Statewide: Illinois' Budget Picture Better Than Expected

With the pandemic forcing certain businesses to close, the State of Illinois saw a drop in sales taxes, a key revenue generator.  But a new study from the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs shows other spending and federal aid helped make up some of the difference.  We'll get a status update on Illinois' budget.

And as COVID-19 has kept more kids learning remotely and away from their peers, there is evidence it's impacting their mental health.   

Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.

This week:

* Peter Medlin of WNIJ reports on the challenges for homeless students in a pandemic. 

* Hannah Meisel talks with University of Illinois Springfield professor Ken Kriz about a new study on Illinois' finances.  Kriz found while state revenues have dropped during the pandemic, Illinois is doing better than some expected.

* WCBU's TIm Shelley tells us about the town of Havana, which is working to become more of a tourist destination.

* Jonathon Ahl with Harvest Public Media reports on why some say improving high speed internet access could help bridge the rural/urban divide.

* Amy Mayer explains previous agriculture messaging efforts and what might be coming in the future. 

* Brian Moline with Illinois Newsroom interviews Scott Althaus of the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Illinois about coups and attempted coups. 

* Yvonne Boose details a new exhibit at Northern Illinois University to inspire more discussion on race.

* Susie An of WBEZ reports on growing mental concerns among teenagers and young students during the pandemic. 

* Peter Medlin talks with leaders of Christian schools about how they've handled pandemic education. 

Listen to Statewide across Illinois in:

Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. and Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 2-3 p.m.)
Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 11a.m. -12 noon, Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Quad Cities - WVIK HD2 (Fridays 11 a.m. - 12 noon)
Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)