Illinois

Here are highlights of State Journal-Register stories that had impact in 2023

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Here are highlights of State Journal-Register stories that had impact in 2023

Each day a small but dedicated group of State Journal-Register journalists set out to tell the stories of Springfield, Sangamon County, and central Illinois.

In telling those stories, our goal above all else is to inform but also to engage, enlighten, and entertain our readers.

Over the last year, those stories have included explaining the impact of the post-Roe era on Illinois and how government shutdowns affect day-to-day operations in the state. We’ve alerted you to area restaurants with the most food safety complaints and kept you in the know about candidates seeking public office − from the sources of campaign funds to their backgrounds and stances on important issues. It is work that has an impact − large and small − on this community.

Here are other stories from SJ-R reporters that have exposed wrongdoing and shortcomings but also highlighted community positives.

More: Adams sentenced to 14 months in prison for involvement in U.S. Capitol riot

Sometimes, stories come about as follow-ups in ongoing coverage. Steven Spearie had reported on the Springfield-area people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 breach at the U.S. Capitol. Thomas B. Adams, Jr., a north side resident, was among those convicted for his part in the breach. “I wouldn’t change anything I did,” Adams told Spearie just days after his conviction and release on his own recognizance. Spearie’s exclusive report reached the federal judge in Washington D.C., overseeing Adam’s case. The comments landed Adams back in court and 30 days of confinement. He eventually was sentenced to federal prison on the insurrection-related charges.

Our reports include short takes and deep dives into issues that shed light on government and elsewhere. One such example was a listing of the 10 top-paid officials in Springfield and Sangamon County. The list was simple but brightly illuminated the lack of gender and racial diversity among our top taxpayer-supported jobs.

Reporter Patrick Keck brought attention to how Illinois uses and pays prison laborers. While the Illinois Department of Corrections has made some changes, advocates liken the situation to “slave labor.” Legislators have proposed bills setting minimum standards for the incarcerated on work release or work training programs and are expected to continue the effort.

More: Thousands of jobs, pennies on the dollar: How Illinois uses prison labor

Keck also kept tabs on Navigator CO2 Ventures’ plan to build a 1,350-mile plus, $3.4 billion pipeline through Illinois and four other Midwestern states to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere and store it underground. We published stories explaining the path of the pipeline that touched Sangamon, Christian, and other nearby counties, why Sangamon County objected to the plan, the safety concerns of mostly rural residents, and the failure of at least one similar pipeline. The coverage elevated the voices of rural communities that often go unheard. The company scrapped the plan in October after having difficulties selling it primarily over those safety concerns.

In 2023, we supported projects such as Friend-In-Deed which provides food to people during the holiday season. And as we’ve done for the last 60 years, we recognized a deserving community volunteer with the First Citizen Award. Patricia Benanti, “the face of St. Martin de Porres Center,” received the esteemed honor.

We remain committed in 2024 to telling the stories, asking hard questions of those in power, and being a voice for the voiceless, all for the betterment of our community − every single day.

As always, thank you for reading the SJ-R and for supporting local news.

Leisa Richardson is executive editor of The State Journal-Register and Lincoln Courier.

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Illinois

Teacher strike threats highlight fact that Illinois allows such walkouts

Published

5 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Teacher strike threats highlight fact that Illinois allows such walkouts

Illinois is among the minority of states allowing teachers to strike. None of Illinois’ neighbors allow it.

Illinois teachers unions officially threatened strikes 188 times from 2010 to 2025, according to state records.

That’s the number of times unions provided the Illinois Educational Labor Relations a required 10-day notice to before going on strike. So that doesn’t include the number of times the unions threatened walkouts without filing that notice.

While no teachers unions went on strike in 2025, eight filed strike notices, according to the board. Unions have walked out 58 times since 2010.

That’s a reminder that Illinois is in the minority in allowing teachers unions to walk off the job. The state is one of only about a dozen that allow teachers to strike. None of Illinois’ neighboring states permit teacher walkouts.

And among the 10 largest school districts in the U.S., Chicago is one of just two that allow strikes.

The Chicago Teachers Union, the state’s largest local teachers union, has a history of putting its agenda ahead of students. It has walked out on students five times over the past 14 years:

In 2012, a strike during contract negotiations kept kids out of classes for seven days.
On April 1, 2016, the union conducted an illegal one-day strike in response to alleged “union-busting” efforts of former Gov. Bruce Rauner, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former CPS CEO Forrest Claypool.
In 2019, a strike during contract negotiations closed schools for 11 days.
In January 2021, classes were canceled when CTU refused to return to school for in-person learning following COVID-19 closures.
In January 2022, CTU walked out on schoolchildren for five days. Parents were notified of the strike after 11 p.m. on a school night, leaving them just hours to plan after the union decided not to show up for Chicago’s children.

Last year CTU came close striking once again after rejecting recommendations from a third-party fact finder in its negotiations with Chicago Public Schools. That rejection caused CTU and CPS to enter a legally required 30-day “cooling off” period before the CTU was allowed to vote to strike.

Claypool has called for Illinois to ban teacher strikes, noting in a LinkedIn post the detriment walkouts bring to parents and children.

Teacher strike threats create uncertainty for parents and children. Illinois should place kids first and join the majority of states that ban teacher strikes.

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Illinois

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

Published

17 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

The Second Round of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Monday with a slate featuring No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 7 Illinois on the eight-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Monday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX : Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois prediction

Heather Burns: Vanderbilt
Mitchell Northam: Vanderbilt
Nancy Armour: Vanderbilt
Cydney Henderson: Vanderbilt
Meghan Hall: Vanderbilt

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois odds

Opening Moneyline: Vanderbilt (-1000)
Opening Spread: Vanderbilt (-13.5)
Opening Total: 153.5

How to Watch Vanderbilt vs Illinois on Monday

No. 2 Vanderbilt takes on No. 7 Illinois at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on March 23 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

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Illinois

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents of a “new surge” in scam texts claiming to be from the DMV and demanding money.

According to a press release from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, residents are receiving text messages falsely claiming to either be from his office or a DMV, threatening suspension of license and vehicle registration if “fines” are not paid.

The messages often include links that can be used to steal residents’ information, and Giannoulias’ office is reminding residents to use vigilance and caution when receiving such messages.

“These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.”

According to his office, the messages often reference fake regulations or deadlines, and cite an upcoming enforcement date to add an air of urgency to the texts.

“These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.

If a motorist receives a text, they are urged:

-NEVER to click a link

-Do not reply

-Do not provide personal information

-Forward the message to the SOS’ scam alert email.

The only legitimate text messages the Secretary of State’s Office sends are to remind motorists of upcoming appointments at DMV facilities.

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