Sean Crawford

1 week ago | nprillinois.org | Sean Crawford

Officials say it was an EF-1 tornado that struck the northwest side of Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon, June 18. It caused damage and several power outages. National Weather Service field surveys determined the strength and path of the storm. According to the NWS, the tornado touched down about 12:02 p.m. east of highway 104 and south of Lafayette Ave., tracking northeast.

1 week ago | nprillinois.org | Sean Crawford

Springfield has several cooling centers available to the public for those seeking relief. A heat advisory has been issued for the weekend with dangerous heat indices expected to top 100 degrees. The following locations have been established as cooling centers within Springfield, where individuals can find comfort during their regular business hours:Municipal Center EastAddress: 800 E. MonroeHours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pmMunicipal Center WestAddress: 300 S. Seventh StreetHours: Mon.-Fri.

1 week ago | northernpublicradio.org | Sean Crawford

For decades, Michael Madigan was the main power broker in Illinois government. Along with his record-setting tenure as Illinois House Speaker, he also served as the state Democratic Party chair. Not much happened without his approval. While Madigan had numerous accomplishments, he will also be remembered for his corruption conviction. He was sentenced June 13 to seven and a half years in prison and ordered to pay a $2.5 million fine.

1 week ago | nprillinois.org | Sean Crawford

West Nile Virus is showing up in central Illinois. A total of 17 counties are showing West Nile activity, including Christian County. Public health officials are highlighting the importance of taking action to “Fight the Bite” during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. No human cases of WNV have been reported in Illinois so far this year, but in 2024, there were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV including 13 deaths, the highest number since 17 WNV-related human deaths were recorded in 2018.

1 week ago | nprillinois.org | Sean Crawford

State Week has been produced by NPR Illinois since January 1975, created by original WSSR News Director Rich Bradley when the station went on the air. It is the longest running public affairs program on NPR Illinois and was patterned after the popular PBS show Washington Week in Review. Sean Crawford, the NPR Illinois News Director and former Statehouse Bureau Chief, moderates the program.