Sick without sympathy

Mental illness advocates aim to erase stigma

For the first time in years, Springfield resident Sarah Williamson is off Social Security disability. After 10 years in and out of college, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UIS in 200

Group aims to bring CeaseFire to Springfield

Program aims to quell violence at first signs of conflict

When a young man from a high-risk neighborhood gets shot and survives, he has the potential to become a hero. But what kind of hero he chooses to become can mean either peaceful progress or continuing

Springfield urged to watch for human trafficking

State officials and local social service providers can’t say how big of a problem human trafficking is for Springfield but they’re still encouraging local residents to keep their eyes open

Non-union company wages labor war on three fronts

One lost cause, one battle continues and one begins

A non-union contractor suing Springfield School District 186 for rejecting the company’s construction bid last month has filed a second lawsuit over a related matter – this time in Effingh

Advocates: States must prepare for Alzheimer’s boom

Springfield resident Tom Berkshire, 68, is married to a woman, 66-year-old Charlotte, who was diagnosed with dementia about five years ago. Suffering from frontotemporal dementia, Charlotte can no lon

Choice schools

District 186 banks on “choice,” so parents will choose city schools

District 186 Superintendent Dr. Walter Milton dreams of a Springfield public school system full of “choice,” with a series of magnet schools, which accept students regardless of where they

‘Passionate about teaching’

Q&A with Dr. Walter Milton

What’s your vision for District 186?Milton: “Short-term is that we have a laser focus on student achievement, that we increase student achievement all around... in a more robust manner. Se

Two strong candidates vie for open school board seat

When Cheryl Wise this spring finishes her term representing Springfield School District 186’s Subdistrict 5, one of two accomplished women will take her place. Which one depends on how voters ca

Dodge gets five years for Ponzi scheme

Schemer’s son: ‘Father suffers from great delusions of grandeur’

Awaiting last week his sentencing to five years and three months in prison, James U. Dodge, a man once described by his former friends as exuberant, lively and inviting, sat still and stone-faced in h

Candidates eager to lead District 186

Four school board seats up for grabs

On April 5, voters in four of seven sub-districts will be asked to choose who they want representing them on District 186’s school board for the next two years. The 10 candidates, all of whom pa