Illinois Public Media News

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth says the country should lead an international coalition condemning the violence in Syria. She says if the country turns its back on victims like the 5-year old rescued from a partially destroyed apartment building in Aleppo, "we could potentially create a dialogue out there that America does not care about the victims of violence."

State officials have sent help to Louisiana after devastating floods hit Baton Route and other parts of the state. The Department of Central Management Services sent a volunteer this week to deliver 100,000 sandbags and 45 cots to help with the flood-relief efforts.

Earlier this week, when Republicans rallied at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, it was as though they were on that classic game show "Password," where no one was allowed say the name of their party's presidential nominee. Thursday, however, Democrats took the opposite tack, saying the name again and again.

On the 21st: We talked with 9-1-1 officials about a new emergency dispatch system designed to take texts in addition to calls. Plus, we found out what advertisers have been doing to catch our eye this Olympic season and heard from Champaign band Euriah about their latest album.

Speculation continues to swirl over who Democrats will put up to challenge Gov. Bruce Rauner in two years.