News Local/State
State Sen. Righter On The Budget Impasse In Illinois
State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) a 20-year veteran of the Illinois General Assembly, talks about what it might take to reach a budget agreement in Springfield.
WILL-AM
WILL AM 580 Live Stream
News Local/State
EIU Laying Off 200 Employees, Asking Union Faculty To Accept Furlough Days
Layoff notices are going out to 200 non-instructional employees at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, while members of the union representing faculty and academic employees consider an administration request to take unpaid furlough days.
News Local/State
Illinois Issues: What Are Consent Decrees?
Gov. Bruce Rauner says he wants to get the state out of legal agreements called consent decrees. The deals are a big part of the reason the government is still operating without a budget; they also impact the lives of thousands of Illinois residents. But unless you are affected by one, you've probably never heard of them.
News Local/State
Champaign Council Approves $70,000 Settlement, Third Involving Officer Rush
The three excessive force lawsuit settlements involving police officer Matt Rush total $320,000. Concerned citizens have been calling for for Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz to file charges against Rush. Council members also may lobby with Urbana leaders for changes in the police union arbitration process.
News Local/State
Comptroller: Illinois Will Fall $6.2B In Debt Without Budget
Illinois is on track to fall more than $6 billion further into debt amid the months-long budget stalemate. Comptroller Leslie Munger says spending will outpace last year's rates by $1.2 billion, which also includes a $5 billion revenue drop from the rolled back temporary income tax increase.
News Local/State
Attorney General Seeks Stay Of Tax Ruling Impacting Urbana Hospitals
The Illinois Attorney General's office wants the 4th District Appellate Court to delay enforcement of the January 5 ruling which found a 2012 state law involving tax exemptions for hospitals that provide charity care to be unconstitutional. The motion for a stay was filed with the appelate court on January 28. Carle is appealing last month's ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court.
News Local/State
MAP Bill On ‘Cooling Off’ Hold
The Illinois Senate President is encouraging Governor Bruce Rauner to rethink his priorities on student aid legislation, but the governor was quick to repeat his promise of a veto.
News Local/State
Drop In Flash Index Keeps Pace With National Economy
University of Illinois Ecomomist Fred Giertz says the monthly Flash Index fell to 105.3 in January from 105.5 a month earlier, which he says is consistent with a national slowdown. But he says the economy is growing, just at a slower rate. Giertz also says it's unclear if Illinois' now 8-month budget impasse is having much of an impact.
News Local/State
Navigating Through Financial Aid And Scholarships
Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline talked with University Laboratory High School College Counselor Lisa Micele about the challenges facing high school students and their parents as they prepare for college.
News Local/State
Illini Fall To Wisconsin 63-55
The Fighting Illini lost to the Wisconsin Badgers 63-55 Sunday night, in a game where Illinois forward Michael Finke had to leave with a knee injury.