WNIJ and WNIU | Northern Public Radio

NIU Student, Alumnus Among Dead In Aurora

Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman notified staff through email that two of the people killed in a shooting at an Aurora industrial park have deep NIU connections. NIU student Trevor Wehner was among those killed when Gary Martin opened fire at the Henry Pratt Co. Friday afternoon. According to the release, Friday was the first day of Wehner's internship at the company. 2014 alumnus Clay Parks was also killed Friday. Parks graduated from the school's College of Business and...

Gunman Kills 5, Wounds At Least 5 More At Industrial Facility In Aurora, Ill.

As Trump Declares National Emergency To Fund Border Wall, Democrats Promise A Fight

Illinois Lawmakers React To Shutdown Vote, Emergency Declaration

By Illinois Public Radio • 20 hours ago

Reaction is coming in from lawmakers representing all corners of the state as it pertains to the vote to avoid another government shutdown as well as President Trump's announcement Friday to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Released Thursday afternoon

Illinois House Approves Raise To Min. Wage; Gov. Pritzker Expected To Sign

By Daisy Contreras • Feb 15, 2019

The Illinois House approved a $15 minimum wage plan Thursday that now heads to the governor’s desk. But, some are still unhappy with the fast-track approach.

It isn’t the first time a minimum wage measure has passed out of the legislature—a similar plan was approved in 2017 but then-Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed it. The difference this time? J.B. Pritzker—a Democrat—is governor. He campaigned on the issue and has indicated he’ll sign it as soon as next week.

For Low-Income Defendants, Supreme Court Gives Break On Court Fees

By editor • Feb 15, 2019

Low-income earners can soon apply to waive their court costs in Illinois.

A Boffo Year For Women At BIFF

By Guy Stephens • Feb 15, 2019

The Beloit International Film Festival begins its 10-day run next week. Organizers say it represents the best in filmmaking. On today's Friday Forum, Guy Stephens found this year’s festival also reflects a shift in film culture.

Marty Densch is executive director of the festival, commonly referred to as BIFF. He said, in some ways, the 14th festival is much like it's been in recent years, with a full slate of offerings.

Perspective: Is Air Travel Evil?

By Tom McBride • Feb 15, 2019

The 19th century French photographer known as Nadar was quite an enterprising fellow. He started out as a sketch artist and once set some sort of record for the number of tiny sketches he could get on one page: 250 in all. Magnifying glasses in Paris must have sold out.

But Nadar didn’t stop there. In time he became interested in traveling by hot air balloon. First, he went up by himself and marveled at the view. He said it gave him a serene perspective on life and removed him from all the evil vanities of human endeavor.

Sessions from Studio A - Eddie B. Smooth

By Carl Nelson • Feb 14, 2019

Eddie B. Smooth performs "Sneaky" in WNIJ's Studio.

Smooth jazz group Eddie B. Smooth recently joined us in Studio A. Hear them play some slow, soulful tunes as well as some upbeat covers of a few jazz standards.

ISP Seeking New Recruits Statewide

By Chase Cavanaugh • Feb 14, 2019

The Illinois State Police is setting up shop at internship fairs in a search for new officers. This includes an event next week at Northern Illinois University.

ISP has more than 2,000 sworn officers spread across 21 districts. Officers say there isn't a single factor pushing them to recruit new troopers. But they admit that attrition and the two-year budget impasse had an effect on their ranks. Sgt. Hector Alejandre says much of their work takes place on major state roads.

Rep. Rodney Davis On Taxes This Year And Universal Background Checks

By Niala Boodhoo & Alan Montecillo & Robin Linn • Feb 14, 2019

Representative Rodney Davis is a Republican from Illinois’ 13th Congressional district, which includes all or part of 14 counties across central and southwestern Illinois, including Champaign, Bloomington, and Springfield. We spoke to him from NPR headquarters in Washington D.C.

The average tax refund is down 8.4 percent among early filers according to the IRS. That’s partly a result of some popular deductions being eliminated, like the moving expenses deduction and unreimbursed employee expenses.

Perspective: A Saving Grace

By Connie Seraphine • Feb 14, 2019

How did you survive the once-in-a-lifetime Polar Vortex last month? Our border collie friends posted their stories on Facebook, illustrated with dogs romping in layers of new snow with swirling winds wrapping them in white blankets. These high energy dogs relish the sub-zero temps if kept active, even without doggie sweaters or booties. The hardest challenge is to find open ground to encourage the dogs to do their daily duties.

Inside The Largest And Most Controversial Shelter For Migrant Children In The U.S.

By John Burnett • Feb 13, 2019

Thousands of migrant children continue to arrive at the Southern border every month, without their parents, to ask for asylum. The government sends many of them to an emergency intake shelter in South Florida. That facility has come under intense scrutiny because it's the only child shelter for immigrants that's run by a for-profit corporation and the only one that isn't overseen by state regulators.

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9/11 Victims Compensation Fund Cuts Payouts By As Much As 70 Percent

By Shannon Van Sant • 9 minutes ago

The September 11^th Victims Compensation Fund is cutting its payouts in half for some and by as much as 70 percent for others, as the fund faces a surge in claims ahead of its expiration date in December 2020.

The fund, which was opened in 2011, compensates for deaths and illnesses due to exposure to toxins at the sites of the September 11^th attacks. The $7.3 billion fund has already paid out about $5 billion to 21,000 claimants. But it still has about 19,000 additional unpaid claims to address.