Boys and Girls Club recharging

Club bounces back, with a new financial strategy

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois is back and moving forward, says Douglas King, the organization’s new full-time executive director and the first since Jill Schurtz left the organizat

Leading UIS into the future

New faces and fresh ideas on Springfield’s campus

Asked what is her most important accomplishment at the University of Illinois Springfield, and Susan Koch, about 100 days into her position as chancellor, names Kimberly Pate.“The hiring of our

Schools panel emphasizes efficiency, not just consolidation

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says there’s no single answer for rural schools

In Sangamon County there are 18 different school districts, including two community college districts, and five different regional offices of education located within the county’s borders.That m

State repays bulk of seized charity funds

Sen. Brady seeks protection for income tax check-off funds

Gov. Pat Quinn has repaid – early and with interest – $1.176 million borrowed during the last fiscal year from 11 state-controlled charity funds. But about $434,300 seized from seven such

Dealing with behavior problems of youngest pupils

As of this year, District 186 is formally prepared to deal with students with extreme behavioral problems in even the youngest grades. In past years, the district has housed an alternative education p

A journey in genders

Documentary explores the challenges of area transgender community members

Tall and thin with long blonde hair, trim eyebrows and manicured fingernails, Shayla Thomas feels feminine. Given a passing glance, the Springfield resident, engineer, parent, two-time divorcee and fr

False start to campaign for open primary

Petition would likely be challenged

Expect a bit more tweaking, Bill Clutter says, after twice changing a proposal for amending the Illinois Constitution through voter initiative.A Democratic candidate for the 48th Senate District, Clut

State regresses in poverty goals

For the lowest income group in Illinois, the Great Recession might as well have been another Great Depression. Though 7.3 percent of higher income Illinois workers were unemployed earlier this year, t

IDNR says mine stop order ‘premature’

AG’s office says public hearing required for Hillsboro mine changes

A few weeks ago, after concerned citizens told the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that Hillsboro Energy, LLC, had started building an 80-foot tall coal slurry impoundment without an approved

Zoo master plan moving along

Committee aims for October release

Results are in, and the survey says Henson Robinson Zoo is both a gem and a challenge yet to be met.As part of an effort to revitalize Springfield’s 41-year-old zoo, volunteers representing the