Illinois Public Media News

Illinoisans are likely to have to pay more sales tax when shopping online after state lawmakers made two big changes to tax rules. State tax collections are expected to increase by $288 million this year.

The Autism Program on the University of Illinois Urbana campus is a statewide network of agencies that provides resources and services for children and adults with autism. Illinois Public Media spoke with the program’s director, Linda Tortorelli, about the challenges people with autism face living in central Illinois and how The Autism Program aims to help.

A commission with members on both sides of the Chief Illiniwek debate is recommending ways to move forward together --- twelve years after the University of Illinois retired the controversial symbol. But Chief supporterswere criticizing its findings on the day they were issued.

A string of natural disasters has hit the central U.S. in recent weeks. Tornadoes have devastated communities, tearing up trees and homes. Record rainfall has prevented countless farmers in America's breadbasket from planting crops. Rising rivers continue to flood fields, inundate homes and threaten aging levees from Iowa to Mississippi. And while none of these events can be directly attributed to climate change, extreme rains are happening more frequently in many parts of the U.S. and that trend is expected to continue as the Earth continues to warm.

The Illinois legislative session that wrapped up a few days ago was dominated by debates over weighty topics like preserving abortion rights, legalizing recreational cannabis sales, and changing the income tax structure of the state. But no action was taken to address Illinois' continuing teacher shortage.