The high cost of behavioral health cuts

Thousands will get substandard care

Community behavioral healthcare providers recently claimed that Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to slash state mental health and substance abuse treatment funding by $26 million and $12 million, resp

Making babies at SIU

Embryologists reflect on science, faith and their life-giving work

Jim Kontio knows what it’s like to lose. After he and his wife Meganne married, the couple quickly decided that they wanted a baby. They were both older, Kontio says, and realized

Shimkus faces tough choice on carbon

As a Republican on energy committee, he may not get much say

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, stopped in Springfield last week, and as expected, carbon was his hot topic. Shimkus, a 12-year member of the House energy and commerce commi

Channel 8 goes blank for some WSEC viewers

Local PBS station goes digital; loses spot on cable lineup

As of April 22, basic and standard Comcast cable subscribers found nothing but a blank screen on channel 8 — the former analog home of WSEC/PBS Springfield. The local station went digital, req

Obama sees green

Group traces federal dollars for Illinois

Local nonprofit ready to donate brand-new books

Two moms team up to improve low-income children’s literacy

Before Nöel Scott became a stay-at-home mom, she worked as an early childhood teacher with the local Early Start program. She taught mostly low-income kids and was astounded to see t

Alderman objects to tactics aimed at hiring minority police

Ward 8 Ald. Kris Theilen says it’s not about race — it’s about being the best of the best. Theilen recently told Illinois Times that he’s disgruntled

City council still searching for money to fix streets

It’s been five months since the city of Springfield created a subcommittee on infrastructure and began asking residents for input on crumbling sidewalks and streets, but aldermen are still uns

Support the troops

Nonprofits and the National Guard show appreciation for those who serve

Junior lobbyists revved up to decrease tailpipe emissions

Illinois would join 14 other states in adopting California standards

Julien and Liam Mathie, 10- and 9-year-old brothers from the western Chicago suburb of La Grange Park, woke up at 5 a.m., put on suits and ties, and drove to Springfield with their parent