Southern Illinois News

Southern Illinois educators oppose Illinois school efficiency bill

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 16, 2019

More than 130 Illinois public school administrators who signed witness slips in opposition to a bipartisan bill that aims to consolidate Illinois school districts make six-figure salaries, according to an analysis compiled this week.

Aperion Care Cairo hit with health violations

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 3, 2019

Aperion Care Cairo, an 83-bed skilled care facility in Cairo, was cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for violations of the Nursing Home Care Act in the first quarter of 2019

From Prairie State Wire

Analysis: Illinois’ state and local tax burden is highest in U.S.

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Illinois’ state and local effective tax rate ranks the highest in the nation, according to a new study of tax burdens imposed by the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

From Chambana Sun

University of Illinois freezes tuition – but still higher than 12 of 13 Big 10 conference peers

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

In-state tuition and book costs for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will continue to be among the highest for schools in the Big 10 conference, despite the UI Board of Trustees' vote on Thursday to extend an in-state tuition freeze for the fifth-straight year.

Analysis ranks Shawnee Community College athletes No. 82 in Illinois for economic impact

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jan 20, 2019

Shawnee Community College sports programs brought in $5,775 per athlete in revenue in 2016, meaning its athletes on average generated the 82nd highest sports revenue of any school in Illinois that year, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

Shawnee Community College has 83rd highest number of student athletes in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Dec 28, 2018

Shawnee Community College ranked No. 83 for student athletic participation in the state, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of college sports participation.

Analysis: Shawnee Community College posts 19th highest gender pay gap for head coaches in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Nov 19, 2018

Men’s head coach salaries at Shawnee Community College outpace women’s team coaches by 32 percent, according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of recent U.S. Department of Education data.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois gets below-average marks on financial transparency

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Illinois received a score of 72 on making key financial information accessible and understandable to the public, according to a new report from Truth in Accounting (TIA), a Chicago-based policy institute.

From SE Illinois News

Madigan backs Elizabethtown’s Natalie Phelps Finnie with $760,184 this election cycle

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) gave a total of $760,184 to Elizabethtown State House candidate Natalie Phelps Finnie this election cycle, state filings show.

From Prairie State Wire

2018 election night preview: More competitive races now in play than in 2014

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Unlike the dynamic four years ago, a majority of the Illinois House races – 56 percent – will be competitive contests pitting major party candidates during the Nov. 6 midterm election.

From Prairie State Wire

Student academic performance looks mostly static on new Illinois Report Card

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

An annual Illinois assessment of student, school and school district performance labels more than 77 percent of K-12 schools as exemplary or commendable, even though students' academic test results appear static and sub-par in many instances

From Prairie State Wire

State House election preview: Candidates square off in 66 of 118 midterm races

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

The number of Illinois House races being contested by major-party candidates on Nov. 6 is up 13.6 percent over the last midterm election in 2014, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis.

Analysis: Shawnee Community College men’s head coaches’ pay ranks 65th in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 27, 2018

Head coaches of Shawnee Community College's men’s teams earn an average of $41,368 annually – the 65th highest average salary in the state – according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of federal education data.

Analysis: Shawnee Community College women’s head coaches’ pay ranks 75th highest in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 17, 2018

Head coaches of Shawnee Community College women’s teams earn an average of $31,378 annually – the 75th highest average salary in the state – according to a Southern Illinois News analysis of federal education data.

From South Central Illinois News

Madigan backs Jonesboro’s Marsha Griffin with $69,000

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Jonesboro State House candidate Marsha Griffin received another $69,363 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Sept. 6 and Sept. 30, state filings show.

Fall trout season to open at 2 Southern Illinois locations in October

By LGIS Newsfeed | Sep 17, 2018

Feme Clyffe State Park Lake will be one of 57 locations that will be open for the Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season beginning on Oct. 20.

From South Central Illinois News

Report: Madigan backs Jonesboro’s Griffin with $35,822

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Jonesboro State House candidate Marsha Griffin received $35,822 from Illinois House Speaker and Democrat Party Chief Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) between Aug. 15 and Sept. 6, state filings show.

From Prairie State Wire

Property tax trouble?

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Have a story you’d like to share concerning your property tax bill?

10 fire agencies in Southern Illinois receive fire safety funds

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jul 25, 2018

The McClure East Cape Girardeau Fire Protection District was among 10 firefighting agencies in Southern Illinois to receive state grants this week for safety equipment.

From Metro East Sun

Republican Bost’s war chest outpaces Kelly’s in 12th Congressional race

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Though Democrat Brendan Kelly surged in fundraising in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District during the second quarter, Republican Michael Bost maintains a campaign war chest that surpasses his opponent’s by more than $550,000, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) reports.