February primary ballots to be lengthy

The question almost becomes, “Who’s not running for governor or U.S. Senate?”

The close of the filing period for the Feb. 2 primary on Monday left seven Republicans, four Democrats and two Green Party candidates running for governor and eight Republicans, seven Democrats and one Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate.

Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, said Democrats have the problem of having inherited “an incredible mess” from ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Redfield's comments were featured in an November 3, 2009 State Journal-Register article.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091103-SJR-February-primary-ballots.pdf

Illinois' borrowing bonanza

Facing both an election and the politically unpalatable prospects of raising taxes or cutting social programs, Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers increasingly have turned to borrowing as a quick fix and are on track to rack up more than $6.5 billion in loans to keep the state afloat.

As University of Illinois at Springfield state budget expert Charles Wheeler asks: "How are they going to pay that money back?"

Wheeler's comments were featured in an November 2, 2009 article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091102-TRIB-chi-state-of-denial.pdf

Taking a Second Look

A 20 year old murder case could soon be re-opened. 18-year-old Melissa Koontz’s body was found near her hometown of Waverly in the summer of 1989.

Five people were sent to prison; two are still serving life sentences, Gary Edgington and Tom McMillen. Edgington confessed, but McMillen has maintained his innocence. It’s a plea that was finally heard by the UIS Downstate Innocence Project. They’re asking to take a second look at the case in hopes of proving McMillen is innocent.

“He was convicted based on a mentally retarded individual who claimed to be an eyewitness to the murder. None of what [that individual] said matched the crime scene,” says Bill Clutter with the Innocence Project.

The story was featured by WCIA-TV reporter Marissa Torres in an October 29, 2009.

Read the story and watch it online:
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=114422

Innocence Project to sponsor DNA workshop

A workshop on post-conviction DNA testing is being held at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Brookens Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Registration is still open to the public.

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project housed at UIS is sponsoring the workshop on introducing Touch DNA to Illinois courtrooms. The program features the defense team of Timothy Masters, convicted in 1999 of murder in 1987 in Fort Collins, Colo.

The article was featured in an October 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-Innocence-Project.pdf

Kathryn Rem: Better cooking through chemistry

“Let the magic begin,” announced Harshavardhan Bapat to a crowd of students as he stirred liquid nitrogen into a bowl of sugar and heavy cream.

With a temperature of -320 degrees F, the nitrogen turned into a white gas when poured, looking a bit like puffy Cumulus clouds.

Last week was National Chemistry Week. At the University of Illinois Springfield, the annual event was celebrated by the school’s Chemistry Club with a public demonstration of instant ice cream-making.

The story was featured in an October 28, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-UIS-National-Chemistry-Week.pdf

Sixty people naturalized at Springfield ceremony

Sixty people became new U.S. citizens during a ceremony at the Old State Captiol on Friday, October 23. The new citizens come from 29 different countries and more than half are from Asia.

Tih-Fen Ting says her heart swelled with pride as she took the oath to become an American citizen. Like many of her fellow immigrants Tih-Fen is educated. She holds a Ph.D. and teaches Environmental Science at UIS.

Ting was interviewed by reporter Gordon Graham of WAND-TV 17 in an October 23, 2009 report.

Watch the report online

Sports complex plan to get national boost

Plans for a new Springfield athletic complex received a boost recently when a letter of intent was signed between organizers of the facility and an as-yet-unidentified national sports group.

The baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields and 3,000-seat baseball stadium are proposed for 123 acres owned by Calvary Temple near Interstate 72 and Second Street. Both the Springfield Sliders and University of Illinois Springfield baseball teams have expressed preliminary interest in playing at the complex.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-STAR-sports-complex-announ.pdf

Robert Williams named new police chief

Robert Williams, a Springfield native has been nominated to succeed Ralph Caldwell as chief of the Springfield Police Department. Williams has been serving in the role of assistant chief under Caldwell.

Williams earned a bachelor's degree in social justice from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Williams was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Robert-Williams-named.pdf

UIS soccer team breaks 14-game winless streak

The University of Illinois Springfield slopped its way to its first win since the season opener, beating Millikin 1-0 in a non-conference men’s soccer game Thursday night at Kiwanis Field.

It was also the first lead the Prairie Stars have taken since going ahead 1-0 against Maryville on Sept. 17, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.

UIS upped its record to 2-13-1 while the Big Blue fell to 5-11-1. The Prairie Stars broke a 14-game winless streak dating to a 5-1 victory over Blackburn on Aug. 28.

The win was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Prairie-Stars-break-14-ga.pdf

GOP Candidates for Illinois Governor Meet in Forum

While the five Republican candidates tackled questions about education, abortion and government reform, two of the biggest names looming in the GOP primary race were missing from the event: former Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.

Ryan's entry into the race could help overcome a potential weakness in the Republican field, said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

''There are no statewide-elected or former statewide-elected officials in the field,'' he said.

Mooney's comments were featured in an Associated Press article which appeared on the New York Times and Washington Post websites.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091021-NYT-GOP-Candidates-for-Illinois.pdf

Upstate split benefits Brady in gubernatorial race

These are the best of times for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady of Bloomington.

"For Brady, this is all a benefit because he'd like to see the others fight it out," said Chris Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

"The fact that there are seven candidates now means that no one has been able to clear the field," said Kent Redfield, another University of Illinois at Springfield political scientist. "But in the cold light of day they're going to look at what it costs to do media buys and someone is going to drop out."

