WILL-AM

News Local/State

United Airlines announced this week that they’re returning to Champaign-Urbana’s Willard Airport, with three daily flights to and from Chicago.  That’s good news for an airport that’s only had major airline service from American Airlines to Chicago and Dallas for the past five years.

News Local/State

Illinois Senators left Springfield Thursday without voting on the so-called "grand bargain.” Senate President John Cullerton says Democrats were left out to dry by Governor Bruce Rauner. He says Rauner instructed Republicans to withhold their support. But GOP Senator Chapin Rose, of Mahomet, says his side can wait a couple more weeks for a better deal.

News Local/State

Authorities say the IRS and other federal agencies are taking part in what Caterpillar says is the execution of a search warrant at three of its central Illinois facilities. The number of vehicles and reports from inside Caterpillar indicate this is a multi-agency effort, including the IRS, FDIC, and The Department of Commerce-Bureau of Industry and Security.

News Local/State

The last day of February once again brought tornados to Southern Illinois.

In 2012, it was the town of Harrisburg in Saline County that endured a lot of tornado damage.

This time, the heavy damage was a few counties west in the rural areas of northern Jackson County.

News Local/State

The Illini men beat MIchigan State 73-70 last night in Champaign. It was the fourth consecutive win for Illinois, which now finds itself in the NCAA Tournament conversation, despite a 4-9 start in Big Ten play.

News Local/State

The Illinois Senate’s so-called grand bargain was put on hold Wednesday. After months of negotiations and a deadline from their own caucus leader, Senate Republicans say they aren't quite ready to vote.

News Local/State

The Illinois Senate made progress Tuesday on its so-called grand bargain.

Senators approved measures intended to streamline local government, expand casino gambling, and fully fund the state for the first time in 20 months.

News Local/State

Heavy storms including tornadoes are blamed for two deaths in Illinois overnight.

Authorities say one person was killed in the LaSalle County town of Ottawa when he was struck by an uprooted tree.

And in southern Illinois, the White County Coroner says a suspected tornado hit a small building near a house in the Crossville area, killing a 71-year-old man and injuring his wife.

News Local/State

For the first time since 2005, Urbana will have a new mayor. Alderwoman Diane Marlin bested incumbent Mayor Laurel Prussing by more than 900 votes in Tuesday’s Democratic primary – and she’ll take on Republican Rex Bradfield in the April 4th election. Marlin maintained the early lead she held through early voting, finishing with an unofficial total of 2,427 votes. Prussing had 1,510, while Evelyn Burnette Underwood finished third with 316.

News Local/State

Shortly after the president concludes, Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will deliver the Democratic Response to President Trump’s address. Beshear was chosen by Democratic Party leaders for his record, expanding affordable health care. NPR will have a transcript of Beshear’s remarks and journalists across the NPR newsroom will also be annotating his remarks.