WILL-AM

News Local/State

The owner of the Champaign-based Jimmy John's sandwich chain has donated $150,000 to the Kickapoo Rail Trail being built in east-central Illinois.

News Local/State

Higher education was a major victim of Illinois’ year-long budget impasse. That makes it one of the winners in the stopgap spending plan passed this week.  But universities aren’t breathing too easily. University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen expressed gratitude for the compromise, but said more must be done. In an email to students and employees yesterday, he said the U of I will receive roughly 55-percent of what it saw in 2015 – the last year higher education was fully funded.

News Local/State

Illinois' unprecedented budget impasse has ended … for now, and just in the nick of time.

News Local/State

A bill extending Illinois' medical marijuana program by 2 1/2 years has been signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

News Local/State

Both the Illinois House and Senate have passed the final pieces of a partial state budget deal that funds elementary and high school education for a year and other areas for six months.

News Local/State

Two months ago, NPR's Morning Edition challenged listeners to reinvent its theme music. Submissions since have spanned genres, including ambient, dubstep, reggae, waltz, jazz, and blues. Illinois State University School of Music Professor Mark Grizzard recently took up the challenge. 

News Local/State

Democratic leaders in the legislature and Gov. Bruce Rauner appear to be close to a deal to approve some funding for social service providers, higher education, capital construction and state operations. The proposal would also fund K-12 schools for all of next fiscal year. But the plan can’t erase the destruction caused by the state going for a year without a budget.​​

News Local/State

One of the biggest casualties of the year-long budget impasse in Illinois has been social service agencies that receive funding from the state. Sue Grey is the president and CEO of the United Way of Champaign County. Illinois Public Media’s Brian Moline spoke with Grey about the effects of the budget impasse on social service agencies in the area.

News Local/State

Illinois lawmakers are on the verge of passing a state budget, though only a partial one, on Thursday, June 30th, the final day of the 2016 fiscal year.

News Local/State

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield Wednesday for another try at a budget compromise --- and there are signs that provide reason to be optimistic.