Stories | McLean County Times

Canadian manufacturer taking over Kongskilde plant in Hudson

By Caitlin Nordahl | Dec 7, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently welcomed the creation of up to 500 new jobs over the next 10 years in Hudson, thanks to a deal that will see Canadian manufacturer Brandt taking over a former Kongskilde plant.

Convicted McLean County Board chairman reports to prison for wire fraud

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 30, 2017

Former McLean County Board Chairman Matthew Sorensen recently reported to prison to serve a 12-month sentence for a wire fraud conviction related to the theft of more than $400,000, according to a report from the Edgar County Watchdogs.

Pantagraph respondents cheer word of Lisa Madigan departure, hope father follows

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 19, 2017

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) should follow in his daughter's footsteps and resign, many respondents posted on the Bloomington Pantagraph's Facebook page after Attorney General Lisa Madigan's decision not to seek re-election was reported recently.

Stanford attorney accused of fraud over easement document

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 15, 2017

Village of Stanford Attorney Mark McGrath recently filed a Scrivener’s Error document stating that references to a 2010 easement being temporary were incorrect, which the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) call tantamount to fraud.

Bloomington ticket scandal grew fangs, watchdog group says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 2, 2017

The alleged cover-up of in the case of Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and a city-purchased airline ticket could be worse than the original crime, the founders of the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) said on "Illinois Watchdog Radio" recently.

Oversight groups agree: Bloomington mayor broke law

By Caitlin Nordahl | Sep 2, 2017

It's against the law to use a city credit card for a personal purchase, regardless of whether the city is later reimbursed, two groups keeping an eye on an ongoing Bloomington controversy agreed upon meeting recently.

Watchdog group bemoans library's response to lease deal inquiry

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 26, 2017

The Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District's response to questions from the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) about its lease agreement on a building owned by one of its trustees falls far short of acceptable, the ECW contends.

Watchdogs call for charges in Atlanta, Illinois, library deal

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 24, 2017

Bill Thomas, a trustee on the Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District, should be charged for failing to address a potential conflict of interest regarding the lease of a building he owns to the library, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend.

Attorney general will step in on Atlanta, Illinois, library payment

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 21, 2017

The Attorney General’s Public Access Bureau will evaluate a complaint against the Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library District Board of Trustees alleging that the board voted on a payment that was not adequately described to the public, according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).

Brady cheers move to allow younger teens to be organ donors

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 10, 2017

Rep. Dan Brady (R-Normal) said Illinois has increased organ donation opportunities by turning a bill he cosponsored into law, according to a press release.

Brady, Barickman push Senate to send school funding bill to Rauner

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 26, 2017

Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady and Jason Barickman, both Bloomington Republicans, are calling on Senate Democrats to take the parliamentary hold off on the state public school funding bill and send it to Gov. Bruce Rauner to make the change it needs, according to a press release.

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 14, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

Illinois held down by economic, moral decay, analyst says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 2, 2017

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

Overtaxed Illinoisans also seeing nation's smallest growth in personal income

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

Illinois’ average personal income growth since the Great Recession is tied with Nevada for the worst in the country, according to data from the Pew Charitable Trusts recently published on the Illinois Policy Institute website.

Brady calls GOP proposals 'real solutions' for extra session

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 21, 2017

Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said he and his colleagues plan to end the budget impasse during the special session called by Gov. Bruce Rauner, according to a press release.

Barickman calls General Assembly close to budget deal

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 21, 2017

Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said he believes the General Assembly is close to a compromise in a recent statement supporting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s call for a special session to end the budget impasse.

Illinois State can teach taxpayers where real tuition problem lies, policy group says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 18, 2017

Illinois State University paid former President Timothy Flanagan nearly $700,000 in fiscal year 2014, a good illustration of how high administrative costs lead to high pension costs and increased tuition in Illinois’ higher education system, according the Illinois Policy Institute.