October issue: Jerry Stermer, "Voice for the man"

Get a glimpse of who helps shape Gov. Pat Quinn's agenda and style in the October edition of Illinois Issues magazine. Maureen McKinney profiles Jerry Stermer in the "Voice for the man."

Read the third and final installment of a three-part series on the plight of nonprofits in Illinois. Crystal Yednak writes, "Joining forces: To prepare for an uncertain future, nonprofits collaborate rather than compete."

And if you want to read about the anticipated effects of this year's state budget banking on delaying payments to certain Medicaid providers, read my feature, "Pay delay."

As always, our columnist Charlie Wheeler gives valuable context and analysis about what legislators and the governor have done by booting the tough choices into next year.

I also provide analysis about how "small budget cuts hit home in a big way." Case in point: grant-funded programs for people with disabilities and college students are in limbo.

And executive editor Dana Heupel gives the national context to Illinois' budget woes in his monthly column.

Our print readers also can read two guest essays: the first by Brent Never, who adds to the picture of how nonprofits are at the mercy of the state; the second by Jack Van Der Slik, who analyzes why politicians shrink from raising taxes as long as they can. Also available in print-only are more articles about campaign finance, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, a lawsuit over Chicago's parking meters, the closure of Howe Developmental Center, the attack of the waterhemp weed and other Illinois issues.

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September issue: Out with the Old — NCLB

Check out the September edition of Illinois Issues magazine.

Find a profile of Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, who has taken her party away from the legacy of James 'Pate' Philip, according to writer Kevin McDermott, in "Her own style."

In our cover story, educators and policy groups weigh in as Congress prepares to reauthorize the 2001 No Child Left Behind law. See "Out with the old."

And get a preview of an Illinois Supreme Court case that has potential to clarify what nonprofit hospitals need to do to qualify for property tax exemptions. Read "Charity care" before the case's oral arguments, scheduled for September 23.

In the print edition, only, University of Illinois at Springfield professor Christopher Mooney analyzes Gov. Pat Quinn's "populist" style as he calls attention to direct democracy concepts of recall and citizen initiative in "Let the people speak."

Also in print-only, MarySue Barrett, president of the Metropolitan Planning Council, pens a guest essay about "Wise spending," or a method she says would get infrastructure investment right.

As always, the print edition also includes, among other monthly features, the award-winning column by Charlie Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at UIS. This month, he says, "Illinois' budget is the most out-of-whack in recent history."

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June issue: A spectacular collapse

Read the latest Illinois Issues magazine to read how the quest for the American Dream led to a national economic nightmare.

Also read "Culture of caring" to explore how the federal government relies on a wide range of Illinois nonprofits to provide human services, to support education and to keep the arts alive.

And while the Illinois General Assembly left Springfield without approving a state budget that the governor would sign, lawmakers did overwhelmingly support a new data system that will track students from preschool through college and career. The trick is whether anyone will know what to do with the data. Read "Data mining" for more.

Available in the print edition only is an essay about "A man with the plan," Daniel Burnham, as well as a feature about how college grads struggle to repay student loans during the national recession.

On Illinois Issues online, also find a variety of sources for the ongoing corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

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May issue: A break from the past

Read the latest Illinois Issues magazine to see how Senate President John Cullerton is "reigning in the Senate." The Democratic leader has revived a bipartisan spirit, but how long that lasts depends on upcoming polarizing votes.

Also read what's at stake when the federal government takes its census of Americans.

And learn how Illinois is waiting for the federal government's signal about whether "clean coal" technology is worth the risk.

Available in the print edition only are stories about Illinois' infrastructure needs and costs, as well as the push for legalization of medical marijuana.

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Bragging rights

The Chicago Tribune listed our own Illinois Issues magazine as one of its 50 favorite magazines in today's Tempo section. The entry reads:

ILLINOIS ISSUES
Not just a magazine for policy wonks, Illinois Issues deciphers Springfield legislation for all constituents in the Land of Lincoln. Education, immigration, conservation and, of course, corruption are analyzed regularly in lively, well-informed articles on the state of our state.

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Illinois Issues Reporter Bethany Carson Makes Right Choice About Adjournment Date

The Daily Herald’s “Animal Farm” blog is reporting that Jacobs High School graduate Bethany Carson, who now covers the State Capitol for Illinois Issues, a magazine published by the University of Illinois, put off her June 30th wedding when the General Assembly did not adjourn “on time.”

She re-scheduled it for August 4th.

The General Assembly still has not adjourned and doesn’t look like it will until at least August 4th.

Carson has learned the all-important lesson that Chicago media taught during the 1990’s by its lack of coverage of things Springfield:

What happens in Springfield
doesn’t make much difference.

She’s a fast learner.

Posted first on McHenry County Blog, which is very much alive this weekend.

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