Polly Poskin, executive director of the Springfield-based Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, hopes to see schools respond more compassionately toward rape victims. Photo BY PATRICK YEAGLE Julia Dixon only knew her attacker a few hours before her exciting new college experience became a nightmare. It was her second weekend at college, and Dixon, then age […]
Lisa Madigan
Posted inNews
Marching for marriage
Supporters of same-sex marriage fill the intersection of Second Street and Capitol Avenue in front of the Illinois Statehouse, demanding passage of a bill lifting the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE Supporters of same-sex marriage rallied at the Illinois Statehouse this week, demanding that the legislature pass a bill lifting the […]
Posted inOpinion
Illinois’ rocky political landscape
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady resigned last week just as a new statewide poll showed big trouble for his political party’s brand. Brady had been under pressure to resign ever since the disastrous 2012 elections. The pressure increased publicly after Brady announced his support for a gay marriage bill. Multiple attempts to oust Brady […]
Posted inOpinion
Madigan machine moves heaven and earth
There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan when he’s out to get somebody. Just ask state Rep. Skip Saviano, R-Elmwood Park. The two men used to be allies, even friends. Saviano supported Madigan’s daughter when Lisa ran for state attorney general. But then Lisa turned against Saviano’s political mentor, the […]
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Treasure Hunter strikes gold
Six years ago, Jeffrey Parsons of Athens declared bankruptcy. The filing came after he was sued by Attorney General Lisa Madigan for alleged violations of consumer protection and deceptive business practices statutes by a Parsons company that sold fireworks, some deemed illegal by the state fire marshal. In Springfield, he is known for establishing drive-up […]
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Smart grid or smart grab?
The state’s largest electric utility is asking lawmakers for a series of automatic rate increases to upgrade infrastructure, but consumer advocates say it’s an unfair deal. Commonwealth Edison, which delivers electricity to about 70 percent of the state’s population, is pushing legislation that would allow them to skip the ICC’s approval for automatic yearly rate […]
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Guards allegedly beat inmate in Sangamon Juvenile Center
The parents of a juvenile delinquent allegedly beaten by guards in a Sangamon County youth jail are taking their case to court, but official records of the incident remain out of public reach. On July 6, 16-year-old Dalton McDermott of Springfield was allegedly beaten by two guards while an inmate at the Sangamon Juvenile Center, […]
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State shuffling agency offices
State offices in Springfield are about to do the do-si-do as Illinois shuffles office spaces in an attempt to eliminate costly expired leases. The leases are negotiated by the state’s Central Management Services agency, which spent almost $41.3 million for real property rental in Fiscal Year 2010. Many of the new leases replace expired “holdover” […]
