WILL-AM

News Local/State

Governor Bruce Rauner dropped in on classes at Franklin Middle School in Champaign on Wednesday, praising educators and pledging his commitment to public school funding.

News Local/State

The two occupants of a small training helicopter walked away without injury after it crashed at the University of Illinois’ Willard Airport around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Willard Executive Director Gene Cossey says during a landing procedure, they lost control of the aircraft, which skidded down the runway and flipped over. 

News Local/State

Last year, global warming reached record high temperatures — and if that news feels like déjà vu, you're not going crazy. The planet has now had three consecutive years of record-breaking heat.

News Local/State

For the past 20 years, school funding in Illinois has relied heavily on property taxes, which means schools near prime commercial or residential areas thrive, while others struggle to get by. Since August, a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers has been meeting regularly to try to come up with a better way to fund public schools.

News Local/State

The Illini men caused few problems for Purdue Tuesday night in West Lafayette, Indiana, losing by a final score of 91 to 68. In three Big Ten road games thus far, Illinois has been beaten by an average of 21 points.

News Local/State

If she’s confirmed, Indiana policy consultant Seema Verma will start work as Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She’ll bring her experience designing Indiana’s unique Medicaid expansion to the national policy conversation.

News Local/State

The city of Champaign has permanently terminated police officer Matt Rush after two-and-a-half years of appeals and litigation. City Manager Dorothy David announced the $50,000 separation agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police at the conclusion of Tuesday's Champaign City Council meeting. Rush was twice fired by the city, and was the subject of multiple excessive force lawsuits, costing the city more than $300,000 in settlements.

News Local/State

A federal magistrate has ruled former U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock will be tried this summer on federal corruption charges. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins on Tuesday set the July 11 date for Schock's trial on fraud, filing a false tax return, theft of government funds and falsification of Federal Election Commission filings charges.

News Local/State

Andy Manar, whose Illinois Senate district includes a large number of state employees, is once again challenging Republican Governor Bruce Rauner to personally negotiate with AFSCME, the state’s largest government union.  

News Local/State

When the issue of dog behavior is discussed, you’ll often hear certain misbehavior attributed to dominance. But one University of Illinois expert says the science doesn’t back that up.