Caitlin Nordahl Stories

Historic Dana-Thomas House decked out for holiday season

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 12, 2017

The Dana-Thomas House, a Springfield home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is hosting a series of holiday events, including holiday walks, concerts and an open house, according to a recent release from the Dana-Thomas House Foundation.

Lincoln rail station back in business after renovations

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 7, 2017

The Amtrak train station in historic downtown Lincoln, build in 1911, is once again taking passengers after a 30 year break thanks to recent renovations, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) said in a release.

Secretary of state demands Atlanta Public Library District return $25,000 grant

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office of General Counsel has declared in a letter its intent to recover $25,000 in grant funds from the Atlanta Public Library District due to a prohibited financial interest on the part of one of the library trustees, according to a citizen oversight group.

Natural gas power plant expected to boost employment in Pawnee

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 4, 2017

EmberClear Corp. and Siemens USA will partner on the development of a natural gas power plant in Pawnee that will create up to 500 construction jobs and 40 permanent positions in the community, according to a press release from the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce (GSCC).

Atlanta, Illinois, library accused of faux lease deal to earn state grant

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 14, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District used a contract it had no intention of fulfilling to qualify for a grant from the Illinois secretary of state, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) allege.

Discounts could draw more area college students to downtown Springfield

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 7, 2017

Downtown Springfield could start seeing more students from the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) thanks to a newly introduced discount program, according to Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez's (R-Leland Grove) website.

Atlanta, Illinois, library accused of fraud in state grant application

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 7, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District fraudulently entered into a contract in order to qualify for a grant from the Illinois Secretary of State, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) allege on their Illinois Leaks website.

Atlanta, Illinois, library gives up on tax after public petition

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 3, 2017

The Atlanta Public Library District recently bowed to public pressure and vacated an ordinance to impose a Library Building and Maintenance Tax rather than put the matter to vote in a referendum, according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).

Butler praises bipartisan work on school funding reform law

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 2, 2017

The state’s new education funding reform law, ironed out through bipartisan compromise, stands in stark contrast to the more one-sided state budget that passed earlier this summer, Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said in a recent press release.

Atlanta, Illinois, library accused of illegally obtaining loans

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 1, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library broke the law by taking out bank loans to pay for construction and remodeling of library facilities, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend.

Jimenez says Illinois finally fixes broken school funding formula

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 1, 2017

Illinois’ new school funding formula will make a great education more accessible to all of the state’s children, according to Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove) in a press release that explains key provisions of the law.

Atlanta, Illinois, library accused of illegal loan acquisitions

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 31, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library Board approved loans at its November 2013 and January 2014 meetings that were not listed on the agendas, thus violating the Open Meetings Act (OMA), according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).

Criminal probe urged over Atlanta, Illinois, library contract

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 22, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District agreement to purchase Union Hall is a deliberate attempt to circumvent the law and requires a criminal investigation, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend.

Law firm sees workers' comp case as precedent-setting, but court disagrees

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 22, 2017

A court ruling a Chicago law firm argues is relevant to statewide workers' compensation cases can be used as precedent in only very specific and limited situations, the firm posted on its website recently.

Jimenez hails wider access to alternative justice options for veterans

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 16, 2017

Veterans in downstate counties will have more access to alternatives to the traditional judicial system under a newly enacted law pushed by Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove), according to a press release.

Jimenez cheers passage of procurement reform measure

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 13, 2017

The state procurement reforms recently enacted under Senate Bill 8 are a great step, but more must be done to save money and help the Illinois economy, Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove), a cosponsor of the bill, said in a press release.

Illinois vs. Indiana union numbers appear to silence right-to-work critics

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 22, 2017

If right-to-work laws are hurting unions, you wouldn't know it by comparing Illinois with Indiana.

Analysis points to real pension problem: loans in lieu of belt-tightening

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 21, 2017

Headlines that scream about shockingly high pension payouts don't paint a clear picture of the real problem lllinois faces: a historic lack of employer contributions, the Better Government Association (BGA) argued recently on its website.

Budget error seen as opening for workers' comp reform

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 20, 2017

A $6 billion oversight in the new Illinois budget might afford Gov. Bruce Rauner the opportunity to get workers' compensation reform enacted after all, Chicago attorney Eugene O'Keefe contends.