News Local/State
This weekend marks the sixth annual CU Pride Festival in downtown Champaign, and organizers say this year is unique. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. Caitlin Jenner's very public transition made conversations about transgender issues even more mainstream.
News Local/State
There are some 20,730 stand-alone video poker machines scattered throughout the state. Thanks to them, state government took in some $200 million dollars in the last fiscal year; that's a huge, $80 million increase from the year before.
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News Local/State
Union leaders are dealing with concerns from some members that some self-insured health plan payments for state employees have been halted as a result of the state budget impasse. Four providers are asking members to upfront at the time of an appointment, and will be reimbursed later.
News Local/State
The Illinois Human Rights Commission said Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast in Paxton broke the law when denying access to a same-sex couple. Todd and Mark Wathen wanted to hold a civil union ceremony there in 2011.
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News Local/State
The cities of Champaign and Urbana, along with the University of Illinois, are asking for input for a longterm, multi-million dollar street improvement project. Students and community members have until next month to weigh in on its plans for "MCORE" — the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project.
News Local/State
Babies should develop in leaps and bounds; so while missing out on months of therapy doesn't sound like long, the consequences are compounded. Supporters of "EI" say that working with infants and toddlers saves money later, by lessening kids' needs when they're older; some studies say it even leads to reduced prison rates.
News Local/State
The Illinois State Board of Education had to vote on what constitutes an acceptable grade on the PARCC test.
News Local/State
Proposed legislation in Springfield has Champaign Unit 4 Schools officials concerned about a possible big loss in state funding.
News Local/State
The Illinois EPA says a cattle farm operated by Gabe Shepherd violated the state Environmental Protection Act and other laws when it allowed manure to spill into Stony Creek and the Salt Fork, killing nearly 100,000 fish.
News Local/State
Among the many political battles that have raged in Springfield since the election of Governor Bruce Rauner, one difficult battle has fallen off the radar. The fight for a new school funding formula has been pushed to the wayside as the state operates without a budget for a third month, and Springfield's top politicians talk over each other.
