Illinois Public Media News

As we get ready to welcome 2016, we thought we’d take a few minutes to listen back to what’s been a difficult year in Illinois government and politics.

Douglas County, where flooding on the Embarras River closed streets in Villa Grove, is among 12 Illinois counties that have been declared named state disaster areas by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Despite their continued stalemate on a budget, lawmakers approved and Governor Bruce Rauner signed hundreds of new pieces of legislation. More than 200 laws will go into effect in Illinois at the start of the new year — roughly the number that went into effect at the start of each of the past two years. Jamey Dunn talks about the state's new laws with Sean Crawford.

The Wolverines used a 9-2 run in the second half to take a double-digit lead over Illinois in the Big Ten season opener for both teams.  Mark Donnal led Michigan with 26 points, while Kendrick Nunn scored 23 to lead the Illini in a losing effort.

A flood warning continues Wednesday for much of central Illinois, and seven counties along the Mississippi River have been declared state disaster areas.