Pritzker touts early education funding in signing $50.4 billion budget

Pritzker touts early education funding in signing $50.4 billion budget

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has traveled the state this week to tout the budget’s funding of his Smart Start initiative, a focal point of his 2024 budget aimed at improving access to preschool, increasing funding for child care providers and investing in early childhood facilities. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed his fifth budget — a…

How Asian Americans got wrapped up in the affirmative action debate — and why many want out

How Asian Americans got wrapped up in the affirmative action debate — and why many want out

The U.S. Supreme Court is due to rule this month on the fate of affirmative action in college admissions. Justices are considering two cases challenging the consideration of race, including one that alleges discrimination against Asian American applicants. For decades Asian American students have been cast, often unwillingly, as victims of affirmative action policies meant…

Ancient fish, modern problem: How the pallid sturgeon could be a warning for the Missouri River

Ancient fish, modern problem: How the pallid sturgeon could be a warning for the Missouri River

The pallid sturgeons outlasted dinosaurs, but human changes to the Missouri River nearly wiped out the prehistoric fish. Some experts think the fish’s struggle could signal larger problems on the Big Muddy, especially as climate change accelerates. Every day in the spring and fall when water temperatures are right, a team of scientists meet at…

217 Today: Her husband survived D-Day. She had him tell his story before he died

217 Today: Her husband survived D-Day. She had him tell his story before he died

June 7, 2023 Today’s headlines: Illinois is one of 10 states on a securities task force that’s pursuing legal action against the crypto-currency platform Coin-base for allegedly violating securities laws. A coalition of clergy sex abuse victims and their advocates are demanding more information and transparency after the release of a report from the Illinois…