AM-580 News Features

Circuit judges in Illinois have to win one general election to get to the bench – from then on, voters decide every six years whether to retain them. For that first popular vote, though, court rules keep candidates from speaking out on issues that they may later have to rule on. That makes judicial elections relatively low-key, and this year’s Republican primary for an open seat in the Sixth Judicial Circuit is no exception. AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports.

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Though the make-up of Illinois’ 15th Congressional district has changed over the decades, the central Illinois district has not elected a Democrat to Congress in nearly thirty years (Tim Hall in 1975). AM 580’s Ali Kawa reports on the two Democrats who hope to oust Republican Tim Johnson come November.

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Congress passed the USA Patriot Act in the wake of the September 11th attacks, and it’s been at the center of a national debate ever since. The act is designed to help federal law enforcement agencies fight terrorism. But critics say it encroaches on civil liberties. Illinois’ next US senator may be voting on the Patriot Act next year. And most of the 15 candidates seeking the office in the March 16th primary say they would be willing to make changes -- some more than others. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.

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After two terms in office, the state’s attorney in Champaign County is getting a primary challenger, a former prosecutor for the Illinois Attorney General’s office. But even though the incumbent has made some controversial decisions and the challenger is an established Republican Party member, there’s been little campaigning aside from a few personal appearances. AM 580’s Tom Rogers talked to the candidates and has this preview of the primary.

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The No Child Left Behind Act was billed as a landmark in education reform, designed to improve student performance, hold schools and teachers accountable, and let parents move their children to other schools when their own didn't meet the mark.  Critics say the plan is underfunded and unworkable, while others say criticism of the long-range plan is premature.  AM 580's Ali Kawa reports on how the candidates running for Illinois' open US Senate seat feel about NCLB and how they propose to change it.

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Last summer, we introduced you to the Blue Ridge school district, where residents raised nearly 80-thousand dollars to help keep extra-curricular programs going after a tax referendum was voted down. On Election Day Blue Ridge voters will consider a second school tax referendum, and supporters have been waging a campaign to change the minds of skeptical residents. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.

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The man who founded Microsoft is touring a select few college campuses across the nation, encouraging students to consider software development as a career. But Bill Gates’ visits also involve some forecasting in the world of technology.  Speaking at the University of Illinois’ Foellinger Auditorium , Gates revealed that like many of us, he’s not immune to the phenomenon known as e-mail spam…and in relating his story, he hinted at what software developers should be working on.

listen to a portion of Gates' speech  

Is New Jersey the Next Destination for VX Byproduct?

For decades, the U-S Army has stored hundreds of tons of deadly VX nerve agent at the Newport Chemical Depot in western Indiana. The Army wants to destroy its VX stockpile as quickly as possible --- but the project has run into difficulties. And the latest difficulties lie in New Jersey. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.

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After three years as Urbana-Champaign chancellor, Cantor will leave the University of Illinois this July. She’ll become the new chancellor and president of Syracuse University ---a private institution in New York State, with about 18-thousand students. Cantor was in Syracuse as university officials there announced her appointment. Afterwards, she spoke by phone with AM 580’s Jim Meadows. 

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Syracuse U. site announcing Cantor's acceptance

The Urbana City Council has approved the initial plans to let a new Wal-Mart Supercenter go up on the east side of town. Many attending the council meeting opposed the move, and anything to do with the nation's largest retailer.  AM 580's Jim Meadows produced this report.

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The Champaign Public Library has launched a giant book club of sorts, designed to get everyone in Champaign-Urbana reading the same book.  AM 580's Ali Kawa spoke with the library's development director, Donna Pittman, about the concept.

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Members of the University of Illinois’ Aerospace Engineering Department are intrigued by President Bush’s proposal for manned flights to the moon and eventually Mars. But a professor and two graduate students say the politics of manned space flight may be more difficult than the science. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.

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NASA's "Future" site

Indiana’s Governor gives his first State of the State speech before a statewide television audience Tuesday. State of the state addresses are meant to be upbeat and forward-looking – yet Governor Kernan will have to address some serious problems facing the state, including a widening budget deficit and the need for economic development. Indianapolis Star statehouse reporter Mary Beth Schneider tells AM 580’s Tom Rogers that the speech will be an introduction of sorts for Joe Kernan.

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Watch the address (on in.gov)

Medicare reform will provide new prescription drug benefits in 2006. Until then, several programs provide some sort of drug discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. On January 1st, the state of Illinois began offering its own program for seniors of all income levels called the Illinois Rx Buying Club. AM 580’s Jim Meadows talked with Charles Johnson, director of the state Department on Aging, about the program.

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Rx Buying Club site

The man charged with overseeing the state's homeland security effort has been on the job barely a year. But Deputy Chief of Staff Carl Hawkinson says Illinois made good progress in 2003 in preparing against terrorist attacks, and the former state senator from Galesburg says the state will cover more ground in 2004. AM 580’s Jim Meadows talked with Hawkinson.

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