Cover Story
Where does the next meal come from?
The line of cars queuing up Dec. 10 for the food distribution at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois stretched for several blocks along Capitol Avenue on a gray, foggy day. Marcia Cass was among those in line. A former home health worker who has been retired since her knee replacement surgery last…
The wild sue yonder
The Springfield Airport Authority board voted Tuesday to sue the city of Springfield over taxes that the airport says have been wrongly kept in municipal coffers since 2004. Meanwhile, board chairman Frank Vala announced that he’s received word United Airlines will be cutting Chicago flights. After the 4-2 vote, Vala hung up on a reporter…
Monoclonal antibody treatment available in Springfield
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Sangamon County. The Omicron variant has not yet been identified here, but it’s just a matter of time. Only 59.47% of the population in Sangamon County is fully vaccinated, and vaccination rates have stagnated. Consequently, COVID will continue to be an ongoing concern. Gail O’Neill, director of Sangamon…
foolery? poem # 1
when p.t. barnum’s big top became overheated overcrowded on a hot summer day he’d erect a poster: TO THE EGRESS an eager throng would follow the arrows find themselves shunted outside at present we are overheated overcrowded: are we now egressing ourselves from our star-bedecked canvas no return ticket yet available? 2021 Jacqueline Jackson
Letters to the Editor 12/16/21
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- SULLIVAN IS SERIOUS Jesse Sullivan should be taken seriously as many Illinoisians are praying for a non-political hack to get our beautiful state back on track (“Jesse Sullivan is well-funded, but does he have…
Rep. Jonathan Carroll backs down from bill targeting medical expenses for unvaccinated
Just a couple of months ago, more than 50,000 electronic witness slips were filed in opposition to a proposed legislative change to the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Whether you believe all of those filings were legitimate or not, that’s still a gigantic uproar about a bill which stopped employees from trying to…
The role of religion in politics
As the U.S. Supreme Court ponders whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, all eyes are on Justice Amy Coney Barrett – and her religious beliefs. Vanderbilt University law professor Suzanna Sherry said recently in The Hill newspaper that Barrett shouldn’t ponder abortion cases because her Catholic faith prevents her from rendering an impartial judgement. It’s one…
Help restore civility to Congress
Late last month, Statehouse Democrats and Gov. JB Pritzker enacted a new map defining the boundaries of central Illinois congressional districts for the next 10 years. Three districts cover territory within a 35-mile radius of Peoria — the 15th, 16th and 17th. It was my privilege to represent large parts of this same area (then…
Meeting needs with micropantries
Another response to the food insecurity that has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic are the micropantries that have sprung up throughout the Springfield area. While some of these free-standing, small pantries have been constructed by organized groups, others were constructed and continue to be maintained by the property owners, businesses or churches where they…
Talking Turkey about flatbreads
It’s 5 o’clock on a cold Saturday morning and I’m at Balkan Treat Box in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves learning how to make Turkish flatbreads. A chef friend had told me that Balkan Treat Box was one of his favorite restaurants, and suggested I hang out with them. So I contacted the…
Editor’s note 12/16/21
In these dark days, everybody is looking for a little light. Now comes news from the Abraham Lincoln Association that Springfield’s Bunn family, which sold groceries to the Lincolns when they lived here in the 1840s and 1850s, is making available at its Bunn Gourmet shop the very mix of tea Abraham and Mary drank,…
Renovations on state Capitol underway; Senate will make temporary move after spring session
Renovations are underway on the north wing of the Illinois Capitol. Plans include the construction of an underground parking garage, elimination of the circle drive on the north side of the Capitol and the addition of a new entry that improves access and security. “We are very fortunate that we have a statehouse to be…
Central Illinois filmmakers at work
Julie Staley started Spencer Films two years ago and has been hard at work on several projects. Just completed shooting in Los Angeles is The Lie, a short film about heroin addiction. Staley says, “This addiction is affecting many, but we don’t make strides to get ahead; more momentum is needed, and the film helps…
Holiday hoopla
As the huge holiday happening comes closer, music-related performances continue to escalate. Let’s enjoy it while we can, watching out for the Scrooge-like temptation to go pooh-poohing all the Christmas-connected holiday stuff as just way too much. And if you do succumb, there’s still plenty of live music lacking the trappings of the season for…
Just like the ones we used to know
It’s going to be a great weekend to get in the Christmas spirit with some classic holiday movies. The Legacy Theatre is showing two traditional films that have been enjoyed for generations. On Friday, you can experience all the warm feelings with the 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama, It’s a Wonderful Life. Follow George Bailey…
Illinois tries a “smart on crime” approach
A state program aiming to take a “comprehensive approach to ending Illinois’ firearms violence epidemic” will be expanded under a law signed Dec. 10 by Gov. JB Pritzker. The Reimagine Public Safety Act became law in June, but the expansion signed Friday clarifies guidelines in the original bill and gives the Illinois Department of Human…
Reform: Restoration, Revitalization and Representation
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) and University of Illinois Springfield will convene its fourth speaker series session which will be on ILBCF’s Pillar III, which focuses on eliminating the Black community’s barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity. Attention will be given to legislation that addresses banking and investment, economic mobility, small business…
City council approves additional technology to fight crime
During its first 18 months of use, the accuracy of an elaborate system designed to detect gunfire on Springfield’s east side and central neighborhoods can be verified less than 25% of the time. Despite this, the Springfield City Council voted to add additional layers of technology to the system on which $644,000 has already been…
No Way Home is glorious, Hawkeye is a bullseye, Alley is bloated
No Way Home gloriously meets expectations I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Spider-Man: No Way Home is the most anticipated film of the COVID era, or that there’s a lot riding on it. Two of the last three Marvel entries underperformed, while high expectations rests upon it, as an oft-viewed trailer confirmed…
Holiday photo op at Lincoln Memorial Garden
For a perfect holiday family photo spot and a break from the hustle and bustle of the season, head out to Lincoln Memorial Garden. Through Christmas, there are two festive backdrops available for you to take your own special holiday photos. One area next to the nature center features a hay wagon, decorated tree, garland,…
