UIS ranks high in survey of online degrees

UIS' departments of Computer Science and Management Information Systems are among the top online master's degree programs in the nation, according to a new survey completed by GetEducated.com.

A news release issued by PR Web on May 29, 2008, presents the results of the survey.

Download a pdf file of the release

20080529-PRW-BestOnlineDegrees.pdf

UIS' new Japanese garden noted in blog

The campus' Japanese garden, dedicated on May 16, was mentioned in the Hewn and Hammered blog "Japanese Gardens in the US" posted on May 27, 2008. The garden is located on the south side of the Public Affairs Center.

Download a pdf file of the blog

20080527-HH-JapaneseGarden.pdf

Materials from UIS Archives to be part of State Museum project

As part of the ongoing Illinois Oral History Project, researchers from the Illinois State Museum are scouring the state to record and preserve "the back roads" of its agricultural history.

Dozens of audiotapes made and archived at UIS' Brookens Library will be included in the project, which is scheduled to be available online in the near future.

An article in the May 27, 2008, Arlington Heights Daily Herald outlined the project.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080527-DH-OralHistory.pdf

Tribune quotes Redfield in article on payday loans

The multibillion dollar payday loan industry has dramatically increased political contributions across the country in an attempt to minimize the effects of new laws aimed at protecting consumers; politicians in Illinois have received a large share of this money.

Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of Political Studies, was quoted in an article on the subject in the May 27, 2008, Chicago Tribune.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080527-Trib-PaydayLoans.pdf

Article on Jones' use of campaign funds quotes Redfield

Since 1989, Illinois Senate President Emil Jones has taken thousands of dollars in interest-free personal loans from his campaign funds.

An article that appeared in CBS2 on May 23, 2008, quotes UIS Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield, who reviewed Jones' records on behalf of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Redfield noted that using "other people's money" to augment one's personal lifestyle is a conflict of interest.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080523-CBS2-JonesUseofFunds.pdf

Redfield quoted in article on Aurora political contributions

A number of business owners in Aurora have made thousands of dollars in political contributions to the city’s mayor in the names of various corporate entities. Though legal, this practice takes advantage of a loophole in Illinois campaign finance rules.

An article on the subject in the May 25, 2008, Aurora Beacon News quoted Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Studies at UIS.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080525-ABN-MayorsFund.pdf

U of I campuses should be a system of peers

The recent move of e-mail addresses on the Urbana campus from the "uiuc.edu" domain to "illinois.edu" might be seen as sending a mixed message about the status of the other two campuses in the University of Illinois system.

In an article that appeared in the May 20, 2008, Daily Illini, Chelsea Fiddyment argues that it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the Chicago and Springfield campuses are equally important members of the system: "institutions with a caliber of education equal to that of the central campus."

Download a pdf file of the article

20080520-DI-FirstAmongEquals.pdf

State's name-selling practice is "a way to make money"

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the agency that oversees more than 100 professions in the state, sells its database of names to marketing companies, and has done so for at least 30 years.

UIS Professor of Political Science Chris Mooney was quoted in an article that ran in the May 20, 2008, edition of the Rockford Register Star. Said Mooney, "It sounds like it might be a little bit shady, but the argument on the other side is, 'Would you rather be taxed?'"

Download a pdf file of the article

20080520-RRS-StateSellsNames.pdf

Redfield cited in Sun-Times article on Jones' use of campaign funds

A government watchdog group is questioning whether Illinois Senate President Emil Jones is taking advantage of a loophole in the law designed to ban personal use of campaign contributions. Since 1989, Jones has taken more than $120,000 in interest-free personal loans from his campaign funds, repaying less than $100,000.

An article that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times on May 22, 2008, examines the subject and quotes UIS Professor Emeritus Kent Redfield, who reviewed Jones' records on behalf of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. Said Redfield, "It's the kind of open-ended float you would not get if you went to a commercial bank…"

Download a pdf file of the article

20080522-CST-JonesLoans.pdf

Mooney cited in article on Governor's re-election plans

Many across the state are wondering whether Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in the face of possible legal troubles, will follow the precedent set by former Gov. George Ryan and choose not to run for re-election.

