Illinois Public Media News

Democratic Alderwoman Diane Marlin will be Urbana’s next mayor after netting more than 42-hundred votes Tuesday. Republican opponent Rex Bradfield finished with 680. Marlin will be sworn into office on May 1.

On the 21st: We spoke with two students from Black United Front UIUC, a group that is urging the University of Illinois to recruit more black students and provide better resources. Plus, we learned about a new health clinic that aims to increase access to affordable medical and dental care in central Illinois, and we were joined in studio by the Jupiter String Quartet for a preview of their upcoming performance in Urbana. 

Illinois has entered its 22nd month without a real budget. Among the state services most affected by the political fight are those that help victims of domestic violence. The Illinois legislature is considering emergency funding for these programs.

A self-described “underdog” in the race for Illinois governor says he already has a plan to address the state’s ailing economy. Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar is one of six contenders for the Democratic bid for governor in 2018. Pawar says he strongly favors a progressive tax structure -- meaning, higher taxes on the wealthy.

With Democrats in firm control of the Illinois General Assembly, abortion rights might seem to be safe in the state. But what would happen if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal across the country in 1973? Abortion-rights supporters worry that an Illinois statute from 1975 could act as a “trigger law,” automatically banning abortions in the state.