Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: We talked Illinois politics with two reporters and discussed a new report that reveals that many low-income students lag behind their wealthier peers. Plus, we spoke with an infectious disease physician about the progress made in treating HIV. Plus, Chicago-based author Elizabeth Berg joined us to talk about her latest book, a collection of her writings from Facebook.

An Illinois House committee has endorsed a late-hour compromise on a monstrous energy plan originally designed to keep two unprofitable nuclear plants open, potentially saving 14-hundred jobs in Clinton and the Quad Cities. A House vote is expected Thursday, the last day of the fall veto session. Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet credits Gov. Bruce Rauner with becoming part of the talks with energy officials.

The news that air conditioning-maker Carrier made a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep more than 1,000 jobs in Indianapolis came as a shock to Hoosier workers and business leaders alike. Trump pledged during his campaign to stop Indianapolis-based Carrier from moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico. After months of anticipation, the company has confirmed it’s a done deal.

Carle Hospital is one of a growing list of hospitals requiring visitors to wear personal protective equipment when they visit patients kept in isolation. Area Presence hospitals - Covenant in Urbana and United Samaritans in Danville - already require the protective gear when visiting patients in isolation.

Nearly three dozen Illinois legislators of both political stripes are asking Gov. Bruce Rauner to resume contract negotiations with the state's largest public-employee union. Most were Democrats, but a couple of Republicans joined in.  A state labor board sided with Rauner this month that talks were at "impasse', meaning the governor can impose his terms. He did that a second time Wednesday in announcing an employee drug and alcohol testing plan.