Illinois Public Media News

The Illinois State Museum in Springfield is once again open to visitors, after a nine-month hiatus. The formerly-free museum is now charging a $5 admission fee.

In Champaign County, the Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau think that a county executive would make government more effective. But the chair of the Champaign County Board isn’t so sure it would work.

Trustees at Danville Area Community College appointed Dr. Stephen Nacco as the school's 7th president Wednesday.  Currently part of the administration at Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey, Nacco will take over for the retiring Alice Marie Jacobs in late August.  He calls DACC 'an amazing asset in the community' with a 40-percent graduation rate, among the best in the U.S. for community colleges.

On The 21st: We talked with Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs about the state budget situation and the role of the treasurer in state government. We also discussed Zakat-al-Mal, an obligatory charity paid by those in the Muslim community. Plus, we looked into how Peoria is tackling issues of mitigating the effects of stormwater runoff with Anthony Corso, the city's first Chief Innovation Officer.

A new survey indicates that that Illinois' state budget impasse is forcing some MAP grant recipients to drop out of college, or consider doing so.