September, 2016 Stories

3.63 percent of Cantrall residents receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Sep 22, 2016

An analysis of data by the Sangamon Sun found that 3.63 percent of residents in Cantrall were receiving food stamps as of April 30.

Sangamon County Liquor Committee considers requests for temporary licenses

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 22, 2016

At a meeting this week, the Sangamon County Liquor Committee considered requests for temporary licenses.

7.99 percent of Thayer residents receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Sep 22, 2016

An analysis of data by the Sangamon Sun found that 7.99 percent of Thayer residents were receiving food stamps as of April 30.

Some say replace social-welfare system with 'basic income' model

By Dawn Geske | Sep 21, 2016

With the current welfare system falling apart, it may be time to look at the possibility of a basic income for every American, a concept that has been championed by well-known economists and political scientists of the past and present, including Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek and Charles Murray.

Sangamon Jail Committee considers request to hire new control-room operator

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 20, 2016

At a meeting this week, the Sangamon Jail Committee considered a request to hire a new control room operator.

Springfield City Council to consider approving pacts with telecom firm Mobilitie

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 20, 2016

Springfield City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. today to consider approving a telecommunications carrier franchise agreement and master-license agreement with Mobilitie for the Office of Public Utilities.

Lincoln Presidential Library Advisory Board discusses proposed policy changes

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 20, 2016

At a recent meeting, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Advisory Board discussed proposed operations and policy changes.

Sangamon/Menard Regional Transit Ad Hoc Committee votes on facility space

By Wadi Reformado | Sep 20, 2016

At a meeting this week, the Sangamon/Menard Regional Transit Ad Hoc Committee voted on facility space.

Illinois community colleges cost state over $215,000 per on-time graduate

By JoAnn Seltzer | Sep 19, 2016

Millions of dollars in taxpayer money are being spent in Illinois to support students and the community colleges in Illinois, but most of the students never graduate.

State losing young workers in record numbers

By Taryn Phaneuf | Sep 18, 2016

Calling it a sign of economic and political crises, the Illinois Policy Institute said the state is losing residents much faster than its neighbors.

Illinois workers drop out of labor force as manufacturing jobs are lost

By Ruth de Jauregui | Sep 18, 2016

The Illinois unemployment rate declined for the fourth straight month in August, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced last week.

Sangamon Citizens' Efficiency Commission discusses planned advisory referendums

By LocalLabs News Service | Sep 17, 2016

At a recent meeting, the Sangamon County Citizens' Efficiency Commission discussed plans to put advisory referendums on the November ballot.

'Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics' documentary explores House Speaker's influence on Illinois

By Ruth de Jauregui | Sep 17, 2016

The trailer for the upcoming documentary on House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) political career was released by Illinois Policy Action today.

Munger campaign slams Mendoza for pension double-dipping

By Ruth de Jauregui | Sep 17, 2016

State Comptroller Leslie Munger's campaign blasted her opponent, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, this week for simultaneously collecting city and state pension money.

Illinois, Chicago should declare bankruptcy to fix fiscal woes, ex-FDIC chief says

By Karen Kidd | Sep 17, 2016

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago should seek bankruptcy protection to stop the fiscal bleeding and get back untracked, William Isaac, former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., said in a recently published opinion piece.

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As courtroom smoke clears, redistricting battleground shifts to General Assembly

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 17, 2016

Four Democratic State Supreme Court justices dropped a politically charged bomb when they voted to reject the Independent Map Amendment championed by thousands of constituents who signed petitions.

IEMA proposes radioactive materials license changes

By Sangamon Sun | Sep 16, 2016

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) recently proposed a change to the radioactive material licensing requirements.

Illinois' unemployment decreasing, but downstate areas still seeing job losses

By Sangamon Sun | Sep 16, 2016

Recent data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, backed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, revealed that a dozen of the state's major metropolitan zones saw over-the-year decreases in July unemployment.

Indiana officials beckon Chicago commuters

By Sangamon Sun | Sep 16, 2016

Indiana officials are working hard to get Chicago workers to consider that move to the so-called "affordable shore," an effort that's the topic of a news feature published recently in the Chicago Tribune.