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Sunday, December 22, 2024

News from December 2016

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Sangamon County road committee conducts snow plow inspections

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 23, 2016

The Sangamon County Road and Bridge Committee met Oct. 26 to conduct snow plow inspections.

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Advocacy group: Income-related student-success gap in state persists

By Sangamon Sun | Dec 21, 2016

Chicago-based independent education advocate Advance Illinois, which compiles data for its annual “The State We’re In” report, recently released its newest findings on the state’s education statistics, illuminating an achievement gap in need of rebalancing.

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Dems urged to stop suing for pay, start working on budget deal

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 19, 2016

Stating that the “Chicagoland 6” should just do their jobs, a regional publication has issued a definitive stance on the half-dozen legislators who recently sued the former state comptroller over delayed legislator-paycheck issues.

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Madigan Machine includes big-money players Kennedy, Pritzker

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 18, 2016

Emerging as big-money players in the perpetual Mike Madigan Machine are businessman Chris Kennedy, son of the late U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, and attorney, entrepreneur and philanthropist J.B. Pritzker, according to recently released financial data.

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State GOP robocall emphasizes Pritzker ties to Madigan, Blagojevich

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 18, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party launched a robocall linking venture capitalist and possible gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

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State GOP slams Scherer's distant, nameless endorsement of Madigan

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 18, 2016

For state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur), name-calling is literally off the record — to the extent that she recently managed to carefully craft a commitment to cast her vote for House Speaker Mike Madigan without actually stating so overtly.

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Watchdog group: Chatham defrauded, doesn't get money's worth from water plant

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 18, 2016

The Edgar County Watchdogs reported in Illinois Leaks last week that the South Sangamon Water Commission (SSWC) had misrepresented the municipal bonds sold for the water plant.

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Radio hosts: Pointless-hole stunt a metaphor for state government

By Karen Kidd | Dec 18, 2016

Cards Against Humanity's Black Friday fundraising stunt, the Fordham Spire and Illinois politics have something in common, about which two hosts on a conservative radio talk show recently speculated.

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Columnist: Let Illinois voters decide on term limits

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 12, 2016

Following an election year rife with accusations aimed at the “Madigan Machine” and other factions in Springfield, Chicago Sun-Times writer Mark Brown said recently that the time for term limits may have arrived in Illinois.

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Democrats suing over paychecks say it's about principle, not pay

By Carol Ostrow | Dec 12, 2016

In a last-ditch effort to dignify the delay in their paychecks from 2016, six state Representatives recently filed a lawsuit after Leslie Munger was defeated by Susana Mendoza, elected last month as new state Comptroller.

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Munger blasts Dem lawmakers' 'cowardly' paycheck lawsuit as she leaves office

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 11, 2016

Outgoing Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Munger blasted Democratic lawmakers on her final day in office.

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General Assembly adjourns veto session without budget; stopgap expires Dec. 31

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 11, 2016

As the clock ticks down toward the new year, budget talks remain at an impasse in Illinois. The stopgap budget will expire on Dec. 31.

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Newly launched website aims to expose Madigan's sphere of influence

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 11, 2016

The Illinois Republican Party recently launched a new website on the same day House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) again skipped a meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders in Springfield.

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Rauner vetoes CPS pension bailout bill; Senate votes to override

By Ruth de Jauregui | Dec 11, 2016

The struggle over the Illinois budget is far from over.

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Ives slams safe spaces, crying sessions for college students after election

By Hoang Tran | Dec 11, 2016

Iowa State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) has proposed a “Suck it up, Buttercup” bill that seeks to place a scrutinizing eye on safe spaces and cry rooms for college students who cannot cope with reality.

Springfield Committee of the Whole accepts bids

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 11, 2016

The city of Springfield Committee of the Whole met Sept. 27 to accept bids.

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Springfield City Council extends contracts

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 11, 2016

The Springfield City Council met Oct. 4 to extend contracts.

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Chatham Village Board develops transit plan

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 10, 2016

The Chatham Village Board met Oct. 25 to develop a transit plan.

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Lincoln Library trustees discuss holiday closings

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 10, 2016

The Lincoln Library Board of Trustees met Oct. 26 to discuss holiday closings.

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Springfield City Council views presentations

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 10, 2016

The Springfield City Council met Oct. 18 to view presentations.