Illinois Public Media News

Scarves are showing up on statues around Champaign-Urbana with a message to take one if you need it. It’s the work of Gretchen Warner. She wanted to find a way to help people stay warm this winter, so she started crocheting. 

David Mercer with the Associated Press reported this week that University of Illinois officials made a concerted effort to increase in-state enrollment by increasing financial aid, and accepting slightly lower test scores.  Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline talked with Mercer about his story.

Jessica Gorin, executive chef at Big Grove Tavern in Champaign, has a few suggestions about how to serve Thanksgiving leftovers.

Chicago writer Jamie Kalven focuses on patterns of police abuse and impunity in Chicago. He heard about an attempted cover-up of the details in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old wielding a knife.  Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is white, shot Laquan McDonald, a black youth, 16 times in 14 seconds.

An estimated 13,054 Chicago families experienced homelessness during the 2014-15 school year, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, 

Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times after allegedly refusing to follow officers' instructions as he walked down a street with a knife in October 2014. The officer who shot him was charged Tuesday with murder.

Officials with community colleges in Danville, Mattoon and Decatur plan cuts in programs for the spring semester due to the state budget impasse, but still hope for eventual state funding this fiscal year.

Last week on the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus, black students came together to show support for the students at Mizzou, and to share their own experiences with racism; hours later, a Facebook group appeared that denounced the protesters.

A University of Illinois physics professor credits his department and the university for his recent Professor of the Year award.  Mats Selen received the honor from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching on November 19.

Feb. 17 --- that's when the governor's to give his next budget speech. It could be that Rauner makes history; presenting a budget proposal for the next fiscal year, even as there isn't a current one in place.