Lauren P. Duncan

A group of unions and private sector groups say the state needs a gasoline tax increase to fix Illinois’ roads. The state’s major funding program for infrastructure improvements, Illinois Jobs Now!, was initiated by Gov. Pat Quinn in 2009 as a five-year program and ends this year. The lack of another capital funding plan and […]

Gov. Pat Quinn The governor’s plan to give homeowners $500 back each year is a generous idea but may not work out, according to tax expert Ralph Martire. Gov. Pat Quinn presented his annual budget address March 26 at the Capitol. In the 25-minute speech, Quinn emphasized his plan to stabilize revenues and prevent deep […]

When Springfield-based attorney Mark Wykoff’s client was pulled over with methamphetamine in his vehicle, he probably didn’t know that police had attached a GPS tracking device to his car. But they had. At the time he was pulled over in December 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision and opinion made in January 2012, United […]

Illinoisans could end up paying a tax on their sugary drinks that would fund education about the risks of obesity. State Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, is sponsoring a bill she introduced in February that would impose a penny-per-ounce sugary drink tax. The tax would apply to every ounce of “sugar-sweetened beverages,” such as soda, energy […]

George Gollin, a physics professor, is running against former judge Ann Callis and social policy analyst David Green in the Congressional District 13 Democratic primary race. PHOTO COURTESY GEORGE GOLLIN CAMPAIGN It’s been more than 100 years since a Democrat represented congressional District 13, but that isn’t stopping three candidates from vying for the seat. […]

Erika Harold of Urbana is running against incumbent Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Michael Firsching of Moro in the Congressional District 13 Republican primary. PHOTO BY LAUREN P. DUNCAN Although it may not be easy for a Republican to win a congressional district drawn by Democrats, the 13th District GOP candidates all want that […]

The Kerasotes building at Washington Street and Sixth Street is one of several vacant buildings area architects would like to see be renovated into housing units. PHOTOS BY LAUREN P. DUNCAN Renovate it and they will come. That’s what architects are hoping is the case in downtown Springfield. The Springfield Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) […]

The dangers of secondhand smoke are making it increasingly inconvenient for smokers to get their fix. January marked six years since Illinois became smoke-free. The initial ban, which limited the use of cigarettes in indoor public places, aimed to both decrease the prevalence of smoking, and to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. […]