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Illinois guard Malcolm Hill (21) is defended by Northwestern forward Vic Law (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, in Evanston, Ill. Illinois won 68-61.
David Banks / AP

News Local/State

Illini Men Snap Losing Streak At Northwestern

The Illini men’s basketball team ended a three-game losing skid last night in Evanston with a 68-61 win over the Northwestern Wildcats. Four Illini scored in double figures, led by Malcolm Hill, whose 14 points all came in the second half.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton speaks to reporters
Seth Perlman/Associated Press

News Local/State

Illinois Senate Discusses Budget Privately, Takes No Vote

The Illinois Senate passed another day in Springfield without a vote on its much-anticipated budget compromise. Democrats and Republicans discussed the plan separately in private meetings lasting hours
Tuesday. But there were no votes on the plan. Leaders have been discussing for weeks ways to break a nearly two-year budget stalemate.

The Champaign-Urbana Film Society is accepting entries for this year's Pens to Lens student screenwriting and filmmaking competition.
Pens to Lens

News Local/State

‘Pens To Lens’ Accepting 2017 Entries

The Pens to Lens student screenwriting competition is now in its fifth year.  The project of the Champaign-Urbana Film Society is accepting screenwriting submissions from K-12 students in east central Illinois now through February 28th.

Betsy DeVos, who was confirmed as U-S Education Secretary by the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 7th.
Carolyn Kester / AP

News Local/State

Betsy DeVos Confirmed As Education Secretary

The U-S Senate on Tuesday confirmed Betsy DeVos as President Trump's education secretary, 51-50. Vice President Pence had to cast an unprecedented tie-breaking vote, after hearings that became fodder for Saturday Night Live; after angry constituents swamped Senate offices with 1.5 million calls a day; after two Republican senators defected; and Democrats held the floor overnight in protest.

Republican Congressman John Shimkus of Illinois' 15th District during a 2013 interview with WILL
(Jeff Bossert/WILL)

News Local/State

Shimkus On The Future of Trade In the Trump Administration

The 15th District Republican Congressman from Collinsville admits this is one area where he differs from President Donald Trump. Shimkus says he's always been for open markets and more trade, but cites the president's rejection of the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP.  He says those in organized labor, like steelworkers, look forward to better deals, but things are unclear at the moment. "Where there is uncertainty, there is risk," he said.

University of Illinois Law professor Francis Boyle argues the case for Urbana's "sanctuary" status before the Urbana City Council on Dec. 19, 2016.
Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

Lawmakers Consider Expanding Illinois Immigrant Protections

Illinois legislators are hoping to boost immigrant protections in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders, a move advocates say would essentially give the state "sanctuary" status. One proposal says schools, medical facilities and places of worship could bar access to federal immigration authorities or law enforcement working on their behalf.  A second proposal would limit cooperation between police and immigration authorities.