Here’s another story that was in the works for a while. In early February, representatives from Environment Illinois spoke about toxic chemicals during the unveiling of their 2010 legislative agenda. I followed up on this issue by tracking a bill that would ban Bisphenol A. Illinois environmentalists, public health organizations and child safety advocates are […]

This was my first cover story for Illinois Times. I visited the nuclear power plant in Clinton, Illinois. This was the second time I’ve had to wear a hard hat while reporting! This was also the first time I’d taken photos in a while, so it was good to get some practice. It was a […]

This story came out of a local home builder’s complaint. He was speaking with my editor about doing a letter on this subject, but I decided that it would make a pretty good story. I’m pleased with the result. Zinn Construction, a custom home building company based in Sherman, builds eight to ten homes per […]

This week, I wrote about the local pension problem, and a new pension reform coalition. If you’ve paid property taxes in Springfield, you’ve contributed to a police officer or firefighter’s pension fund. According to Mayor Tim Davlin, almost 100 percent of property taxes collected in Springfield go to police and fire pensions. In accordance with […]

This is one of my favorite stories I’ve written this semester. The atrazine issue is one I wasn’t previously familiar with, but I really enjoyed learning about it. Capturing the debate between science and industry was particularly interesting for me, especially because both sides are so passionately sure they’re right. Stories like these are important, […]

This week, I wrote about a bill that would loosen regulations on Illinois beekeepers. The state’s beekeepers are buzzing to gain some independence. A new bill would ensure that small honey producers are able to sell their products at farmers markets, fairs or roadside stands without government regulation. The measure, supporters say, would allow beekeepers […]

This week, I wrote about the push for solar energy in Illinois. Investing in solar energy could bring the state as many as 17,000 new jobs, one environmental expert says. As the fifth largest producer and consumer of electricity, Illinois is not living up to its sun-harnessing potential. The state is seriously behind on solar […]

One story I wrote this week comes from the General Assembly’s joint commission on job creation. I focused on the issue of EPA permits. After a two-year permit process, U.S. Steel Corp. finalized a $750 million project in Granite City, Ill., last October. In Alabama, a similar project’s permit only took six months to clear. […]