Illinois Public Media News

The major party candidates for Illinois governor met for the second of three debates Wednesday night, and both men stuck mostly to the same attacks they’ve making for months.

On The 21st: If you’ve ever been convicted of a felony, finding a job is a big challenge. Now there’s a law that might help. Plus, during World War II, the U.S. forced millions of Japanese-Americans into internment camps. More than 10,000 people moved to Illinois during that time, including the city of Peoria. But first, many courtrooms are having bond and arraignment hearings through a TV monitor instead of in person. This can be more efficient, but is it fair to defendants?

The nonprofit Partnership for College Completion’s Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative asks schools to develop a plan to increase graduation rates among students who are low-income, first generation or students of color. 

Jeff Martin, a high school admission advisor for the Midwest Technical Institute, worries about the amount of college debt facing the students he talks to for a living. He should know because he was in their shoes once. Martin said he travels to high schools to talk to students about college and career choices.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is asking the Attorney General’s office to temporarily shut down a Chicago-area chemical plant. The agency says that plant is releasing an illegal amount of cancer-causing fumes into the air.