People
in the news

Frances Hulin
The U.S attorney for the Central District of Illinois retired. The Urbana resident had led that office since 1993.

Illinois Issues, January 24, 2002

Michael Bilandic
The former Illinois Supreme Court chief justice died January 15 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was 78. Bilandic served on the Supreme Court for a decade and served as chief justice from 1994 through 1996. He was Chicago mayor following the 1976 death of Richard J. Daley.

Illinois Issues, January 16, 2002

George Ryan
The governor plans to make a return trip to Cuba, this time with representatives of Illinois pharmaceutical companies who are expected to sell medications that would help the nation recover from a November hurricane. Ryan in 1999 became the first U.S. governor to visit Cuba in nearly four decades.

Illinois Issues, January 10, 2002

Mark McDonald
The public affairs officer for the Illinois State Police has become a public relations representative for the Prairie Heart Institute in Springfield. He had been with the state agency for more than eight years.

Illinois Issues, January 4, 2002

Laura Anderson
The acting chief of staff for House Republican Leader Lee Daniels has been named chief of staff. The Elmhurst resident replaces Mike Tristano.

Illinois Issues, January 4, 2002

 

News January 2002

Teacher shortage looms
Demand for teachers in Illinois threatens to out-pace the number of quality candidates over the next four years, according to the Illinois State Board of EducationŮs annual report on teacher supply. The report cites increasing enrollments and teacher retirements, along with a shrinking number of graduates in teacher education. About 55,000 new public school teachers will be needed by 2005, and the report estimates that 60 percent of those positions will have to be filled by novices.

Illinois Issues, January 24, 2002

Budget cut plan stalls
The House blocked Gov. George Ryan’s push for authority to cut 5 percent from state agencies. Legislative leaders told Ryan during negotiations they would back the plan, which was designed to eat into a deficit the governor’s office projects at $500 million, but the measure fell three votes short in the House.

Illinois Issues, January 16, 2002

Hospital cuts eased
Illinois hospitals that serve large numbers of Medicaid recipients convinced Gov. George Ryan to reduce the Medicaid cuts he announced in the fall. Ryan agreed to restore $24 million of the $114 million he trimmed from Medicaid reimbursements to Illinois hospitals. Ryan and lawmakers began negotiations on additional budget cuts.

Illinois Issues, January 10, 2002

Link to The Chicago Reporter
Publication’s analysis shows Illinois FIRST awards favor targeted legislators; minority districts come up short
http://www.chicagoreporter.com/2001/11-2001/first/first1.htm

Illinois Issues, January 10, 2002