Illinois Public Media News

Among the items Illinois voters will be asked to weigh in on at the polls Tuesday is approving the Crime Victims Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy's Law.

For voters who want a rundown of where Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner stand on major issues, here's some help.

Among the items Illinois voters will be asked to weigh in on at the polls Tuesday is approving the Crime Victims Bill of Rights.

This amendment to the state's Constitution will add two components to an existing list of rights of a victim of violent crime: That victim safety be considered as part of release decisions and that victims' privacy be reinforced when it comes to personal records--like diaries.

Illinois Public Media's Hannah Meisel spoke with Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, director of Marsy's Law for Illinois. In 1990, Bishop-Jenkins' sister and brother-in-law were murdered, along with her sister's unborn child. She says Marsy's Law will add protections for victims that exist in many other states.

The amendment passed the Illinois House and Senate with very little opposition in the Spring. Bishop-Jenkins says those who oppose the law mistakenly think that adding rights for victims of a crime would take away rights of the accused.

"They have expressed concern that there is a zero-sum game, if you will, between victims' rights and the rights of the accused," she said. "That's just wrong."

People relying on the public health department for flu shots won’t have to wait any more in Champaign County.

In what could be a major setback for commercial space tourism, a manned spaceship has crashed in California.  Authorities say one person on board has been killed.

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Chad Grimm wants you to know that he’s not a spoiler.

Former Gov. Jim Edgar will campaign with fellow Republican Bruce Rauner as Rauner makes his final push to become Illinois' next governor.

The Chicago Cubs have fired manager Rick Renteria after one season to pursue former Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

Prior hosting Morning Edition, NPR's David Greene spent two years as Moscow Bureau Chief.  A couple years ago, he was asked to return, and write about it.  He talked with Illinois Public Media's Jeff Bossert.

The University of Illinois says the basketball court in the State Farm Center will be ready next week for the start of the men's and women's basketball season.