The City of Springfield has agreed not to enforce a restriction on panhandling it adopted in September. The restriction was challenged on constitutional grounds by a Springfield panhandler who got a separate restriction ruled unconstitutional earlier this year. Panhandlers Don Norton, Karen Otterson and Jessica Zenquis filed a lawsuit against the City of Springfield 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.
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Clinton nuclear plant gets reprieve
Despite years of unfavorable conditions, Exelon thinks next year may be different. The company announced earlier this year it won’t close the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant, 45 miles east of Springfield, for at least another year in light of potential market reforms in Illinois. The announcement follows similar announcements for two of Exelon’s other Illinois […]
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Jury struggles to reach verdict in child death trial
Cammie Kelly, foreground, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Dec. 16, 2015, for the 2011 death of Kaiden Gullidge. Photo by Patrick Yeagle. The trial of a day care worker accused of shaking a baby to death concluded this week with the jury convicting her of involuntary manslaughter after more than 12 hours of deliberations. […]
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Cammie Kelly declines to testify in day care death trial
A child murder trial that started last week looks ready to conclude tomorrow, following a short but intense defense. Cammie Kelly of Springfield was charged with aggravated battery and first degree murder following the 2011 death of 11-month-old Kaiden Gullidge of Rochester at the day care Kelly ran out of her home. Kelly’s trial started […]
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A mixed bag for defense in day care death trial
Day 4, morning An Oregon doctor who consulted on a child death investigation in Springfield faced blistering questions this morning in the fourth day of trial for an accused day care worker. Cammie Kelly, 68, of Springfield, is charged with aggravated battery and first degree murder in the 2011 death of 11-month-old Kaiden Gullidge of […]
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Trial of day care worker begins
ILLUSTRATION BY TNS A day care worker accused of killing a child in 2011 is on trial this week in a case that examines a hotly contested theory about certain child deaths. Cammie Kelly of Springfield is charged with aggravated battery and first degree murder for the death of 11-month-old Kaiden Gullidge of Rochester. While […]
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Paying the heat bill
PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Illinois lawmakers approved funding this week to help low-income families pay their heating bills this winter, narrowly averting a potential humanitarian crisis. The program, known as LIHEAP, was caught up in the state’s protracted budget impasse until social service agencies pleaded for help, although many have already turned people away […]
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Medical records in focus on third day of trial for day care death
Day 3, morning To hear the prosecution in Cammie Kelly’s trial tell it, Kaiden Gullidge’s medical history is totally irrelevant to why the 11-month-old died in January 2011. For the defense, Kaiden’s conditions are the only factor worth considering. Kelly was charged with aggravated battery and first degree murder after Gullidge went unconscious and stopped […]
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Clash over bruises in second day of day care worker’s trial
Day 2, morning How long does it take for bruises to appear? That’s the main question in the second day of witness testimony at the trial of a day care worker accused of killing a child. Although that question has been asked repeatedly, the answer is up for debate. Cammie Kelly of Springfield is charged […]
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Trial begins in 2011 child death case
The trial of Cammie Kelly, a home daycare worker in Springfield who is accused of killing 11-month-old child in 2011, began Tuesday. The case questions the validity of “shaken baby syndrome,” a contested theory in child deaths. Kelly is charged with aggravated battery and first degree murder for the 2011 death of 11-month-old Kaiden Gullidge […]
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Sierra Club questions CWLP pollution
Springfield’s municipal utility appears to be violating environmental rules, according to the Sierra Club. The environmental group claims city leadership won’t discuss issues raised nearly four months ago. City Water, Light and Power responded last week to the Sierra Club’s concerns, but the group says it wants better communication with the city. The Sierra Club […]
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Woman pleads guilty to embezzling $2.5 million
PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION A Springfield woman faces prison time after stealing $2.5 million and lying on her tax returns. Susan A. Satterlee of Springfield pleaded guilty on Nov. 5 to wire fraud, embezzlement and income tax evasion that occurred while she worked at a Springfield consulting firm. The prosecution in her case alleges […]
