The 8th and final episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Toxic Swaps" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films, the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. The final episode of Stranded by the State looks at the role big banks have played in destabilizing communities across the country. The same banks who were responsible for the foreclosure crisis in 2008 are now making huge sums of money from predatory loans made to state and city governments. Continued

Stranded by the state, the two-part series chronicling the human impact of the Illinois budget impasse is now available to stream on PBS.org! Part 1 available here. Demonstrating how the Illinois budget impasse affects the availability of resources for young mothers and children in rural Illinois; its impact on Eastern Illinois University in central Illinois; and how the lack of state funding impacts efforts to help the homeless in Chicago. Part 2 available here. Watch how the Illinois budget impasse impacts at-risk youth and the organizations serving them in suburban Chicago; what it means for senior citizens receiving food assistance in southern Illinois; and how decreased state funding affects adult education and literacy programs in Chicago. Continued

Stranded by the State, a web series in collaboration with In These Times and directed, edited and produced by Liz Kaar broadcast across Illinois as a two-part special presented by Illinois Public Media. The series focuses on the long-term toll that the Illinois budget crisis has had on everyday people across the state, and will begin broadcasting on public television states February 14–the day before Governor Bruce Rauner's state budget address. Watch the trailer: Continued

The 7th episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Child Care Assistance" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films, the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. In episode 7 we travel to child care assistance center Kindercottage in East St. Louis, IL. Across Illinois, the Child Care Assistance Program helps children remain in child care centers while their parents go to work, often at low-wage jobs. Spending a day at an organization such as Kindercottage means children are safe and fed during the day. Continued

The 6th episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Early Childhood Development" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films, the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Continued

The fourth episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Adult Literacy" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films. the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Episode 5: Adult Literacy Episode 5 of the series examines the effects of the budget crisis on adult educational services in Illinois, with a specific focus on adult literacy classes. We meet Daysi Funes, the Executive Director of Centro Romero, a community-based organization that serves the refugee immigrant population on the northeast side of Chicago. Due to the budget impasse, the organization has laid off 17 English teachers in 2016. Continued

The fourth episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Seniors" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films. the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Episode 4: Seniors Continued

The third episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "Homelessness" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films. the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Episode 3: Homelessness Episode 3 of the series examines the effects of the budget crisis on human services in Illinois, with a specific focus on La Casa Norte, a non-profit that provides access to stable housing to youth and families confronting homelessness, as well as delivers comprehensive services such as technology training, education support, employment readiness, case management, therapy, food, clothing and transportation assistance. Continued

The second episode of Stranded by the State, entitled "At-Risk Youth" premieres today. A collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films. the series is directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar and explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Episode 2: At-Risk Youth Continued

Announcing the first episode of Stranded by the State, a new web series in collaboration between In These Times and Kartemquin Films. Directed, edited and produced by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar, the series explores the human impact of Illinois' budget crisis. Episode 1: Public Higher Education Episode 1 of the series examines the effects of the budget crisis on Illinois public higher education institutions, specifically Eastern Illinois University. We meet Catie Witt, EIU student body president and #FundEIU organizer, as well as a first-generation college student anxious about the possibility of a tuition increase at EIU. Local businesses also express worries about a decline or total loss of the student population in Charleston, Illinois. Watch it now: Continued