WILL-AM

News Local/State

May 25, 2016

Illinois House Speaker Writing Own Budget, Defying Governor

An attempt to reach a deal on Governor Bruce Rauner's pro-business, anti-labor demands isn't working out for House Democrats, who are set to go it alone on a new state budget.  House Speaker Michael Madigan says he told the Republican governor during a meeting Wednesday "he's not being real persuasive'' in negotiations that he's established with various groups of lawmakers. The measure passed later Wednesday, as House Republicans howled in protest.

News Local/State

May 25, 2016

Bill Requiring Hospital Protocols For Sepsis Heads To Governor’s Desk

Legislation requiring all hospitals in Illinois to maintain procedures for diagnosing and treating sepsis or septic shock cases is headed to Governor Rauner’s desk.

News Local/State

May 25, 2016

Illinois Supreme Court To Review Hospital Taxation Issue

The state's high court will review a case regarding the constitutionality of hospital tax exemptions, and will hear arguments involving Urbana's Carle Foundation Hospital.  A lower court ruled in January that the 2012 state law allowing hospitals to avoid paying property taxes is unconstitutional.

News Local/State

May 25, 2016

Changes to Drivers License To Move Illinois Closer to REAL ID Compliance

Changes are coming to driver’s licenses in the state of Illinois, meant to move the state closer to full compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.

News Local/State

May 25, 2016

At Least They’re Still Talking ... Budget Update

Illinois lawmakers continue their budget negotiations in private, while Gov. Rauner continues to say publicly that he'll agree to raising taxes only if Democrats accept his pro-business, union-weakening agenda.

News Local/State

May 24, 2016

Nunn Dismissed From Illini Basketball Team

Kendrick Nunn, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery last week, has been dismissed from the Illini men's basketball team.  Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman and Coach John Groce issued a joint statement Tuesday, saying the decision was made after 'extensive deliberation.'  The two said this would 'send a strong message about what is acceptable behavior for our student-athletes.'

News Local/State

May 24, 2016

IDNR: Build New Eagle Creek Resort, Instead Of Fixing Up Old One

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it will seek a developer to build a new Eagle Creek Resort and Conference Center on Lake Shelbyville, because of the high cost of repairing the old facility cited in an engineers' assessment survey.

News Local/State

May 24, 2016

Heidelberg Speaks Out From Prison, Nearly Half a Century After Arrest

This week, 73-year-old Cleve Heidelberg will have spent exactly 46 years in prison. Heidelberg, a black man, was convicted of murdering a Peoria County Sheriff’s sergeant in 1970. Since that time, Heidelberg has filed numerous petitions arguing his innocence.

News Local/State

May 24, 2016

Rauner Laughs At Cullerton Suggestion That Pensions, AFSCME Contracts Are Tied

Senate President John Cullerton and Governor Bruce Rauner think they have a way to reduce the state's expenses for its underfunded pensions, without violating the state constitution.

News Local/State

May 23, 2016

Plans Shape Up For Dick Van Dyke Visit

The executive director of Dick Van Dyke's charitable foundation says the 90-year-old actor will take part in events in Danville and suburban Chicago next month.