Mayor plans fundraiser

Houston pledged one term

Springfield Mayor Mike Houston said he intended to be a one-term mayor when he ran for office two years ago.“My plan is to serve four years and actually deal with problems,” Houston told t

Trying to legalize medical marijuana, again

Patients suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and Crohn’s disease can be in extreme physical discomfort and pain. Vicodin, OxyContin and morphine don’t sooth patients

Citizens’ Efficiency group questions state fire tax

Little oversight of insurance charge

Not hog heaven

Former Cargill worker sues

A former worker at the Cargill pork processing plant in Beardstown has sued the company, alleging that she was fired after she complained that the company was packaging spoiled meat for sale.Tamatha H

The lion sleeps tonight, fitfully

Lawmakers target exotic meat

Forget arguments over pensions, guns, taxes and health care.Judging by a quick Google check, the biggest issue facing Illinois lawmakers this session is the scourge of lion meat purveyors, who are now

Criminal charges possible

Prosecutor probes tree cutting

Sangamon County state’s attorney John Milhiser is considering criminal charges against Springfield workers who cut down a tree on property owned by a relative of one of the city employees.&ldquo

Springfield groups push for immigration reform

On April 4 and 5, two Springfield organizations took to the streets and the Springfield offices of members of Congress to generate support for federal immigration reform. More than 11 million people m

Seeking a transformation

Young transgender Springfield woman pushes for nationwide change

Around age six, Emma Todd of Springfield began to feel like something wasn’t right. Born genetically male, Emma says she wasn’t comfortable growing up with her assigned sex.“I just f

Abused wife freed from prison after 26 years

Gov. Quinn commutes Peggy Jo Jackson’ life sentence for her husband’s murder

When the Springfield-based Illinois Innocence Project hosts its annual fundraising banquet this weekend, they’ll have a fresh victory to celebrate. Peggy Jo Jackson of Shelbyville was released f

Debt piles up behind bars

An Illinois prisoner can accrue tens of thousands of dollars in child support debt while incarcerated because of Illinois child support laws.This, according to Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago, is counte