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News Local/State

The Champaign Unit 4 School Board will vote Monday on options to purchase property near the current Central High School.

News Local/State

The state's largest private provider of social services is closing 30 programs serving nearly 5,000 people.  Lutheran Social Services of Illinois announced Friday it is laying off 750 employees -  about 43 percent of its staff.   President and CEO Mark Stutrud says the state owes $6 million.

News Local/State

Illinois Labor Relations Board executive director Melissa Mlynski can't talk specifics, but she provides useful context for the board's upcoming ruling on the dispute between Gov. Bruce Rauner, and AFSCME, the state's largest public employees union.

News Local/State

Champaign County Historical Museum Board President T.J. Blakeman says that the museum is preparing to rebuild its exhibits and launch a major fundraising campaign, so it can reopen this spring.

News Local/State

The Carle Foundation says it will build an office complex at the I-57 and Curtis Road Interchange south of Champaign, marking the first project announced for a site for which local officials have long had hopes for development.

News Local/State

A spokeperson for the water company says the request would amount to an increase of $7.50 on a typical bill.  But because of the Illinois Commerce Commission's 11 month review process, it likely wouldn't be approved until January 2017.  

News Local/State

llinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he’s made a big compromise with the top Senate Democrats on pensions.  But those same Democrats - say there is no compromise at all.  Rauner told reporters Thursday that he spoke to Senate President John Cullerton and they agreed to move forward.  But Cullerton says Rauner misrepresented their conversations.

News Local/State

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen says the school is committed to providing access to new students, despite the 7-month state budget impasse.  Trustees unanimously approved freezing tuition, along with a new background check policy on new university hires.

News Local/State

Writer/Director Guillermo Del Toro will be the opening night guest at the 18th annual Roger Ebert's Film Festival, April 13th at Champaign's Virginia Theater, accompanying his 2015 film "Crimson Peak." Further films will be announced in the coming weeks.

News Local/State

A new study finds that women who receive continuous support during labor from a certified doula have lower rates of pre-term births and C-sections, with demonstrated cost savings to Medicaid. And yet, most insurance companies don’t cover the service. Now, two organizations that advocate for safer maternity practices are pushing for change.