Illinois Public Media News

llinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he’s made a big compromise with the top Senate Democrats on pensions.  But those same Democrats - say there is no compromise at all.  Rauner told reporters Thursday that he spoke to Senate President John Cullerton and they agreed to move forward.  But Cullerton says Rauner misrepresented their conversations.

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen says the school is committed to providing access to new students, despite the 7-month state budget impasse.  Trustees unanimously approved freezing tuition, along with a new background check policy on new university hires.

Writer/Director Guillermo Del Toro will be the opening night guest at the 18th annual Roger Ebert's Film Festival, April 13th at Champaign's Virginia Theater, accompanying his 2015 film "Crimson Peak." Further films will be announced in the coming weeks.

A new study finds that women who receive continuous support during labor from a certified doula have lower rates of pre-term births and C-sections, with demonstrated cost savings to Medicaid. And yet, most insurance companies don’t cover the service. Now, two organizations that advocate for safer maternity practices are pushing for change.

Due to the state budget impasse, WILL's broadcasts of newspapers and magazines on special radios for the visually impaired ended on January 1, going to a network-only service.  Funding has been secured to resume those broadcasts through the rest of the fiscal year, starting Monday.