Illinois Public Media News

 A group of lawmakers charged with revamping Illinois' property-tax-reliant school funding formula has been meeting since summer, facing a deadline of February 1 to come up with an alternative. But the group isn’t moving fast enough for State Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill in Macoupin County. He’s the leading Democrat on the commission. He’s also considering running for governor.

Illinois legislators return to Springfield Monday. Disagreements between Democrats and Republicans have left state government without a full budget for more than 18 months — though Senate leaders are now said be trying to hammer out a compromise.

A resolution on Monday night's Urbana City Council agenda, suggested by Mayor Laurel Prussing, calls for keeping the Police Training Institute at its current site in Champaign. The measure comes as Decatur philanthropist Howard Buffett has announced plans to build a new training facility in his city. Prussing was among those who worked to save PTI at the university a few years ago.

The Illinois women's basketball team topped Rutgers 78-41 Saturday at State Farm Center in Champaign, the Illini's second largest ever margin of victory in a Big Ten game. Freshman Petra Holešínská led Illinois with a career-high 21 points.

The Indiana Hoosiers calmed their fans by sending them into a frenzy. James Blackmon Jr. scored 25 points, Thomas Bryant added 20, and No. 25 Indiana snapped a three-game losing streak with a 96-80 victory over Illinois on Saturday night.