A regional journalism collaboration focused on expanding access to trusted, timely and relevant information across three key statewide topics: Education, Political Impact and Health/Environment
The nighttime sub-zero temperatures that central Illinois is currently experiencing is particularly bad news for the area’s homeless population. Rob Dalhaus says he’s seeing an increase in people coming to the Phoenix Daytime Drop-In Center in Champaign during the day.
As we get ready to welcome 2018, let's take time to review another wild year in Illinois government and politics. We heard state Senators trying to craft a “grand bargain” to end the budget impasse — and 16 Republicans breaking with the governor to do just that. It was also the start of campaign season, and a time of increasing anger by and about politicians. Here now are some of the voices that made news in 2017.
2017 was the year that Champaign County voters did not come to the aid of the county nursing home. Voters last April rejected a tax increase to help pay for the facility, and gave the county board permission to consider selling it. But the battle over the nursing home’s future continues.
A new law allowing public funding of abortion in Illinois will take effect as scheduled on January 1. That’s after a judge on Thursday ruled against anti-abortion groups who’d sued to block it.
When a police officer is injured, getting them medical help is expected. But what about when that officer is a K-9? A new Illinois law allows E-M-T's to transport the dog to a veterinarian for treatment.
Syringe exchange programs are one of the most visible forms of harm reduction — an approach that strives to minimize drug use’s negative effects rather than punish people for using. But the philosophy isn’t without its critics, and an Indiana law means advocates need to debate harm reduction’s merits every year.
A law taking effect January first is meant to force Illinois government to be more honest about its money problems.
2018 is the year when the family of Yingying Zhang hopes they will get answers about her disappearance, when her accused kidnapper goes on trial. For the accused, Brendt Christensen, it is the chance to get his day in court. Christensen's federal trial on the charge of kidnapping resulting in death is scheduled to begin February 27, 2018.
In places where the unemployment rate is well below the national average — states like Nebraska, Colorado and Iowa — one would think it’d be easier for communities to recruit new residents to fill open jobs.
If you thought 2017 was an interesting year politically, 2018 is forecast to be intense.
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