Mooney and Redfield were featured in an October 18, 2009 article in the Champaign News-Gazette.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091018-NG-upstate_split_benefits_Brady.pdf

MAP grant threat brings college students to Springfield

The threat of losing a key piece of financial aid next semester spurred thousands of Illinois college students to rally Thursday in Springfield and pressure lawmakers to replenish funding for the Monetary Award Program.

Jaime Casinova, a University of Illinois Springfield junior, said he depends entirely on financial aid -- including MAP grants -- to attend college.

MAP grant recipient Charles Olivier, a junior at UIS, said education should be one of the state's top funding priorities, he said.

The students comments were featured in an October 16, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091016-SJR-MAP-grant-threat.pdf

GOP governor candidates appear at forum

Five GOP candidates for Illinois governor fielded questions about subjects ranging from college tuition costs to budget reduction to 2nd Amendment rights during a forum at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday.

The candidates included Sen. Bill Brady, Sen. Kirk Dillard, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Political Commentator Dan Proft and Businessman Adam Andrzejewski. The forum was hosted by the College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Federation.

Highlights from the debate were featured in an October 15, 2009 State Journal-Register article.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-GOP-gubernatorial-candidate.pdf

Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off

The University of Illinois Springfield College Republican's hosted five GOP candidates for governor in an October 14, 2009 forum at Brookens Auditorium.

Candidates answered questions on a variety of issues and talked about why they are running.

WICS-TV 20's Kelly Larson reported on the forum during the 10:00 news on October 14th.

Watch the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_718.shtml

'Darwin the Dinosaur' features family events

Sangamon Auditorium hosts a performance of “Darwin the Dinosaur” on Friday — and kids and grownups can get involved with related activities this weekend.

“Darwin the Dinosaur” begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Sangamon Auditorium, on the University of Illinois Springfield campus. Tickets: $19 adults, $11 children, available by calling 206-6160 or online at http://www.sangamonauditorium.org/. Family activities begin at 6 p.m. Friday in the auditorium lobby.

The show was featured in an October 15, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-Darwin-the-Dinosa.pdf

Quinn fights for college grants he helped cut

To hear Gov. Pat Quinn tell it, the General Assembly failed tens of thousands of would-be college students by slashing funding for a financial aid program.

For more than a month, Quinn has crisscrossed Illinois, promising to push lawmakers to find $200 million for the Monetary Award Program and chastising them for leaving 137,000 students wondering if they'll be able to pay tuition next spring -- even though he helped create the problem.

"It's not fair at all," said Kent Redfield, an emeritus political science professor at the University Illinois-Springfield. "It's the governor's budget, he signed off on it. There was clearly enough discretionary spending in what the governor signed off on to cover this."

Redfield's comments were featured in an October 14, 2009 Associated Press article, which was published in the Chicago Tribune and State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091014-Trib-chi-ap-il-quinn-higheredmon%2C.pdf

Larry Golden: Secrecy gets city into trouble time and again

Larry Golden, emeritus professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Illinois Springfield was featured in an October 14, 2009 State Journal-Register opinion column.

"The recent State Journal-Register editorial on the Springfield Civil Service Commission’s consideration of the suspension of City Water, Light and Power workers in the noose incident was merely an introduction to an event with secretive and anti-democratic actions that bring shame to the entire city and its citizens," wrote Golden.

Download the entire opinion article as a PDF.
20091014-SJR-Larry-Golden-Secrecy-ge.pdf

Illinois Issues magazine starts program with libraries

Illinois Issues, the not-for-profit public affairs magazine published at the University of Illinois Springfield, has started a new program in cooperation with state legislators to provide the magazine and other publications to public libraries.

“Issues for Citizens,” designed to promote public policy information and education through the public library system, began last month with 31 legislators providing Illinois Issues to 59 libraries across the state.

The program was featured in an October 12, 2009 story in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Illinois-Issues-magazi.pdf

Sangamon Co. Sheriff lobbies for budget increase

The Sangamon County Sheriff is calling for a sales tax hike to fill a growing budget gap.

WAND-TV 17 reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Public Administration Associate Professor Beverly Bunch about the growing trend across the country.

"At some point it comes down to what services we can afford," said Bunch.

The report aired on October 8, 2009.
Watch the full report online

Republican Forum at UIS

Several remaining candidates for governor are slated to participate in a forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Brookens Auditorium at the University of Illinois Springfield.

The College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Foundation are hosting the event, which is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Among candidates planning to attend are state Sens. KIRK DILLARD and BILL BRADY, DuPage County Board Chairman BOB SCHILLERSTROM, businessman ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI and political activist DAN PROFT.

The forum was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column on October 8, 2009 in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-SJR-Bernard-Schoenburg-Ald.pdf

Illinois not alone in disputes over high-speed rail

Illinois isn't the only state where some local officials are balking at the prospect of having high-speed passenger rail service running through their communities.

For sure, not everyone in Springfield is against the high-speed rail line.

In a letter to federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, University of Illinois-Springfield Chancellor Richard Ringeisen expressed support for the concept.

Ringeisen's comments were featured in an October 7, 2009 edition of the Bloomington Pantagraph.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091007-Pantagraph-Illinois-not-alone.pdf

UIS students face hate crime charges

Three University of Illinois Springfield students were arrested early Saturday in connection with an incident that authorities are calling a hate crime.

The three men allegedly were at an off-campus party when they began calling two other men derogatory names aimed at homosexuals.

