Illinois Public Media News

A University of Illinois economist said he thinks the state’s economy will likely remain healthy for at least the next year and a half.

On this encore edition of the 21st: Our conversation with Jose Angel N., author of 'Illegal: Reflections Of An Undocumented Immigrant.' Plus, the story of a house in southern Illinois whose owner kidnapped free black men and women -- and sold them back into slavery in Kentucky. And, we revisit our interview about the Joffrey Ballet's 8th Annual 'Winning Works' competition.

When school districts outside of Chicago negotiate contracts, they do so with the assurance that the state will pick up the tab on pensions. To control growing pension costs, lawmakers capped salary bumps at 6 percent in 2005. This year, the cap tightened to 3 percent. Illinois' teachers unions have collected more than 15,000 signatures on petitions urging state lawmakers to reverse that measure.  

For anyone who’s ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, that criminal record can make it hard to find a job. Many people are eligible for criminal record relief that would either destroy or seal their record from public view. But the process of applying can be complicated and expensive.

It’s time to update Champaign-Urbana  long-range transportation plan. And the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission is sending its planners out to local festivals and concerts to gather input.