February, 2017 Stories | Sangamon Sun

BGA opposes bid to revive legislative scholarships

By Ruth de Jauregui | Feb 27, 2017

The Better Government Association (BGA) recently posted a scathing article regarding proposed legislation introduced by state Rep. Thaddeus Jones' (D-Calumet) to revive a controversial tuition waiver program.

Watchdogs wait as water commission wavers

By Ruth de Jauregui | Feb 27, 2017

Illinois Leaks reported recently that the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) has floated one question to the Village of Chatham but can't seem to gain any footing: Can the contract with the South Sangamon Water Commission (SSWC) be breached for failure to comply with the law when it was created?

Watchdog group demands Chatham clerk's resignation

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 27, 2017

The consumer advocacy group Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) has accused the Chatham village clerk of several violations, including tampering with a mayoral candidate's application papers, and is asking for his immediate resignation, Illinois Leaks reported recently.

House Democrats lament lack of voice under Madigan's leadership

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 27, 2017

Noting that “no one forced them to make that choice,” Illinois GOP spokesman Steven Yaffe recently pointed out that House Democrats need look no further than the nearest mirror for answers to their voting choices.

Springfield school district wins Open Meetings dispute

By Ruth de Jauregui | Feb 27, 2017

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that Springfield School District 186 did not violate the Open Meetings Act (OMA) in discussing a personnel matter in 2013, Illinois Leaks reported recently.

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Public affairs hall welcoming Springfield, Chicago, KC trio

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 27, 2017

Three journalists from Springfield, Chicago and Kansas City will be inducted into the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) on March 6, the school announced recently.

GOP legislators respond to governor's budget priorities

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 27, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner struck a resounding chord with Republican lawmakers during the third budget address of his administration before the General Assembly last week.

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AFSCME members could lose their jobs in a strike, labor attorney warns

By Karen Kidd | Feb 26, 2017

Should members of Illinois' largest public employee union decide to strike, they might work-stop their way out of their jobs, a conservative think tank labor attorney said during a recent interview.

Hughes: Radogno's poor showing in Grand Bargain should cost her leadership post

By Karen Kidd | Feb 26, 2017

The framers of the Grand Bargain budgetary deal that's being slowly hammered out in Springfield, especially the Senate Republican leader, received sharp criticism from the co-founder of a Chicago-based conservative group during a recent talk radio show.

CatholicVote.org warns Rauner about supporting taxpayer-funded abortions

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 26, 2017

Members of the 600,000-strong CatholicVote.org are warning Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner against inking any legislation that would force taxpayers to directly foot the cost for abortions.