The story was published in an October 6, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091006-SJR-Three-face-charges-in-f.pdf

Chicago supporters crushed, confused by early elimination

An audible gasp swept through the Daley Plaza when the large-screen video boards showed Chicago's elimination in the first round of voting for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Kent Redfield, political science professor at University of Illinois Springfield, said "Obama is personally very popular internationally, but the U.S. as a country is still suffering the fallout of eight years of the cowboy foreign policy under Bush. Any acting out of negative feelings" by the IOC "is more a repudiation of the U.S.'s image and standing in the world, which Obama is trying to repair."

Redfield's comments were featured in a October 3, 2009 edition of USA Today.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091003-USAToday-Chicago-supporters.pdf

Lanphier HS looks for solutions to in-school violence

Police have arrested 44 students at Springfield's Lanphier High School for fighting so far this year.

WAND-TV reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Associate Professor in Teacher Education Allan Cook about what can be done to stop the problem.

"What we need to look at is violence prevention a lot of schools I think now are going towards anger managment counseling," said Cook.

The interview aired on October 1, 2009.
Watch the report online

An Uncommon Employment Opening

A Springfield business is looking for a Chinese interpreter to help improve their operation. They buy a majority of shirts, hats and other items overseas.

UIS Associate Professor Dr. Baker Siddiquee is interviewed about the global economy and why this is becoming a more common trend. WICS-TV 20 Springfield reporter Andrew Hansen filed the report, which aired September 30, 2009.

Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_631.shtml

Good police work, public awareness keys to anti-terrorism effort, experts say

Alert police work led to the arrest of an alleged would-be federal building bomber in Springfield Thursday.

Bruce Liebe, a retired Illinois State Police officer who teaches a class on terrorism as a law-enforcement challenge at the University of Illinois Springfield, agreed that Finton’s arrest shouldn’t prevent anyone fom going about their normal routine.

“But I think it definitely heightens the message that’s been put out by the FBI and other law enforcement that people need to remain diligent and observe … people or persons or things that may be out of place and report those to the appropriate authorities,” Liebe said.

Liebe's comments were featured in a September 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Good-police-work.pdf

Prairie Stars roll past Blackburn in opener

Before Friday’s season opener, University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer coach Joe Eck said his team needed to set the tempo for the season in the Prairie Stars’ first year in NCAA Division II.

The Prairie Stars scheduled the right opponent to get off on the right foot as they beat Blackburn College 5-1 at Kiwanis Stadium.

The win was featured in an August 28, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090828-SJR-UISBlackburn.pdf

UIS soccer team will face former rivals in GLVC

This men’s soccer season will be a reunion of sorts for the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars. After 31 years in the NAIA the Prairie Stars will reunite with old rivals Rockhurst, Wisconsin-Parkside, Lewis and Quincy in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Prairie Stars were ranked 13th out of the 15 GLVC teams in the preseason coaches’ poll.

“I don’t think we should be 13th, but if I were in the other coaches’ shoes, I’m not sure I’d vote any differently, either,” said UIS coach Joe Eck, who has guided the Prairie Stars since 2002.

The team was featured in an August 28, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090828-SJR-UISsoccer.pdf

UIS women's volleyball and soccer ready for GLVC

University of Illinois Springfield's volleyball coach Angie Riggle and women's soccer coach Pete Kowall talk about their teams getting ready for their first year in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The teams were featured in an August 26, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
UIS%20women%20volleyball%20and%20soccer%20preview.pdf

US News and World Report ranks UIS fourth best in Midwest for second year

The University of Illinois Springfield has maintained its rankings from last year in U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 edition of America’s Best Colleges.

UIS is ranked as the best public university — master’s category — in Illinois and the fourth-best public university in that category in the entire Midwest. UIS held the same rankings in the 2009 edition.

The rankings were featured in an August 21, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090821-SJR-USNewsrankings.pdf

First case of H1N1 confirmed at UIS

The first case of HIN1 flu has been confirmed at the UIS, and health service officials are taking precautions.

The news was reported in an August 19, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090818-SJR-H1N1.pdf

UIS confirms H1N1 case

UIS has had its first confirmed case of the H1N1 virus on campus. The news was featured during a segment of the August 18, 2009, airing of WICS News Channel 20.

To view the story, go here.

UIS hosts event at Emiquon Preserve for meteor shower

Many members of the Springfield and surrounding areas gathered at Thompson Lake at the Emiquon Preserve on Tuesday night, August 11, to view the Perseid Meteor Shower. The Sangamon Astronomical Society had telescopes set up for viewing and UIS physics and astronomy professor John Martin was on hand to explain the meteor shower.

The event was featured in an August 15, 2009, article of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090815-SJR-meteorshower.pdf

Quinn gets questioned about using private phone for work

Gov. Pat Quinn uses his own BlackBerry for government business, saying it saves taxpayers the cost of providing an official cell phone, but the practice also allows the governor to avoid public records laws.

Keeping tabs on politicians through public records, including the telephone numbers called on a state phone, helps to maintain public confidence, said Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's comments on the topic were featured in the August 10, 2009, Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article
20090810-ChicagoTrib-QuinnBlackberry.pdf

Quinn faces dilemma over campaign finance bill

Gov. Pat Quinn is now considering reforming his campaign finance bill, although rewriting it would send the bill back to lawmakers, where it would face an uncertain future amid competing political agendas.

He'll be criticized regardless of what he does, according to Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

The topic was featured in an August 2, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article
20090802-ChiTrib-campaignfinancebill.pdf

Editorial says professor's arguments are correct regarding ethics in state

The State Journal-Register ran an editorial on July 31, 2009, calling for modifications to the state ethics bill.

