Carol Ostrow Stories | West Central Reporter

After earning Greece study trip, WIU professor is history

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 30, 2017

Western Illinois University history Prof. Lee Brice will pack his bags for a yearlong research project in Athens for the 2017-18 academic year, fully funded with a living allowance and stipend, the university announced recently.

More Madigan-generated woes expected for Illinois, editorial board says

By Carol Ostrow | Apr 4, 2017

Even as Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to strive toward a potential state budget solution, House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) “delays and offers nothing,” the Chicago Tribune recently reported while continuing its coverage of Illinois’ hemorrhaging finances.

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Group asks what Carlinville mayor, council are hiding

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 30, 2017

John Kraft has a simple answer to his group's conflict with Carlinville: Send us your credit card statement.

State lawmakers accused of pay raise by committee

By Carol Ostrow | Mar 14, 2017

Illinois lawmakers are using a seemingly surreptitious way to give themselves pay raises: creating new and useless committees for which they are automatically paid an extra $10,326 as chairmen, a Chicago-based think tank is arguing.

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Backhoe incident brings legal backlash to LaHarpe mayor

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 19, 2017

LaHarpe Mayor Ryan Kienast, 39, faces misconduct charges and possible incarceration after allegedly borrowing a backhoe — along with staffers — belonging to the city of LaHarpe last fall, the Edgar County Watchdogs recently announced via its website.

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U of I conveys support for illegal immigrant students

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 19, 2017

Officially expressing staunch support for all student body members following November’s election, University of Illinois leaders recently issued a statement to reassure illegal immigrant student body members of their secure position on the system’s three campuses.

WIU marks Black History Month with six February events

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 9, 2017

'Kujichagulia' translates to self-determination — the second principle of the Kwanzaa holiday — and also serves as the title for this year’s February commemoration of Black History Month, sponsored by Western Illinois University’s (WIU) Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center.

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Western Illinois schedules assistive tech conference

By Carol Ostrow | Feb 9, 2017

There’s still time for students and professionals to sign up for Western Illinois University’s (WIU) upcoming Assistive Technology Conference — scheduled 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 17 in room 1 of WIU’s Horrabin Hall.

Displaced Illinois student veterans to attain state support

By Carol Ostrow | Oct 26, 2016

With the unexpected recent closing of ITT Technical Institute, two state agencies in Springfield have stepped in to assist affected Illinois veterans whose educational plans were disrupted just days before classes were scheduled to begin.

Illinois prisoners to receive new mental health services

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 20, 2016

To support incarcerated individuals battling mental illness, two state agencies recently collaborated to improve services for Illinois offenders by leveraging a Chicago-area facility for treatment purposes, simultaneously satisfying the terms of an outstanding class action.

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Rauner appoints Ladd to economic opportunity post

By Carol Ostrow | Sep 19, 2016

Experienced civic employee Brittany Ladd recently agreed to become assistant director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner and replacing Andria Winters, who accepted a position with Intersect Illinois.