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The next superintendent in Champaign County’s second largest school district will have more than a year to prepare before he takes office. Actually, Preston Williams (left) has prepared for several years – this week the school board decided to promote Williams from deputy superintendent effective next July when current schools chief Gene Amberg retires. Williams has been with District 116 for 19 years. He spoke with AM 580’s Tom Rogers about the challenges he faces – especially the increasing role of schools in addressing children’s social needs as well as their education. Williams says the dawn of the federal No Child Left Behind assessment program has helped Urbana work with children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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Published reports today suggest that Illinois may be proposing acres of farm fields in far western Vermilion County – near Fithian – as the site for a new Honda automobile plant. Last week Illinois joined Ohio and Indiana in the official running for the factory. The Japanese carmaker already has two plants in Ohio and one in Alabama. AM 580’s Tom Rogers asked auto industry analyst James Rubenstein at Miami University of Ohio for his observations on Illinois’ chances for the plant.

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A study of Illinois' demographics over the past 13 years shows that minorities and urban-dwellers make up an increasing share of the state's population, while whites and downstaters are on the decrease. Sociology Professor Cedric Herring (left) is with the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs. He’s one of several contributors to a report on how Illinois’ population could shape public policy. He spoke with AM 580's Jeff Bossert.

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In 1966, two college students teamed up with some model railroad buffs with the goal of starting a steam-engine line to carry other rail fans on short trips.  That idea evolved into the Monticello Railway Museum, where volunteers run vintage trains on their own track.  AM 580's Jim Meadows reports on the museum, now marking its 40th anniversary.

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Monticello Railway Museum website

A judge in western Indiana is about to take part in an experiment with cameras in his state's trial courtrooms – but he’s taking it in stride so far. Journalists are currently not allowed to take pictures, audio or video of proceedings in trial courts in either Indiana or Illinois. But last month, the Indiana Supreme Court named eight courts that will let media organize pool coverage with video and still cameras. Montgomery Circuit Judge Thomas Milligan oversees the smallest of those eight courtrooms – and he realizes that not everyone is happy about the prospect of trials in front of cameras. AM 580’s Tom Rogers spoke with Judge Milligan from his chambers in Crawfordsville.

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more information on the pilot project at the Indiana Judiciary website

The Champaign City Council voted 5 to 4 May 16th to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, effective August 1, pending passage of a similar ban in Urbana. But before they voted, Champaign council members heard from 40 members of the public who had their own views on the proposal. The speakers included smokers and non-smokers, health professionals and bar owners, and others with opinions about the smoking ban. Here are excerpts from what six of those speakers had to say. In order: college student Ryan Fitzgerald, U of I Student Body president Ryan Ruzic, Champaign residents Gail Young and Al Kagan, Champaign bar owner Mike Murphy, and C-U Smokefree Alliance president Scott Hayes.

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The Continuum Fingerboard is an electronic instrument than can produce the sounds of many other instruments -- yet it contains no keys, buttons, or strings. Instead, it relies on more than 200 aluminum rods, magnets, springs made from piano wire, and an internal computer, all contained beneath a fabric surface. Pressing down on that surface, and the amount of pressure applied, changes the resonance of the pitch it produces. The fingerboard is the vision of University of Illinois Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Lippold Haken (left), who’s been working on it for more than 20 years. AM 580's Jeff Bossert spoke with Haken. He also talked with one of a handful of artists who have only started mastering the instrument.

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Haken's fingerboard site

Whether or not they come to the U-S legally, most immigrants expect to stay here permanently. But a growing number of immigrants come to the U-S with plans to to stay only a short time, and then return to their home country. Various circumstances often keep these so-called temporary migrants in America longer than planned --- but without the social ties of permanent residents. Professors Carla Santos and Monika Stodolska (left, L to R) interviewed Mexican immigrants in Chicago and Champaign-Urbana for their research on temporary migrants. Dr. Stodolska told AM 580’s Jim Meadows that these immigrants maintain close ties to home.

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The 19th century nun who founded Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute will soon become the first Roman Catholic saint from Indiana. Word came late last week that Mother Theodore Guerin will achieve sainthood after decades of study. AM 580’s Tom Rogers spoke with the head of the Sisters of Providence, who sponsor the school.

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Mother Theodore Guerin page at the Sisters of Providence website

After a seven month trial, jurors found George Ryan and businessman Larry Warner guilty on all counts in a federal indictment alleging racketeering and mail fraud, among other offenses.  Ryan maintains he's innocent.  

Robert Rich, the director of the UI's Institute of Government and Public Affairs, says the Ryan case has national implications for ethics reform.  He spoke with AM 580's Tom Rogers on The Afternoon Magazine soon after the verdicts were read.

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UI law professor Andrew Leipold closely observed the jury in the trial.  He tells Tom Rogers in another Afternoon Magazine interview that an appeal will center around a change in jurors halfway into deliberations.

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Recent protests have gathered some large crowds across the country, and several hundred people in Champaign-Urbana carried on what’s become a national movement. AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports on the April 10th march down Green Street to a rally in the University of Illinois Quad – and the legislation that’s generating the nationwide rallies.

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There are those who consume books, and for an afternoon in Urbana, there was an event where one could actually consume books. It was the latest addition to what’s become an annual event around the world – an April Fool’s Day tribute to gourmets, artists and bibliophiles united. AM 580’s Tom Rogers takes us to the Edible Books Festival at the University of Illinois’ Illini Union.

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See examples of edible books at the UI festival

The worldwide site: books2eat.com