Illinois Public Media News

This week's Illinois Issues report explores whether Illinois should -- or could -- end religious exemptions for vaccinations, something now done in New York and a handful of other states.

What does it mean to be Midwestern, and what makes this state and this region so special? We talk to some of our favorite Midwesterners about all things Illinois and the Midwest including the food, the history, the culture and the landscape around us. Plus, Gov. Pritzker recently signed a bill which creates a Restaurant Meals Program for SNAP recipients. We learn why its proponents think it can help fix the issue of food deserts and make people healthier.

After years of trying, the city of Danville now has the state’s permission to host a casino, thanks to Illinois’ new gambling expansion law. Jim Meadows talks with Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr., about what's ahead.

Temperatures are soaring, and that means Midwesterners are headed to summer fairs and festivals. They’ll eat plenty of high calorie foods ⁠—from corn dogs to fried ice cream sandwiches ⁠— but some festivals are trying to include healthier foods.

New legislation in the U-S House of Representatives would create a low-interest loan program to fund mitigation projects to reduce the risks and damage caused by natural disasters. Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis says such projects could make future flooding in his state less of a catastrophe.