The editorial mentions Charlie Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at UIS, who argued recently in Illinois Issues magazine that the legislature did its job extinguishing the ethical fires disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich left within the executive branch. The article says that Wheeler's opinions are correct.

Download a PDF of the article
20090731-SJR-ethicsbill.pdf

UIS professor explains changes in governors' offices

The state is already looking ahead to the next gubernatorial race, and UIS political science professor Chris Mooney was recently interviewed by Chicago Public Radio about the change in the governors' offices.

Listen to the interview here or download a PDF of the story's synopsis
20090730-ChiPublicRadio-governor.pdf

UIS mentioned in national article about online learning and technology

The world is getting smaller and smaller with the emergence of new technology every day, and the Web provides countless opportunities for online learning.

Technology and online learning was the topic of an article in the August 2009 Chief Learning Officer magazine, which mentioned UIS' online learning and degree programs.

Download a PDF of the article
200908-ChiefLearningOffice-onlinelearning.pdf

Capital spending plan criticized for giving money to private entities

When Gov. Pat Quinn signed a $31 billion capital spending measure this month, he and lawmakers who approved the bill touted the many state benefits the plan would create, not to mention jobs.

But a system in which party caucuses divvy up millions of dollars for private entities such as theaters, veterans groups, museums and zoos is not a good system, according to others, including Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's comments on the topic were featured in a July 26, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090726-SJR-capitalspending.pdf

Global Campus renamed "e-Learning Initiative"

The Global Campus Initiative, an e-learning effort that will expand educational access to other student populations, has been renamed "e-Learning Initiative." It was discussed during a meeting of the UI Chancellors and Provostial Committee.

UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen said the primary goal was a “grass roots faculty movement” to provide the support and innovation e-LI needs. The budget requested for e-LI was $3.8 million over 3 to 5 years, helping to compensate for an anticipated 4,000 new students, Ringeisen said.

Ringeisen's comments were featured in a July 23, 2009, article in the Daily Illini about the new initiative.

Download a PDF of the article
20090723-DI-elearninginitiative.pdf

Lawmakers also played big part in U of I admissions scandal

The uproar over the admissions policy at the University of Illinois has focused mainly on campus officials, but state lawmakers pulled the majority of strings that set off the crisis over money and political influence.

A call from a legislator carries clout, according to Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's comments were featured in a July 20, 2009, Associated Press article about the U of I admissions process.

Download a PDF of the article
20090720-AP-UIadmissions.pdf

Surprise item for UIS shows up on capitol projects plan

From the $31 billion in capital projects approved this week by Gov. Pat Quinn, UIS is supposed to receive $209,126 to “plan and begin construction of a supercomputing applications
facility.”

But the news comes as a surprise to UIS, which is not aware of any construction like that.

The surprise item was featured in a July 15, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090715-SJR-computerfacility.pdf

Quinn calls off tax hike vote for now

In calling off any tax hike vote for at least five months, Gov. Pat Quinn could be minimizing
the potential political fallout for himself and lawmakers who side with him.

But it also may be that it's a "reflection of the natural human propensity to put off hard decisions until the last minute," said Christopher Mooney, professor of political science at UIS.

Mooney's remarks were featured in a July 14, 2009, article in the Chicago Daily Herald about the budget.

Download a PDF of the article
20090714-DailyHerald-Budgetdelay.pdf

Governor job and Senate position are up for grabs

With Roland Burris' announcement to not seek a full Senate term and Lisa Madigan wanting to stay put in the Attorney General position, the Senate and Governor's jobs are the
top two up for grabs.

But UIS political science professor Chris Mooney says the two are very different jobs, and he thinks the Senate seat is more "winnable" because current Governor Pat Quinn is a stronger candidate than Roland Burris.

The topic was featured in a news story for WJBD Radio.

Download a PDF of the story
20090709-WJBDRadio-Madigan.pdf

Burris won't seek full Senate term

Senator Roland Burris, whose was appointed by Rod Blagojevich to fill Barack Obama's vacant seat, announced he would not seek a full term in 2010.

A former Illinois attorney general and the first black elected to statewide office, Burris would have been the weakest candidate in next year's Senate race in the state, said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's quotes were in a July 10, 2009, article on Reuters.

Download a PDF of the article
20090710-Reuters-BurrisSenate.pdf

Springfield Enterprise Index predicts slow economy

The Greater Springfield Enterprise Index, a University of Illinois at Springfield index, indicates “below normal” local economic activity for April and projects lagging growth for the rest of 2009.

Compared to previous indexes, this is the first time a major slowing of the economy has been seen, according to Patty Byrnes, professor of economics at UIS.

The index was the feature of a July 9, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090709-SJR-SEIeconomy.pdf

Lisa Madigan wants to stay in current position

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that she wants to stay in her current position instead of pursuing a Senate seat or the seat of the governor.

Lawmakers who have long expected Madigan to successfully challenge current Governor Pat Quinn in a primary had little reason to listen to him previously when dealing with the budget, but being stuck with Quinn might change some things, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's remarks were featured in a July 8, 2009, story in the Daily Herald.

Download a PDF of the article

20090708-DailyHerald-LisaMadigan.pdf

Different governor but same stand-off at Capitol

Pat Quinn took over as governor amid high hopes for a new, more cooperative attitude at the state Capitol. But old attidues have emerged as leaders tried to decide how to dig the state out of an $11.6 billion budget hole.

