Category Archives: Government Performance
U.S. House Rejects Farm Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has rejected a five year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill that would have cut $2 billion annually from food stamps and let states impose broad new work requirements on those who receive them. Those cuts weren’t deep enough … Continue reading
Sangamon Co. Regional Supt. Jeff Vose Interview
Regional Offices of Education have often been an overlooked area of government. But the elected positions have unwillingly been in the spotlight over the last couple of years when Governor Pat Quinn tried to eliminate them. A compromise with the … Continue reading
Madigan’s Pension Plan To Get Another Try In Senate
Democratic leaders in the Illinois Legislature have decided to try again to pass a pension-reform plan from House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton met Friday in Chicago with Gov. Pat Quinn. The governor wanted the leaders … Continue reading
UIS Professor Talks Same Sex Marriage And The Courts
UIS Associate Professor Jason Pierceson is the author of “Same Sex Marriage in the U.S.:The Road to the Supreme Court.” The book recounts how the issue has evolved as we await opinions on two key cases. Pierceson spoke with WUIS’ … Continue reading
Another Illinois Prosecutor OKs Concealed Carry
A second southern Illinois prosecutor is letting his county’s residents carry concealed weapons even as Gov. Pat Quinn weighs whether to allow it statewide. Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker announced he’ll allow the county’s citizens to carry guns in … Continue reading
Concealed Carry Permits And Gun Range Training
Illinois lawmakers have approved legislation to legalize and regulate the carrying of concealed handguns. Governor Pat Quinn’s office says he’s now “carefully reviewing” the measure. Advocates on both sides of the gun debate say a provision requiring hands-on training is … Continue reading
Springfield Gets $10K From FEMA For New Emergency Alert System
Residents in the Springfield area can now sign up to have alerts about severe weather and other emergencies sent right to their phone. The city received a $10,000 grant to set up the new system. The money comes through the … Continue reading
Houston Gathering Information As City Responds To Lawsuit
Springfield Mayor Mike Houston says he’s gathering more information about events last month that triggered allegations that the city destroyed files sought in a Freedom of Information Act Request. Peter Gray reports. .mp3 – 1:02
Final Resting Place Falling Apart
The Fernwood Mausoleum is more than just the story of a dilapidated building. It’s a sad result for those who thought that they would spend eternity inside the enclosure located in the Greene County town of Roodhouse. But the future … Continue reading
Sangamon County Employers Have Mixed Outlook
The survey of employers find many have positive expectations for their own firms, but have a negative overall outlook for the coming year. Ashley Kirzinger, Director of the UIS Survey Research Office, spoke with us about the findings: Play mp3 … Continue reading
Sheriff Williamson Won’t Seek Another Term
Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson announced today he will not run for re-election. He still has a year and a half left in his term. He is the longest serving sheriff in the county – he’ll have 20 years under … Continue reading
Wrongfully Convicted Man Reflects On Prison & Newfound Freedom
Being sent to prison for a crime you didn’t commit is a nightmare few can imagine. But for an Illinois man, that nightmare was a reality for over a decade. In 1998 a young man from Centralia was stabbed to … Continue reading
Springfield City Council Approves Sales Tax, Sewer Rate Hikes
Springfield aldermen Tuesday night approved two of Mayor Houston’s four proposed options for funding long-term infrastructure projects. Aldermen voted 6-3 to raise the city sales tax from 8 percent to 8.5 percent. The increase will go into effect January 1, … Continue reading
Tax Cheating: Illegal — But Is It Immoral?
Those long faces you may see today on your friends and colleagues may have something to do with the deadline to file tax returns. While many taxpayers hunt down every last deduction they’re entitled to, some cross the line.
