Illinois Public Media News

Illinois lawmakers are preparing legislation to ensure state employees continue receiving paychecks if a judge agrees with the attorney general's argument to halt paychecks during the budget impasse. Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) and Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) introduced similar measures on Wednesday to keep paychecks flowing in response to a motion filed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan last week.

On the 21st: What happens to a town when its biggest corporation pulls up roots? Plus, we discussed a new report that shows scant progress toward decreasing unemployment of young people in Chicago, and learned about what companies are gearing up for advertising during the Superbowl.

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order suspending new-refugee admissions for 120 days and blocking travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries — Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia — for 90 days. Syrian refugees are banned indefinitely. NPR and dozens of member stations wanted to help the public understand where its lawmakers stand on the issue.

Inspectors with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were in Champaign recently, testing homes in one neighborhood for toxic vapors.  But they say even if those substances are found, it’s far too early to know whether they’re tied to a nearby site where a manufactured gas plant once operated. 

A group of lawmakers has agreed on a framework for making the way Illinois funds its schools more equitable. But whether it will lead to a long-elusive legislative fix remains to be seen. That bipartisan commission produced a “framework” Wednesday, but no actual legislation. It would create funding targets for each district based on student population needs. It's estimated to cost an additional $3.5 billion to $6 billion.