Five things to know as the Safe-T Act goes to the Illinois Supreme Court

Five things to know as the Safe-T Act goes to the Illinois Supreme Court

The future of cash bail in Illinois is in the hands of the state’s Supreme Court. Illinois passed a law that eliminated the use of cash bail starting on January 1, 2023 as part of the SAFE-T Act. Under the law judges could no longer require people to pay money in order to leave jail while…

It’s not Madigan’s trial, but the feds’ big upcoming case is all about the former speaker

It’s not Madigan’s trial, but the feds’ big upcoming case is all about the former speaker

Michael J. Madigan will likely never step foot in the federal courtroom where four former political power players are about to face trial, accused of trying to bribe the longtime Illinois House speaker to benefit ComEd. But the case starting Tuesday is all about Madigan. And once it’s underway, it is expected to finally pull…

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

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

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.

Teacher, custodian unions grill candidates for Champaign Unit 4 school board on shortages, Black Lives Matter
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Teacher, custodian unions grill candidates for Champaign Unit 4 school board on shortages, Black Lives Matter

About three-quarters of districts in Illinois are struggling to hire bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers’ aides. Workers in Champaign want to know how future board members will help them.

Some school board candidates this year are pushing to limit lessons on Black history. Where do Champaign Unit 4 candidates stand?
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Some school board candidates this year are pushing to limit lessons on Black history. Where do Champaign Unit 4 candidates stand?

Six candidates say students should learn African American history and the history of racism. The seventh, business owner Mark Holm, declined to be interviewed.

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

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

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

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.