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Prosecutors say after University of Illinois sophomore Lindsay Johnson initially tried to hide having given birth in a dorm room bathroom, she suffocated her newborn son. Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz says the 20-year old sophmore faces counts of first-degree murder, child endangerment, and concealment of a homicidal death.
The University of Illinois says seven former women’s basketball players who claimed in a lawsuit over an alleged “racially hostile environment” will share a $375,000 settlement. Meanwhile, a $250,000 negotiated settlement has been announced for former football coach Tim Beckman, who was fired by the university last year over the handling of athletes’ injuries.
Proposals to place advisory referenda calling for the legalization of marijuana statewide are on the agenda at annual town meetings in Champaign and Urbana --- two of the 1,431 such meetings being held across Illinois on Tuesday evening.
The Democratic House Speaker's legislation states that education is a fundamental "right'' - as opposed to "goal'' - and that the state has the "preponderant financial responsibility'' for funding schools. If approved, the amendment would appear on ballots in November.
On today's show: how the arts can help overcome stereotypes about mental health and disability. We also highlighted a new documentary on the life of Jackie Robinson, and talked about what makes a good children's book - in honor of Beverly Cleary's 100th birthday this week.
