First Listen

The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening to prosecute Illinois election officials | First Listen 10.07.2026 4:42 ↓

The U.S. Department of Justice is warning election officials could be criminally prosecuted if they knowingly allow noncitizens to cast ballots to register to vote.

Active Creative Teen Theatre (ACTT) opens its production of Alice by Heart this weekend | First Listen 09.07.2026 7:02 ↓

Director Hayden Thongsithavong and Assistant Director Jonathan Alamu discuss their work behind the scenes for Alice By Heart.

Dozens of states may be on the hook next year to pay SNAP benefits | First Listen 08.07.2026 4:07 ↓

Illinois faced a significant payment error rate for SNAP benefits, but will receive a delay in its cost share requirement until at least the 2029 fiscal year.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signs AI oversight law | First Listen 07.07.2026 2:57 ↓

The new law will make AI companies disclose safety practices and report significant safety incidents to the public.

A prisoner review board next month will hear a request for medical release for Sean Grayson | First Listen 06.07.2026 3:10 ↓

Former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson has served less than six months of his 20 year sentence for the murder of Sonya Massey, but his legal team is seeking he be let go for medical reasons.

A new report suggest the arts are a strong economic driver in Illinois | First Listen 02.07.2026 3:06 ↓

The Illinois Arts Council board chair Nora Daley says despite the impact the arts aren't always considered in investment talks.

More students could qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois colleges under a new law | First Listen 01.07.2026 3:00 ↓

The law will loosen one of the requirements for paying in-state tuition by making it available to students who attended college in the state for at least three years

Illinois encouraging residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the extreme heat | First Listen 30.06.2026 3:05 ↓

Cooling centers are available throughout the state. More at Keepcool.illinois.gov.

A new study finds air travel in Illinois increases significantly during the Fourth | First Listen 26.06.2026 3:09 ↓

Researchers with Luxury Link analyzed data and found arriving flights to Illinois increase 18 % during the week surrounding Independence Day.

A new study finds air travel in Illinois increases significantly during the Fourth | First Listen 26.06.2026 3:09 ↓

Researchers with Luxury Link analyzed data and found arriving flights to Illinois increase 18 % during the week surrounding Independence Day.

Illinois acts to protect abortion information | First Listen 25.06.2026 3:30 ↓

First Listen for June 25, 2026

Former EMS worker sentenced in death of Earl Moore Jr. | First Listen 24.06.2026 3:09 ↓

First Listen for June 24, 2026

Illinois leaders raise concerns about federal disaster relief | First Listen 23.06.2026 2:32 ↓

First Listen for June 23, 2026.

Southern Illinois tornadoes kill two and injures five | First Listen 22.06.2026 3:11 ↓

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office says both of the individuals who died were in separate single-wide trailer homes.

Destructive tornadoes and storms cause damage in several central Illinois towns | First Listen 18.06.2026 3:01 ↓

Petersburg, Blue Mound, Effingham, and Charleston among the cities hit hard by Wednesday's storms.

"All Shook Up" opens at the Muni this Friday | First Listen 17.06.2026 5:30 ↓

Hunter Pierce (Dean), JD Sonneborn (Dennis), and Natalie Jacobs (Ensemble) describe the show as full of love and fun.

"All Shook Up" opens at the Muni this Friday | First Listen 17.06.2026 5:30 ↓

Hunter Pierce (Dean), JD Sonneborn (Dennis), and Natalie Jacobs (Ensemble) describe the show as full of love and fun.

Illinois' governor signs the budget | First Listen 17.06.2026 3:24 ↓

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the state's eighth consecutive balanced budget.

Springfield to evaluate current procedures on sounding tornado sirens | First Listen 16.06.2026 3:16 ↓

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher says she is committed to a review following Wednesday's tornado where sirens weren't sounded.