Nearly 2.2 million people in Illinois might see eligible criminal records sealed following passage of the ‘Clean Slate’ Act during last week’s veto session. The bill would require law enforcement agencies to automatically seal eligible criminal records every six months. Excluded from the measure are convictions for sexual violence against minors, DUIs, reckless driving, cruelty […]
Maggie Dougherty
Maggie Dougherty is Chicago-based state government and politics reporter for Capitol News Illinois. She previously served as a summer intern with Illinois Times while finishing her master's degree with Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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Trump administration OKs partial SNAP funding for November after judges’ orders
The Trump administration said Monday it would use emergency funds to partially fund SNAP benefits for November but would not tap into other funds to provide full coverage. The means the more than one in six Illinoisans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, to buy groceries each month will get a smaller-than-normal […]
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Blind mother seeks right to care for her son
On a sunny evening, Dalesha Richardson stands on a courtyard sidewalk near her Springfield apartment. Holding her white cane horizontal to the ground, she is playing the part of a train crossing gate. “Tickets, please!” she calls out as her 3-year-old son, Elijah, barrels toward her on his white balance bike. Elijah is a big […]
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U of I to begin drilling test well this winter
Dr. Kathleen Campbell spoke in front of the Springfield City Council in June to express opposition to plans for drilling of a test well by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s Prairie Research Institute in partnership with City Water, Light and Power. Campbell, an emeritus professor at SIU School of Medicine and a Glenarm resident, lives […]
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Can alternative papers revive journalism?
Publishers from across the U.S. convened in Madison, Wisconsin, July 9-11 to commiserate, inspire and share survival tips at the annual conference for alternative media organizations. The conference brought media vendors together with over 40 member and associated papers of AAN, formerly known as the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Standing in front of journalists, editors […]
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City Council adopts cited property registry
The Springfield City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday night creating a registry of properties with repeated housing code violations. The registry will include rental properties, personally owned residences and commercial properties – but not all of them. This is not the comprehensive landlord registry advocates have pushed for since the council voted it down two […]
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Naturalization ceremony at the State Fair
The Illinois State Fair is home to many iconic American traditions and Midwestern staples, from 4H displays to corndogs and lemon shake-ups. This year, for the second time in a row, it was also home to the American tradition of welcoming new citizens through naturalization. The ceremony fell on Governor’s Day, with Gov. JB Pritzker […]
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Texas House Democrats in Illinois undeterred
Dozens of Texas House Democrats traveled to Illinois and other states this week in hopes of blocking a proposed redistricting map that they characterize as a national threat to democracy. The rare mid-decade redistricting would fulfill President Donald Trump’s call for Texas Republicans to gain five new GOP seats in the U.S. House before next […]
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Repeat offender
Michael Gansbauer, 49, has spent fewer than four years out of prison since the age of 18. Convicted for first-degree murder 32 years ago in Springfield, he has spent only an eighth of his adult life out of jail or prison. Victims’ family members, prison reform advocates and childhood friends have agreed that his current […]
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‘Democracy is pissed and she’s raining’
Heavy rain and booming thunder did not stop protesters from showing up to the Illinois State Capitol for a rally Saturday honoring the legacy of U.S. Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis. Cheered on by the honking of passing cars, the crowd donned umbrellas and signs as they gathered in front of the statue […]
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Minority Business Institute coming soon
The city of Springfield is developing a new program to provide training and resource education to minority business owners and nonprofit leaders. Plans for the new Springfield Minority Business Institute were recently announced by Office of Community Relations Director Ethan Posey. The institute intends to serve Black and other racial or ethnic minority, female and […]
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Springfield City Council passes amended TIF ordinances
The Springfield City Council passed two ordinances amending existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts last night, putting an end to a weeklong debate. The ordinances each passed 9-1, with Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson as the dissenting vote in both cases. The ordinances will make $800,000 available for use with no match requirements in the […]
