WILL-AM

News Local/State

The Illinois Senate approved a big change to the way Illinois funds schools Tuesday, but that doesn't ensure anything will change.

News Local/State

Four days after he allegedly shot a Mahomet police officer, authorities are searching for Dracy "Clint" Pendleton in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest.

News Local/State

Swastikas spray-painted on three campus buildings.  A white groundskeeper tossing a noose on a worktable used by a black co-worker.  Chalk messages saying “Build the Wall” and “Trump Deportation Force” written on sidewalks in front of the building that houses the Department of Latina/Latino Studies.  Associate Professor of African-American Studies Erik McDuffie discusses these University of Illinois Urbana campus incidents and the "Freedom Forum" his department hosted in response with Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline.

News Local/State

Illinois cities want legislation that would give broad legal protections to government employees like first responders. It's a response to an Illinois Supreme Court decision in January.

News Local/State

Members of the University Professionals of Illinois chapter at Western Illinois University voted overwhelmingly to defer 3% of their compensation for the next two years. They also agreed to pass up a negotiated 1% salary increase.

News Local/State

State law requires the University of Illinois to submit a budget by the end of the fiscal year.  But it's not clear what's coming from the state, if anything, due to the budget impasse.  In a U of I Trustees committee meeting Monday, Chief Financial Officer Walter Knorr said the school will rely on its fiscal 2015 figure when submitting its budget plan for FY 2017. 

News Local/State

Illinois has gone nearly a full year without a state budget.  Now, it's time for legislators to craft a new one. They have just about three weeks left.

News Local/State

The search continues for Dracy “Clint” Pendleton, the 35 year old Bellflower man who’s charged with shooting a Mahomet police officer Saturday night.

News Local/State

A citizens' group working to change how Illinois draws legislative districts turned in nearly double of the number of signatures required to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.  The group's chairman says the change would increase voter turnout and encourage more competitive elections.

News Local/State

The first-year head coach has guided the Illinois softball team to its most wins since 2010.  Illinois Public Media's Jenny Horne has this profile.