Sangamon Sun

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education met Oct. 17 to approve personnel recommendations.

Sangamon County Jail Committee approves requisitions

The Sangamon County Jail Committee Oct. 18 to approve requisitions.

Springfield-Sangamon board addresses jail maintenance concerns

The Springfield-Sangamon County Workplace Safety Board met April 30 to address jail maintenance concerns.

Sangamon council provides update on truancy initiative

The Sangamon County Juvenile Justice Council met May 11 to provide an update on truancy initiative.

Sangamon County Board approves truck purchase

The Sangamon County Board met Oct. 11 to approve the purchase of a utility pick-up truck.

Illinois official: It's legal for Grubhub to fire Trump voters

In the wake of Election Day, GrubHub CEO Matt Maloney wrote and sent out a mass email to his thousands of employees concerning the election of Donald Trump and their party affiliation and support.

Gov. Rauner eager to get back into budget talks

With the 2016 election over, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said he is eager to engage in discussions to resolve one of the state’s biggest problems: a balanced budget.

Former Illinois GOP chief advises Trump to strike unifying tone in first 100 days

One-time Illinois GOP chair Pat Brady said that despite the controversy over the presidential election results, the public must abide by the nation’s democratic process and give Donald Trump a fair chance when he takes office.

Mautino scandal virtually ignored in state media, political realms

Despite the controversy surrounding embattled Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino and whatever misdeeds he may have committed, the scandal apparently is not a big deal if news media buzz and political heat are any indication, a citizen journalist recently said on his blog.

Illegal food stamp trafficking at record levels in Illinois

While July marked an all-year high for the number of individuals on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Illinois, it also marked a time when food stamp trafficking is on the rise.

Study shows Illinois has the highest black unemployment rate in the U.S.

Nationally, the unemployment rate for black Americans stands at 8.1 percent, which is higher than the national average of all Americans; but Illinois has the highest black unemployment rate in the entire country at 15 percent.

Illinois' high property taxes drive down home values

By Karen Kidd | Nov 17, 2016

Illinois' high taxes not only hurt struggling taxpayers who shoulder that burden, but they also drive down home values across the state, a recent report issued by a Chicago-based think tank indicates.

Critics say teacher pension pickups oppress taxpayers

By Sangamon Sun | Nov 16, 2016

One of the biggest wins for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) when it scored a victory through a new four-year contract is that pension pickups were preserved; but what is good for teachers is not always what is good for everyone else as the plan stands to cost taxpayers a fortune.

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Think-tank analysts scold Madigan for not wanting to release tax returns

By Karen Kidd | Nov 14, 2016

The co-founders of a Chicago-based public policy think tank recently challenged an assertion by House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) spokesman that Madigan shouldn't have to release his tax returns as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has done.

State GOP: In election's wake, Dems may want to rethink allegiance to Madigan

Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Nick Klitzing released a memo following last week’s election results detailing the challenges that now lie before House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and the Democratic Party in the Land of Lincoln.

Think tank: AFSCME an '800-pound gorilla' that bullies state, taxpayers

Terming the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) an “800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table,” the Illinois Policy Institute recently examined the relationship between the union and Illinois workers, suggesting that the balance of power tends to tilt toward the union.

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Watchdog: Southern Illinois voters rule personal-injury lawyer lobby out of order

Demonstrating their preference for judges and legislators unafraid of personal-injury attorneys’ clout, Illinois voters made their views on the matter of lawsuit abuse abundantly clear on Election Day, a state watchdog group said.

Rocky road anticipated for Illinois Dems in election's wake