Though their counterparts nationwide have made headlines for extreme viewpoints of racism and violence, Springfield Tea Party activists stayed on message Monday at a rally calling for limited government, lower taxes and an end to political corruption. Springfield was one of three stops Monday for the Tea Party Express, a corporately-sponsored caravan traveling the country […]
Patrick Yeagle
Posted inNews
Getting bigger, going green
As St. John’s Hospital is preparing to renovate its downtown campus, the 135-year-old Springfield institution is paying special attention to minimizing the project’s environmental footprint and maximizing local economic benefits. On March 31, hospital officials announced a $162 million proposal to demolish certain old structures on the hospital’s campus and replace them with more modern […]
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Independent watchdog warns: Illinois needs better accountability
You could call him an immovable object. He has outlasted three governors, called countless state agencies to task, and even survived an attempted hostile takeover of his constitutional office. Illinois Auditor General William “Bill” Holland spoke Oct. 23 to the Citizens Club of Springfield at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, addressing questions about his […]
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Capitol coal plant exceeds pollution limits
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 […]
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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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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 […]
