Illinois Public Media News

Central Illinois corn and soybean farmer Norbert Brauer said he remembers when he could plant an acre of corn for about $100 total — but that was nearly three decades ago.

Illinois’ State Board of Education has wrapped up three rounds of listening tours as the state and country prepares to replace the No Child Left Behind Law with legislation signed by President Obama a year ago. About 40 administrators, teachers, librarians, and others in education were among those at the last stop in the tour in Decatur Thursday, providing feedback on Illinois’ Every Student Succeeds Act State Plan, or ESSA.

A Michigan automotive company, Rivian Automotive, hopes to take over the former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, and employ as many as 1,000 people. The 2.4-million-square foot facility that at its peak employed about 3,000 workers was shut down by Mitsubishi in November of last year. The last of the automaker's employees were laid off in May.

On the 21st: University of Illinois researchers are teaching computers to imitate subtle human movements - like that of a music conductor. Plus, we discussed whether or not lawmakers will reach a budget agreement before Dec. 31, and the Chicago band Grandkids talked about their latest album.

This is a report on the economy of a little town with a big power plant. The nuclear power plant located near the small town of Clinton (population 7,225) will be around for at least another decade. Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation Wednesday that subsidizes Exelon’s nuclear facilities, and prevents the Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear plants from closing. Exelon says its Clinton plant has been a money-loser for some time. But it’s been a big part of the economy in Clinton and DeWitt County ever since initial construction began in the 1970s.