Texas explosion raises concerns for other towns eying fertilizer plants
Noel King Apr 18, 2013
Small communities are fighting to get fertilizer factories to locate nearby. After the West, Texas, explosion, some people who live near proposed plants are reconsidering the risk.
The smell of prosperity or illness?
Scott Carrier Jun 29, 2012
The residents of Roxana, Ill. debate if the oil refineries in and around their town represent jobs and money, cancer or something else.
New highway may leave Illinois homeowners in the dust
Lauren Chooljian May 10, 2012
Lawmakers in Illinois are poised to take up a bill to hasten construction on a new expressway. But to get the land for the highway, lawmakers may use a controversial method known as quick-take power.
Down on the farm, the economy is up
Mitchell Hartman Mar 30, 2012
But Illinois farmers give little credit to the political party in power.
In Illinois, voters hope election results will boost economy
Mitchell Hartman Mar 21, 2012
Workers in Rockford, Ill., are divided on how much the auto bailout helped the local economy. Many hope yesterday's primary election might be the first step in helping factory areas in the state fully recover.
The economic lives of two blue-collar voters
Mitchell Hartman May 3, 2012
They differ on politics, but both see college as a way to help their kids do better than they have.
Illinois to appeal FEMA disaster decision
Sarah Gardner Mar 13, 2012
After February's devastating tornadoes, the feds say "no" to extra aid.
MIDDAY UPDATE: Illinois raises income tax, California's budget, and Haiti -- One year later
Katharine Crnko Jan 12, 2011
Illinois state legislators raised the state income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent, a 66 percent hike. In plain terms, if you owed the Illinois...
