Illinois Public Media News

A federal mediator will begin overseeing negotiations Tuesday between the University of Illinois and the union representing 700 dining and building service workers at the Urbana campus. In a vote held Saturday, about 90% of union members voted to authorize a strike, according to a spokesperson for the SEIU Local 73 chapter at the U of I. The authorization allows the negotiating team to issue a strike notice if they feel it’s warranted.

Earlier this month, activists released video of alleged animal abuse at a farm in Indiana. So, who actually makes sure animals are treated humanely? And, all this week we’re bringing you some reading recommendations for the summer. Today, we’re starting off with fiction. Also, we'll have a preview of the Women's World Cup semi-final match between the U.S. and England. Plus, a Chicago investment firm recently bought Whataburger, one of Texas’ most beloved fast food chains.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday signed into law a long-awaited $45 billion infrastructure plan.

Technology overuse ranked as the No. 1 fear of parents of teenagers in a national survey last year.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is cosponsoring legislation that would rollback one of the provisions of the 1994 crime bill. It’s called the Restoring Education and Learning Act — or REAL Act. The bill would restore Pell Grant eligibility to people incarcerated in state and federal prisons.