Seeking a transformation

Young transgender Springfield woman pushes for nationwide change

Around age six, Emma Todd of Springfield began to feel like something wasn’t right. Born genetically male, Emma says she wasn’t comfortable growing up with her assigned sex.“I just f

Abused wife freed from prison after 26 years

Gov. Quinn commutes Peggy Jo Jackson’ life sentence for her husband’s murder

When the Springfield-based Illinois Innocence Project hosts its annual fundraising banquet this weekend, they’ll have a fresh victory to celebrate. Peggy Jo Jackson of Shelbyville was released f

Wrongly convicted man wins settlement 26 years later

Randy Steidl won his lawsuit, but he remains unpardoned for murders he didn’t commit

After more than 26 years of fighting, Randy Steidl is ready to put the past behind him.The Paris, Ill., man spent 17 years on Illinois’ death row for a double murder he didn’t commit, but

The cost of fracking

What are the risks of tapping Illinois’ trapped oil and natural gas?

Nearly a mile below the surface of southern Illinois, a vast reserve of oil and natural gas sits locked in thick shale rock. While Illinois has a long history of tapping into its enormous fossil fuel

Group pressing school board candidates on CCPA closure

A group of Springfield parents and educators is hoping to prevent the closure of a popular middle school, despite two unfavorable votes by the Springfield School Board. Their main tactic? Elect a diff

Education to suffer most under next state budget

Governor’s proposal cuts billions from elementary and higher ed

Illinois’ public pension costs will eat up nearly a fifth of state spending in the coming fiscal year, with education largely absorbing the impact. “This is the most difficult budget I hav

Springfield small business owner lobbies in Washington, D.C.

Local retailer says “Marketplace Fairness Act” is anything but fair

If there’s a stereotype of a men’s clothing salesperson, Brandi Tolley of Springfield isn’t it. A work-from-home single mother and a military veteran, Tolley started her online eBay-

Gunning for change

Concealed carry is coming to Illinois

Illinois is about to find out whether allowing regular citizens to carry firearms will cause calamity or prevent it.

Closing the school that closes the gap

What’s the cost of keeping or closing CCPA?

A popular Springfield middle school slated for closure may get a second chance at an upcoming school board meeting, based on public outcry and disputed cost-savings estimates.At the Feb. 18 meeting of

Illinois starts giving prison inmates release credits

IDOC adopts reformed program to lower prison population

Certain Illinois inmates have started to receive early release credits under administrative rules adopted this month by the Illinois Department of Corrections. The move follows a state law passed last