Illinois Public Media News

For decades, the chimes at the University of Illinois’ Altgeld Tower were open for tours and featured in daily noon hour concerts. But that’s all over for the foreseeable future until safety repairs can be made to the tower. Meanwhile, some of the volunteers who have been giving the concerts question why it’s taken administrators so long to make a decision. The Altgeld Tower bells were dedicated in 1920.

Voters in the Champaign County village of Rantoul have three candidates from which to choose for mayor in Tuesday’s municipal elections.  Chuck Smith is the first-term incumbent. He’s opposed by the man he defeated for the office four years ago -- former mayor Neal Williams -- and current village board member Gary Wilson.

The local history museum in Douglas County is asking voters to approve a tax referendum to fund the museum’s future.

Yesterday’s “I voted” sticker is today’s ballot selfie. But some voters last fall found out Illinois makes it illegal to take a selfie with your ballot. Lawmakers are trying to change that, inspired by the young people who simply wanted to share their fulfillment of their civic duty on social media.

The Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation meant to expand privacy rights on the Internet. Two of the bills cleared procedural hurdles Thursday in the House, but they both have powerful opponents. Democrats say it’s a needed corrective to what’s happening in Washington. President Trump is expected to undo privacy rules put in place at the end of the Obama administration.