During Blagojevich’s last few years in office, lawmakers got used to working around him because his relations with them had grown so frosty. Now, some see that attitude carrying over to the new governor because Quinn doesn’t have the political muscle to change it, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's remarks were featured in a July 6, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register Mail.

Download a PDF of the article
20090706-GalesburgRM-budgetgridlock.pdf

UIS joins COPLAC

UIS has been invited to join the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and is now the only COPLAC college in Illinois.

COPLAC consists of liberal arts colleges that tend to have smaller student populations, class sizes and faculty-to-student ratios.

The announcement was featured in the June 24, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the story
20090624-COPLAC.pdf

Wheeler uncertain about income tax increase passing before July

Charlie Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at UIS, has been watching goings-on at the Statehouse for nearly four decades, and he’s not hopeful that an income tax increase will pass before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Wheeler was featured in a June 18, 2009, column in the State Journal-Register about the state's budget and funding.

Download a PDF
20090618-SJR-columnstatefunding.pdf

SJR requests more information from UIS

UIS has denied the State Journal-Register's Freedom of Information Act request about an investigation involving the resignation of three UIS athletics coaches in March. Reasons that the university is not able to disclose certain information includes the fact that the information is barred from release by state or federal law or contains employee personnel files.

The SJ-R wrote an opinion piece in the June 16, 2009, issue that claims that UIS should turn over all information requested.

Download a PDF of the editorial
20090616-SJR-FIOAeditorial.pdf

Tapes don't prove innocence for Roland Burris

After being appointed as Senator by Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris took office, but on May 26, a transcript of a November discussion between Burris and Robert Blagojevich was released by a federal court.

The discussion was about raising funds for the governor, and while Burris stated that the tape showed his innocence, others had the opposite perception, like UIS political scientist Kent Redfield.

Remarks by Redfield on the topic are featured in a June 5, 2009, story on http://www.findingdulcinea.com/.

Download a PDF
20090605-Dulcinea-Burristapes.pdf

Capital construction program will give UIS funds for Public Safety Building

The governor and legislature are in disagreement over state's budget, and a $29 billion statewide capital construction program is a large cause of that.

The program consists of an initial multi-billion-dollar road-construction plan and measures to create revenue to pay for it. A follow-up measure has about $1.5 billion for additional infrastructure and transit spending.

As part of the plan, UIS will get $4 million for the construction of the Public Safety Building on campus.

The budget was the topic of a June 2, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register Mail.

Download a PDF of the article
20090602-GalesburgRM-capitalprogram.pdf

Illinois attempts to reform campaigns with contribution limits

Campaign contribution limits for Illinois politicians are part of a push to redeem Illinois from the international spectacle of political scandal and corruption.

But some say the ethics push has little substance and is "an illusion of campaign finance reform," according to Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's comments about the subject were featured in a June 3, 2009, article by the Associated Press.

Download a PDF of the article
20090603-AP-financereform.pdf

U of I launches Global Campus 2.0

U of I will be scrapping the old Global Campus in order to leave authority for online learning to its three campuses, now called Global Campus 2.0.

UIS is very optimistic about this move as it continues to be a leader in online learning around the country, according to Ray Schroeder, director of the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning at UIS.

The plans were written about in a May 21, 2009, story in the Chronicles of Higher Education.

Download a PDF of the article
20090521-ChronHigherEd-GlobalCampus.pdf

Future of Global Campus is uncertain

The U of I Global Campus was established in 2006 to expand the University's accessibility to nontraditional students by providing online distance learning classes.

But slow curriculum development, unsatisfactory enrollment numbers, questions about the program's educational quality and a multi-million dollar budget deficit have caused administrators, teachers and trustees to consider if the venture is still worth pursuing.

The topic was the subject of a May 12, 2009, article in the Daily Illini.

Download a PDF of the article
20090512-DI-GlobalCampusfuture.pdf

UIS co-hosts Take Back the Night event

On Saturday, May 2, UIS and Lincoln Land hosted the second annual “Take Back the Night” event, aimed to educate people about partner violence and sexual assault.

The event was a feature of a May 3, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090503-SJR-takebackthenight.pdf

Downstate Illinois Innocence Project featured in Law Bulletin

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project is situated within UIS' Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies and uses students to assist an experienced investigator and a pair of dedicated teachers to dig deeper into the cases of inmates who claim innocence.

A feature about the Innocence Project was written by a Public Affairs Reporting program graduate for the April 25, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Download a PDF of the article
20090425-ChiDailyLawBulletin-InnocenceProject.pdf

Proposed sports complex could be home to future UIS baseball team

A $60 million sports center that would include a 3,000-seat baseball stadium, soccer fields and a football/track facility is being proposed for the south side of Springfield.

It could be a beautiful home stadium for a new UIS baseball team from the way it is described, according to Chancellor Richard Ringeisen.

Ringeisen's comments were featured in a May 3, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about the proposed facility.

Download a PDF of the article
20090503-SJR-sportscomplex.pdf

Illinois government may propose something ethics-related

With former governor Rod Blagojevich heading to trial and other scandals being made known in Illinois government, it is possible that an ethics act or law may be passed this summer.

The subject was the topic of a column in the Crain's Chicago Business, which featured comments made by Charles Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at UIS.

