WILL-AM

WILL AM 580 Live Stream

Illinois head coach Lovie Smith looks at the scoreboard during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign
Bradley Leeb/Associated Press

News Local/State

Illini Drop Homecoming Game To Minnesota, 40-17

A pair of early Illinois turnovers and a short punt gave Minnesota the ball at the Illinois 49-, 20- and 9-yard lines, and the Gophers turned each into a touchdown on the way to a 40-17 win. The turnovers, Illinois coach Lovie Smith said, swung the game hard and early for Minnesota. "It's hard to win the football game when you start like that," Smith said. "Those turnovers put us in a hole."

Cubs emblem
Wikimedia Commons

News Local/State

The History Behind ‘Go Cubs Go’

As enthusiasm for the Chicago Cubs run to the World Series has roared across the country, so has the ubiquitousness of the Cubs theme song penned by the late Steve Goodman. But there's an interesting backstory to how it became the team's official theme song.  

Illini Hall of Fame inductee Dick Butkus and U of I Athletic Director Josh Whitman at Thursday's announcement at Memorial Stadium.
Rob McColley

News Local/State

Illini Start Sports Hall Of Fame, Dick Butkus In 1st Class

The University of Illinois is forming the school's first Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame and a member of its first class will be former Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus. He was named as the Hall's first inaugural member Thursday. An induction ceremony planned in Champaign-Urbana for next September. 

.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Andrew Gill / WBEZ

News Local/State

Kirk Backs Off Write-In Vote For Petraeus

For months, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has said he would write in former CIA Director David Petraeus for president. This week, Kirk backed off that stance, praising Petraeus’s military record but refusing to confirm he would vote for him. Kirk also reiterated his frustration with Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. 

Champaign Democratic Senator Scott Bennett
Bennett for Senate Campaign

News Local/State

Senator Bennett Faces First Election In 52nd District

This fall marks the first time Democrat Scott Bennett has campaigned for his Illinois Senate seat. The former prosecutor, who was appointed to the seat, faces Republican Urbana Alderman Mike Madigan on November 8. He says Governor Bruce Rauner needs to make more concessions from his 'Turnaround Agenda' as budget negotiations continue.