An article on the subject appeared in the May 20, 2008, NWI Times. In the article, UIS professor of Political Science Chris Mooney notes that while conventional wisdom says that Blagojevich's political career may be over, "in politics, you never know."

Download a pdf file of the article

20080520-NWI-GovReelection.pdf

Redfield quoted in article on consequences of Obama candidacy for state GOP

Many Republicans in Illinois are worrying that if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination for president, it could hurt the chances of Republicans running for a variety of state offices.

An article published in the May 19, 2008, Chicago Daily Herald quotes Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of Political Studies at UIS, on the possible consequences of an Obama candidacy for the state GOP.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080519-CDH-ObamaTicket.pdf

Article on passage of contributions bill quotes Mooney

In response to increasing public concern on ethics issues, the Illinois Senate prepared to vote on a bill outlawing political contributions from state contractors.

Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, was quoted in a May 15, 2008, article in St. Louis Today on the unusual situation that made passage of the bill likely.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080515-STL-Contributions.pdf

Mooney quoted in article on Senate bill

A bill outlawing political contributions from state contractors seemed certain to pass the Illinois Senate.

An article by Kevin McDermott that appeared in the Bloomington Pantagraph on May 15, 2008, quoted Chris Mooney, UIS professor of Political Science, on the unusual turn of events.

Download a pdf of the article

20080515-Pantagraph-Contributions.pdf

Chancellor Ringeisen profiled in Springfield Scene

Chancellor Richard Ringeisen had a long and successful career before he came "home" to UIS. The May/June 2008 edition of Springfield Scene Magazine features a profile of the Chancellor by Ed Russo.

Download a pdf file of the article

20080515-SSMag-Chancellor.pdf

Wheeler quoted in assessment of Lt. Gov.

As Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces unofficial but increasing talk of impeachment or indictment, people have come to view Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn in a more favorable light.

An article that appeared in the May 11 Bloomington Pantagraph includes an assessment by UIS Director of Public Affairs Reporting Charles Wheeler that Quinn has "shown himself to be a pretty decent state official."

Download a pdf file of the article
20080511-Pantagraph-Quinn.pdf

Redfield quoted in NYT article on Gov. Blagojevich

Once viewed by many as a rising political star, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has seen his hopes badly damaged by the corruption trial of his associate Antoin Rezko.

An article in the May 12 New York Times quotes UIS Professor Kent Redfield: "The governor's behavior up to this point suggests he won't go quietly, but it becomes increasingly more difficult for him to be effective and for people to take him seriously. It just seems like daily we get something new that links the governor’s office to something."

Download a pdf file of the article
20080512-NYT-CorruptionTaints.pdf

Student overcomes many obstacles to earn degree

The serious injuries that Veronica Schulz-Lehr suffered in a motorcycle accident nearly three years ago were just the latest setbacks on her path toward a college diploma, but on May 10 she graduated from UIS with a bachelor's degree in Social Work.

An article in the May 10 State Journal-Register profiles Schulz-Lehr's determination.

Download a pdf of the article
20080510-SJR-ManyDetours.pdf

Redfield quoted in article on Rezko trial

The trial of Illinois political fundraiser Antoin Rezko is making headlines around the country. While Rezko's friend Gov. Rod Blagojevich allegedly participated in the kickback schemes, he has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing.

The article "Closing Arguments Set for Tony Rezko Corruption Trial" that appeared in eNews 2.0 on May 12 cites UIS Professor Kent Redfield on the subject.

Redfield noted in part that developments in the trial have made it "increasingly difficult" for Blagojevich "to be effective and for people to take him seriously."

Download a pdf file of the article
20080512-eNews-Redfieldquoted.pdf

Heupel takes "Issues" into a new era

Illinois Issues, the public affairs magazine published by UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership, is entering a new era with veteran statehouse reporter Dana Heupel as executive editor.

An article in the May 2008 edition of the Springfield Business Journal profiles both Heupel and the magazine.

Download a pdf file of the article.
20080509-SBJ-Heupel.pdf