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

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

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

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

Michael Stratton is out as executive director of the Springfield Park District.

Here’s a sampling of what’s on the auction block from the failed empire of Jeffrey Parsons, proprietor of THR and Associates, which is now in bankruptcy. Goods range from taxidermy to pregnancy tests to dog costumes to baseball memorabilia to toys to Parsons’ desk.

Springfield Park District executive director Michael Stratton is under scrutiny for taking more than $2,000 in apparently unauthorized advances on salary, according to multiple sources. Meanwhile, a park district board member says he will resign in the wake of an unpublicized meeting of the board on the matter that was held Monday behind closed doors.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock says he hasn’t decided whether to run for governor next year, but the Republican from Peoria is sounding and behaving like a candidate.Consider a press availability sessio

If Abraham Lincoln were alive, would he need Head and Shoulders?The answer could settle whether a hat on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum actually belonged to Abe.The hat

Illinois auditor general William G. Holland was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of drunken driving.Details of the arrest by Illinois State Police were not immediately available, but records at the San