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Winnebago County official looking to restore government reputation
Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney has a clear mission statement. “Our goal every day is to work to become the most accountable, collaborative, and transparent unit of government in the state of Illinois,” Haney said. I write for Illinois News Network. Continue reading
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First Company Applies For Illinois Fracking Permit
Illinois is one step closer to having a fracking operation in the state, four years after a law was signed to pave the way for it to happen. I wrote about it for Illinois News Network. Continue reading
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Brett Velicovich: Drone Warrior
I had the chance to talk this week with Brett Velicovich about his new book, “Drone Warrior: An Elite Soldier’s Inside Account of the Hunt for America’s Most Dangerous Enemies“. Continue reading
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Cook County Braces For Beverage Tax
A penny-per-ounce tax on a wide variety of drinks is set to take effect in Cook County on Saturday. Retailers, looking at a similar failing measure in Philly, are fearful of consequences. I write about it for Illinois News Network. Continue reading
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NIU President Severance Package Eyed By Lawmakers
A severance package handed out to the exiting president of Northern Illinois University is drawing attention from state lawmakers. Doug Baker is leaving the school following a report by the state’s Inspector General that alleged improper spending and hiring. Under an agreement approved by the trustees, Baker will receive around $600,000 plus benefits when he… Continue reading
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State Sen. Tim Bivins To Retire
There aren’t very many Republicans in the Illinois State Senate. Democrats maintain a supermajority in the chamber, though the GOP has increased its numbers slightly from the time when I joked the entire caucus could be shuttled around in a Ford Econoline van. Republican State Senator Tim Bivins has announced he will not run for… Continue reading
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Public Notices & Eclipses
I have a couple of stories up this week at ilnews.org. Check out this piece on Illinois possibly moving prevailing wage notices from newspapers to the web. It could be a first step toward digitizing a whole bunch of public notices that local governments are mandated to publish. Then read here, especially if you’re heading… Continue reading
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Rick Hess: Letters To a Young Education Reformer [AUDIO]
With my recent move from Illinois to Michigan, I’ve experienced a significant change in the education environment. Michigan is a “Schools of Choice” state, providing parents options as to what school children may attend: Schools of Choice programs provide students with additional enrollment opportunities, which range from allowing students to determine which school within the… Continue reading
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Performing Elephant Ban In Illinois Close
Budget, schmudget. Are you curious as to what Illinois lawmakers are doing about performing elephants in the state? I’m your man. I wrote about it here. Continue reading
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Will IL-17 Be a Battleground in 2018?
Despite a strong showing by Donald Trump in Illinois’ 17thCongressional District, local Republicans still see defeating Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, as a tough task. I wrote about it for Illinois Radio Network/Illinois News Network. Check out the story here. Continue reading
Scot Bertram 