Former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann says he is considering pleading guilty as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve charges that he illegally spent more than $200,000 in campaign funds. McCann, 52, a former Republican senator from the Macoupin County community of Plainview, represented the 50th Senate District, which includes […]
Dean Olsen
Dean Olsen is a senior staff writer for Illinois Times. He can be reached at:
dolsen@illinoistimes.com, 217-679-7810 or @DeanOlsenIT.
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Sam McCann says he may plead guilty to federal charges
Former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann says he is considering pleading guilty as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve charges that he illegally spent more than $200,000 in campaign funds. McCann, 52, a former Republican senator from the Macoupin County community of Plainview, represented the 50th Senate District, which includes […]
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A fatal encounter
The body of a 36-year-old nurse remained in a Springfield hotel room for more than two days after her fatal overdose. During that time, the woman’s boyfriend, Loren Letz, 40, who admitted to taking drugs with her on Jan. 18, used her car and debit card to make more than $500 in withdrawals from her […]
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Angst over abortion
Planned Parenthood of Illinois expanded the number of days surgical abortions were offered in Springfield in March as part of an ongoing effort to prepare for the U.S. Supreme Court overturning its landmark Roe v. Wade decision. After taking that step and others to increase capacity statewide in recent years, Planned Parenthood officials said they […]
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UIS faculty approves new contract, avoids strike
Annual salary increases of 2% to 3.5% are part of a new four-year labor contract ratified by University of Illinois Springfield faculty members retroactive to the 2021-22 academic year. “I was glad,” Kristi Barnwell, president of UIS United Faculty-Local 4100, told Illinois Times. “We’ve got a contract that is stronger than our previous contract.” Ratified […]
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UIS faculty to vote on new contract
Unionized faculty members at University of Illinois Springfield are expected to vote in the next few days on a new four-year contract that includes pay increases each year, the union’s president says. The proposed contract settlement, which would be retroactive to August 2021 and expire in August 2025, also contains language important to faculty members […]
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Doing battle with ‘long COVID’
The sniffles, cough and fever that accompanied Tia Wessel’s COVID-19 diagnosis were gone after a few weeks, but the rapid heartbeat, fatigue and dizziness that frightened and frustrated the 33-year-old Jacksonville resident continued for more than a year. “It was a horrible feeling,” she said. “You want to know if you’re ever going to be […]
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UIS faculty could strike as soon as May 2
An “overwhelming” vote by unionized faculty members at University of Illinois Springfield to authorize a potential strike should send a message to university officials, the union’s vice president says. “In essence, the faculty are tired and fed up with the administration,” Steve Schnebly, UIS professor of criminology and criminal justice, told Illinois Times. “This is […]
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Downtown redevelopment project gets dicey
A Kansas company wants to buy the 97-year-old Myers Brothers Building and convert the downtown Springfield office complex and former department store into affordable rental housing. Richard Myers, chairman of the executive committee for Myers Family Real Estate of Springfield LLC, confirmed to Illinois Times on April 25 that the family entered into a sales […]
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Town & Country to be auctioned
The scheduled auction of Town & Country Shopping Center in May could bring a revival of sorts to the 61-year-old retail site and more positive news for the west side neighborhood, Ward 7’s alderman says. “That site has got a lot of potential, and I’m sure the new buyer will maximize its use,” alderman Joe […]
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Money for the medical district
Housing for Springfield medical professionals would be expanded with the help of $250,000 tucked inside a state budget bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law April 19 by Gov. JB Pritzker. The money will come from the Build Illinois Bond Fund for a grant to the Mid-Illinois Medical District and is mentioned […]
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At-home tests change state’s COVID reporting
Sangamon County’s COVID-19 case numbers, which are “inching up” but remain relatively low, should be interpreted with caution, the county’s top public health administrator says. The slight increase in recent weeks is “not astronomical,” said Gail O’Neill, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. “But it’s something to be a little concerned about,” […]
