WILL-AM | Illinois Public Media

State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet. — (AP Photo/Seth Pearlman)

News Local/State

April 10, 2015

Rose’s Legislation Would Relax Procurement Rules To Save State Universities Millions

State Sen. Chapin Rose says procurement rules enacted in response to the corrupt Blagojevich administration went too far, imposing a burden that turns away qualified low bidders.

A tornado is viewed near Pearl Street from a home in Kirkland, Ill., on Thursday, April 9, 2015. One person was killed in the tiny community of Fairdale, James Joseph with the Illinois Department of Emergency Management said. — (AP Photo/Emily Mains)

News Local/State

April 10, 2015

Northern Illinois Tornadoes Cause Damage, Injuries, Two Deaths

Northern Illinois University meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said he was able to see the tornado from 18 miles away. He says in his 25 years of storm-chasing, he had never seen one like this. Dekalb and Ogle counties have been declared state disaster areas by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at a news conference in Chicago. A bipartisan agreement to plug a $1.6 billion budget hole including more than $1.3 billion in fund transfers from a variety of sources to avert shutdowns of Illinois state programs an — (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

News Local/State

April 10, 2015

Rauner Defends Business Tax Breaks While Slashing Social Services

The Illinois Federation of Teachers union says giving corporations tax breaks while slashing services shows Rauner's priorities.

Listen

A motorist puts fuel in his car's gas tank at a service station in Springfield, Ill. Illinois lawmakers are considering raising the state's motor fuel tax. Officials say a large amount of the funds usually allocated for road construction we — (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

News Local/State

April 10, 2015

Gas Station Owners Say Gas Tax Increase Would Have Negative Effects

Bill Fleischli, the executive vice president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association and the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores, says the current tax should create enough money for infrastructure repairs, even though not all the tax revenue is used for the roads.

Listen

U of I Urbana Provost Ilesami Adesida and Chancellor Phyllis Wise at Thursday's Town Hall meeting. — (Jeff Bossert/WILL)

News Local/State

April 09, 2015

Chancellor Addresses Proposed Cut, Strategic Plan

The U of I's Urbana Chancellor and Provost addressed concerns over Gov. Rauner's proposed state funding cut in Thursday's annual Town Hall meeting, but also unveiled a series of goals as part of the 2013-2016 strategic plan.

The National Weather Service has warned of the potential for severe weather across Illinois over the next few days. That includes a chance of severe storms, damaging winds, even tornadoes this afternoon. — (Photo: NOAA)

News Local/State

April 09, 2015

UPDATE: More Severe Storms Expected Across Illinois

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for most of central Illinois through 11pm Thursday night. Meteorologist Jeff Frame says the worst storms will likely come just after dark and could include severe storms, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Listen

News Local/State

April 09, 2015

Man Charged In Champaign Shooting

The incident Wednesday afternoon is Champaign's second report of a shooting near a school in a week. Each prompted 'soft' lockdowns at schools in the city. 20-year old Terrell Boatman faces weapons charges.