News Local/State
Illinois Issues: Opening Minds Behind Bars
Felons serving long-term sentences in one of Illinois' three maximum security prisons now have the chance to earn a master's degree. And students from the outside world can join them.
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News Local/State
Pritzker Releases Proposed Structure For Graduated State Income Tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the first step Thursday in fulfilling his touchstone campaign pledge of making the wealthy pay more in income taxes as the billionaire proposed a graduated income-tax structure that he said would generate $3.4 billion in new revenue for the financially-strapped state.
News Local/State
UPDATE: Suspect In Shooting Of Deputy In Rockford Hotel Arrested
UPDATE: A man suspected of fatally shooting a sheriff's deputy and wounding a woman at a Rockford hotel was taken into custody Thursday after an hours-long standoff that began when he crashed his vehicle along an interstate highway, authorities said.
News Local/State
New Illinois Tax Credit Could Boost Local Housing, Economies, But There’s a Catch
New tax incentives could help some downstate Illinois cities rehab some old buildings for housing and businesses. But there are a few catches.
News Local/State
Measure Aims To Help Justice-Involved Children Access Mental Health Services
An Illinois Senate bill aims to help children who are at risk of entering state custody because of issues caused by untreated mental illness.
News Local/State
Unpacking Pritzker’s Tax Proposals: Cigarette And Vaping Taxes
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is asking state lawmakers to raise the tax on cigarettes, and begin taxing vaping products. It’s part of a plan he introduced last month to balance the state budget.
News Local/State
With Conventional Farmers Embracing Dicamba, Specialty Crops Likely Next In Line For Damage
Row-crop farmers in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Arkansas overwhelmingly now use dicamba, realizing it’s their best chance to protect against damage. But specialty-crop farmers are still at risk, and feel they are running out of options on how to fight back.
News Local/State
Q&A: Davis Defends Votes Against Gun Background Check Bills
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis says two background check bills that passed the House are “window dressing” and “distractions” that will burden law-abiding gun owners but won’t really stop gun violence.
News Local/State
Unpacking Pritzker’s Tax Proposals: MCO Tax
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s counting on new taxes to help close the state’s 3.2 billion dollar budget hole. NPR Illinois reporters are taking a closer look at some of his ideas. First up, Jaclyn Driscoll breaks down the biggest chunk of revenue in Pritzker’s proposal - a tax on health insurers.
News Local/State
Taking Action Amid Layoffs
Organizers of the Buy into Western Illinois University petition drive feel their effort has taken on greater urgency in the aftermath of the latest round of layoffs at the institution. Western sent 132 layoff notices to faculty and staff from across the university on March 1.
