NOT SO DANGEROUS?

When Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2010, it left a big pool of money that had previously been used to ensure people charged with capital crimes got fair trials. Totaling almost $17.8 million

PUPPY LOVE (AND CATS, TOO)

Euthanasia rates for stray dogs and cats in Sangamon County are the lowest they’ve ever been, says Mary Ann Morris, president of Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control (SCAC). “Maybe it

PLANNING THE CITY CORE

Springfield will host seven guests from out of town next week, but they’re not here to see the sights – at least not for the same reason as other tourists. These guests are the Sustainable

SAFE SUSTENANCE

Any experienced gardener knows the value of good soil. But what if the soil is contaminated with toxins? The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency plans to test three community garden plots in Spri

PERFORM FOR PICNIC

Organizers for a Central Illinois Race Unity Picnic are looking for musicians, dancers and art-contest judges to come participate in a Race Unity event being held June 10 at Springfield’s Southw

IRISH DANCE JUDGE

Springfield’s Sharon Stidham, owner and director of the Achill Academy of Irish Dance in Springfield, recently returned from judging the World Irish Dance Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany. S

BON VOYAGE, TAX DOLLARS

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport’s venture into the airline business has hardly taken off.The airport last month committed $715,000 in public money to charter jets to replace flights to and from

PAY UP

Attorneys for Bruce Rushton, Illinois Times staff writer, are asking for more than $22,000 in fees for successfully suing the city of Springfield for violating the state Open Meetings Act.Rushton sued

DOLLARS FOR NEIGHBORHOODS

Are you a block captain or leader of your neighborhood organization within Ward 6?If so, the deadline to apply for a grant through the Ward 6 Rehabilitation and Revitalization Fund is on Monday, April

FREECYCLING FRIENDS

Spring cleaning is a gratifying practice, especially when it comes to eliminating clutter. Nearly everyone has a piece of old exercise equipment, a stack of National Geographic back issues, or some ot

Making downtown lovable

Design experts envision a walkable, bike-friendly urban core

What started as a search for office space has turned into an investment adventure for Springfield architect Larry Quenette. He took a gamble when he decided to turn the three-story Dunn Building at 20

Always chasing rainbows

Springfield prepares for its second gay pride celebration

Don’t-ask-don’t-tell is gone. Civil unions are the law of the land in Illinois. The president, who three years ago declared June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, s

Chipping away

Board upholds findings against lawyer

A review board for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has rejected a Springfield bankruptcy attorney’s appeal of an ARDC hearing board recommendation that his law lic

Run to remember a special veteran

When Brian McMillen walked into her office at Lincoln Land Community College in 2002, Jenny Gietl knew there was something special about him. McMillen had just returned from his second year of active

Action Now protests federal budget cuts

Group says it’s confused about Johnson’s vote

A group of 15 to 20 individuals and members of Action Now gathered outside Republican headquarters in Springfield May 10 to protest and question the decision making of U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson.  Joh

Write wingers

While the mainstream press cuts back, conservatives step in

Necrophilia is legal in Illinois, and the legislature is cracking down.Who knew?The Belleville News-Democrat and St. Louis Post-Dispatch in February broke the news that state Rep. Daniel Beiser, D-Alt

Attorney general questions Macoupin mine permit

Concerns come as Foresight Energy announces IPO

While one of the state’s largest coal-mining companies prepares to go public, state regulators are examining whether one of the company’s mines near Carlinville has a proper pollution perm

How will retirements affect Springfield?

Gov. Pat Quinn’s pension proposal has led to an increase in state employees applying for retirement, which could negatively affect Springfield businesses. According to the State Employees Retire

Lawmakers vote to keep supermax prison open

Panel’s 3-7 vote against Tamms closure isn’t final word

A panel of state lawmakers voted last week to keep the state’s “supermax” prison open, but the costly facility’s ultimate fate rests with the governor.

Coal curriculum

What is the state teaching children about coal?

Illinois is a coal state – the eighth-largest producer of coal in the nation at 33.2 million tons in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The Illinois Geological Survey estimates Il