Free food just got fresher

Central Illinois Food Bank tackles hunger with healthier food

From floor to ceiling, the Central Illinois Food Bank’s 25,000-square-foot warehouse on the east side of Springfield is packed with donations, ranging from traditional items like juice boxes, ce

Truth about health care reform

Bioethics expert speaks at SIU medical school

A right to ride

Bill would ensure horseback riding rights on public lands

Horseback riding has long been a part of Illinois history, but the state’s equestrians want to ensure their right to ride the trails at state parks, nature preserves and recreation areas.Though

Wind turbine harnesses small town potential

Mt. Pulaski business installs turbine at local bank

The Farmers Bank of Mt. Pulaski sits on the town’s hilltop, approximately 700 feet above sea level, across from a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law as a member of the Illinois 8th J

Phosphorus is not for us

Lawn care companies may be required to go phosphorous-free this summer

Lawn care companies could be prohibited from using phosphorus in fertilizer as early as July 1, according to a bill that’s already passed the Illinois House.Phosphorus, a growth-stimulating nutr

BPA-free babies

Bill would ban chemical from children’s products

Illinois environmentalists, public health organizations and child safety advocates are seeking to ban Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical used in making plastics, from reusable food and beverage

Nuclear power revival?

Clinton attempts a comeback

Clinton Power Station is a silent sentry at the edge of a 5,000-acre man-made lake, six miles east of Clinton, and about 68 miles from Springfield. Its powder blue dome rises above silos, cornfields a

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

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

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