Illinois Public Media News

Some University of Illinois students will be taking part in the "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" drinking event Friday, but "Unofficial" can be a difficult time for those suffering from alcohol addiction.

Legislation to ban organized tackle football for children under the age of 12 is headed to consideration before the full Illinois House. The House Mental Health Committee voted 11-9 Thursday to advance the legisation, which is named in memory of the late Chicago Bears football player Dave Duerson.

The University of Illinois’ Flash Index shows an Illinois economy that continues to hold its own, while still lagging behind the nation as a whole. The Flash Index for February measured the Illinois economy at 104.6, up from 104.4 in January.  

Pick any election in America, and it’s usually Democrats vs. Republicans. But there are also smaller parties like the Greens and the Libertarians, and every year they’re trying to both get their messages out and get their candidates on the ballot. Illinois is a particularly difficult state for third parties, and we spoke about all this and more with representatives from the Libertarian Party of Illinois and the Green Party of Illinois.

On the 21st: The Illinois House passed several bills aimed at strengthening gun control. Plus, it's an election year, but what if you've decided the two major parties aren't for you? We had a conversation with Illinois Libertarian Party Chair Lex Green and Illinois Green Party Secretary Geoffrey Cubbage, along with University of Illinois Professor Brian Gaines. Plus, we remember the legacy of Billy Graham, who died at age 99.