WILL-AM

News Local/State

March 11, 2016

Illinois Issues: Madigan Vs. Rauner Playing Out In Primary Fights

A couple of legislative primary races in Illinois are serving as stand-ins for the political struggle between the governor and Democratic leaders.

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County Road 1450N, south of St. Joseph, in late December 2015. — Steve Hillberg

News Local/State

March 10, 2016

FEMA Denies Request For Federal Assistance After Winter Floods

The state of Illinois was told Thurday that its requests for both individual assistance and public assistance were denied - after flooding impacted 21 counties in late December and January. State IEMA Director James Joseph blames the federal government's population-based threshold for determining assistance.

Illinois' Jalen Coleman-Lands (5) drives against Iowa's Mike Gesell (10) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament Thursday. — Kiichiro Sato/Assocated Press

News Local/State

March 10, 2016

Illini Hold On For Stunning 68-66 Upset Of No. 20 Iowa

Jalen Coleman-Lands led the way with 17 points, and Illinois won for just the second time in six games with their 68-66 upset of No. 20 Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament Thursday. The Illini play No. 13 Purdue in Friday's quarterfinals.

Congressman John Shimkus holds his ACTIVATOR Friend of Agriculture Award. — (Jim Meadows/Illinois Public Media)

News Local/State

March 10, 2016

15th Congressional District Interview: John Shimkus

Republican John Shimkus is seeking re-election for an eleventh term to Congress. He's facing a primary challenge from state senator Kyle McCarter of Lebanon. Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline talked with Shimkus about the race.

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Jason Gonzales, a candidate challenging long-time Speaker Michael Madigan in the 22nd Illinois House District Democratic Primary. — Michael Puente/WBEZ

News Local/State

March 10, 2016

An Unknown Takes On Boss Madigan

Jason Gonzales says that despite accepting campaign donations from Republicans, he's an independent Democrat who hopes to unseat long-time Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Tuesday's Democratic Primary.

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Fifteenth District State Senator Napoleon Harris (Democrat, Harvey) — Harris for Senate Campaign

News Local/State

March 10, 2016

Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris On Why He’s Running For U.S. Senate

With the Illinois Primary coming up next week on March 15th, we’ve been speaking to candidates across the state. Fifteenth District State Senator Napoleon Harris (Democrat, Harvey) is among the three Democrats and two Republicans vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mark Kirk.

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U of I Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Edward Feser at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications Wednesday. — Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

March 09, 2016

UI Provost Discusses Budgeting Strategy During Impasse, Years Ahead

In the first of three open budgeting meetings, U of I Urbana campus Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Edward Feser laid out a series of proposals in the event state funding continues to fall short for the next eight to ten years. "The amount of labor going into the planning and budgeting process has dramatically increased," he says.

Illinois' Michael Finke (43) reacts on the bench in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Indianapolis. Illinois won 85-52. — Michael Conroy/Associated Press

News Local/State

March 09, 2016

Finke, Illinois Cruise By Minnesota 85-52 In Big 10 Tourney

The Illini coasted to an easy victory in Wednesday night's opening game of the tournament. Champaign native Michael Finke finished with 17 points. Illinois (14-18) moves on to play No. 5 seed Iowa Thursday.