Illinois

Illinois Election Results - Boards of Education

Jason Parrott — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:56:12 +0000

The results of school board/community college races from throughout west-central Illinois during the April 9, 2013 election.

Illinois Election Results - Cities/Villages

Jason Parrott — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:29:01 +0000

The results of city/village races from throughout west-central Illinois during the April 9, 2013 election.

The Honey Dewdrops- October 26, 2013 at The Buchanan Center for the Arts

Tri States Public Radio — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:53:41 +0000

The Honey Dewdrops are the Virginia-based roots duet of Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish. With a blend of new Americana and traditional folk music, they create inspired songs that are rooted in the experience and lives of people. The songs they write shine with energy and emotion through intimate performances with a handful of acoustic instruments and tightly layered harmonies.

Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown- December 7, 2013 in the TSPR Performance Studio

Tri States Public Radio — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:22 +0000

The pairing of jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown is one of those rare combinations where all parts seem to fit. As high school sweethearts at a performing arts school in Cincinnati, Petra and Andy grew up together as artists.

Fracking Laws Needed in Illinois

Bill Knight — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:43:26 +0000

Illinois’ legislature last session failed to pass a law addressing fracking (hydraulic fracturing), and the result may be less that the state dodged a bullet and more that Illinoisans got a blindfold before the order to fire.

New Laws on Distracted Driving

Jason Parrott — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:39:35 +0000

Illinois drivers are coming under more pressure to slow down and stay off their cell phones.

Governor Pat Quinn has signed four laws aimed at making roadways safer.

"We want to have strict laws that deal with those who greatly exceed the speed limit and cause great harm and loss of life," says Quinn, "and we need to, I think, lay down strict guidelines for our judges and for those in the traffic courts across Illinois, so they know what the rules are."

Illinois Prison Staffing Concerns

Jason Parrott — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:27:07 +0000

Illinois prison guards say Governor Pat Quinn's move to close correctional centers will lead to more violence.

They said, during a rally at the State Capitol in Springfield this week, that assaults are already on the rise due to overcrowding.

Twelve prison guards gave graphic and disturbing reports of violence at their institutions.

Jake Dalton is a sergeant at the Pontiac prison. He says his facility is drastically understaffed.

Corn Unlikely to Recover from Drought

James Lenz — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:32:27 +0000

Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says the current drought conditions have been slowly developing since the start of the calendar year.

"Every month, this year, has been below normal on precipitation and above normal on temperatures," says Angel. "You get that combination going and we were drying out in March, which is normally the 'budding' month."

Angel says the situation was not helped by a dry winter, which depleted some soil moisture, and less rain last summer and fall.

He says the drought is also feeding on itself.

Commission Says State Should Fund Regional Offices

Jim Lenz — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:20:51 +0000

The Illinois commission charged with reviewing the operation of the state's regional offices of education says the governor is wrong to try to shift funding to local government.

The Streamlining Illinois' Regional Offices of Education Commission has concluded its study. It wants funding for the offices to come from the state's general revenue fund.

Governor Pat Quinn wants to pay for the offices out of the Corporate Personal Replacement Property Tax which the state collects then passes along to local governmental bodies.

Group Says Pension Fund Doesn't Need Massive Reform

James Lenz — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:27:09 +0000

A public policy group at the University of Illinois says the State University Retirement System (SURS) needs to be stabilized but not reformed.

The Institute for Government and Public Affairs proposal includes contributions from universities to the fund for the first time. The plan calls for universities to phase-in their contributions until they reach 3% in the third year.