Central Illinois Elections Results
There will be new faces on the District 186 School Board. The current Board President lost a bid for another term. Mike Zimmers topped Susan White in Subdistrict 4, winning by nearly 900 votes and almost doubling White’s total. Chuck … Continue reading
City Tapes Stir Questions About 2012 Disciplinary Case
The City of Springfield on Thursday released taped conversations that reveal tensions between aldermen and the city’s attorney during a closed-door meeting last fall. The tapes were released to the public after a resident last month asked the City Council … Continue reading
Aldermen Strike Efficiency Standards From Springfield Bldg. Code
A state law that went into effect in January requires contractors to follow the very latest efficiency guidelines when building new homes or businesses. But some builders have raised concerns that those rules are changing faster than they can keep … Continue reading
Springfield City Council To Vote On Water Study Contract
Springfield’s public utility is seeking approval from the City Council to hire a private firm to test wells and gravel pits that could serve as additional water sources in times of drought. The tests will determine whether City Water Light … Continue reading
Bloomington Airport Sues FAA Over Control Tower Cuts
Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration alleging that its plans to cut funding for air traffic control violate federal law. The airport is one of five in Illinois that are set … Continue reading
EPA Loan Among Springfield Infrastructure Funding Options
Springfield’s mayor says he hasn’t found the votes needed to pass a one percent sales tax increase to fund infrastructure repair and maintenance, so he’s offering members of the City Council some alternatives. Mayor Mike Houston split the sales tax … Continue reading
U.S Reps. Enyart, Davis Seek Mississippi River Study
Two freshman Congressmen from southern Illinois want the Army Corps of Engineers to start thinking of ways it can coordinate river management to keep cargo traffic flowing during droughts or floods. St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann explains.[.mp3 – :32] … Continue reading
Illinois vs. California: Which State Budget Wins?
California’s state budget woes are well known. the state has made some hefty cuts in spending over the years that gained national attention. But those moves have helped the Golden State climb from the bottom of the rankings when it … Continue reading
IDOT Announces $486M In Road Projects
Resurfacing and other improvements at the intersection of Stevenson Drive and South 6th Street in Springfield are among nearly 200 statewide roads projects slated to begin soon. CLICK HERE to view a full list of projects (Adobe .pdf) The $486 million … Continue reading
Mental Health Cuts Put Strain On Services
Despite all the focus put on mental health services in the wake of events like the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, states like Illinois have cut funding in recent years. Illinois ranked 4th in the amount of cuts to mental health assistance … Continue reading
Interview with IASB Dir. Roger Eddy
Headlines have focused on teacher and staff lay offs at schools as well as cuts to classroom offerings. School districts are finding it more difficult to make ends meet and one survey shows nearly two thirds of them are running … Continue reading
AFSCME Members Say “Yes” To New State Contract
State employees who are members of AFSCME have voted overwhelmingly to accept the terms of a new state contract. The union announced the results last evening. Governor Pat Quinn and the union spent 15 months bargaining, until finally coming up … Continue reading
AFSCME Members Ratify State Contract
State employees who are members of AFSCME have voted overwhelmingly to accept the terms of a new state contract. The union announced the results. Governor Pat Quinn and the union spent 15 months bargaining, until finally coming up with a … Continue reading
Postal Cuts Hit Rural Illinois
The U.S. Postal Service is in the midst of a major cost-cutting effort. Along with the well-publicized end of Saturday delivery that may happen this year and consolidating major mail centers, there is another move that is hitting home in … Continue reading
External Investigation To Happen Re: Leaked Test Scores
It’s shaping up to be a busy spring for the District 186 school board. Along with the upcoming search for a new superintendent, investigations are expected into leaked student test score data. It’s unclear who leaked the information – which included the names … Continue reading
DCEO Fights For Its Life As Legislators Debate Privatization
Governor Pat Quinn’s administration is fighting to keep control of its economic development arm, as legislators debate moving to a private model. DCEOpriv1 Illinois’ success at keeping, and attracting, companies remains under scrutiny — especially since Sears and the Chicago … Continue reading
Illinois EMS Operations Face Lack of Money
When someone calls 911, help is expected within minutes. But while patients can’t afford to wait, some emergency operations can’t afford the costs. Chris Slaby reports. It’s quarter to 9 p.m. The call – a 76-year old woman in a … Continue reading
Families In Poverty Struggle Through Government Cutbacks
Poverty in Illinois has gone up during the recent recession… and that has impacted society’s most vulnerable. At a time when many need assistance, government is cutting back. Larry Joseph is Director of Fiscal Policy for the advocacy group Voices … Continue reading
Springfield Sets New Limits For St. Pat’s Day Revelry
The annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Springfield is always a “spirited” occasion. But those planning on drinking alcohol outdoors should expect to pay more for the privilege this year. A $1 wrist band will be required for any … Continue reading
Houston: Quinn’s Proposal Would Pass State’s Problems Down To Cities
Springfield Mayor Mike Houston continues trying to gather aldermen’s support for raising the sales tax to fund a long term infrastructure improvement plan. But the state budget proposed last week by Governor Pat Quinn could pull the rug out from … Continue reading
Houston Wants 1% Sales Tax Increase To Fund Infrastructure Fixes
Mayor Michael Houston says he’d like to raise Springfield’s sales tax to 9 percent to fund a long-term capital improvement plan. Houston said Thursday that the 1 percent hike could generate up to $18 million in annual revenue. Half of … Continue reading
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