EIU faculty union contract talks continue, now with a potential strike approved by rank & file

EIU faculty union contract talks continue, now with a potential strike approved by rank & file

ByJim Meadows

Federally mediated contract talks between Eastern Illinois University and its faculty and support staff union are scheduled to resume Monday, April 3. When they resume, officials with the EIU-University Professionals of Illinois chapter (Illinois Federation of Teachers Local 4100) hope the administration will feel more pressure to reach a settlement, following last week’s approval of a strike authorization vote.

Champaign’s three mayoral candidates meet in Illinois Public Media forum

Champaign’s three mayoral candidates meet in Illinois Public Media forum

ByJim Meadows

Champaign voters have three candidates for mayor to choose from in the April 4th election. And all three — Azark David Cobbs, Deborah Frank Feinen and Don Gerard met in the WILL Radio studios for a one-hour forum recorded on March 4, and broadcast on WILL AM and FM on March 10.

Marron seeks state funding for Savoy, Rantoul & Danville infrastructure projects

Marron seeks state funding for Savoy, Rantoul & Danville infrastructure projects

ByJim Meadows

State Representative Mike Marron is one of many Republicans critical of Governor J-B Pritzker’s ambitious budget proposals to add new state spending for education, childcare, and anti-poverty efforts. But the Vermilion County lawmaker is still working to make sure state funding for infrastructure projects reaches his 104th House district. Marron announced three bills for three…

Budzinski tours ag research at U of I and visits with laid-off Akorn workers in Decatur
| |

Budzinski tours ag research at U of I and visits with laid-off Akorn workers in Decatur

ByJim Meadows

U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski visited the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign on Thursday. But first, the central Illinois Democrat stopped in Decatur, where more than 400 pharmaceutical plant workers had been abruptly laid off by Akorn Pharmaceutical.

A Piatt County zoning board votes against a wind farm, but the county board will have the final say.
|

A Piatt County zoning board votes against a wind farm, but the county board will have the final say.

ByJim Meadows

Both supporters and opponents were watching Thursday night, as the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 against recommending a zoning permit for the Goose Creek wind turbine project proposed by Apex Clean Energy. The proposal now goes to the Piatt County Board, which does not have to follow the zoning board’s ruling.

Former Champaign Mayor Don Gerard hopes to return to the office.

Former Champaign Mayor Don Gerard hopes to return to the office.

ByJim Meadows

There will be three candidates on the ballot for mayor of Champaign in the April 4th consolidated election. This first report on the Champaign mayoral race, looks at Don Gerard, a candidate who’s held the office in the past. “I think that I got a lot done,” says the 57-year-old Gerard, who defeated incumbent Gerald…

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski begins work representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.
|

Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski begins work representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.

ByJim Meadows

Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party. But, despite that, and despite qualms about expected changes to House rules, the Springfield Democrat says she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people.