News from the last 30 days
-
September 02, 2010
Ex-Ill. Gov. Ryan wants part of conviction tossed
Peoria Journal Star
CHICAGO -- Imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan is seeking to have elements of his conviction thrown out based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sharply curtailed an anti-fraud law employed by prosecutors nationwide to convict politicians and executives. The Illinois Republican becomes the latest public figure to challenge convictions based on the disputed provision. He joins former... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
In Ill.: All campaign signs, all the time
Sauk Valley News
STERLING - Many cities have no desire to tell their residents when they can and can't put campaign signs in their yard, which should work just fine with a new state law signed in June by Gov. Pat Quinn that bars municipalities from making such regulations. The full story is available in the eEdition or in the print edition. <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Failed leadership sticks the public with a huge bill
Sauk Valley News
Call it a tax on voter apathy - a $551 million tax. That's the amount of extra money taxpayers must pay to cover the cost of borrowing by the state. The reason? Illinois' deteriorating bond rating, which has dropped several times this year because of a worsening financial crisis that state leaders won't address. State leaders, we might add, that Illinois voters placed into positions of... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
State watchdog gives itself power to intercept E. St. Louis funds
St. Louis Post Dispatch
EAST ST. LOUIS ??? A state oversight authority has approved a measure that allows it to intercept state funds for East St. Louis. The authority warned the city of the possible action last month, saying the city needed to balance its budget. In response, the city laid off about a third of its police force but rehired the officers in return for an agreement to accept 20 percent pay reductions ... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Patients are less likely to sue when doctors apologize for errors
St. Louis Post Dispatch
As many as 98,000 Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors. Thousands more suffer serious injuries. Many of them ultimately will end up in court. In 1994, a London psychologist named Charles Vincent set out to answer a deceptively simple question about those litigious patients: Why do they sue? One reason, obviously, is to replace lost income or recover out-of-poc... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Department of Corrections chief stepping down
State Journal Register
CHICAGO -- The Illinois Corrections chief who has been blamed for a secret early prison release program is stepping down, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn told the Chicago Tribune. Spokeswoman Ashley Cross said Corrections Director Michael Randle is resigning as of Sept. 17 to "pursue a new opportunity." She said a replacement will be named "shortly." The newspaper reported in a story po... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
First in Print: Death penalty opponents make a push for repeal
State Journal Register
Here are some articles you'll only find today in The State Journal-Register print edition. Click here to learn how to get access to them now. >> Opponents of the death penalty plan to make a push during the General Assembly's post-election veto session to repeal it, Jeremy Schroeder, executive director of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, told the State Journal-Register e... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Ex-Gov. Ryan appeals parts of conviction
State Journal Register
CHICAGO -- Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan is seeking to have elements of his conviction thrown out based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. In a federal court filing in Chicago, Ryan attorneys cited the ruling that put limits on so-called honest services provisions. Such laws bar public officials from denying taxpayers honest services. The Republican's serving a six-an... <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Enforce law regarding signs of politicians
State Journal Register
It's so nice to see the landscape on the north side of the state fairgrounds, festooned as it is with political signs. The Department of Transportation is suppose to enforce the law, which prohibits posting this garbage along any state right of way. I'll bet they have a dandy excuse for not enforcing this law. John Kohlrus Sherman <read more> -
September 02, 2010
Quinn, Brady on Illinois' minimum wage
State Journal Register
CHICAGO -- The rhetoric in the race for Illinois governor heated up Wednesday when Gov. Pat Quinn accused his Republican rival, state Sen. Bill Brady, of wanting to slash Illinois' minimum wage. But Quinn overstates Brady's past comments, while Brady has created confusion by trying to finesse his views. Here's a look at what the candidates have said and how those statements line up wit... <read more>