Robert Thies

1 week ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |Kevin Bessler

By KEVIN BESSLERIllinois Radio NetworkSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — As Illinois Republicans continue to make a push to expand nuclear power in the state, the governor appears to be on board. Illinois generates more electricity from nuclear power than any other state in the country, with 11 working reactors at six locations. Gov.

2 weeks ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |John O’Connor

By JOHN O’CONNOR Associated PressSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The murder trial of a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey, an unarmed black woman, in her Springfield home last summer will be moved out of the capital city to Peoria because of intense publicity, a judge ruled Tuesday. Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin granted the request by defense attorneys for Sean Grayson, who personally appeared in court, shackled at the waist, for the first time in months.

1 month ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |Kevin Bessler

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — An Illinois law which mandates that students must be permitted access to bathrooms and locker rooms that aligns with their gender identity is getting national attention. A northern Illinois mother who says her daughter was forced to change clothes in front of a transgender classmate traveled to Springfield Thursday to tell her story. Nicole Georgas of Deerfield filed a complaint with the Justice Department following the incident in the girl’s locker room.

2 months ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |Greg Bishop

By GREG BISHOPIllinois Radio NetworkSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his budget address Wednesday amid a looming budget deficit of $3 billion. Legislators are laying out what they want to hear from the state’s chief executive. State Sen.

2 months ago | wjpf.com | Robert Thies |Sophia Tareen

By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Walker said the sexual abuse he experienced two decades ago as a teenager at an Illinois youth detention facility has haunted his life. After a staff member gave him drugs and sexually abused him, he joined a gang hoping it would protect him. It didn’t. For years the now 37-year-old suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. He still has suicidal thoughts.