Once again working through the night, lawmakers finalize $53.1 billion budget
Democrats needed three tries to pass $1.1 billion revenue plan just before 5 a.m.
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217 Today: ‘Junk patents’ by big pharma lead to soaring drugs prices, FTC says
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Illinois House approved a $53 billion state budget early this morning – but passing the revenue package to help pay for it was difficult. Urbana is considering whether to expand its police force, based on a public safety study it commissioned. State lawmakers have approved a measure to pause the…
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WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana May. 30 – Jun. 02
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m. Free Kids Movies at Savoy 16 Date & Time: Thursday, May 30th, 10:00 a.m. Location: Savoy 16 Theatre,…
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Lawmakers move to pause – then further regulate – carbon dioxide pipeline development
Deal brokered by governor’s office also creates state funds for training first responders SPRINGFIELD – After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a…
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Trump prosecutor focuses on ‘cover-up’ in closing arguments while defense attacks key witness
The lawyers’ dueling accounts, wildly divergent in their assessments of witness credibility and the strength of evidence, offered both sides one final chance to score points with the jury before it starts deliberating the first felony case against a former American president.
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The push for embryo rights worries IVF patients and doctors in the Midwest
Thirteen states across the U.S., including much of the Midwest, introduced bills this year that could give some rights to embryos and fetuses usually associated with people. None passed but people in the fertility world are concerned that lawmakers will try again and what that means for reproductive rights.
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217 Today: ‘Can you cut?’ – Female barbers show off their skills in recent competition
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Today’s headlines: Local pro-Palestinian activists are demanding action from politicians after Israeli airstrikes killed dozens in a refugee camp in Rafah. The Illinois House heads back to Springfield today to put the finishing touches on the next fiscal year’s state budget. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is one step closer to reclaiming…
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Senate Democrats send $53.1B spending plan to House
Representatives return next week for potential final approval.
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Maternal health, abortion protection measures advance as session nears end
In the final days of their spring legislative session, Democrats in the General Assembly advanced measures aimed at expanding and protecting aspects of maternal and women’s health care. If signed into law, the measures would expand insurance coverage of pregnancy and postpartum services, maintain abortion as a viable treatment option for women experiencing certain emergencies,…
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As cicadas emerge, nature lovers travel thousands of miles to converge on Illinois
For tourists, Illinois is the place to be for the historic cicada emergence. The 17-year brood in the state’s northern half and the 13-year brood in the southern part are set to converge near Springfield.
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Budget negotiations will extend into next week as House leaves Springfield
Two chambers ‘very close’ on agreement, but further amendments expected.
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Memorial Day weekend travel to be congested with severe weather on the way
America is back, baby. Airports and roadways are expected to be jam-packed during the Memorial Day weekend, making up for travel lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new analysis from AAA. But severe and potentially destructive storms forecast for the Plains, Midwest and mid-South through Memorial Day weekend may dampen the fun. AAA projects 43.8 million people…
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Illinois could be 19th state to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers
But some service providers say they’ll be forced to lay off staff without increased state and federal support After years of negotiations and continued opposition from service providers, Illinois appears poised to prohibit employers from using a federal exemption that allows them to pay individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage. The federal Fair Labor…
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The Checkup: ‘Junk patents’ by big pharma lead to soaring drugs prices, FTC says
The Federal Trade Commission says drug makers are gaming the system in order to keep drug prices high by filing what it describes as “junk patents”.
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217 Today: Trees are spreading across the Great Plains. They’re actually making climate change worse
Friday, May 24, 2024 Today’s headlines: The Champaign County Board voted to censure County Auditor George Danos on Thursday for unprofessional conduct and failure to do his job as a watchdog. Democratic lawmakers in Springfield are hoping to expand protections for patients seeking abortion services in Illinois. Public special education day schools in Illinois could…