Download a PDF of the article
20090426-ChiBusiness-realisticreform.pdf

UIS hosts Good as Gold Ceremony to honor local volunteers

The first ever Good as Gold Ceremony, a partnership between UIS and the Junior League of Springfield, drew about 275 people to honor more than 50 local volunteers who have made an impact on the community.

Members of the UIS community were among those being honored with UIS Student Star Award, UIS Staff Star Award, Heart of Gold Awards and awards for outstanding community service.

The ceremony was featured in an April 24, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
20090424-SJR-goodasgoldceremony.pdf

Campus Senate votes for athletic department investigation

The Campus Senate of the University of Illinois at Springfield on Friday ordered an independent investigation of the athletic department and decided to table a vote on a resolution of "no confidence" in the Chancellor.

The Senate meeting was reported on in an April 18, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article

20090418-SJR-senateinvestigation.pdf

Government jobs are cut less quickly than private businesses

Big government employers usually provide a degree of security that can be rare today as governments tend to react more slowly to economic downturns than private businesses. This is true today of cities like Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana and Springfield, where UIS and other state departments and agencies are located.

The topic was the focus of an April 9, 2009, article in the U of I's Daily Illini student newspaper.
20090409-DI-govtjobs.pdf

Redfield comments that state purchasing reform will likely take place

In an opinion column of the Peoria Journal Star, editors discussed changes in the way the state operates.

Comments from Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, were featured in the April 9, 2009, column. Redfield noted that the state has a "status-quo-oriented, risk-averse Legislature."

Download a PDF of the column
20090409-PJS-stategovt.pdf

Faculty members meet to discuss athletics

Faculty members at the University of Illinois at Springfield will meet Monday afternoon to discuss athletics at the school, as well as concerns surrounding the recent resignations of three coaches, in a meeting led by Pat Langley, chair of the UIS Campus Senate and a professor of women and gender studies and legal studies.

The meeting was the subject of an April 10, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register

Download a PDF of the article
20090410-SJR-facultyathletics.pdf

Three athletics coaches resign

UIS head softball coach and head volleyball coach Joe Fisher and Roy Gilmore, the head women’s basketball coach and assistant softball coach, resigned on March 20, and on March 26, men’s and women’s golf coach Jay Davis resigned after he was placed on administrative leave.

UIS administrators are not able to comment on the resignations because they are personnel matters.

The story was covered in the April 10, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a DDF of the article
20090410-SJR-coaches.pdf

UIS' production of "As You Like It" will be opening April 17

Opening night has been set - April 17 - for UIS' production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It, and rehearsals are in full swing. It’s the first time UIS Theatre has attempted to stage Shakespeare.

The production was the subject of a feature story in the April 10, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090410-SJR-AsYouLikeIt.pdf

Former UIS administrator still does work in Springfield while living in Wisconsin

L. Christopher “Chris” Miller, previously an administrator at the University of Illinois at Springfield, left Illinois last year to become vice president for student affairs at Marquette University in Milwaukee, although he is still serving in a role to recruit minority applicants for the police and fire departments of Springfield.

Miller's role was discussed in an April 10, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090410-SJR-ChrisMiller.pdf

Professors explore appropriate dress for teachers

Two professors in Carbondale are exploring what makes the clothing of teachers considered appropriate and if teachers need a dress code like students do, according to an April 10, 2009, article in the Southern Illinoisan

Download a PDF of this article
20090410-SouthernIllinoisan-dresscode.pdf

Local economy is better than national, though growth is slow

An economic-outlook survey by UIS shows that while the local economy is still above normal, it is expected to grow slower relative to a year ago, until about May, according to UIS professor Patty Byrnes.

The survey and comments by Byrnes were featured in an April 10, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090410-SJR-economicoutlook.pdf

State 529 program launches incentive program

Starting today, College Illinois!, the state's only 529 prepaid tuition program launches its
"57 Reasons" Incentive Program, which helps to makes the decision to enroll easier by giving qualifying purchasers money.

The program was discussed in an April 9, 2009, article on PRNewsWire.

Download a PDF of the article
20090409-PRnewswire-collegepayment.pdf

Cost of Illinois government corruption to taxpayers is high

Charges against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich reinforce taxpayers' belief that the Illinois government has been spending residents' hard-earned money on patronage hires, wasteful contracts and inefficient bureaucracies for years.

Though the actual dollar cost to taxpayers is hard to pinpoint, experts like UIS' Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science, say the costs are substantial.

Redfield's comments were featured in an April 5, 2009, article in the Daily Herald.

Download a PDF of the article

20090405-DailyHerald-costofcorruption.pdf

U of I trustees consider future of online campus

After investing more than $10 million in a program that only currently has a few hundred students, University of Illinois trustees are considering whether to shut down the university's 2-year-old online campus.

The challenges of the U of I's Global Campus were the focus of an April 5, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article
20090405-ChiTrib-GlobalCampus.pdf

Gov. Quinn's proposed tax hike is good news for Republicans

While it's unclear whether Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed tax increase will aid in fixing the state budget, his proposal is already paying off for state Republicans.

The GOP anti-tax campaign could be the Republicans' best chance at regaining power next year, according to Dr. Chris Mooney, professor of political science at UIS.

Mooney's comments were featured in a March 24, 2009, article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Download a PDF of the article
20090324-PostDispatch-GOPQuinntaxes.pdf

Burris refuses to resign from Senator seat

Illinois Senator Roland Burris refused to resign on Tuesday, February 24, despite pressure from his home state, fellow Senators, including Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, and others. Burris has changed his story several times about whether he tried to raise money for former governor Rod Blagojevich.

