Illinois Public Media News

For the second year running, the city of Urbana is identifying spending cuts, as it tries to address a structural deficit in its budget.

State lawmakers have just two weeks to decide how they’ll move forward with several pieces of legislation. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin joins us to share his priorities. Plus, a southern Illinois mother faced thousands of dollars in hospital bills for her newborn because of Medicaid enrollment delays. She’s one of more than 112,000 who are facing problems with the program in Illinois. A new play at Steppenwolf explores the story of Ms. Joan Jett Blakk- a Chicago drag queen who ran for president in 1992.

A lawsuit filed Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court contends that contamination from a natural gas leak north of Mahomet has spread to additional residential water wells.

Losing a loved one to gun violence can cause anxiety, stress and other mental health symptoms; and simply living in an environment where violence is taking place can do the same. But experts say early intervention and support can help prevent some of those negative, long-term consequences. A new effort in east-central Illinois aims to provide near-immediate support to individuals who may be struggling.

Chicago will make history Monday when Lori Lightfoot is sworn in as the city's first black woman mayor and first openly gay mayor.