The cost of fracking

What are the risks of tapping Illinois’ trapped oil and natural gas?

Nearly a mile below the surface of southern Illinois, a vast reserve of oil and natural gas sits locked in thick shale rock. While Illinois has a long history of tapping into its enormous fossil fuel

Group pressing school board candidates on CCPA closure

A group of Springfield parents and educators is hoping to prevent the closure of a popular middle school, despite two unfavorable votes by the Springfield School Board. Their main tactic? Elect a diff

Education to suffer most under next state budget

Governor’s proposal cuts billions from elementary and higher ed

Illinois’ public pension costs will eat up nearly a fifth of state spending in the coming fiscal year, with education largely absorbing the impact. “This is the most difficult budget I hav

Springfield small business owner lobbies in Washington, D.C.

Local retailer says “Marketplace Fairness Act” is anything but fair

If there’s a stereotype of a men’s clothing salesperson, Brandi Tolley of Springfield isn’t it. A work-from-home single mother and a military veteran, Tolley started her online eBay-

Gunning for change

Concealed carry is coming to Illinois

Illinois is about to find out whether allowing regular citizens to carry firearms will cause calamity or prevent it.

Closing the school that closes the gap

What’s the cost of keeping or closing CCPA?

A popular Springfield middle school slated for closure may get a second chance at an upcoming school board meeting, based on public outcry and disputed cost-savings estimates.At the Feb. 18 meeting of

Illinois starts giving prison inmates release credits

IDOC adopts reformed program to lower prison population

Certain Illinois inmates have started to receive early release credits under administrative rules adopted this month by the Illinois Department of Corrections. The move follows a state law passed last

Health insurance reform closer to reality in Illinois

State-run insurance exchange could see Senate vote next week

The Illinois Senate could vote next week on implementing a crucial piece of the federal health insurance reforms passed in 2010, but two competing bills could lead the state in opposite directions.The

National ‘Amazon tax’ could mean big bucks for Illinois

Businesses would collect sales tax on Internet purchases

As Illinois residents file their income tax returns, they’re faced with a choice: admit to buying something online and pay sales tax to the state, or skip the tax and risk paying a penalty later

School closure questioned

Cost savings unclear, one board member says

In the wake of a controversial decision to close a popular and successful middle school in Springfield, the divided school board continues to field questions about the reasoning for the closure and its estimated savings.