Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: The Spurlock museum is featuring stories of the Indian diaspora with objects submitted by local residents. We hear what that exhibit says about the many stories of Indians right here in Illinois. Plus, when your gun permit gets revoked, the police send you a letter demanding that you turn in your firearm. But most of the time, there’s no follow-up and it has allowed thousands of people to keep their weapons, including, the gunman in last Friday’s Aurora shooting. And, a new grant funds diversity fellowships which calls for more representation in academic publishing. Plus, we talk about last night's Oscars.           

Obesity is a big problem across the United States. It affects about 40 percent of the population. It’s even worse in Midwest states like Ohio, Illinois and Indiana and addressing the problem is complicated.

The University of Illinois Education Justice Project recently received a grant to assist with its fundraising efforts. EJP is a college in prison program serving inmates at the Danville Correctional Center.

A symposium at the University YMCA in Champaign aims to equip people with tools to better support immigrants in the community. The Inaugural Symposium on Local Immigration Activism will feature discussions about sanctuary communities and the unique challenges undocumented students face in higher education.

Eleven young men who had been involved in violent, gun-related offenses were offered a choice Thursday night --- stay on a path that could lead to prison or death, or accept an offer of help to turn their lives around. The choice was offered at a “Call-In” session held in downtown Champaign by C-U Fresh Start.