According to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, national Democrats are feeling like Burris "hung them out to dry," as quoted in a February 24, 2009, article in the Associated Press.

Download a PDF of the article
20090224-AP-Burrisnotresigning.pdf

Burris returns to DC despite calls for resignation

Illinois senator Roland Burris returned to Washington D.C. on February 24 in the midst of calls for his resignation because of accusations that he has lied about circumstances surrounding his appointment from former governor Rod Blagojevich.

If Burris chooses not to resign, he may find it difficult to recruit a staff and could be isolated politically, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.

Redfield's quotes were featured in a February 24, 2009, article from the Associated Press about Burris.

Download a PDF of the article
20090224-AP-BurrisDC.pdf

UIS spearheads online learning collaboration

UIS recently joined a handful of other universities for a new online learning effort spearheaded by UIS and supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to improve the overall quality, offerings and availability of online courses.

The collaboration is one of the latest directions of online learning at a time when the recession
has driven more people to enroll in post-secondary education classes.

The effort was detailed in an article in the February 23, 2009, Southern Oregon's Mail Tribune with quotes from Ray Schroeder, director of the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning at UIS.

Download a PDF of the article
20090223-MailTribune-onlinelearning.pdf

Governor tells U of I that education is priority

New governor, Pat Quinn, gave the University of Illinois some hope when he visited and told university leaders that education is at the top of his priority list.

The governor will give his budget address on March 18, and the university will wait to take action on its budget deficit based on the future of the state budget.

The governor's visit was reported on during a February 18, 2009, newscast by WCIA.

Download a PDF of the newscast
20090219-WCIA-universitybudget.pdf

New DNR director is UIS graduate

Gov. Pat Quinn named Springfield resident Marc Miller as the new director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as reported in a February 9, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register-Mail.


Miller has a master’s degree in environmental administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield.


Download a PDF of the article
20090209-GalesburgRM-DNR.pdf

State is drowning in debts

Bills at the state of Illinois comptroller's office are backing up and growing, forcing the state into deeper debt.

One move the state could make if the financial situation becomes too dire is to not pay back money it has borrowed. But that wouldn't be a smart move, according to Beverly Bunch, associate professor of public administration at UIS.

Bunch's comments were featured in a February 9, 2009 article in the Daily Herald.

Download a PDF of the article
20090209-DailyHerald-Statebills.pdf

Course helps students understand evolution and creationism theories

The debate about Charles Darwin's theory of evolution continues even 200 years after his death, and to help the public study and understand his views, local colleges, including UIS, offer classes on evolution and creationism.

UIS' class is taught by Dennis Ruez, Jr., assistant professor of environmental studies at UIS. His course is part of a feature story written about such classes in a January 30, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register-Mail.

Download a PDF of the file
20090130-GalesburgRM-Evolutionclasses.pdf

Gov. Quinn faces many challenges in new role

While new governor Pat Quinn has the advantage of coming into office on a surge of goodwill and without corruption, he also faces many daunting challenges because the former governor left the state in such dire condition, according to Dr. Christopher Mooney, professor of political science at UIS.

Mooney's quotes were featured in a February 1, 2009, article published in the Christian Science Monitor about Quinn's new role as governor.

Download a PDF of the article
20090201-CSMonitor-PatQuinngovernor.pdf

Governor Blagojevich impeached

The Illinois Senate voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Thursday, removing him from office and ceding the office to Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who was sworn in later that day.

Drs. Kent Redfield and Christopher Mooney, professors of political science at UIS, were quoted in an article about the governor's actions and his impeachment trial in a January 30, 2009, article that ran in the Christian Science Monitor.

Download a PDF of the article
20090130-CSMonitor-Blagoimpeached.pdf

Campaign cash is important for political statewide elections

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn is looking ahead to a possible governor post in light of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's legal troubles, but his campaign funds rank low for a potential run in the 2010 election as compared to other statewide politicians.

Charles Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at UIS, says that money in the bank right now is certainly helpful to those looking to run for state office next year.
Wheeler was quoted in a January 22, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article
20090122-ChiTrib-Quinncampaignfunds.pdf

UIS hosts economic outlook breakfast for Chamber

UIS hosted the annual economic outlook breakfast for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, January 15, 2009. A UIS index was released at the breakfast and forecasts a rebound in the local economy this spring.

The meeting and the event's speaker, national economist Robert Genetski, were featured in a January 16, 2009, article by the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090116-SJR-Chamberbreakfast.pdf

Naperville reps sworn in at UIS

Naperville representatives Darlene Senger and Mike Connelly were featured in a January 15, 2009, article from the Naperville Sun about their inauguration ceremony on the UIS Campus on January 14.

Download a PDF of the article
20090115-NapervilleSun-Napervillereps.pdf

Cook County wants money owed from state for prison

According to an article from the Medill Reports, Cook County is threatening to take the state to court to get money it is owed for housing state prisoners in its jail. The state hasn't paid its half of the cost of the 16,000 prisoners a day since 2005, so the county is looking into filing a claim against the state to get its money.

However, it could be a while until the county gets its money, says Charlie Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Program at UIS, who was quoted in the January 14, 2009, article.

Download a PDF of the article
20090114-MedillReports-CookCountyprison.pdf

State legislature faces budget problems after impeachment

Many of the Illinois lawmakers sworn into the 96th General Assembly Wednesday, January 14, on the UIS campus said their top priority for the spring is dealing with the state's financial problems.

