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News Local/State

Democratic lawmakers and Rauner do not appear to be close to a budget deal. But if they can work out their differences, they will likely be looking for more revenue to help close the state's massive budget deficit. That could mean higher taxes for you. 

News Local/State

John Reifsteck is chairman and president of GROWMARK, Inc, a regional agricultural cooperative in Bloomington, Ill.  Reifsteck, who is also a grain farmer, told lawmakers that unless Congress backs a national standard and blocks individual state laws, American agriculture will be harmed.

News Local/State

If the US Supreme Court eliminates subsidies for those enrolled in insurance plans through the federal healthcare exchange, how will it impact Illinois consumers?  Brian Moline finds out from Claudia Lennhoff, Executive Director of Champaign County Healthcare Consumers.

News Local/State

The Illinois Secretary of State's office hopes to have a new Champaign driver services facility open later this summer. In the meantime, a temporary location will be available next week at the Champaign library. 

News Local/State

Citing high costs and decreases in state funding and enrollment, Kankakee Community College said it will end operation of its public radio station, WKCC, on December 18th, after eight years on the air.

News Local/State

Police in Charleston, S.C. says they have captured a man they suspect of opening fire and killing nine people during a prayer meeting at Emanuel AME Church, one of the city's oldest historically black churches.

News Local/State

Gov. Bruce Rauner is bypassing traditional, behind-the-scenes methods of persuasion on the state budget stalemate.  He's begun a statewide TV advertising blitz that blames Democrats.  Amanda Vinicky sat down with Senate President John Cullerton to talk about the ad, and how it may change the dynamic.

News Local/State

While state leaders haggle over next year's budget, Illinois' $111 billion unfunded pension liabilty remains the elephant in the room.  Don Boyd is a senior fellow at the Rockefeller Institute in Albany, New York, and studies state finance with a focus on pensions.  Boyd spoke with Morning Edition Host Brian Moline about the causes of the shortfall and some possible solutions.

News Local/State

Twenty-one people died from train-related incidents in Illinois last year. That's the second most train-related deaths of any state. The effect on victims and their families is fairly obvious. But what happens to the railroad employees when that kind of trauma occurs, and how do they cope?

News Local/State

The AAUP voted Saturday to censure the Urbana campus over its decision not to hire Steven Salaita.