Illinois Public Media News

Earlier this week, a group of Illinois Republicans announced a series of compromise measures they said could lead to a state budget. It includes a revised school funding plan, sponsored by State Senator Jason Barickman, of Bloomington.

Barickman calls his latest plan quote a huge step forward. It omits controversial language about collective bargaining, and on some areas, it duplicates the Democrats' plan, known as Senate Bill 1. But like Gov. Bruce Rauner and his education czar, Beth Purvis, Barickman still isn't happy with that plan.

A Champaign social service agency has turned to the community to keep it open while it waits for an end to the state budget crisis. Courage Connection works with domestic violence victims and the homeless. As part of its ongoing series on the effects of the budget situation, Illinois Public Media talked to Courage Connection’s Megan Wolf.

Days away from a special session called by Gov. Bruce Rauner, Illinois Senate Pres. John Cullerton says the legislature "doesn't need the governor" to enact an elusive budget deal to end a two-year impasse.

On the 21st: What happens when black holes collide? We get a down-to-earth explanation from Northwestern University researchers of some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. Plus, the state budget crisis has led to more than 2,000 jobs cut at public universities, and social entrepreneur Justin Dillon shares why he thinks everyone can make a difference.

Governor Bruce Rauner has called ten “special sessions” for the end of the month. He wants lawmakers to vote on the Republican budget plan unveiled Wednesday — a plan that also includes items on his political and economic wish list.