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Story category: people
Gery Chico Assesses Education in Illinois
Story air date: Monday, May 21, 2012
The chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education visited Urbana Middle School on Monday, May 21 to urge lawmakers to preserve funding for education. Gery Chico worries more education dollars could be stripped away if the Illinois House votes down Governor Pat Quinn’s proposal to cut $2.7 billion in Medicaid funding. Since being appointed to the chairmanship last year, Chico has been working alongside State Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch to provide education for less money. Chico talks with Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers about some of the changes coming to the state’s schools.
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education • government • Illinois • people • politicsCulture a Key to Healthier Immigrant Communities
Story air date: Monday, May 21, 2012
The obesity epidemic in this country is running rampant, and it’s hitting Latinos especially hard. We continue our series on efforts in the region to increase health and wellness. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers explores an effort at the University of Illinois that encourages Latinos to make cultural changes to stay healthy.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
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arts and culture • music • culture • health • peopleChampaign Resident Remembers Kindertransport
Story air date: Thursday, April 19, 2012
One of the lesser known stories about the Holocaust is what is known as the Kindertransport – rescue missions that brought thousands of mostly Jewish children from Nazi-controlled territories in the months leading up to World War II. One of those children was Champaign resident, Heini Halberstam. He was born in Czechoslovakia, and separated from his mother during the Nazi occupation. He believes she died in a labor camp. Halberstam said that changed his life forever. He tells Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers about his experiences on the Kindertransport.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
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history • peopleUS Rep. Shimkus Talks about Health Care, Energy
Story air date: Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) is running for re-election in the re-drawn 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of Champaign County, and all of Vermilion, Douglas, Edgar, Coles and Moultrie Counties.
Last week, Shimkus sat in on the U.S. Supreme Court’s final day of hearings about the federal health care law. He told Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers that there are parts of the law he supports, but he said requiring people to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty goes a step too far.
He also discussed a bill he has introduced that would protect retailers, engine manufacturers, and fuel producers from lawsuits related to E15, a new fuel combination that is made up of 15-percent ethanol. And Shimkus looks ahead to the November general election.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
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- More on Congressman John Shimkus
- US Rep. Shimkus’ Bill Would Prevent E15 Lawsuits (Related)
- US Rep. Shimkus Meets with Champaign County Chamber of Commerce (Related)
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economy • energy • government • elections • United States • health care • people • politicsHealth Care Advocacy Group: Federal Health Care Law Helping People
Story air date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
As arguments over the constitutionality of the federal health care law continue at the Supreme Court, one local supporter of the law is pointing out its benefits. The group Champaign County Health Care Consumers said even though the law has not been fully implemented, it’s already helping the people they serve. Illinois Public Media’s Jim Meadows spoke with Health Care Consumers executive director Claudia Lennhoff. She had supported a single payer healthcare system, but Lennhoff said the law now in place goes a long way towards improving healthcare coverage in America.
