News Local/State
Since December, Ameren Corporation has been operating a small, independent power grid on the south side of Champaign that uses solar panels, a wind turbine and two natural gas-powered generators to power more than 190 homes in the area.
News Local/State
Medical marijuana has now been available in Illinois for about 18 months. But many around the state, particularly in Southern Illinois, say they can't find a doctor in their area to help them. A few groups have found a way to change that — they're now bringing doctors directly to the patients with qualifying conditions. More than 30 hopeful patients registered for a recent clinic in Shelbyvlle, held by Medical Cannabis Outreach.
News Local/State
Illinois house leaders of both parties have introduced legislation to change the state’s public pension systems. But as Tom Lisi reports, some constitutional lawyers say it has little chance of getting through the Illinois Supreme Court.
News Local/State
Higher education has been among the areas feeling the state budget impasse as funding has been cut. It has forced some schools to reduce classes, lay off employees and, in some cases, close for several days. But a review of enrollment indicates small and mid-sized public universities are taking a double hit.
News Local/State
Illinois Senate Democrats have scheduled votes for Wednesday on measures in the so-called "grand bargain'' budget compromise. Assistant Majority Leader Donne Trotter of Chicago says the state Senate will call each piece of legislation in the plan for votes on Wednesday.
News Local/State
Addiction experts are up in arms following remarks from Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, in which he referred to medication-assisted treatment for addiction as “substituting one opioid for another.” Nearly 700 researchers and practitioners sent a letter Monday communicating their criticisms to Price and urging him to “set the record straight.”
News Local/State
Commencement ceremonies took place on many college campuses this past weekend, including the University of Illinois. Dusty Rhodes takes us inside one that's different from all the others — the Black Congratulatory ceremony at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
News Local/State
In his latest Illinois Issues column, Charlie Wheeler offers his take on Governor Rauner's quest for what he calls a "truly balanced budget."
News Local/State
The Illinois State Board of Elections is fining Auditor General Frank Mautino’s former campaign committee. A complaint alleges he failed to properly report some $380,000 dollars in spending.
News Local/State
Mayor Diane Marlin says declining tax revenues mean Urbana’s general fund balance is in danger of falling below the 15% of recurring expenditures recommended by city policy guidelines. So she’s proposed a new $45.9 million city budget for fiscal year 2018, that includes spending cuts and a tax increase.
