Illinois Public Media News

With ongoing efforts at the University of Illinois and other colleges to declare themselves sanctuary campuses, US Senator Dick Durbin says he supports efforts to protect students who may have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visa – as long as they haven't committed a crime.

A study finds that women prison inmates in Illinois are treated more harshly than men and spend more time behind bars than necessary. The federally funded review of the overcrowded Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln found inmates are called "crazy" and "worthless" by staff members. Meanwhile, the head of the Illinois Department of Corrections is adding training on effective communication with women inmates and dealing with those who are mentally ill.

A solution to world hunger may come through increasing the efficiency of one of nature’s most basic functions: photosynthesis.  Illinois Public Media's Brian Moline discusses the research with U of I Crop Sciences professor Stephen Long.

Top Champaign officials had met with concerned citizens about the conduct of former police officer Matt Rush as far back as 2012 – well before four incidents that led to excessive force lawsuits, new documents filed in court Wednesday show.

On the 21st: With the holidays just around the corner, we talked about traveling with young children. Plus, we discussed the impact that climate change could have on the geese that migrate to southern Illinois. We also spoke with the Chicago band Ratboys in our weekly music segment.