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Story category: politics
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 • politicsUS 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.
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government • Illinois • health care • people • politicsChampaign, Urbana Consider Stormwater Utility Fee
Story air date: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sewers are among the basic of city services --- and one of the least exciting, until something goes wrong. City officials in Champaign and Urbana have seen enough flooding over the years, that they’re proposing a new fee to pay for maintaining and improving the storm sewer system --- a fee already used by about a dozen Illinois cities. Illinois Public Media’s Jim Meadows has more on the storm water utility fee.
(Photo courtesy of Nancy Taylor)
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environment • water resources • government • Champaign • Urbana • politicsAsk the Mayors: A Conversation with the Mayors of Champaign and Urbana
Story air date: Thursday, February 02, 2012
In a Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 broadcast on WILL-TV, Champaign Mayor Don Gerard and Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing talked about a range of issues such as a stormwater utility fee, police leadership, roundabouts and Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day. They spoke with Illinois Public Media’s Jim Meadows and took questions from callers.
Story links:
- Champaign Avoids Two Cuts in Public Service (Related Story)
- Champaign Police-Community Relations Scrutinized (Related Story)
- Champaign City Councilman Revives Discussion for a Police Review Board (Related Story)
- Video of Champaign Arrest Leaked Online (Related Story)
- FBI Finds No Criminal Civil Rights Violations in Arrest (Related Story)
- Champaign Council Members Give Initial Backing to Stormwater Fee (Related Story)
- Potential UC2B Subscribers Get an Update on Services (Related Story)
- Champaign, Urbana Voters Face Electric Aggregation Vote in March (Related Story)
- Focus: Conversation with C-U Mayors (Watch the Interview)
