WILL-AM

News Local/State

After years of trying, the city of Danville now has the state’s permission to host a casino, thanks to Illinois’ new gambling expansion law. Jim Meadows talks with Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., about what's ahead.

News Local/State

Temperatures are soaring, and that means Midwesterners are headed to summer fairs and festivals. They’ll eat plenty of high calorie foods ⁠—from corn dogs to fried ice cream sandwiches ⁠— but some festivals are trying to include healthier foods.

News Local/State

New legislation in the U-S House of Representatives would create a low-interest loan program to fund mitigation projects to reduce the risks and damage caused by natural disasters. Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis says such projects could make future flooding in his state less of a catastrophe.

News Local/State

Former special counsel Robert Mueller appeared in two separate hearings before the House judiciary and intelligence committees. Though Mueller has said his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election is his testimony, lawmakers have insisted that he testified in person.

News Local/State

In late March, a child welfare worker visited the family home of 9-year-old Byron Casanova in Johnston City, Illinois. The social worker expressed concerns about the environment but Byron and his three siblings weren’t removed from the home. Four days later, Byron Casanova committed suicide.

News Local/State

Gasoline prices have gone down in the past week. The price-tracking website GasBuddy says the average price for a gallon of Regular-grade gas in Champaign-Urbana was $2.74 on Monday, down 20 cents from last week. Across Illinois, the average price was $2.95, down 12-and-a-half cents.

News Local/State

A new state law directs the Illinois Department of Human Services to create an online database with mental health resources that parents and school staff can use to help students. 

News Local/State

A new Illinois law aims to ensure that parents of justice-involved youth who need costly mental health services don’t have to trade custody for treatment for their child.

News Local/State

Springfield is the only municipality in the state to run its own coal power plant. But city officials are considering a plan to close three of its four coal generators after a report on CWLP’s future found that the cost to run them is more than what the utility can sell the electricity for on the wholesale market.

News Local/State

The American Civil Liberties Union sent letters to eight Illinois municipalities last week — including Danville — urging them to repeal their panhandling bans. The nonprofit organization warned of legal action if community officials don't heed their warning.