Illinois Public Media News

Indiana residents are hopeful that their former governor can use his new influence as vice president to help the Hoosier state -- but an expert warns that could be wishful thinking.

For elected officials in Illinois - attending Donald Trump's Inauguration Friday is a political event. And their presence or absence is a political statement. Several congressmen who represent parts of Chicago are skipping the events. But their reasons vary depending on who you talk to.

The University of Illinois' Board of Trustees is has launched an initiative to boost system-wide enrollment to more than 90,000 students by 2021. Thursday's meeting also saw the election of a new Trustees' chair, Dr. Timothy Koritz, and approval to freeze in-state tuition rates for a third straight year. Meanwhile, a number of students are again calling for the U of I to declare the school a 'sanctuary campus' to help those who are in the country illegally.

When former Texas Gov. Rick Perry faces the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for his confirmation hearing on Thursday, his first test could be whether he remembers the name of the agency he's been picked to head.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is one of three agencies Perry proposed eliminating when he was running for president in 2011. During a debate, he successfully listed the Department of Commerce and the Department of Education. But he couldn't bring to mind the name of the third agency — the Energy Department.

President Obama gave his final press conference at the White House on Wednesday, just two days before Donald Trump's inauguration. He reflected on his time in office and looked toward the incoming administration, ultimately concluding, "At my core, I think we're going to be OK."