Illinois Public Media News

CU Fresh Start held its sixth “Call-In” Thursday, attempting to set a new path for young men in trouble for gun-related offenses in Champaign-Urbana. At the same time, local officials say they’re looking at ways to expand the program’s reach.

The Chicago Teachers’ Union is on strike, and classes are canceled today. But they’re not the only teachers walking off the job in Illinois. We check in with other teachers who are striking across the state. Plus, a new art exhibit in Urbana explores the invisible ways that radioactivity and nuclear waste affects all of our lives. And, Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state. Now that fall is here, we’ll speak with two Illinois farmers about this year's pumpkin crop. 

Judge Jodi Thomas presides over HART, which stands for "Helping Achieve Recovery Together." It’s an opioid-specific program, and one of two drug recovery court dockets in Franklin County, which includes Columbus.

An overwhelming majority of Illinoisans say lawmakers should make dealing with climate change a priority. That’s according to the latest results from an NPR Illinois — University of Illinois Springfield survey.

Nearly 50,000 General Motors workers walked off the job last month as part of a United Auto Workers strike. The strike could be nearing an end soon, but what impact has it already had on Illinois? Plus, there is little research into how things like spraying pesticides or treating animals affect pregnant women working on farms. We’ll talk about what rural health providers can do to help. And, the Great Leap is a play at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater. It’s the story of a Chinese-American basketball player who goes to China during a time of political upheaval.

Northern Illinois University is selling its presidential residence to help pay for deferred maintenance on campus.

The chair of the Federal Election Commission said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis was trying to “intimidate” her by asking for an ethics investigation into her public criticism of President Trump.

New polling data from NPR Illinois and the University of Illinois Springfield shows Illinois registered voters are sharply split on whether immigrants help or hurt the state.

Twelve candidates take the stage for October's Democratic primary debate, which begins at 7 p.m. CT. NPR reporters are posting context and analysis in real time.

A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign committee released on Tuesday its recommended changes to how the university handles claims of sexual misconduct against faculty.