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

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.

Hundreds turn out for a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett

Hundreds turn out for a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett

At a memorial service for State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) on Monday, friends and colleagues emphasized his ability to make friends in a field where lasting friendships are rare. Bennett died unexpectedly on December 9, at the age of 45, from a brain tumor. The Champaign attorney and former prosecutor had served in the Illinois…

Researchers are using a geologist’s version of an MRI to map the Mahomet Aquifer

Researchers are using a geologist’s version of an MRI to map the Mahomet Aquifer

During several days last week, a helicopter hauling a huge antenna flew at low altitudes over rural Champaign County.  The antenna sent electromagnetic waves into the ground about 100 feet below, where they bounced off of underground rock and sediment formations, and were picked up by sensors mounted on the antenna’s frame. In this way…

Scott Bennett Funeral Scheduled For Krannert Center on December 19
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Scott Bennett Funeral Scheduled For Krannert Center on December 19

State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign will be remembered at a funeral at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Monday, December 19 at 10 A.M. Owens Funeral Home in Champaign, which is handling the arrangements, says the public is invited to the funeral at the Krannert Center, which will follow a…

With a 16-6 Democratic majority, the Champaign County Board reelects Kyle Patterson as their chair.
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With a 16-6 Democratic majority, the Champaign County Board reelects Kyle Patterson as their chair.

Newly elected Champaign County Board members held their organizational meeting Monday night. The meeting opened with Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons swearing in the assembled board members, which include six new Democrats replacing four Democrats and two Republicans. After losing two seats in the November election, Republicans have just six of their own on the…

Flash Index reports a pause in the decline in Illinois economy’s growth rate

Flash Index reports a pause in the decline in Illinois economy’s growth rate

Illinois’ economic growth rate held steady in November, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The economist who compiles the index says that’s good news after seven months of decline. The Flash Index was at 103.7 for a second month in a row in November.  The pause comes after the index fell from a…

A 111-year-old Danville building could soon be named for the congressman who got it built
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A 111-year-old Danville building could soon be named for the congressman who got it built

DANVILLE — Last summer’s demolition of the Cannon school building in Danville destroyed a notable reminder of Joseph G. Cannon, the longtime Danville congressman and House Speaker. Now there’s a campaign to name another Danville building after Cannon.  A citizens committee submitted more than 500 petition signatures last week, asking the Vermilion County Board to…

Illinois’ economic growth rate continues to slow down: Flash Index

Illinois’ economic growth rate continues to slow down: Flash Index

Illinois’ economy is growing at an increasingly slower rate. That’s according to the University of Illinois’ monthly Flash Index. The Flash Index has been declining for the past seven months. It measured the Illinois economy at 103.7 in October, down four-tenths of a point from September’s 104.1 reading, and down 2.4 points from its post-recession…

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Planned Parenthood is expanding abortion services in Champaign & statewide to meet a surge of out-of-state patients

CHAMPAIGN – Doctors began performing abortions on patients at the renovated Planned Parenthood clinic in Champaign earlier this month. But on Wednesday morning, the doctors and patients were absent, as reporters and visiting politicians were given a tour of the health center, where surgical abortions have resumed after several years. “So this is where the…

WILL at 100: Debbie Day on how WILL audience members became ‘Friends of WILL’
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WILL at 100: Debbie Day on how WILL audience members became ‘Friends of WILL’

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.