Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: We learned about a new state law that grants important labor protections to house cleaners, nannies and caregivers. Plus, the latest in Illinois politics.

Once again, an arbitrator acting under terms of the Champaign police union contract has ruled in favor of fired police officer Matt Rush, in one of the two charges cited for his 2016 dismissal.

Independent arbitrator Micheal Falvo determined that the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s refusal to use Rush as a courtroom witness was not valid grounds for firing Rush last April --- and that State’s Attorney Julia Rietz overstepped her bounds in doing so. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police announced the arbitrator’s ruling on Monday.

By the end of the year, 41 children younger than 14 were wounded or killed in shootings, according to a WBEZ review of police data.

That is nearly the same amount as 2013, 2014 and 2015 combined.

Ben Johnston doesn't follow the rules of music. Sure, the retired University of Illinois music professor has degrees from two colleges and a conservatory. But from an early age, Johnston heard music differently. When he was growing up in Georgia, he questioned the standard scales he was taught in school. "I played by ear and I invented my own chords," he says.

With the dysfunction in Illinois politics, state government this year is projected to spend as much as $13 billion more than it will collect in taxes. And the situation could be getting worse.