Caitlin Nordahl Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Marion chamber sets gift certificate program in motion

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 24, 2017

The Marion Chamber of Commerce recently launched a gift certificate program that allows putchasers to redeem vouchers at a wide range of local stores and provides local businesses with a unique marketing opportunity, the chamber said in a release.

Marion chamber to honor those who died in 2017 at awards banquet

By Caitlin Nordahl | Nov 24, 2017

The Marion Chamber of Commerce said it will honor members and significant figures in the Marion community who passed away this year at the annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet on Jan. 19 at the Pavilion.

SIUC event meant to help turn dreams into reality

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 26, 2017

Anyone with a dream who needs a little push is being invited to "The BIG Dream Gathering" on Thursday at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), according to a press release from the school.

SIUC honors Dick Gregory as leader in civil rights and on the track

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 26, 2017

Richard “Dick” Gregory was remembered recently at his alma mater, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), as a prominent civil rights activist and comedian.

SIUC researcher working to end devastating soybean disease

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 25, 2017

A Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) professor is breaking new ground in research on sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybeans, a disease that can threaten entire harvests of the widespread crop, according to a press release.

John A. Logan boasts of sterling accreditation report

By Caitlin Nordahl | Aug 14, 2017

A glowing report from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has affirmed John A. Logan College’s (JALC) accreditation status, an important achievement for the Carterville community college, according to a release from the school.

Being 'mad at the math' won't end Illinois' ongoing financial woes, attorney says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 14, 2017

Illinois’ economy will take decades to recover from the state’s current pension and workers’ compensation obligations, to say nothing of the debts continually being added because of a significant lack of reform, according to a blistering analysis from Chicago attorney Eugene Keefe.

Illinois held down by economic, moral decay, analyst says

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jul 2, 2017

While every state around it continues to grow in population and prosperity, Illinois keeps shrinking under the strain of higher taxes and more regulations, Michael Lucci, vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, said in an article on the institute's website.

Overtaxed Illinoisans also seeing nation's smallest growth in personal income

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 23, 2017

Illinois’ average personal income growth since the Great Recession is tied with Nevada for the worst in the country, according to data from the Pew Charitable Trusts recently published on the Illinois Policy Institute website.

SIUC's rising tuition described as product of pension, pay costs

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 18, 2017

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s (SIUC) staff salaries and pensioner benefits perfectly exemplify the factors contributing to the state’s higher education crisis and rising tuition costs, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.

All play and no work — yet legislators still draw paychecks, policy pro argues

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 9, 2017

Lawmakers have spent very little time in their seats, but at least they got to have play time, Austin Berg wrote on the Illinois Policy Institute website recently.

General Assembly gives itself another month to reach budget accord

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 8, 2017

The General Assembly will meet in a continuous session through June to try to put a budget in place for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

Madigan rep says Democratic gubernatorial candidates toe the line on tax increase

By Caitlin Nordahl | Jun 1, 2017

All of the Democrats hoping to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018 are backing Speaker of the House Michael Madigan's budget goal of raising taxes rather than enacting reforms, a Madigan spokesman told the Chicago Tribune recently.

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.

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.

Budget described as another possible dead body to mourn

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 18, 2017

It's hard to tell the difference between a seated Illinois General Assembly and one that's on a break, WCIA Capitol Bureau Chief Mark Maxwell said in a recent segment focused on a lack of new bills, characterizing the legislative accomplishments of the 100th General Assembly as “hardly anything at all."

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.