News Local/State
The spring legislative session has been overshadowed by a 22-month stretch without a budget. Nevertheless, meaty legislation is being weighed. Those issues include abortion, wage theft, animal research and criminal justice.
News Local/State
Former governor Pat Quinn was back in the Illinois Statehouse Monday. The Democrat was there for a ceremony to unveil his official portrait in the Capitol’s Hall of Governors. The 68-year-old Democrat who stepped into the job when his predecessor was ousted donated the first "interactive" portrait. It depicts Quinn in his "lucky" purple-striped tie. He stands in front of a background of 44 instances of people, issues and events from more than four decades in public service.
News Local/State
Some Champaign-Urbana churches are installing solar panels with help from a new state law promoting carbon-free electricity. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday celebrated the installation of solar energy panels at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Urbana. The 81 panels are expected to provide nearly 70 percent of the church’s electricity needs.
News Local/State
Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is putting his heart into attacking the Republican health care bill — literally. Durbin is citing his own recent cardiac procedure to point out what he and other Democrats say are flaws in the legislation. Speaking Sunday outside his Springfield home, Durbin says he “feel(s) recovered” and is returning to Washington Monday. There he plans to urge his Senate colleagues to reject the health care bill passed last week in the House.
News Local/State
Champaign-Urbana’s daily newspaper, the News-Gazette, will make a big change later this year, when it closes down its printing press in downtown Champaign, and outsources its printing work to Peoria. The News-Gazette is just the latest daily newspaper to get out of the printing business, as it changes its identity from a newspaper company to a media company.
News Local/State
University of Illinois-Springfield administrators and a union representing professors have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a strike that started last week. The University of Illinois Springfield United Faculty union represents nearly 170 tenured and tenure-track faculty members. Representatives of the school and the union announced the deal Sunday.
News Local/State
Saturday May 6 marked the 80th anniversary of an airship crash immortalized by the recorded description of a Chicago radio reporter. People gathered at the crash site in New Jersey Saturday evening to lay a wreath in memory of the 13 passengers, 22 aircrewmen and one person on the ground who were killed or later died from injuries suffered in the fiery crash of the German airship Hindenburg.
News Local/State
The Illinois Senate passed legislation Friday that’s meant to increase voter registration automatically. Just a few months ago, Democrats failed to override Governor Rauner’s veto of automatic voter registration. The new version is intended to address his concerns. It would automatically add people to the rolls when they interact with government, such as when getting a driver’s license.
News Local/State
On Thursday, the House of Representatives took the first step toward repealing and replacing the act. But as Congress continues to debate the future of health care, just what has the Affordable Care Act meant for people in Champaign County?
News Local/State
The State Board of Elections says hackers gained access to the information of 80,000 Illinois voters — including their social security numbers and driver’s licenses.
