Mary Hansen

Reporter

Mary Hansen

Carter Staley / NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS

Mary reports for NPR Illinois and the Illinois Newsroom. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she spent a legislative session covering statehouse news for The Daily Herald. Previously, Mary reported for The State Journal-Register, covering city government. She received her BA in International Studies from American University.

Ways to Connect

NPR Illinois Community Advisory Board Meeting
December 1, 2017

11:30 AM Call to order
Welcome - Bethany Jaeger, chair

Third Party Candidates Want Rules Eased To Get On Ballot

By Mary Hansen • Nov 22, 2017

A derivative of photo by Erik Hersman, licensed under CC BY 2.0 / FLICKR

A recent federal appeals court decision struck down the requirement that minor parties offer a full-slate of candidates for statewide or countywide offices, while another court battle looms.

More Than Lincoln: Springfield's 20-Year Plan Looks To Build New Legacy

By Mary Hansen • Nov 3, 2017

Springfield residents appreciate the city’s connection to the 16th U.S. president, but they hope to move beyond that, according to officials who developed a 20-year plan for the city.

Illinois Issues: Cities Lose Out On Retail Tax As Online Shopping Booms

By Mary Hansen • Oct 19, 2017

Buying shoes, a new computer or even toilet paper online can be convenient and cheap, but officials in cities across central Illinois say it’s taking a bite out of their budgets.

UIS Launches Fundraising Campaign

By Mary Hansen • Oct 10, 2017

The University of Illinois Springfield plans to establish a center to study President Abraham Lincoln and his continuing relevance.

The initiative is one of several priorities for a $40 million fundraising campaign the university launched Tuesday.

Sierra Club Report: CWLP Customers Paying More For Power

By Mary Hansen • Sep 22, 2017

Producing electricity at Springfield’s coal-fired power plant instead of buying it on the wholesale market cost customers $261 million over the last nine years, according to an analysis commissioned by the local chapter of the Sierra Club.

Illinois Utilities Send Help After Hurricane Irma

By Mary Hansen • Sep 14, 2017

Bill Mathews / City Water, Light and Power

A dozen linemen from Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power repaired electricity lines Thursday in the hurricane-damaged town of Lake Worth, Florida, about 60 miles north of Miami.

The crews arrived Tuesday to assist in restoring power to tens of thousands of residents after Hurricane Irma swept through the city.

“We kind of have to help each other out because you can’t staff enough workers for a storm like this,” said Bill Mathews, a CWLP supervisor. “Maybe we have an ice storm some time and they come up here and give us a hand.”