A Springfield-based state workers advocacy group has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Illinois Department of Human Rights about the impact of proposed layoffs at state agencies. The Illinois Association of Minorities in Government requested a breakdown by race and gender of employees receiving layoff notices, says IAMG executive director Jonathan Lackland. […]
R. L. Nave
Posted inNews
Slow motion
State transportation officials and Gov. Rod Blagojevich have maintained that the purchase of a Harrisburg building where the governor wants to move IDOT’s traffic-safety division would not be made for at least 50 days after documents were submitted to the 12-member legislative Commission on Government Forecasting in accordance with state law. September 11, marks day […]
Posted inNews
A piece of peace
The attacks of Sep. 11, 2001 may have occurred hundreds of miles away from Springfield, but local citizens have made their share of sacrifices as a result of 9-11’s aftermath — and they’re doing their part to promote peace. This week, the capital city peace-and-justice community began a series of “Cost of Peace: What More […]
Posted inNews
Critical condition
t’s the first day of the fall semester and Cynthia Maskey, associate dean of nursing at Lincoln Land Community College, has already lost one of her teachers. An adjunct nursing instructor gave up the part-time teaching position in Springfield for a full-time job with benefits in another city. Despite the instructor’s departure coming in […]
Posted inNews
Fostering despair
Thousands of neglected and abused wards of the state of Illinois will have to go without specialized mental-health treatment as a result of cuts ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to the Springfield-based Community Behavioral Healthcare Association. Blagojevich removed a total of $71 million in funding from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Fall classics
While there is no shortage of great prep gridiron action or NFL team spirit in Springfield, the capital city’s offering of college football leaves something to be desired. Sure, Urbana-Champaign and Memorial Stadium are a quick jaunt, but after last year’s trip to the Rose Bowl, Illini tickets are at a premium. If you’re ready […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Fall… in love
By now, your summer fling is either nearing an end, you’re thinking about taking the relationship to the next level, or the thought of spending the holiday season alone is depressing the heck out of you. Luckily, Springfield and central Illinois host an array of autumn activities and locales that are perfect for one last […]
Posted inNews
Capitol risk assessment
For the past year, an underground parking garage that connects several state government buildings at the Capitol Complex has been without a stationary security presence. In light of recent fiscal reductions ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, state agencies are scrambling to trim costs without compromising the safety of the public or law enforcement officers. In […]
Posted inNews
Moving violation?
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is a uniter. In fact, his plan to move the Illinois Department of Transportation’s traffic-safety division to Harrisburg brought together an alliance of Republicans and Democrats, as well as labor and business groups. All are united in opposition to the governor’s move. On Monday, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, a Democrat, joined Republican […]
Posted inNews
Wait and see
GateHouse Media Inc., which owns the State Journal-Register and other Illinois newspapers, last week announced a second-quarter income loss of $429.6 million on revenues of $184 million in the same three-month period. The huge loss reflected a $443.1 million “impairment charge” — a reduction of the value of the company’s assets, reflecting the weakened state […]
Posted inNews
Recreation degradation
Because of heavier-than-normal winter snowfalls, widespread flooding this spring, $4 gasoline, and an anemic U.S. economy, fewer people have visited state parks and historic sites this year. On top of that, Gov. Rod Blagojevich in July trimmed $1.4 billion from the state budget, including $14 million earmarked for natural-resources conservation and another $2.8 million for […]
Posted inNews
Division problem
Four hours into last week’s hearing about relocating a state facility from Springfield to Harrisburg, enthusiasm on the part of Illinois transportation-safety employees hadn’t diminished. Packed into the first few rows of seats in the Capitol rotunda, some of them chomping on fistfuls of popcorn, the neon-green-clad workers intermittently whooped, hollered, and booed as they […]
