In an effort to adopt more comprehensive green energy standards, new legislation will evaluate the energy performance of state-owned buildings, Gov. Pat Quinn announced as he signed the bill into law May 22. “Illinois is committed to being a leader in the green movement,” Quinn says. “This bill is the first step in creating standards […]
Diane Ivey
Posted inNews
Helping others help others
Local health and human service agencies will receive much-needed funding, as United Way of Central Illinois awards $1.7 million to 45 programs this year. The largest private funder of health and human services in Sangamon County, United Way gathered donations from 9,200 individuals and companies. The donations will fund social service programs meeting basic needs […]
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Eliminating the ‘pre-existing’ problem
Without federal health care reform, almost 2.5 million Illinoisans would be at risk of losing their health insurance, a new report says. The report, released by the Campaign for Better Health Care, says 23 percent of Illinois residents have a pre-existing condition that could lead to a denial of coverage in the individual insurance market. […]
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Paying for preservation
Springfield’s aging homes and office buildings have another pillar of support, as the Sangamon County Community Foundation announced the creation of a new historic preservation fund on May 21. The fund aims to provide financial assistance to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations looking to preserve historic buildings (more than 50 years old) within city limits. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Preventing Alzheimer’s
Brent Bohlen, a retired state worker and current exercise enthusiast, is an unlikely person to be speaking to doctors at a high-level conference on Alzheimer’s disease held this month at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. But several of those researchers say he may have discovered an effective form of prevention against the […]
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Bill will curb mercury pollution
Illinois environmentalists, manufacturers and lawmakers are turning up the heat in the fight against mercury pollution. The Mercury Thermostat Control Act, passed unanimously by the House and Senate, requires manufacturers to collect and recycle the mercury in older thermostats. Mercury, an element in the earth’s crust that expands in response to changes in temperature or […]
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Building a sustainable school
Lake Land College in Mattoon has reduced its energy costs by nearly $100,000 annually, as part of a campus-wide sustainability initiative. The 308-acre campus has experienced a 100 percent reduction in natural gas use and a 30 percent reduction in electricity use in two of its recently renovated buildings. Using energy-efficient lighting, daylight-harvesting, solar energy […]
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Proposed ‘clean coal’ plant has drawbacks
Taylorville Energy Center, a proposed “clean coal” power plant, is backed by supporters for its eco-friendliness and job creation potential, but some environmental and business groups say the project may cause more harm than good for Illinois. Taylorville Energy Center, which could generate enough electricity to power about 600,000 homes, is currently under review by […]
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Are genetically modified foods harmful?
Your favorite fruits and vegetables could be hazardous to your health, says Jeffrey Smith, executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology. Smith, a leading spokesperson on the health dangers of genetically modified foods, brought his message to Springfield last weekend, as the keynote speaker for the Earth Day celebration. Smith also visited the Capitol […]
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Telecom law revamp needed
Illinois telecommunication laws need a rewrite, technology providers say. Outdated legislation means the state is losing jobs and business growth, members of the telecom community told the House’s Bipartisan Job Creation Task Force at an April 14 meeting. The state’s telecommunications laws haven’t changed since 2001, when land lines were prevalent and high-speed Internet access […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Free food just got fresher
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, cereal and canned goods to the more unusual – chili-flavored lollipops, strawberry corn starch and potato chips made to taste like ketchup. In six weeks, new inventory […]
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A right to ride
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 many commercial equestrian camps go back 40 or 50 years, horseback riders could still be denied access to public lands, since there is […]
