Government
Read more about the article Illinois prison system spent less than $300 on books last year
Chicago Books to Women in Prison (BWP), has sent nearly 20,000 books to incarcerated women in the last five years, and tens of thousands since the organization was founded in 2002.

Illinois prison system spent less than $300 on books last year

Last year, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) spent $276 on books for its educational programming across 28 correctional facilities, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. In comparison, the state prison system spent roughly $750,000 each year on books in the early 2000s. In 2005, spending on books dropped to $264,000.

Continue ReadingIllinois prison system spent less than $300 on books last year
Read more about the article Champaign potholes still costly to city, driversDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
A pothole on Elm Street in Champaign on November 2.

Champaign potholes still costly to city, drivers

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the city’s public works department responded to 329 pothole service requests from residents — a slight decrease from the 397 service requests in the previous fiscal year.

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Read more about the article Almost one in every five roads in Champaign in poor conditionDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
White Street, one of the worst ranked streets in Champaign, on November 2.

Almost one in every five roads in Champaign in poor condition

In an analysis of Champaign’s most recent city pavement database from 2015, three sections of White Street have a or pavement condition index (PCI), below 10 — more than any other street in the city.

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Read more about the article Libraries struggle to reach entire Champaign-Urbana communityDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Patrons leave the Champaign Library just before the 6 p.m. closing on December 9, 2016.

Libraries struggle to reach entire Champaign-Urbana community

Historically, library usage is highest during economic downturns, when people go to libraries for employment and educational training.

Continue ReadingLibraries struggle to reach entire Champaign-Urbana community
Read more about the article Popular items mean long waits for Champaign-Urbana library patronsDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Kelly Strom, collection manager at the Champaign Public Library, demonstrates how to reserve books and holds a copy of the popular new John Grisham novel on November 16, 2016.

Popular items mean long waits for Champaign-Urbana library patrons

“I think our patrons are pretty used to how the system works,” said Kelly Strom, collection manager at the Champaign Public Library. “If they don’t want to wait on a holds list, then they can get a rental book if it’s available for that particular title. Otherwise, they seem to go pretty quickly because we buy so many copies.”

Continue ReadingPopular items mean long waits for Champaign-Urbana library patrons
Read more about the article Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budgetDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
From left: Elana Whitsitt, Oksana Whitsitt and Brooke Riddell organize gifts as volunteers gathered to wrap gifts for the women and children of Courage Connection at Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, Il on December 15, 2016.

Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budget

“The state of Illinois expects us to spend more than half a million dollars and maybe – or maybe not – get reimbursed for it in this fiscal year,” said Isak Griffiths, the executive director of Courage Connection. “That's a huge burden to put on a social service agency.”

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Read more about the article County says plan to repair, replace buildings will cost median household $20 per yearDarrell Hoemann/CU-Citizen Access
The Champaign County Nursing Home on Monday, October 17, 2016.

County says plan to repair, replace buildings will cost median household $20 per year

Champaign County officials say they are facing a host of critical repairs and improvements that need to be made at county buildings but have been deferred for years. In response, they have proposed a 0.25 percent sales tax referendum they say will cost a median-income household only $20 per year.

Continue ReadingCounty says plan to repair, replace buildings will cost median household $20 per year
Read more about the article Illinois gets D+ grade in 2015 State Integrity InvestigationDarrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
The quad on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

Illinois gets D+ grade in 2015 State Integrity Investigation

Four of the seven Illinois governors elected from 1960 through 2006 went on to serve time in prison, so it’s no surprise that Illinois has developed a reputation more criminal than credible. Nor is it surprising that Illinois earned a D+ in the State Integrity Investigation, an assessment of state government transparency and accountability by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity.

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Read more about the article Landlords benefit from loose law; save millions in taxesDarrell Hoemann
A view of houses on Hedge Road. Several rental properties here are owned by companies that receive the homestead exemption.

Landlords benefit from loose law; save millions in taxes

Champaign County landlords are reaping more than $20 million in tax exemptions a year by taking advantage of a loosely written state law and an interpretation of that law by the county supervisor of assessments.

Continue ReadingLandlords benefit from loose law; save millions in taxes