Illinois Public Media News

The Illinois Labor Relations Board has declared contract negotiations between Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration and the largest public-employees union at an impasse. Tuesday's decision allows the Republican governor to impose his terms on the 38,000-member state council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. That gives the union the opportunity to accept the terms or vote to go on strike.

On the 21st: We discussed concerns regarding the possible loss of protections from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy, which president-elect Donald Trump has said he would rescind. We also talked with a retired police officer about building trust with the community, and spoke with the author of the memoir "Treyf: My Life as an Unorthodox Outlaw."

Recently, several social policy debates have moved  from the legislature to the judicial system in Illinois. They include such hot-button issues as abortion and sexual orientation.

The governor and Illinois' top leaders are set to meet Tuesday morning, after Republicans on Monday accused Democrats of a dereliction of duty.

As a state budget budget impasse continues, a new rule pending before Illinois lawmakers would pave the way for state colleges and universities to force employees to take up to three weeks off without pay.  The group representing civil service workers has proposed the measure.