WILL-AM

News Local/State

Democratic Alderwoman Diane Marlin will be Urbana’s next mayor after netting more than 42-hundred votes Tuesday. Republican opponent Rex Bradfield finished with 680. Marlin will be sworn into office on May 1.

News Local/State

Illinois has entered its 22nd month without a real budget. Among the state services most affected by the political fight are those that help victims of domestic violence. The Illinois legislature is considering emergency funding for these programs.

News Local/State

A self-described “underdog” in the race for Illinois governor says he already has a plan to address the state’s ailing economy. Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar is one of six contenders for the Democratic bid for governor in 2018. Pawar says he strongly favors a progressive tax structure -- meaning, higher taxes on the wealthy.

News Local/State

With Democrats in firm control of the Illinois General Assembly, abortion rights might seem to be safe in the state. But what would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal across the country in 1973? Abortion-rights supporters worry that an Illinois statute from 1975 could act as a “trigger law,” automatically banning abortions in the state.

News Local/State

Voters across Illinois head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in races that include mayors and village presidents, tax measures, school board members and other questions.

In recent weeks, Illinois Public Media reporters have covered the issues, interviewed the candidates and explained what's at stake in many area elections. On election day, here's your guide to what's on some of the ballots. 

News Local/State

Rantoul Township High School District 193 is among ten of them in the state taking part in a pilot program using competency-based learning. The idea is to advance students based on their mastery of skills and knowledge in a particular subject — instead of how much time they spend on the subject in the classroom.

News Local/State

The Illinois Senate's leader is promoting legislation he says will protect immigrants from Trump administration actions. Several immigrant and anti-crime groups and labor unions joined Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago on Monday to unveil legislation he calls the TRUST act. It would bar law enforcement agencies in Illinois from helping in immigration actions unless federal authorities present a warrant from a judge.

News Local/State

By Wednesday morning, the day after Election Day, residents of the Rossville-Alvin and Bismarck-Henning school districts in Vermilion County should know if they will be sharing a cooperative high school.

News Local/State

Democratic state Sen. Andy Manar says he will remain in the Illinois Senate rather than run for governor in 2018.

News Local/State

Richland Community College in Decatur is laying off 18 more staff members due to declining enrollment and a lack of state funding.