Illinois Public Media News

Kids in Illinois have to start kindergarten by the time they’re six years old. But a new bill that’s already passed the Senate, could lower that required age to five. Plus, Cook County has lowered bonds for people accused of violent domestic attacks. But a Chicago Tribune investigation shows that some victims feel like this change has put them at risk. Also, we'll talk about this year's list of Illinois' most Endangered Places. And, listeners in the Bloomington-Normal area have a new podcast to look forward to that focuses on local news. We’ll hear from WGLT about their new show, ‘The Leadoff.’

Champaign resident Kim Bryan lost her 19-year-old son to suicide in 2016. His death led her to found the nonprofit Rattle The Stars, which provides suicide prevention training across the Champaign-Urbana area.

The Illinois Senate last week approved increased protections for those who use alternative electric and gas suppliers. 

The Commission’s listening session in Urbana is the second of three listening sessions taking place throughout the state. The hearings comes after several months of calls from communities across the state to open the Commission’s process up to the public.

It’s a long road to changing our state’s income tax system, but on Wednesday Governor Pritzker and his supporters took a big step forward and got the plan through the state Senate. And the website TurboTax promised the IRS that lower-income earners could file for free, but the company has kept users away from its free version on purpose. And as hate crimes against Muslims in Illinois and the rest of the country become more visible, a new report out today tracks the millions of dollars and thousands of groups that are fueling anti-Islamic hate in America.