Lizzie Seils
Springfield, Illinois
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Lizzie Seils is the Public Affairs Reporting intern for WGEM. She graduated from Illinois State University and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in PAR at the University of Illinois Springfield.
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Illinois was one of 14 states undercounted by the 2020 Census, disproving the classic complaint that Illinois is seeing a massive exodus in population. But for those left out of the count, it means a loss of resources for their community.
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Planned Parenthood of Illinois is offering abortion care in the mail.
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Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith was found in contempt of court for the 11th time for violating an order to place children in more appropriate care settings
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For most of the state, early voting opened up for residents to cast their ballots in the Illinois primary. Some counties, including Cook, have delayed the start of primaries due to ongoing legal disputes over who should and shouldn’t be on the ballot.
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Following a 10th contempt of court holding in six months for keeping children in medical facilities longer than necessary, and a state audit finding fault with the department, Illinois House Republicans say it’s time for the director to go.
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An review required by law of the Department of Children and Family Services made key findings on how the state in ensuring the quality of care for children.
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Illinois Democrats gathered downstate Wednesday to urge the US Senate to vote for the Women’s Health Protection Act and codify the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade into law. But they also said they are prepared in the event of abortion loses its legal protection.
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Four fire fighters were honored today for losing their lives in service to their communities through the fire department. It’s a large sacrifice, but to the fire fighters at the memorial today, they say what they do is nothing out of the ordinary.
In the final week of the spring legislative session, some lawmakers were calling for a complete transformation of the agency
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Eleven officers who died in the line of duty were recognized for their service.
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The Illinois Manufacturing Association held its third annual online competition for the coolest thing manufactured in the state.
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The elimination of cash bail is fast approaching for Illinois following the passage of the SAFE-T act in January 2021. Some judges have even begun the transition to no cash bail, but prosecutors are saying no cash bail will make their job a lot harder.
In an attempt to address DCFS worker safety, lawmakers moved ahead on a bill that would give assaulting a caseworker a harsher penalty, but it never made it through the final step.
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The stage is fully and finally set for the Illinois primary, which is shaping up to have some contentious competitions in congressional and statewide races.The Illinois State Board of Elections officially certified the ballot after an hours-long meeting going through the over dozens of objections filed questioning the validity of a candidates residency or petition signatures that were turned in in early March.
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A nationwide oversight agency is reporting that corporations often aren’t paying their fair share.
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Attorney General Kwame Raoul was a major proponent of the bill, even making appearances on the floors of both chambers to drum up support for the legislation.
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In an emergency situation, a dispatcher is often the first point of contact after someone dials 911, but, they aren’t considered first responders like firefighters, police or paramedics.
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Nursing home reform reached its culmination after passing the house with unanimous support.
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Hundreds of pairs or shoes were left empty in remembrance of the 347 children who have died while under Department of Children and Family Services care since April 2019, when A.J. Freund of Crystal Lake was killed by his parents.
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Nursing home reform, that stalled last year in negotiations, has now passed the Senate unanimously.
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In a yearly tradition, gun owners in Illinois took to Springfield streets to advocate more less restrictions on firearm usage and ownership.
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As carjackings continue to be a growing concern in the state, Democratic Senators introduced a package of two bills they believe will help reduce carjackings statewide.
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During the pandemic, visitation was restricted in medical facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A bill moving out of the Illinois House would prevent families from not being able to visit their loved ones due to visitation restrictions.
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The state’s top Medicaid provider is revealing significant progress toward a compromise.
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Illinois lawmakers passed legislation last October to address concerns with corruption and conflicts of interest. They intended to bring more light to government; instead, some argue the law has made things cloudier.
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Employers may be required to provide more breaks for employees after a bill expanding workers rights passed both Houses.
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College costs can easily soar into the six figures. Senators are pushing legislation that would try to ease those costs.
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Senators are pushing legislation that aims to crack down on organized retail crime, infamously known as smash and grabs where a team runs into a store grabbing any and all merchandise.
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Opioid deaths in Illinois have increased twentyfold in one decade, and a large part of the deaths have to do with the powerful, lab-made fentanyl.
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For Peoria Democrat Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act is personal; she and other colleagues have faced consequences from their natural hair before.
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When a fire rages in a small community, volunteers are often the only people available to help. As less and less volunteers are available, representatives form the Illinois Firefighter’s Association call the shortage a “public health crisis.”
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A bill moving through the Senate would allow prisoners to finish their high school diplomas while they serve time via remote learning.
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Print-disabled voters, typically those who are visually impaired, often can’t cast a ballot without assistance. The blind community argues this hurts their ability to vote privately and independently.
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Legislation passed out of the Illinois House aims to pay back public school teachers for the cost of their education.
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Following the overnight attacks on Ukraine, Illinois lawmakers have issued responses to the ensuing crisis.
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As written, the law would require teaching children how to access mental health resources during their health classes.
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A proposal moving to the House floor aims to add education requirements to investigator training and to move faster through the investigation process when nursing homes are accused of misconduct.
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Legislators moved forward with a bill that provides unlimited paid leave to school workers who take days off due to COVID-19.
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Legislation in both chambers of the Statehouse aims to authorize DCFS investigators to carry pepper spray or mace on them.
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Advocates of a bill heading to the house floor said that foster parents can remove foster kids from their home with little more than a two week notice.
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Senate Energy and Utilities committee confirmed work on a trailer bill following up legislation that requires Illinois to fully rely on clean energy by 2050.
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Continuing previous work on the rise in natural gas costs in Illinois, the House Public Utility Committee looked over legislation that would repeal a legislated surcharge one year early.
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As Governor JB Pritzker continues his statewide tour promoting his tax relief budget proposal, the Illinois Municipal League is promoting legislation that would allow small municipalities to implement a three cent per gallon gas tax.
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Illinois Senate Republicans announced a slate of proposals today that aim to stop the rise in violent crimes and bring support to law enforcement they claim was taken away by the passage of the SAFE-T Act last session, calling it an “anti-police” bill.
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As temperatures get colder this winter, gas rates continue to rise to record numbers.
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When a lawmaker breaks a law or violates an ethical rule, the Legislative Inspector General steps in to investigate.