News

By Susan Stephens

Rockford, IL – For nearly two decades, history fans searching for the home of The Rockford Peaches were bound to be disappointed. Only the brick ticket booths were still standing at the site of Beyer Stadium, where women played professional baseball from 1943 to 1954. This weekend, a few dozen former players returned to find the field looking a lot more familiar. WNIJ's Susan Stephens was there.

By Susan Stephens

DeKalb, IL – Illinoisans are bracing for another round of unwanted national attention today as jury selection begins in the trial of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. One national expert, however, sees this as an important business opportunity for the state.

J.P. Donlon says every state has at least a little corruption to clean up. But the editor of Chief Executive Magazine says Illinois' reputation puts it near the top of the corruption heap, thanks in part to Blagojevich.

By Susan Stephens

Rockford, IL – When you want to borrow a book, you can get it, no matter how small your library. That's because Illinois has nine regional library systems. They share books, services, and support; all funded by state dollars. And that's not a safe place to be in this current state budget crisis. WNIJ's Susan Stephens has more.

Springfield, IL – Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, says he won't sign legislation, that would have allowed the state's public universities to borrow money. Instead, the governor wants to include them in a broader spending bill for state government. Some universities sought the ability to borrow, as they wait for money held up because of the state's $13-billion dollar deficit. Northern Illinois University president, John Peters, has said he would only use it as a last resort.

W-N-I-J is owned by....and licensed to...Northern Illinois University.

By Guy Stephens

DeKalb, IL – Illinois wants its school children to get healthy food from local farms. Officials with a new state program are looking for the public's input on how to make that happen. WNIJ's Guy Stephens reports.

You can take the survey here:
http://www.farmtoschool.org/IL/