December, 2016 Stories | SE Illinois News

West Frankfort City Council accepts bids

By Louie Torres | Dec 15, 2016

The West Frankfort City Council met Nov. 8 to accept bids.

Frankfort library trustees approve HVAC replacement bid

By Louie Torres | Dec 15, 2016

The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees met Nov. 17 to approve an HVAC replacement bid.

Six Mile library trustees adopt tax levy ordinances

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 15, 2016

The Six Mile Regional Library District Board of Trustees met Nov. 8 to adopt tax levy ordinances.

Franklin County GOP optimistic after state House, Senate wins

By JoAnn Seltzer | Dec 12, 2016

The November election left the Franklin County Republican Party excited for the future, and now it is turning its focus to the 2017 township elections.

Dems called on to end Madigan's reign as House speaker

By SE Illinois News | Dec 12, 2016

“If America is two countries, Illinois is two states,” the Peoria Journal Star said recently in an editorial, censuring House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and attributing the state’s “abysmal” financial status to continued ineptitude and duplicity in the General Assembly.

House OKs resolution to allow ATVs in Shawnee National Forest

By SE Illinois News | Dec 12, 2016

Paving the road to improving recreational transportation in Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, the Illinois House recently approved HR 1269, a resolution to allow all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) use in the forest, spearheaded by state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) and four additional lawmakers.

Election losses have taken some shine off Madigan's rose, analyst says

By SE Illinois News | Dec 12, 2016

Voting for state Rep. Mike Madigan to serve yet another term as House Speaker may be more difficult for Democrats this time, according to the screenwriter for a documentary about the Chicago Democrat.

Harrisburg City Council completes sale of property

By Louie Torres | Dec 10, 2016

The Harrisburg City Council met Oct. 6 to complete the sale of property.

Frankfort Public Library District accepts bids

By Louie Torres | Dec 10, 2016

The Frankfort Public Library District met Nov. 14 to accept bids.

Carmi council members discuss Christmas bonuses

By Louie Torres | Dec 10, 2016

The Carmi City Council met Nov. 1 to discuss Christmas bonuses.

Carmi City Council approves Christmas parade

By Lhalie Castillo | Dec 10, 2016

The Carmi City Council met Oct. 18 to approve a Christmas parade.

Vienna City Council reviews insurance proposal

By Louie Torres | Dec 10, 2016

The Vienna City Council met Nov. 2 to review an insurance proposal.

Rauner outlines details for second stopgap budget

By SE Illinois News | Dec 9, 2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner took to social media this week to lay out his terms for another stopgap budget.

Proposal would replace pensions with 401(k)-style plans for new public hires

By SE Illinois News | Dec 9, 2016

With Illinois' state pension liability 17 percent more than it was last year, the vice president of a Chicago-based think tank recently said that 401(k)-style plans for public employees would go a long way toward easing the pension crisis.

Illinois loses 10,000 manufacturing jobs in past year

By SE Illinois News | Dec 9, 2016

The manufacturing industry in Illinois continues to show job losses, despite October's net gain of 1,600 jobs.

Report: State's pension debt soars 17 percent to $130 billion this year

By SE Illinois News | Dec 9, 2016

Already struggling under a multi-tiered fiscal burden, Illinois taxpayers are now confronting incontrovertible evidence of serious fiscal setbacks in their state as a new report revealed staggering amounts of pension debt and escalating red ink.

SIU football trio get honorable mention on All-MVFC Team

By Brent Zell | Dec 8, 2016

Southern Illinois football players Chase Allen, D.J. Davis and Austin Olsen each received honorable mention on this year's All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Team, according to siusalukis.com.