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Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois Senator Andy Manar
NPR Illinois

Education Desk: School Funding Inequity Needs $3.5 Billion Cure

A group of lawmakers has agreed on a framework for making the way Illinois funds its schools more equitable. But whether it will lead to a long-elusive legislative fix remains to be seen. That bipartisan commission produced a “framework” Wednesday, but no actual legislation. It would create funding targets for each district based on student population needs. It's estimated to cost an additional $3.5 billion to $6 billion.

Pianist Joseph Houston and violinist Aisha Orazbeyeva.
Krannert Center

Pianist Cancels Krannert & Chicago Concerts Due To Trump Travel Ban

Upcoming concerts have been cancelled -- including one at the University of Illinois Krannert Center for the Performing Arts -- because of one artist’s protest of the president’s order barring refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

Violinist Aisha Orazbeyeva is refusing to perform in the U-S, to show solidarity with those affected by the travel ban.  

the National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.
National Human Trafficking Hotline

Human Trafficking Report; Endangered Bumblebee; Recent Food/Health News; LabEscape

On the 21st: We learned about a new report that finds the number of reported cases of human trafficking in Illinois is rising. Plus, we talked with one of the world's leading bee experts about the first bumblebee species to land on an endangered species list in the continental U.S. We also discussed kids' menus, sugary drinks, and GMO apples, and learned about a new escape room that just opened in Urbana.

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