Caitlin Nordahl Stories | West Central Reporter

Rauner says end run around Madigan only way forward for Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

The buckling stops here, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a call-in radio show recently.

Watchdogs: Who's Joe, and why did Mautino pay him $12,487?

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

As a state lawmaker, Frank Mautino paid nearly $12,500 in campaign fund cash to a man named Joe without keeping any supporting receipts, according to a government oversight group.

Tax analyst: Illinoisans crushed under weight of sales, income, property taxes

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 25, 2017

Illinoisans pay more in total taxes than anyone else in the nation, so any thoughts about adding to that burden need to be forgotten, a tax analyst argued recently.

Nauvoo mayor skipped possible conflict on disclosure, groups attest

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 21, 2017

Nauvoo Mayor John McCarty appears to have improperly submitted his Statements of Economic Interest with Hancock County, omitting his ownership of a business that has received payments from the city since at least 2013.

Small businesses have big role to play in saving Illinois, Rauner says on tour

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

Illinois can't grow unless its small businesses grow, Gov. Bruce Rauner told owners and employees of several of the state's 1 million such businesses on a brief tour recently.

War hero, ex-CIA boss Petraeus to speak at Chicago fundraiser

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 5, 2017

Ret. Gen. David Petraeus, perhaps best known for leading the American military efforts in Iraq under Presdent George W. Bush, will provide the keynote address at the 6th Annual Navy Seal Foundation's "Chicago Evening of Tribute," a fundraising event that supports Naval Special Warfare (NSW) families.

Watchdog group offers to put bite in citizens' bark

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 2, 2017

Concerned citizens who want to do more than worry can take part in a government oversight group’s “Citizen Watchdog Training” on May 6 in Effingham.

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WIU says it relies on president, not paid speakers

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 26, 2017

Western Illinois University (WIU) has proclaimed its innocence before it can be accused of being guilty of following the example set by Northeastern Illinois University regarding commencement speaker pay.

Illinoisans told to take consolidation into their own hands

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 25, 2017

A public policy group is calling on Illinoisans to demand that the Senate follow the House's lead and approve a bill that would allow voters to decide to consolidate local governments.

Carlinville told to respond to information requests

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 22, 2017

Carlinville City Clerk Carla Brockmeier has been instructed by the attorney general's office to respond to two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests by the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).

Carlinville again accused of shunning FOIA mandates

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 22, 2017

A citizens oversight group is venting its frustration over what it describes as law-breaking inaction by the City of Carlinville.

Bad budgeting pushes businesses out, Rauner tells Quincy firm

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 22, 2017

Treading familiar ground, Gov. Bruce Rauner took his reformist message to Quincy recently, where he spoke to more than 150 employees at Titan Wheel.

Carlinville attorney should hit road or provide records, group says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 18, 2017

A government oversight group is calling for the dismissal of Carlinville's attorney, whom the group claims is withholding records the City Council approved for release.

'Public corruption' tip line goes live in Southern Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 16, 2017

Southern Illinois citizens are being encouraged to make use of a new tip line to report suspicions of "public corruption."

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Effingham board accused of breaking information law

By Caitlin Nordahl | Apr 14, 2017

A public oversight group wants a state's attorney to prosecute the Effingham County Board after it failed to comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.