News | Friday, March 8,2013

Police release Holland DUI records

Auditor general fails tests

Illinois State Police on Friday released reports documenting the Feb. 6 arrest of state auditor general William Holland on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Opinion | Thursday, March 7,2013

Shell games and FOIA

Madigan pretends, the media worship

By Bruce Rushton

Thank goodness for the government.That was the way that Silly Pretend Journalists, aka the Society of Professional Journalists, saw things eight years ago when they bestowed attorney general Lisa Madi

News | Thursday, March 7,2013

Same lawyer, more trouble

Judge demands answers in THR bankruptcy

By Bruce Rushton

A prominent Springfield bankruptcy attorney who was suspended from practice due to false statements made to a federal judge is crossways again with the same judge.This time, attorney John Narmont, who

News | Thursday, March 7,2013

Use it or get paid

Park district pays for vacation time

By Bruce Rushton

The Springfield Park District has frozen spending after discovering more than $165,000 has been paid out since 2010 to employees for unused vacation time.Mark Bartolozzi, director of finance and human

News | Thursday, February 28,2013

You drink, you drive, you cruise

Drunks keep licenses, cops cut enforcement

By Bruce Rushton

If you drive drunk in Sangamon County, you’re less likely to get caught than you were a few years ago. And you’re less likely to lose your license.Since the early 1980s, lawmakers in the L

News | Thursday, February 21,2013

Dogs and fleas and taking baths

Todd Green testifies in THR bankruptcy

By Bruce Rushton

Hundreds of customers, vendors and employees didn’t get paid by THR and Associates. Car dealer Todd Green wasn’t one of them.During recent testimony in the bankruptcy case of the failed Sp

News | Thursday, February 21,2013

Give me liberty, whatever it is

UIS establishes a controversial minor

By Bruce Rushton

In what might be a first in the nation, the University of Illinois Springfield has established an academic program called Liberty Studies.Students won’t be able to major in the subject, but the

News | Friday, February 15,2013

Lincoln appraisal released

Disclosure comes amid questions

By Bruce Rushton

Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball. A guitar once owned by Eric Clapton. A model of the Starship Enterprise. These are among the items that an appraiser used in 2007 to establish the value of

News | Thursday, February 14,2013

Mining firm protests EPA tough stance

Agency earlier promised to play nice

By Bruce Rushton

A coal mining company that has fast become one of the state’s largest is crying foul over the threat of a lawsuit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.Macoupin Energy, a subsidiary

News | Thursday, February 14,2013

Going once, going twice…

THR treasures on auction block

By Bruce Rushton

Pete Rose’s rookie baseball card. A stuffed beaver. A signed photograph of Ronald Reagan asleep on a hammock. Dozens of antique swords. A plastic tub filled with home pregnancy tests.Such is the