© 2026 NPR Illinois
For your right to be curious.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Join the NPR Illinois team!

Community Voices is seeking a co-host/editor to join Jeff Williams and Randy Eccles in getting to know our neighbors and more. Apply by May 25, 5 p.m.

The news department is seeking part-time fill-in anchor/reporters who are available either weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and/or 3:30 to 6 p.m. Apply by June 5, 5 p.m.

State Week: Illinois ends cash bail

State Week 23 logo (capitol dome)
Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois

After months of negotiations and waiting, along with legal challenges, this week Illinois became the first state to do away with cash bail. Supporters say it will bring more fairness to the criminal justice system. But critics argue it could lead to more crime.

We discuss the implementation of the new law and potential concerns. Also, the Biden Administration approves faster work authorizations for Venezuelan migrants seeking asylum in cities like Chicago. And, we detail reporting on crisis pregnancy centers in Illinois.

Host Sean Crawford is joined by Professor Emeritus Charlie Wheeler and Illinois Public Radio's Mawa Iqbal.

The former director of the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) graduate program is Professor Charles N. Wheeler III, a veteran newsman who came to the University of Illinois at Springfield following a 24-year career at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Mawa is a statehouse reporter, covering the Illinois legislature for WBEZ and Illinois Public Radio.
Related Stories