Illinois Public Media News

City officials in Champaign say they expect to spend at least $700,000 to remove the remaining ash trees from the city. 

The Champaign County Board will decide August 18 if it will ask voters to support a 1/4-cent sales tax for expanding jail facilities, and other building projects.  But opponents, including one Democratic board member, call the tax a 'blank check' with no binding language to commit funds.  And a member of ‘Build Programs, Not Jails’ campaign says with a 12 year tax plan, future board members will be spending that money.

On the 21st: High schoolers who play high-contact sports are faced with the potential for injury, such as concussions. We learned more about what the state is doing to protect student athletes. We also talked about the burning rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. We also found out how you can make state fair food at your own home.

On the 21st: We learned what's behind the rising cost of childcare, and discuss why, despite those high costs, child care professionals receive low wages. We also received an update on the Illinois Independent Map Amendment and learned about the need for more minorities to sign up as organ donors.

A judge has ordered Illinois’ Public Health Director to reconsider chronic post-operative pain as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical marijuana pilot program.