Ryan Denham

2 days ago | nprillinois.org | Ryan Denham

Advocates hoped that this would be the year that lawmakers overhauled how higher education is funded in Illinois. Alas, it was not to be. The spring legislative session just ended without action on a new higher education funding formula. A recent version of the plan would add about $1.7 billion in state spending to higher ed over the next 10 to 15 years. It would distribute that new money using a needs-based formula, similar to one now used in K-12 education.

2 weeks ago | nprillinois.org | Ryan Denham

The two U.S. House members who represent Bloomington-Normal and Greater Peoria split their vote on a massive bill to enact the heart of President Trump's domestic agenda. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Peoria, voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Moline, voted against it. The final vote early Thursday was 215-214. It now goes to the Senate, where lawmakers have already signaled reservations about key elements of the plan.

1 month ago | nprillinois.org | Ryan Denham

Rivian will get $16 million in state incentives plus more local tax breaks to help build a new supplier park just west of the electric automaker’s manufacturing plant in Normal, officials said Monday. The project is expected to fortify Rivian’s supply chain and create “hundreds of new jobs” once suppliers move in. Rivian has been working to develop the property west of Rivian Motorway for years. Monday’s announcement adds new details to the company’s plans, including the incentives offered.

2 months ago | nprillinois.org | Ryan Denham

Illinois State University and its faculty union reached a tentative agreement Friday, averting a strike that could have begun at any moment. Terms of the deal were not released. The tentative agreement comes after nearly 50 negotiating sessions between ISU administrators and the United Faculty of ISU union. The union represents 650 tenured and tenure-track faculty and was negotiating its first contract after getting recognition.

2 months ago | nprillinois.org | Ryan Denham

If you’re wondering what it’s like when a university’s faculty goes on strike, talk to Mike Hart. He was the president of the Governor’s State University faculty union — and their lead negotiator — when they went on strike for five days in April 2023. Fresh off a heart operation at the time, Hart said it was a scary, stressful and bizarre time for the small campus just south of Chicago. “I didn’t sleep but maybe two hours a night the entire week, if that,” Hart told WGLT.