Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Today’s headlines: An Illinois Republican lawmaker is trying to make bribery and intimidation by a public official a detainable offense. People spent 60 percent more on sports wagers last year in Illinois than the year prior, but the state’s chief fiscal officer says it’s not a budget fix. A coalition working to…
Monday, September 26, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois will sell $2.6 billion worth of corn and soybeans to Taiwan over the course of two years. The University of Illinois on Friday unveiled plans for a $250 million academic and research facility in the South Loop of Chicago. A team of researchers at the University of Illinois…
Starting in the 1970s, WILL and other public broadcasters began turning to listeners and viewers for part of their operating funds. Debbie Day, WILL’s first development director, talks about how the Friends of WILL helped Illinois Public Media grow.
SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Emil Jones III pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday to three felony counts stemming from an alleged bribery scheme involving a red light camera company. Jones, 44, is a Chicago Democrat who has served in the Senate since 2009. He is also the son of former Senate President Emil Jones…
Friday, September 23, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is calling for the resignation of two Democratic state senators embroiled in controversy. Illinois Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill in response to the fentanyl epidemic. A University of Illinois-based language justice collaborative is helping preserve Indigenous Mayan languages. The Fighting Illini football team dominated…
CHAMPAIGN — The Fighting Illini football team dominated every aspect of the game against Chattanooga Thursday night in a 31-0 win at Memorial Stadium. The Illinois offense totaled just over 500 yards, while the defense shut-out the Mocs, who were previously 3-0. Head coach Bret Bielema spoke well of the defensive effort after the game. “You…
Governor JB Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in 2021. On January 1, 2023, the Act will end cash bail in Illinois. In a cash bail system, the ability to pay bail determines if a person is released or remains in jail after an arrest. Illinois Republicans are warning that New York’s bail reform,…
URBANA — Champaign County government underwent a big change in recent years. In 2016, voters approved the creation of a new county executive position to oversee county government, in hopes of making it more functional. In 2018, they elected Democrat Darlene Kloeppel as the first person to serve in that position. Less than…
Thursday, September 22, 2022 Today’s headlines: Former President Trump’s downtown Chicago skyscraper is part of a sweeping fraud lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general. A central Illinois mayor says Chicago is reaching out to other cities across Illinois for help as it deals with immigrants bused in by red-state Governors. We fact check claims…
CHAMPAIGN – In response to bans in neighboring states, the Planned Parenthood clinic located in Champaign is now providing in-patient, surgical abortions. Clinic staff expect to see more anti-abortion rights protesters with the expanded service. “Here in Champaign, the protester activity has always been pretty mild,” says Champaign Planned Parenthood manager Jennifer Fetters. “However, now…
SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, the role of state treasurer is that of chief investment officer. Treasurer Michael Frerichs has held that position for two full terms, winning by less than 10,000 votes in 2014 before cruising to an 18 percentage-point victory in 2018. He boasts that Illinois has topped $1.2 billion in interest gains on…
CHAMPAIGN – A business incubator focused on disadvantaged neighborhoods in Champaign is expanding its chess program. The classes started with a handful of teenagers about six weeks ago. Since then, adults have become so interested that the nonprofit, Business Elevator, is planning to start a separate, adult class. The chess coach, Eduardo Carrillo, Jr, uses…
President Biden is expected to focus on Russia’s war on Ukraine in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday and will announce new support for countries facing food shortages caused in part by the war, the White House said. Watch the speech live at 9:35 a.m. CST here: Biden’s national security adviser…
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Today’s headlines: Another Illinois lawmaker is facing federal bribery charges. The Illinois Audubon Society named Joanne Fesset as its new executive director on Tuesday. A business incubator focused on disadvantaged neighborhoods in Champaign is expanding its chess program. Negotiations resumed on Tuesday between the Mahomet-Seymour school district and its teachers and…
https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s4780019/audio/2022/09/kidsmedicaid-feature-web.mp3 Kathreen Friend is a pediatric registered nurse based in Doniphan, Missouri — a small town of about 1,800, just 15 minutes north of the Arkansas border. As the lone pediatric specialist in her county, it’s not unusual for her days to fill up with appointments. “I see a large volume of kids every single…