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On the 21st: As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we look to Illinois' past and present. First, Yale law professor and central Illinois native Tracey Meares tells us what it takes to build a sense of fairness between police and civilians. Plus, the story of New Philadelphia, Illinois—the first town founded by African-Americans—told by Kate Williams-McWorter and Gerald McWorter, who also happens to be great-great-grandson of the town's founder.

Illinois’ population loss could be a warning for larger changes to come.

In this week's Legal Issues in the News the University of Illinois College of Law's Bob Lawless shares a study about older people filing for bankruptcy. 

Across the United States, an alarming number of women die during pregnancy or childbirth. And for each one who dies, dozens wind up with health problems that can last for years. Now women are being encouraged to watch what happens in the "fourth trimester."

Well-known pastor and anti-gun-violence activist Michael Pfleger says our country needs Dr. Martin Luther King’s messages of justice and nonviolence now more than ever.

Less than a third of Champaign Unit 4 third graders are meeting or exceeding expectations on state reading exams, according to Illinois State Board of Education data. That’s why the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Champaign County say they’ve partnered with the district in the hopes of boosting the number of students reading at grade level.
 

A program designed to curb Illinois’ pension debt is now underway. Early numbers show more Illinois state employees than expected are choosing to take a pension buyout from the state.

Freshman Joe Wieskamp matched a career high with 24 points and No. 23 Iowa shot 68 percent from the field in routing Illinois 95-71 on Sunday for its fifth straight victory.