State Farm ends retiree charitable matching gifts

State Farm ends retiree charitable matching gifts

BLOOMINGTON – In a surprising move that has implications for not-for-profit organizations in central Illinois, State Farm is cutting back on its charitable giving in at least one area. The company website notes retirees will no longer be eligible for the company’s charitable matching gift program, effective with the new year. The Bloomington-based insurer will…

A Chicago private school defends LGBTQ sex ed after right-wing viral video

A Chicago private school defends LGBTQ sex ed after right-wing viral video

CHICAGO – An elite Chicago private school tightened security and disabled its Twitter and Facebook accounts after a video of its dean of students secretly recorded by a conservative group went viral on Wednesday. The video captures the dean talking last week about a visit to Francis W. Parker School by an LGBTQ health organization to…

Several central Illinois counties are at an elevated level for COVID-19

Several central Illinois counties are at an elevated level for COVID-19

Health officials remain concerned that too few are getting the new COVID booster shots. The shots have been available since September. In Illinois, just over 16% of the eligible population have received the booster dose. Compare that to 70% who have completed their primary series of vaccines. The concern comes as the holiday season is…

Flu cases, hospitalizations are on the rise

Flu cases, hospitalizations are on the rise

It’s turning out to be a bad flu season. Memorial Health reports it is seeing a dramatic increase at its five area hospitals, following national trends. “This year’s strains of influenza are proving to be highly contagious,” said Raj Govindaiah, MD, Memorial Health senior vice president and chief physician executive. “We don’t like to see…

Inspector General slams Pontiac prison workplace culture
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Inspector General slams Pontiac prison workplace culture

PONTIAC — A scathing report from the State Executive Inspector General show a climate of hazing and sexual discrimination created a hostile work environment at the state prison in Pontiac, including stating there is reason for disciplinary action against 10 employees for discriminating against a guard who was perceived to be gay. The guard was…

‘Timing is right’: Barickman leaving Illinois Senate in January

‘Timing is right’: Barickman leaving Illinois Senate in January

BLOOMINGTON — Less than a month after winning an uncontested new term in office, State Sen. Jason Barickman said Monday he’ll resign instead of taking office again next year. The Bloomington Republican said it was not an abrupt decision. “Your kids develop so quickly. One year is quite different than another. I have really struggled…

Bobcats made a big comeback in the Midwest. But not everyone is happy they can be hunted again

Bobcats made a big comeback in the Midwest. But not everyone is happy they can be hunted again

For 44 years, Illinois banned bobcat hunting. That changed in 2016, when the state started a lottery for permits to hunt the predators. And every year since Illinois has hosted a bobcat hunting season. So far, the state has hosted six hunting seasons and hunters have nabbed more than 1,600 bobcats. Stan McTaggart with Illinois…

Pipeline project raises concerns

Pipeline project raises concerns

A CO2 pipeline project that would stretch 1,300 miles has raised agriculture and environmental concerns across Illinois. McDonough County farmer Steve Hess is familiar with pipelines. Hess has one carrying natural gas on his property and says he believes it has been positive for the community. Hess said, “We’ve talked about it (the natural gas…

Illinois Democrats propose banning assault weapons and raising age for gun ownership
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Illinois Democrats propose banning assault weapons and raising age for gun ownership

Democrats say they hope to pass the massive legislation, which comes in response to the Highland Park shooting, in the lame duck session in January. SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Democrats plan to introduce a massive gun control bill that would outlaw the sale of assault weapons and prevent most residents under 21 from legally buying…

Plaque dedicated marking the Springfield site of Obama’s presidential announcements
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Plaque dedicated marking the Springfield site of Obama’s presidential announcements

It was fitting that the weather was cold for a ceremony Wednesday, dedicating a plaque that commemorates former President Barack Obama’s key campaign moments at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. Obama launched his White House bid on Feb. 10, 2007. He spoke to thousands who braved freezing temperatures to see and hear the then-U.S….

In post-Roe America, pilots take the abortion battle to the skies
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In post-Roe America, pilots take the abortion battle to the skies

CHICAGO — From 1,800 feet in the air, the view from a tiny, four-seater plane reduces the Chicago suburbs to a vast landscape of miniature patterns. Above us, flocks of geese fly in v-shape formations beneath sheets of white clouds. Sitting behind a small wheel, the pilot removes his jacket, places his glasses on his…

Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings set to lose important committee chairmanship

Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings set to lose important committee chairmanship

SPRINGFIELD — Embattled Illinois State Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, is set to lose his powerful legislative committee chairmanship in the new session of the General Assembly next year, Senate President Don Harmon told WBEZ. Harmon’s move comes after Hastings was accused of physical abuse by his ex-wife, according to police and divorce-court records. Hastings has…

Formerly incarcerated students can now Zoom back into prison to finish their degrees
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Formerly incarcerated students can now Zoom back into prison to finish their degrees

At around noon on a recent Monday, Maria Garza logged on to Zoom. She set her laptop on her kitchen stove and placed several plastic cups on the counter. One by one, she filled them up with things like baking soda and ammonia ahead of a chemistry experiment. Then, a classroom popped up on her…

Illinois program urges students to “Seek Help Before Harm”

Illinois program urges students to “Seek Help Before Harm”

https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s653/audio/2022/11/safe2help.mp3 Students who feel they have no place to turn can use a program that allows them to provide information confidentially. With Safe2Help, details will be relayed to local school officials and a 9-1-1 call center, depending on the nature of what’s shared. Samantha Kanish, Safe2Help’s School Safety and Policy Advisor, said the program encourages…

Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water

Midwest river towns looking for answers after forever chemicals found in water

CORDOVA, Ill. – This fall, the towns and rural farmsteads along the Mississippi River received alarming news about their drinking water. Chemicals from a large 3M factory north of Cordova found a way into the river and their wells. Listen to this story here. The facility employs about 500 people and makes the adhesives used…