Illinois Public Media News

A.D. Carson grew up in Decatur, graduated from Millikin University, and earned a master's degree here at the University of Illinois Springfield. He’s now a Ph.D candidate at Clemson University, where recently he defended his dissertation -- a hip-hop project that’s gone viral.

On the 21st: We talked with WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore about her new audio documentary on her book about segregation in Chicago's South Side. We also spoke with Chaz Ebert to preview Sunday's Oscars and checked in with the founder of the upcoming 34th annual Insect Fear Film Festival in Urbana.

Evelyn Burnett Underwood has been attending Urbana City Council meetings for years. But now, she’d like to do so as the city’s mayor. Underwood is one of three candidates ---- along with Ald. Diane Marlin and incumbent Laurel Prussing --- seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in Urbana.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — the biggest labor union representing Illinois state workers — have taken a big step toward a possible strike.
 
The state council of AFSMCE reported Thursday that union members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike.