Back tracking: A glimpse back to 2024 girls' state track

Many of last year's state qualifiers will once again run, jump, and throw for a chance at becoming a state champion. Here is a look at some of the Class 1A track and field athletes who will make their way to state again, and a few who made their final journey to Charleston.

As The Sentinel prepares to cover this year's IHSA Girls State Track & Field Finals, we’re diving into our archives to celebrate the athletes and moments from last year's state championships. Here's a look of state qualifiers and finalists from 2024 and how they fared.

Tuscola's Lia Patterson running the 100m Hurdles — Despite a midday drizzle, Tuscola superstar **Lia Patterson** clears a hurdle in the 100m distance event in last year's 2024 prelims. After finishing first in her heat at 14.50 on Thursday, Patterson went on to win the Class 1A title on Saturday, turning in a 14.51.

Walking on air

Villa Grove's Baylee Martin sails down the runway during the Class 1A Long Jump prelims. Martin went on finish 12th in the finals with her best attempt for 5.09 meters or 16' 8.5". The sophomore will compete tonight in the Tuscola Sectional to advance to next week state meet in Charleston.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Carrollton's Calie Field races against Shelby Thorson and Cassidy Fosen — Carrollton's **Calie Field** stays ahead of Nashville's Shelby Thorson and Seneca's Cassidy Fosen while running in Heat 4 of the 100m dash. Field, a junior in 2024, finished second in the heat at 12.71, missing the cut to the finals by 0.17 of a second. She will be back on the big blue oval at O'Brien Field, having qualified for this year's state meet yesterday by taking third in the race at the Rushville Sectional.

Alexis Bowman runs the anchor leg for the North Mac 4x200 relay team

Senior Moment

North Mac senior Alexis Bowman tries to stop after crossing the finish line in first place in heat 3 of the Class 1A 200m Relay. Bowman along with teammates Kaelyn Swift, Emma Crawford, Addison Earley turned in a time of 1:45.71. After qualifying for the finals, the squad ran again on Saturday to win the bronze medal with an even better time of 1:42.91.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Grace Gillespie focuses on her next pole vault attempt — Mercer County's **Grace Gillespie** focuses on her next run to the pit in the pole division. She was one of five athletes to advance to state in 2024 for the Golden Eagles.

Teutopolis' **Halle Bushue** reaches back for the baton from teammate **Adi Davidson** while running in the 4x100 relay. The squad failed to make the finals with their 53.34 last year. Davidson will be heading back for another shot at a spot on the podium with three new squad members Adrienne Koester, Ella Neihls, and Emma Isley, who advanced with new 52.16 PR on Wednesday at the Newton Sectional.

Heritage state-qualifier Loren Tate competes in state triple jump

Heritage junior Loran Tate finished last year's state meet in 25th place with her best leap in the Triple Jump at 10.00m or 32' 9.75".

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Anthony distance runner Isabella Keller made a splash her freshman year, placing second in the Class 1A state cross country meet in Peoria. Keller won her prelim heat in the 1600m run and went on to finish second in the championship event on Saturday.

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Tags: State track meet, IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals, Mercer County, Golden Eagles, St. Anthony, Heritage Hawks, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Relay Race

Tollway Authority asked to explain error costing Illinois taxpayers $44.6 million

"When you add this mistake of awarding the wrong contractor the contract, pulling them off and putting someone else in, the total adds up to $44.6 million more than the initial contract."

By Jim Talamonti .::. Illinois Reporter
The Center Square

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is being asked to explain a costly mistake to taxpayers.

State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox lake, said a report from The Daily Herald highlights how a contract for tollway construction west of Chicago went to the wrong company. Weber said the work agreement on the I-88, I-290 and I-294 interchange was given to a company from out of state, even though state law gives preference to Illinois companies bidding up to 4% higher.

“The new contractor came in who, because of our 4% Illinois preference law, that was the mistake that was made,” Weber said.

The tollway agency realized the error and switched to the Illinois company after work on the project began, resulting in higher labor expenses and legal costs, Weber said.

Weber said the initial contractor received a $25 million legal settlement: $15 million for work performed and $10 million in damages.

An Illinois legislator is asking the state’s tollway authority to explain a contracting error which will cost taxpayers nearly $45 million.

According to Weber, the Illinois contractor’s bid was $3.1 million higher than the out-of-state contractor. Weber said the new contractor is getting an additional $16.5 million to finish the job by the July, 2027 deadline.

“When you add this mistake of awarding the wrong contractor the contract, pulling them off and putting someone else in, the total adds up to $44.6 million more than the initial contract,” Weber said.

Speaking on the floor of the Illinois House, Weber asked for an explanation.

“I would hope that the tollway authority or the director or someone, I would invite them to please come to Transportation Committee and explain exactly how taxpayers just got a bill for $44.6 million more than the initial contract,” Weber said.

In a statement to The Center Square, an Illinois State Toll Highway Authority spokesman said that the work performed by the initial contractor included about $15 million for construction already performed, which the agency would have been required to pay even if the contract had been retained.

“The total amount of additional costs paid by the Tollway regarding this contract amounts to nearly $27 million,” the statement said.

The mistake comes as state lawmakers finalize budget discussions in the final weeks of the spring legislative session. Transportation is a major focus as regional public transit agencies face an estimated $770 million fiscal cliff.

State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said last month that Illinois needs a $1.5 billion revenue stream to create the type of mass transit system people want.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that it is asking the public to provide feedback on the state's transportation system and the agency’s overall performance by taking its annual Traveler Opinion Survey. Conducted through May 30, the survey is available online at idot.illinois.gov.