A state lawmaker has proposed a plan to use state funds to build a new higher education center in downtown Springfield.

Southern Illinois University's medical school is trying to bring more doctors, physicians and medical students to Carbondale and nearby rural areas where they're desperately needed.

After reporting by the Chicago Tribune uncovered public health officials were failing to test babies for a devastating neurological disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health Department says the tests will begin today. 

On the 21st: We spoke with two students from Black United Front UIUC, a group that is urging the University of Illinois to recruit more black students and provide better resources. Plus, we learned about a new health clinic that aims to increase access to affordable medical and dental care in central Illinois, and we were joined in studio by the Jupiter String Quartet for a preview of their upcoming performance in Urbana. 

Mental health centers were decimated during Illinois’ extended budget stalemate. Illinois is moving forward with plan to extend and expand behavioral health services to people who couldn't otherwise afford it, in a way that officials say will be cost-neutral to taxpayers.