COVER STORY
Spring Guide 2026
Spring Guide has information on seasonal day and weekend trips, how to bring spring into your home, an expanded three-month calendar of events and more.
LATEST NEWS
Logan County takes its time on data center proposal
A recently approved 60-day moratorium on accepting applications for data centers will help Logan County Board members become better informed…
Limited environmental assessment of data center
After months of hearings and discussions, the Sangamon County Board seems poised to approve plans for the county’s first data…
Illinois governor’s race will be a rematch in 2026
Republican voters in Illinois have once again chosen former state Sen. Darren Bailey as their candidate for governor, giving him…
“Business as usual” at BUNN, for now
When BUNN, in business in Springfield since 1840, announced on March 11 that it had been sold to food service…
A roundup of county election results
Appointed Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch won the Republican primary forsheriff on March 17, fending off an enthusiastic challenge from…
Voters narrowly approve mental health board
Primary voters approved a referendum March 17 that will levy a 0.5% limited sales tax for a mental health board…
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News
Voting information for March 17 primary
Primary election voters will decide key Democrat and Republican nominees for a number of local, statewide and federal government offices…
Using her own words against her
A video shot by the family of former Sangamon County deputy David Timm shows the 25-year veteran of the sheriff’s…
BUNN bought by Chicago-based conglomerate
Sangamon County’s largest manufacturer was sold today to an out-of-town conglomerate, marking the end of five generations of control by…
New owner and plans for Town & Country Shopping Center
Town & Country Shopping Center has a new owner, who says he plans to make about $5 million in renovations…
opinion
Letters to the editor 3/19/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. PEOPLE OVER PROFITS The…
Editor’s note 3/19/26
It’s good that the community mental health board referendum won approval on its first attempt, shortening the time when public funds will help to…
Pick of the litter
“Company’s coming!” Caseworker, health inspector, church lady – whoever is coming, it means get the pizza boxes off the coffee table and pick up…
Independent campaign expenditures rise
Independent campaign expenditures have skyrocketed this year in state legislative races. All of these numbers were current as of 4:20 p.m. Friday, March 13,…
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Food and drink
An ancient food preservation method for today
Confit and rillettes are two traditional methods of food preservation. Dating back to ancient civilizations, these methods originated as a…
Irish soda bread
The sweet, raisin-studded soda bread that many of us Americans know and love is about as authentically Irish as corned…
How to make exceptional chicken stock
Freezers shouldn’t be packed more than 75-80% full to allow optimal airflow. Mine’s about 95-98% full, mostly with one-cup containers…
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Music
March to the music
As we leave behind the recent blast of uninvited, somewhat unexpected and definitely unwanted wintry weather and…
St. Pat’s parties on
As we continue to march along through the times, the time has come to celebrate the Irish…
ISO concert evokes the beauty of life and beyond
Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s “Vision and Vitality” concert on March 6 was a feast for the ears, as…
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ARTS AND CULTURE
Hail Mary good but too long, Immortal Man brings Peaky Blinders to an end
Epic Hail Mary a journey too long Having not read Andy Weir’s novel Project: Hail Mary, I came in cold to Phil Lord and Christopher…
Old State Capitol site of activities, presentations
Starting Saturday, history will come alive downtown at the Old State Capitol for spring break with a variety of family-friendly activities and presentations. On Saturday,…
Psychology
My sister gave violin lessonsHer studio was her home nearour dairy. When her own daughterhad a scheduled lesson she had toput on hat, coat, and…
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Best of Springfield®
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Best Of Springfield 2025
See the results Every year, we ask our opinionated readers to tell us about their favorite people, places and things in the Springfield area. Over the decades we’ve been doing this, we’ve continued to tweak both the process and the results issue to try to keep things fresh and interesting. While anything food-related typically dominates…
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