In-depth reporting by Illinois Public Media News
Listen to the latest Illinois Public Media Newscast:
Play now:
Story category: taxation
Champaign Starts Up Minor League Baseball Exploratory Committee
Story air date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
An exploratory committee is forming with hopes of learning in about a year whether Champaign can support a minor league baseball team. A former minor league owner, sports enthusiasts, and someone who helped lure a collegiate team to town in the 90’s were among the 15 people at the group’s initial meeting Monday night.
Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talked with committee chair Tony Johnston, who was tapped by Champaign Mayor Don Gerard to lead the group.
Audio archives:
Play now:
Download: mp3 file
Story extras:
Extended Interview with Tony Johnston :
Play now:
Story links:
Story categories:
government • Champaign • lifestyle • recreation • sports • taxationLIFE ON ROUTE 150: Weighing the Value of Small-Town Police Depts.
Story air date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Even though small towns may not have big crime problems compared to larger areas, they still need law enforcement. As part of the series “Life on Route 150,” Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers visited one town that’s keeping its local police presence intact despite the state’s economic challenges, and another town that recently dismantled its police force to save money.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
Audio archives:
Play now:
Download: mp3 file
Story extras:
Mansfield Police Officer Denny Thrasher says small-town police forces are critical:
Play now:
Ogden Mayor Jack Reidner talks about his village's former police department:
Play now:
Story links:
Story categories:
community life • crime • economy • taxationUS Senator Kirk Reflects on Time in Congress, Ill. Income Tax Hike, Arizona Shootings
Story air date: Friday, January 14, 2011

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk held a town hall meeting last night in Champaign. The Illinois Republican narrowly defeated former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the November election, and now has President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers spoke with Kirk in a packed room on the Parkland College campus.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
Audio archives:
Play now:
Download: mp3 file
Story categories:
government • Illinois • United States • politics • taxationVoters Mull Over a 1% Sales Tax for Schools
Story air date: Thursday, April 02, 2009

Voters in Champaign County will have the future of education funding in their hands when they hit the polls next Tuesday. At issue is a referendum to raise the county sales tax by a penny per dollar. The money would fund school building projects, pare down debt and potentially lower property taxes. As AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports, after one failed attempt, the referendum’s supporters are taking nothing for granted.
Audio archives:
Play now:
Download: mp3 file
Story links:
- Champaign County CLASS Website
- Champaign Co. Chamber of Commerce position paper on sales tax (from November 2008)
Story categories:
business • education • politics • taxationIllinois Governor Pat Quinn's Budget Address
Story air date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Governor Quinn addressed the Illinois General Assembly at noon today.









