Illinois Public Media News

The six faith leaders President-elect Donald Trump has invited to pray at his inauguration come from diverse backgrounds, but they have something in common: All have personal ties to Trump or his family or have in some way signaled their approval of him, his politics or his wealth.

 Jamey Dunn is leaving the position of Illinois Issues editor. In this week’s Illinois Issues report, she reflects on her time working here and covering state government. 

The Illinois Supreme Court considered a case Thursday that asks whether not-for-profit hospitals have to pay property taxes. The case involves Urbana-based Carle hospital and clinics — though it could affect health systems across Illinois. At issue is the constitutionality of a state law that exempts not-for-profit hospitals from paying property tax.

Bryton Mellott, who was arrested last July for burning an American flag and posting pictures of it on Facebook, has filed a federal lawsuit against four Urbana police officers. He wants to see Illinois' flag descreation law officially declared unconstitutional. The 22-year old Urbana resident says he burned the flag in response to the current political climate, and mass shootings, including the incident that claimed 49 lives at a gay nightclub in Orlando last summer.

Two men, each of them suspects in a separate murder case in Champaign-Urbana, were found and arrested at an apartment in Urbana Wednesday. The suspects were wanted in connection with the deaths of Rakim Vineyard in Champaign and Robert Lee Brown in Urbana.