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Illinois Issues: Transportation Lockbox Could Come With Unintended Consequences

A proposed amendment to the state’s constitution would protect money set aside for transportation projects. Supporters say the change is needed because money that's supposed to be earmarked for building roads has gone to other expenses over the years. But the amendment could allow some of those practices to continue, while endangering other popular programs. 

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the Republican Hindu Coalition, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Edison, N.J.
Evan Vucci / AP

News Local/State

Suburban Chicago Republican Candidates Avoid Talking About Trump

In the Glenbard South High School library, candidates running for state representative took questions for about half an hour on Sunday. They answered questions in front of about 60 of the most civically engaged voters, who had sat through more than three hours of watching local political debates in the DuPage County town of Glen Ellyn, west of Chicago. There was one theme that was consistent throughout the afternoon: Republican candidates don’t want to talk about Donald Trump.

Sangamon County Sheriff Wes Barr joins Gov. Bruce Rauner, and other officials in promoting Illinois' attempt to expand services available to Medicaid recipients.
Amanda Vinicky / WUIS

News Local/State

Minding The Mental Health Gap

Mental health centers were decimated during Illinois’ extended budget stalemate. Illinois is moving forward with plan to extend and expand behavioral health services to people who couldn't otherwise afford it, in a way that officials say will be cost-neutral to taxpayers. 

Seth Perlman/AP Photo

News Local/State

Illinois Rates Under Obamacare To Jump 40-50%

 Illinoisans who buy insurance on the health care law's marketplace face steep price increases for next year.

That's been predicted for some time. Now it's official. The Illinois Department of Insurance published an analysis of 2017 health plans Friday based on final price increases approved by state and federal regulators.

Urbana Ald. Aaron Ammons
SURS

News Local/State

Ammons Will Not Run For Urbana Mayor

Urbana Alderman Aaron Ammons says he has decided not to run for mayor next spring.

 While thanking those who had encouraged him to run for mayor, Ammons said in a statement that “I have decided right now my time and energy is best utilized by serving the people of my ward.”

Democrat Mark Wicklund and incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis debate one another Thursday at the WILL-TV studios.
Mike Thomas/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

Incumbent Davis, Challenger Wicklund Debate In Urbana

Incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Democratic challenger Mark Wicklund of Decatur shared similar concerns in areas like criminal justice reform and student loan interest rates, but they also found plenty to disgree on in their first debate of the season, including the future of the Affordable Care Act, and the approval ratings of Congress during the Obama administration.