Assaults at Springfield nursing home illustrate statewide problem

Task force reports on ‘toxic mix’ of frail elderly with mentally ill

Incidents of assault at a Springfield nursing home highlight safety concerns as a state task force on nursing home reform calls for sweeping changes.In 2009, Springfield police were called to Springfi

New energy codes leave home builders in the dark

Zinn Construction, a custom home building company based in Sherman, builds eight to ten homes per year, along with a few remodeling projects. But new energy efficiency codes, approved by the state las

Redpath caught red-handed

Springfield police officer gets 15-day suspension for “use of force”

Communities demand solutions for pension burden

Coalition calls for statewide public safety pension reform

If you’ve paid property taxes in Springfield, you’ve contributed to a police officer or firefighter’s pension fund.According to Mayor Tim Davlin, almost 100 percent of property taxes

Grow Your Own Teachers faces drought

Successful program pairs unlikely educators with community classrooms

Instead of becoming a college student, Fallon Rowl became a single mom.She got pregnant right after she graduated from Southeast High School, and for the next three years worked several office jobs to

NCAA basketball comes to Springfield

UIS hosts Great Lakes Valley Conference finals

This weekend, as Jim Naumovich returns to his hometown, he’ll bring the Great Lakes Valley Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments along with him.Springfield native Naumo

A sticky situation

Bill would stop regulation of hobbyist honey producers

The state’s beekeepers are buzzing to gain some independence. A new bill would ensure that small honey producers are able to sell their products at farmers markets, fairs or roadside stands with

Popular farm chemical goes on trial in Springfield

House committee gathers evidence on atrazine

ILLINOIS PRISONS: Standing room only

Overcrowding is costly and dangerous

They were imprisoned for prostitution, robbery and drug trafficking. They were dog fighters, arsonists, sex offenders and repeat drunk drivers. Almost 2,000 criminals of nearly every stripe short of h

Let the sunshine in

Environmental groups say Illinois has untapped solar energy potential

Investing in solar energy could bring the state as many as 17,000 new jobs, one environmental expert says.As the fifth largest producer and consumer of electricity, Illinois is not living up to its su