s right of way in Champaign. Probably the most important is construction of a new ticket office and waiting room about 100 feet north of the present building, which will be used for other purposes. A large, two-story passenger station is proposed.

In 1912, an Edison amberola machine announced the engagement of Mr. Carl Mouch and Miss Nellie McGrath at the meeting of the Narcissus Club at the home of Mrs. R.C. Wagner Jr. on West Springfield Avenue. It was the first time locally that an engagement announcement had thus been made. Several selections had been played on the amberola when Mr.