Illinois Public Media News

Legislation filed Wednesday asks the state of Illinois to provide $168 million in tuition for low-income college students who were promised MAP grants last fall.

Most experts say the governor’s target of a 25 percent reduction in the state's prison population can't be met by simply backing off the war on drugs. Instead, policymakers will have to look beyond the "nons” — nonviolent, nonserious and nonsexual offenders — and in so doing, challenge entrenched attitudes about crime and justice. 

British actor Alan Rickman, whose career ranged from Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company to the "Harry Potter'' films, has died. He was 69.  
 

A memo from Governor Bruce Rauner's deputy chief of staff sent to lawmakers Wednesday says colleges are top heavy with administrators, pay executives too much and fund exorbitant "golden parachutes" to leaders who resign for misconduct.  University leaders, including U of I President Timothy Killeen, responded later, saying the school has taken steps since Rauner assumed office.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten talks with Brian Moline about the challenges facing public sector unions.