The cheesy drum track lays down a bouncy rhythm as the usually-reserved doctors and nurses dance awkwardly, mime snacking, hug themselves and shake their bodies. Believe it or not, they’re learning how to combat childhood obesity. “When I eat my veggies, my heart says ‘Thank you!’ ” sings Dr. Linda Carson, leading the group in […]
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 inArts & Culture
Get fit – without going to prison!
Exercise is not everyone’s cup of tea. You get sweaty, you get tired and many of us feel we have to go to the gym to get a real workout. But there are plenty of exercises that don’t require a lot of time, space or equipment. Lately, I’ve been doing the Prison Workout (here), a […]
Posted inOpinion
The man who would be senator
We meet at a trendy little café on Main Street in Peoria on a cold, sunny Monday afternoon. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is on the campaign trail, and he has agreed to meet me to talk about his run for U.S. Senate. He smiles widely as he thrusts his hand out to meet mine in […]
Posted inNews
Primary primer
The 2010 primary election is right around the corner, and there’s a lot at stake for Illinois. With heavy budget troubles, Illinois’ next batch of leaders will have a huge say in the state’s future. It’s a year of hot-button issues and hotly-contested races, with many politicians aspiring to higher offices. On Feb. 2, candidates […]
Posted inNews
Texting ban more bark than bite
A new state law that bans texting while driving took effect Jan. 1, but officials admit enforcement may be a problem. Signed by Governor Pat Quinn in August, the texting ban outlaws operating a motor vehicle “while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message.” Mike Stout, director of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What are you eating?
Ever wonder about the nutritional value of papaya? Ever wonder whether iceberg lettuce is really as useless as it tastes? The same folks who brought you Condé Nast Traveler, GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Wired, The New Yorker and many other edgy national publications have compiled data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to show you […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Halfwits at it again
When I decided to get my health and fitness in order, I took up running because it was the easiest way to make a change – easier than improving my diet, that is. Since then, I’ve come a long way, and one group in Springfield has helped me achieve something I thought impossible. The Half […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Health care reform for Christmas?
This could be a critical week in the national health care debate as Democrats aim to deliver reform by Christmas. Senate Democrats in Washington, D.C. have mustered the required 60 votes to stop a Republican filibuster of a health care reform bill, clearing the first of the remaining parliamentary hurdles before the massive bill can […]
Posted inNews
Homeless clinic treats more than just illness
With a cheery grin that belies her housing situation, Springfield native Sienna Quick chats casually with the medical student checking her blood pressure. “It’s usually lower than that,” a surprised Quick says of her diastolic pressure. As she approaches a tape measure fastened to the wall temporarily with duct tape, Quick confidently predicts her height […]
Posted inNews
Access 4 producers satisfied
Springfield’s public access TV channel may be black now, but the familiar faces of Access 4 are not fading away. The Springfield city council on Tuesday approved a deal to accept management of Access 4 from cable provider Comcast. The recently-formed Access 4 Producers Group supported the deal after several of their concerns were addressed […]
Posted inNews
CWLP employees learn to deal with diversity
Employees at City Water, Light and Power are now taking diversity awareness training, following incidents of alleged racism there earlier this year. In July, CWLP employee Mike Williams reported a rope tied into a noose hanging from his work station, sparking a months-long controversy that culminated in 60-day suspensions for the two employees involved. As […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A Second Chance at Life – Part Four
Part four, the finale, of Tauna and Jim’s saga: Even after all the changes and efforts to live a more healthy life, Jim still went in the summer of ’08 and received three more stints in his heart. He had been feeling sluggish and was showing many of the signs he did not recognize the […]
