Illinois Public Media News

Prosecutors and police officers have been sending too much DNA to the Illinois State Police crime lab. People are waiting in jail as a result of the massive backlog. Plus, schools across Illinois badly need more teachers. One statewide program has been trying to recruit more of them, as early as high school. Also, earlier this year a prison in Danville removed 200 books from an education program library. But now, after public pressure, the books are back in the prison. And after more than a century, the Chicago Defender will no longer be available in print. 

Every summer, thousands of Midwestern kids as young as 13 load onto school buses early in the morning to do one of the hottest, dirtiest temporary jobs out there. They are the corn detasselers.

On July first, Indiana became the latest state to add a work requirement for thousands of people who get health insurance through Medicaid. Similar programs in Arkansas and Kentucky have sparked concerns and court challenges.

Federal public defenders trying to save Brendt Christensen from the death penalty presented emotional testimony from character witnesses Wednesday --- including the defendant’s father.

Journalists Julia Wallace and Kristin Gilger co-authored a new book, "There’s No Crying in Newsrooms" which tells the many stories and experiences of women in journalism. They joined us to talk about their analysis and advice for women leaders in any industry. Plus, our state and national parks are open to all. But not everyone feels included in outdoor activities. An online community called “Unlikely Hikers” is changing that by encouraging people from under-represented backgrounds to get outside.