Frank Mautino By all accounts, Illinois Auditor General William “Bill” Holland made the leap from a Senate Democratic chief of staff to his current role as a fiercely independent auditor with ease. He adamantly avoids injecting politics into the audits his office conducts, and he rarely even expresses personal opinions about anything publicly. But Holland […]
Patrick Yeagle
Patrick Yeagle started writing for Illinois Times in September 2009. Originally from Farmer City, Ill., he graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in political science and a second major in journalism. He then graduated from the University of Illinois-Springfield in 2009 with a Master's degree from the Public Affairs Reporting program. In addition to Illinois Times, his work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, the Peoria Journal-Star, the Northern Star, the Parkland Prospectus and other publications. Yeagle writes about state government, the environment, energy, healthcare, elections, education, community issues, and more. He enjoys taking photos of news events, cityscapes, very small objects and wildlife. He enjoys running and has completed a marathon, three half-marathons, a 198-mile relay race and several shorter races. Other hobbies include cooking, gardening, making music and outdoor activities.
Posted inNews
Visa flap could affect thousands of immigrants
On Oct. 1 and 2, thousands of immigrants across the nation sent flower bouquets to the headquarters of the federal Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. It wasn’t a gesture of thanks or admiration; it was a form of polite protest. The perceived transgression was giving certain highly skilled immigrants from China and India […]
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Mautino slated for next auditor general
Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley A bipartisan legislative panel will recommend a fellow lawmaker as Illinois’ next auditor general. The panel met today in Springfield and narrowed a field of four candidates down to one: longtime Democratic Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. Mautino topped 13 other candidates, including another Democratic representative and a Republican favorite […]
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Planes, trains and trucks
Illustration by David Hine. It all began with a napkin. The international food-processing company Archer Daniels Midland was paying $250 per shipping container to transfer its goods between two railroads in Decatur, and they were looking for a way to cut that cost. Scott Fredericksen, ADM’s president of transportation, and Mark Schweitzer, then the company’s […]
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Illinois State Museum closes to public
Illinois State Museum PHOTO BY DAVID HINE The Illinois State Museum was scheduled to close to the public after Wednesday, but staff whose layoffs have been postponed by a lawsuit are still expected to work. The closure to the public is a prelude to closing the museum system entirely, a highly controversial move pursued by […]
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One in five Illinois children live in poverty
Children take part in the federally funded summer meal program at a school in Washington, D.C. Photo by Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT One in five Illinois children live in poverty, according to data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new numbers show both good and bad trends for Illinois, such as a decrease […]
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Council goes up against panhandlers again
The Springfield City Council approved new panhandling restrictions Tuesday, beginning a new chapter in a saga that already saw part of the city’s existing ordinance ruled unconstitutional. An attorney for the panhandlers who got that ordinance struck down says he’ll definitely fight the city’s new restrictions. The amendment, which passed unanimously and with little discussion, […]
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New lawsuit filed against city over panhandling restrictions
Three Springfield panhandlers filed a lawsuit against the City of Springfield today, following the approval of new panhandling restrictions last night. The panhandlers claim the city’s new restrictions violate their right to free speech in the same way that a previous restriction did before it was struck down as unconstitutional. The Springfield City Council approved […]
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Springfield adopts new panhandling restrictions
The Springfield City Council approved new panhandling restrictions Tuesday, prompting a likely lawsuit from the panhandlers who got part of the city’s existing ordinance ruled unconstitutional. The ordinance, which passed unanimously on Tuesday evening, prohibits panhandlers from touching people or approaching them within five feet while asking for money. It was introduced on Sept. 8 […]
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State layoffs deferred…for now
State employees targeted for layoff got a temporary reprieve Friday, pending the results of an ongoing lawsuit. Anders Lindall, spokesman for AFSCME Council 31, said the union was notified Friday by the administration of Gov. Bruce Rauner that layoffs scheduled for Sept. 30 would be delayed until litigation over state cuts is resolved. The lawsuit […]
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Settlement approved for estate of man Tasered 20 times
The estate of a man who died in 2010 during an encounter with Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies will receive $40,000 in a settlement by a committee of the Sangamon County Board today. The committee’s unanimous vote brings an end to a contentious case that has already cost the county more than $273,000. Patrick Burns, formerly […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Make the most of your yard with a patio
While many people can build their own patios with simple designs, complex designs such as this call for professional help. PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Whether your yard is the size of a football field or a putting green, a well-planned brick or stone patio can make your space into a sanctuary and add value […]
