Many of Illinois' public universities say they are underfunded. Some state lawmakers are hoping to change that – directing more money to smaller state schools. But there’s also opposition-notably from the flagship University of Illinois system. 

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin wants the federal government to increase funding for scientific research by five percent each year.

The University of Illinois says reporters at the NPR station in Springfield must tell them when people come forward with stories of sexual misconduct. That’s because these public radio journalists are, in fact, university employees. Plus, Americans say they’d rather die at home than at a hospital. But it’s much more complicated than that, especially when there aren’t clear plans for end of life care. And, a new exhibition at Chicago’s Newberry library sets out to answer the question, “What is the Midwest? using historic maps, journal entries and photos from the past 200 years. 

State Sen. Andy Manar has introduced a bill that would make Illinois the second state to cap co-payments for insulin at $100 a month. Plus, how the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is dealing with swastikas were found on campus in recent weeks—and how that response is being received by those who were targeted. We also get an update on what the state needs to improve the security of our election system, and preview the Chicago Red Stars' bid for a National Women's Soccer league title.

The University of Illinois’ Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology in Urbana is hosting a series of events this week to celebrate its 30th anniversary. One of the events includes a Science Showcase event by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Beckman Atrium.