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Illinois Politics; K-12 Education Report; World AIDS Day; Author Discusses ‘Make Someone Happy’

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.

Exelon's nuclear power plant in Clinton, which is currently slated to close in June 2017.
Wikimedia Commons

Last-Minute Exelon Subsidy Plan Goes To Illinois House Floor

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.

Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers Local 1999, which represents Carrier workers, and others can only speculate on how Trump managed to get Carrier to stay in Indianapolis.
Drew Daudelin/Indiana Public Broadcasting

Details Of Carrier, Trump Agreement Plan Unclear

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 Now Requiring Protective Equipment To See Isolated Patients

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.

Logo for the American Federal of State County and Municipal Workers
AFSCME

Lawmakers Ask Gov. Rauner To Resume Contract Talks

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.

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