Susan Stephens

WNIJ News Reporter/Producer

Susan’s parents should have known she’d end up in radio: her favorite toys were tape recorders, cameras, notepads, and books. Many years later, she’s an award-winning reporter at her favorite radio station. Formerly WNIJ’s News Director, she asked to return to the role of full-time reporter/anchor/utility player in 2010 (less paperwork, more reporting!). Her #1 goal is to tell the most compelling stories in the fewest words possible…all the better if a little humor can be thrown into the mix. It should come as no surprise, then, that she can whip up a haiku for any occasion. She also enjoys the Detroit Tigers, learning pioneer skills (Gardening, canning, and the like. Just in case.), traveling with friends, and pretending she’s going to get around to playing her theremin.

sstephens@niu.edu

Gov's pay dispute with AFSCME back to arbitration

Credit WNIJ

By Susan Stephens

A Cook County Circuit Court judge has decided to send a dispute between Governor Pat Quinn and major union back to arbitration.

6:24 pm

Thu June 28, 2012

Gov. Quinn praises high court ruling on Affordable Care Act

Credit WNIJ

Governor Pat Quinn

By Susan Stephens and Brian Mackey

Governor Pat Quinn hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the federal health care law, calling it “a great day for Illinois and a great day for our country.”

5:04 am

Wed June 27, 2012

Think tank urges Illinois constitutional change for fairer tax

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Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Center for Tax and Budget Accountability executive director Ralph Martire talks taxes at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

A small but engaged audience listens to CTBA director Ralph Martire talk about a graduated income tax for Illinois.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

CTBA director Ralph Martire points to the numbers demonstrating his argument that Illinois needs a graduated income tax instead of a flat tax.

By Susan Stephens

The leader of a not-for-profit think tank says now is the time for Illinois citizens to push their legislators toward a more fair tax system.

12:43 am

Thu June 21, 2012

Rockford's Tapco Building demolition begins

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Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Demolition of Tapco Building in downtown Rockford begins, 6/20/12.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Tapco Demolition

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey at the demolition of the Tapco Building.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Tapco and Amerock buildings, downtown Rockford.

Credit Austin Cliffe / WNIJ

People gather for the beginning of the demolition of the Tapco Building in downtown Rockford.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

View of the Amerock and Tapco buildings from the stage at Davis Park.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Tapco Building being taken down piece by piece.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Two pieces of heavy equipment work to bring down the Tapco Building in Rockford's downtown.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Debris falls from the track hoe being used to tear down the Tapco building.

Credit Jacqui Stephens / WNIJ

Tapco's logo still stands...for now.

Credit Susan Stephens / WNIJ

Tapco's being destroyed, Amerock's being preserved.

By Susan Stephens

Listen

Tapco story version 1 as aired on WNIJ 6/20/12.

Demolition began Wednesday on the Tapco Building, one of the crumbling old industrial buildings along Rockford’s downtown riverfront.

9:49 am

Fri June 15, 2012

Communities open cooling centers to combat heat

By Susan Stephens

Predicted temperatures in the 90s have prompted some local communities to open cooling sites for local residents.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high near 90 degrees today, 92 on Saturday and 86 on Sunday.

Cooling sites offer air-conditioned relief during periods of excessive heat or when an excessive heat advisory or warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they are safe and as comfortable as possible

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Susan Stephens

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5:17 pm

Mon July 2, 2012