Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says a U.S. Supreme Court decision should help settle an aspect of the debate over concealed carry in Illinois. One of the more contentious issues comes down to a choice between two words.                        

Those two words are "may" and "shall."

Leaders of St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets, Inc., say between December 2012 and March 29, 2013, approximately 2.4 million credit and debit cards used at 79 of its 100 stores may have been compromised. The company says only the card number and expiration date would have been accessed – not the cardholder’s name, address or any other identifying information. 

Illinois educational officials told a Senate panel a lack of money makes it the “worst of times” for public schools. State funding has been slashed in recent years – and another round of cuts has been proposed.

Andrea Brown began teaching in Illinois in 1957. Now a member of the State Board of Education, Brown says even when compared to previous economic struggles:   

The Winnebago County Health Department's pollen count begins Monday, April 15. Reporting will continue until the first hard freeze this fall. The daily count consists of Mold spores, Tree, Grass and Weed pollen.

The pollen count report will be listed Monday through Friday (after 10:30 am) on the Winnebago County Health Department’s website. The pollen count is also recorded on the pollen count hotline at 815-720-4140.

Why count pollen?

The Illinois Republican Party Chairman will keep his job. Party bosses did not vote to fire Pat Brady this weekend - despite his  public support of same-sex marriage. Brady told reporters the motion to fire him didn’t even get a final vote. But party leaders did agree to form a so-called “succession committee” - which some suggested could lead to Brady’s early departure.

Brady emerged from the three-hour session in good spirits:

"Music is powerful."  You already know this because you're a Classical WNIU listener. Experience the power of music this Saturday night, April 20th, as the Rockford Symphony Orchestra performs its next and final Classics Series concert of the season.

WNIJ invites you to a free concert featuring "Tony Scodwell and Friends," Saturday, April 27th at Beloit College.  Tony Scodwell is a Beloit native whose musical journeys have taken him to Boston's Berklee School of Music on a full scholarship, followed by a stint in the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and decades of professional touring and trumpeting since then!