But the battle over the budget might not occur until after the impeachment process currently underway against Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ended, according to an article in the January 15, 2009, Bloomington Pantagraph.

Download a PDF of the article
20090115-Pantagraph-Housebudget.pdf

Illinois' campuses boost economy

The University of Illinois' three campuses add $13 billion to the state's economy every year, according to a new study from the Institute of Government & Public Affairs.

The study also said university campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield pump another $9 billion indirectly into the state's economy as their employees spend their salaries and other university money circulates through the economy.

This new study was written about in a January 14, 2009, Associated Press article.

Download a PDF of the article
20090114-AP-univhelpseconomy.pdf

Blagojevich impeached twice

Gov. Rod Blagojevich made more history Wednesday by being the first Illinois governor to be impeached twice and the first to have a trial started against him.

The new members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of impeachment 117-1 after being sworn in on January 14 during a ceremony on the UIS campus, as written about in a January 15, 2009, article in the Galesburg Register-Mail.

Download a PDF of the article
20090115-GalesburgRM-Houseimpeachesgov.pdf

White refuses to sign Burris' paperwork

Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday formally refused to sign paperwork appointing Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate. Burris was named to the seat by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is facing an impeachment trial.

Legal experts are split on whether White’s refusal to sign the paperwork will derail Burris’ appointment, or if the Senate can get away with refusing to seat someone based on who made the appointment.

What will happen is anyone's guess since the issue is unprecedented in Illinois, according to Dennis Rendleman, assistant professor of legal studies at the UIS. Rendleman was quoted in a January 14, 2009, article in the Murphysboro American.

Download a PDF of the file
20090114-MurphysboroAm-WhitedeniesBurris.pdf

Rep. Gordon inaugurated in House at UIS

New state Rep. Jehan Gordon admitted to feeling "a lot of mixed emotions" when she took her oath of office and voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich during the inauguration ceremony on the UIS campus on Wednesday, January 14.

Gordon's inauguration was featured in the January 15, 2009, Peoria Journal Star. Gordon represents the 92nd District, which includes about two-thirds of the city of Peoria.

Download a PDF of the article
20090115-PeoriaJS-Gordoninaugurated.pdf

Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver applications now available

An article in the January 13, 2009, Canton Daily Ledger featured the availability of Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver applications for 2009-2010.

The Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver is a four-year tuition waiver at the University of Illinois. It may be used at any of the university's campuses: Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, Health Sciences Center, Springfield or Global Campus. Up to six scholarships are awarded per county.

Download a PDF of the article
20090114-CantonDL-tuitionwaiver.pdf

House votes again on impeachment

An article in the January 14, 2009, State Journal-Register discussed details about the plans for the Illinois House of Representatives to vote a second time on the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich after the swearing-in ceremony, held at the UIS campus.

Download a PDF of the article
20090114-SJR-Housevoteagain.pdf

Panel delays vote on closing health centers in Tinley Park

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability announced that it will delay the decision to close the Howe Developmental Center and the Tinley Park Mental Health Center until the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich is over.

Both facilities were stripped of federal funding last year and announced in September to be closing July 2009. The state can't close the facilities until a decision is made by the panel.

In a January 12, 2009, blog post on the Web site of the Southtown Star, Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, was quoted as saying that the trial could take at least two weeks once it starts on January 26.

Download a PDF of the blog post
20090113-SouthtownStar-healthcentersdelay2.pdf

Jesse White holds firm on Roland Burris' Senate status

Dr. Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS, was quoted in an article about Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's involvement with the controversy surounding Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appointment of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama.

The article was run by the Associated Press on January 8, 2009.

Download a PDF of the article
20090108-AssocPress-JesseWhitesenateseat.pdf

Redfield says Illinois legislative troubles could hurt involvement in national economic plan

According to Dr. Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus of political science, Illinois' legislative troubles since Governor Rod Blagojevich’s arrest last month could jeopardize the state’s involvement with President-elect Barack Obama's economic recovery plan.

The plan would help states rebuild roads, bridges and schools, Obama said.

Redfield's remarks were heard on Chicago Public Radio on January 5, 2009.

Download a PDF of the text of Redfield's interview

20090106-ChiPubRadio-ObamaEcPlanIllinois.pdf

Campus Town may be moving closer to reality

With the BOT approval of UIS' updated Campus Master Plan, the development of a Campus Town, to be located on the west side of campus outside the ring road, has moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

WCFN reporter Blake Wood posted a report November 14, 2008, on MyCFN News.

Download a pdf file
20081114-wcfn-CampusTown.pdf

Sheriff slashes bill to Innocence Project

After an article ran on Sunday, November 9, in the State Journal-Register about the Springfield sheriff's office charging $700 for copies of CDs and audio tapes to the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, the office hand-delivered a new bill for $37.78.

The CDs and tapes are from police interviews in a case the Project is investigating involving the conviction of Thomas McMillen of murder in the 1989 stabbing death of Melissa Koontz.

Download a PDF file from the November 11, 2008 article from the State Journal-Register
20081112-SJR-SheriffSlashesProjectBill.pdf

Finding the right college can be difficult

High school students looking for the college that fits them best can find the process intimidating. An article in the Voice section of the November 11, 2008, State Journal-Register outlined the admissions process at a community college (Lincoln Land), a public university (UIS), and a private one (Illinois College in Jacksonville).

Assistant Director of Admissions Kathryn Kleeman spoke about the advantages UIS has to offer.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081111-sjr-FindingtheRightCollege.pdf