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New Illini Football Coach Lovie Smith, after taking questions from reporters at The U of I's Bielfeldt Administration Building Monday.
Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

Lovie Smith Introduced As New Illini Football Coach

Smith says he expects the team he’s inherited to compete for a Big Ten Championship. The former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaners coach said he planned to complete his career at Illinois, after signing a six-year, $21 million contract.  "I don't know what better commitment I can show to everyone that we're going to be here for the long haul," he said.

In this Feb. 12, 2016 photo, Democrat Juliana Stratton talks to residents during a bingo party at the Minnie Ripperton apartments in Chicago.Stratton, is trying to unseat incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ken Dunkin. “
Charles Rex Arbogast/Associates Press

News Local/State

Obama Produces Ad For Rep. Dunkin Opponent

President Obama has voiced a commercial asking voters to support Juliana Stratton, Rep. Ken Dunkin's opponent for the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 5th House District.  The race is largely seen as a proxy war between House Speaker Michael Madigan, who's supporting Stratton, and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose allies are supporting Dunkin.

Champaign Police Officer Matt Rush
Champaign Police Department

News Local/State

Police Union: Investigation Tied To ‘Negative Publicity’

Illinois' Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council says a reported internal investigation involving Champaign Police Officer Matt Rush, the subject of four excessive force lawsuits, is not related to his actions on duty.  "It is a direct result of the intense negative publicity and inaccurate public statements stemming from his prior case," said General Counsel Tamara Cummings.