The state Capitol’s steam plant exceeded limits on some pollutants in 2007 from its coal-burning boilers, and it may still be polluting too much. Located on Klein Street north of the Capitol, the Capitol Complex Power Plant burns coal, oil and natural gas to heat and cool the Capitol complex. Despite its name, it does […]
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.
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Caseworker who neglected her children investigates child neglect for state
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services continues to employ at least one caseworker found to have neglected her own foster children. Administrative rules calling for a review of the employee’s license to handle cases have apparently not been enforced. In September 2008, Linda C. Jones of Springfield, an 11-year DCFS child welfare specialist […]
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IDOT: 10th Street option would delay high-speed rail six years
The Illinois Department of Transportation will consider putting the proposed high-speed rail system on 10th Street, according to its application for federal stimulus money to build the system. But IDOT is calling on the City of Springfield and Sangamon County to complete an environmental study on the 10th Street option, and the application indicates such […]
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Should pig opponents have to pay?
A contested hog farm in Rochester is once again the topic of debate as the group formed to stop the farm’s construction fights to avoid paying almost $300,000 in damages. Last month, the Illinois 4th District Appellate Court ruled that Rochester farmer Robert Young was entitled to damages caused by an injunction that delayed the […]
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East side wins housing grant
The sounds of nail guns and power saws filled the air in a section of the east side of Springfield last week. Men with tool belts worked feverishly to build a new home at the corner of 12th and Edwards streets, raising walls and covering the frame with plywood. Right next door, a rundown, boarded-up […]
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Fighting for space
In a flurry of precise motions, the young boy’s gloved fists shoot forward like a barrage of missiles, seeking an exposed cheek or unprotected stomach. The older, taller boy throws a hook, but 12-year-old Michael Turner-Bey ducks and lands a triple jab in the other boy’s ribs. “I like the training and the exercise,” Michael […]
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Springfield’s shrinking state workforce
Thousands of state jobs are at stake in Illinois as the largest union of state employees squares off against Gov. Pat Quinn in the fight to keep their jobs. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 filed a lawsuit against the state in August to stop Quinn from cutting 2,600 state […]
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From blight to business
Weeds grow from the foundation of the deteriorated apartment building at 715 E. Cook St. The faded paint on the windows is cracked and peeling, and empty sardine cans litter the front stoop. A sign on the door shows the tan brick building has been condemned. “OCCUPANCY PROHIBITED,” it warns in bold letters. It’s a […]
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Fed funds to power efficiency efforts in Springfield
Federal stimulus money coming soon to Springfield could help the city save 7.5 megawatts of energy per year. Earlier this month, Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) announced more than $1.2 million in grant money for Springfield under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That money is part of $354 million the federal government has set aside […]
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Business owners wary of proposed service tax
It has been called “a headache,” “double taxation,” and “another way for government to get their hands in consumers’ pockets.” The idea of taxing services — something Illinois has historically been hesitant to do — has gained more attention this year with reports that the state is facing a deficit of anywhere from $8.95 to […]
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Back to help Burris
In a corner office on the top floor of the Illinois Building, overlooking the Old State Capitol, photos of famous people hang proudly on the wall. Jimmie Voss smiles widely in each photo, standing next to folks like former Gov. Jim Edgar, former Chicago Bull Scotty Pippen and the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. “I […]
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East side residents fear a “steel barrier” at 10th Street
High-speed rail is coming to Springfield, but it’s on a collision course with residents no matter what track it takes. “The city wants to present a unified front on this,” said Springfield NAACP president Archie Lawrence. “But it is by no means unified.” Lawrence opposes the city’s plan to send 40 to 60 extra trains […]
