IPR

The National Weather Service confirmed 172 tornadoes have struck the state this severe weather season. That's an all-time state record, and the most for any state in the U.S. this year.

An extended run of hot temperatures and high humidity is forecast to arrive across Central Illinois on Sunday and last through most of the week.

The current law requires students take at least two years of foreign language classes but that could change if the governor signs a bill the Illinois legislature unanimously passed.

Arts Alliance Illinois, along with several other nonprofits and government partners, released a two-part study this week providing evidence of the creative sector's economic impact in Chicago — and across the state.

Illinois lawmakers unanimously passed a bill during the spring session to make it quicker for schools to get estimates and install solar. Some schools like the Metamora Grade School have been waiting two year to connect their solar panels to the grid.

The top 10 teams in the 11-team league will qualify for the postseason tournament and the top two seeds will get automatic bids to the semifinals.

The Obama Presidential Center is opening on Friday to the public. Bloomington natives Mike Jordan, who worked for Obama, and Terri Lantz, Jordan's sister, have toured the museum. Mike Kelleher, also originally from Bloomington, worked for Obama when he was the 44th president by picking letters from the public for Obama to read.

The National Weather Service has preliminary confirmation of nine tornadoes in Central Illinois on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Democratic state Rep. Sharon Chung is celebrating passing public media protections, congratulates the Chicago Tribune, her work on the cannabis industry, data centers and the budget.

Country Financial has already seen 1,000 property and auto claims from this week's back-to-back severe wind and tornado events. They expect more in the coming days as residents sort through their homes.