Despite all the focus on solving the state's teacher shortage, a new survey finds the problem is getting worse. That has sparked more discussion on how to recruit more teachers. We'll hear why some want to change teacher licensing standards.
We also get a recap of the 2018 governor's race, which saw spending at record-setting levels. And we learn how one community is coping with a rise in gun violence.
That and more on this week's Statewide:
* Brian Mackey talks with Prof. John Jackson who analyzed the 2018 race for Illinois governor for the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
* Mary Hansen reports for Illinois Newsroom on crime-free housing ordinances, which some argue targets those with lower incomes.
* Dusty Rhodes chats with Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) about her efforts to re-examine teacher licensing requirements.
* Maureen McKinney has our Illinois Issues report on the upcoming debate at the statehouse over abortion laws.
* Brian Mackey delves into a proposal from Gov. Pritzker to tax shopping bags. Supporters see it as good for both the environment and the state's bottom line.
* Jonathon Ahl with Harvest Public Media tells us about the weed killer Dicamba, which has already damaged soybean fields, and concerns over how it might harm fruit and vegetable crops.
* Ryan Denham of WGLT and Edith Brady Lunny of the Bloomington Pantagraph team up to look at gun crime in Bloomington-Normal and the community's response.
Statewide, which brings you reports and conversations from in and around Illinois, is a production of NPR Illinois with help from other Illinois public radio stations. Find all our episodes online at Statewideshow.com
Listen to Statewide across Illinois:
- Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon)
- Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
- Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m., Sundays 6-7 p.m.)
- Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
- Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 6-7 p.m.)
- Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 11 p.m. - Midnight, Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
- Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon, 7-8 p.m.)
