Monthly Archives: November 2018
Read more about the article Health inspectors fail 10 food spots, close six since May
KFC & A&W, 1321 N Dunlap Ave., Champaign The health department closed the restaurant Aug. 22 due to “gross unsanitary conditions” during its routine inspection. No details were provided in the report. On Thursday, November 29, 2018. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Health inspectors fail 10 food spots, close six since May

From May 1 to Oct. 31, 2018 public health officials temporarily closed or failed 16 restaurants, eateries and cafes, according to a review of inspection records from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. Inspectors failed eight restaurants between Jan. 1, 2018 and April 30, 2018.

Continue ReadingHealth inspectors fail 10 food spots, close six since May
Read more about the article Report shows toxic contamination at coal ash sites throughout IllinoisJack Brighton/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Andrew Rehn of the Prairie Rivers Network presents the report "Cap and Run: Toxic Coal Ash Left Behind by Big Polluters Threatens Illinois Water" in a packed room at the Illinois state capitol building in Springfield.

Report shows toxic contamination at coal ash sites throughout Illinois

A new report published by several state environmental groups shows severe pollution of groundwater at nearly every known coal ash storage site in Illinois.

Continue ReadingReport shows toxic contamination at coal ash sites throughout Illinois
Read more about the article Public comments now open on Dynegy plan to stabilize the Middle Fork River near coal ash ponds
Dynegy proposes to build wall of rock for more than a third of a mile along the Middle Fork River to stop riverbank erosion near two of the company’s coal ash ponds near Oakwood, Illinois. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment on the proposal until December 28. (SCI Engineering/from open records request)

Public comments now open on Dynegy plan to stabilize the Middle Fork River near coal ash ponds

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comment on a proposal by Dynegy Midwest, LLC to install a rock wall to prevent millions of gallons of coal ash from polluting the Middle Fork River in Vermilion County.

Continue ReadingPublic comments now open on Dynegy plan to stabilize the Middle Fork River near coal ash ponds
Read more about the article Longtime Illinois representative campaign expenditures low
Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th IL)

Longtime Illinois representative campaign expenditures low

U.S. Congressman Danny Davis, Democrat, of District 7 has occupied his seat in the House of Representatives for over 20 years.  Davis was re-elected to his seat on earlier this month – defeating his opponent Republican Craig Cameron by more than 80 percent of the votes. And each year, Davis has one of the lowest campaign spending and contribution amounts of the Illinois representatives, spending anywhere from $300,000 to $600,000 and raising as little as $200,000 and as much as $600,000.

Continue ReadingLongtime Illinois representative campaign expenditures low
Read more about the article Illinois campaign spending not always transparent
Brad Schneider

Illinois campaign spending not always transparent

Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL 10th District) was one of the top campaign spenders among Illinois candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016. For the competitive race in District 10, he reported expenditures of about $5.6 million in the 2015-2016 election cycle. But for this year’s race, he only spent $1.5 million so far, according to federal election records.

Continue ReadingIllinois campaign spending not always transparent
Read more about the article Rep. Bobby Rush’s family continues to benefit from campaign dollarsRush.house.gov
U.S. Congressman Bobby L. Rush (1st District of Illinois)

Rep. Bobby Rush’s family continues to benefit from campaign dollars

A 2018 report from the House Committee on Ethics shows Democratic Representative Bobby Rush is still utilizing the federal campaign finance system to benefit his family despite following a 2016 questioning by the Federal Election Committee. In 2016, the Federal Election Commission inquired into Rush’s campaign finance report due to vague categories of expenditures. Additionally, watchdog groups have questioned the large amounts of campaign money going to Rush’s family members.

Continue ReadingRep. Bobby Rush’s family continues to benefit from campaign dollars
Read more about the article Chicago congressman has paid over $400,000 to his wife since 2010, federal election records showFlickr: https://home/citizenaccess/public_html.flickr.com/photos/repluisgutierrez/24651857983/
Rep. Luis Gutierrez on Feb. 26, 2016.

Chicago congressman has paid over $400,000 to his wife since 2010, federal election records show

Luis Gutierrez, who has been Illinois’ 4th District representative for 25 years, has decided to retire at the end of his current term. While it will mean the end of his Congressional career, it will also mean the end of a steady salary for his wife.

Continue ReadingChicago congressman has paid over $400,000 to his wife since 2010, federal election records show