Cover Story
Scaling up the farmers market
When Market on the Hill opened in 2020 in downtown Mt. Pulaski, its founders took the producer-to-consumer concept of the farmers market one step farther. Now, the community grocery store’s organizers are thinking on a much larger scale. “At the time we were putting the market and grocery store together, we also, on a parallel…
City fined for housing discrimination
Charlene Bennett wonders why Springfield officials fought so hard – at public meetings and in court – to prevent three men with developmental disabilities from renting a home in a quiet, residential neighborhood. “It just seemed cruel,” said Bennett, chief executive officer of Romeoville-based Individual Advocacy Group, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities live…
The real cost of a college education
When I first met my wife 21 years ago, her mother wasn’t so sure about me. After all, I was a decade older than her daughter, and we were engaged to be married within five weeks of meeting. So, she tried to come up with things that might scare me off. “Has Joan mentioned that…
Closing the equity gap for public schools
Five years ago this month, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation that overhauled the way public schools in the state are funded. The so-called Evidence Based Funding formula, or EBF, was designed to calculate the actual cost for each district to provide the kind of education the state expects, and then gradually increase the share of that…
Progress is real on The Next 10
In late 2020 when the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln asked community members to submit ideas for the betterment of their community, we weren’t sure what reaction we would get. It turned out that hundreds of ideas, big and small, were submitted. In the spring of 2021, we weren’t sure what would happen…
Editors note 9/1/22
We who value churches share the pain of the United Methodists as they struggle through their latest battle, as reflected in the news story on this page. Churches and other religious bodies throughout the country have lived through difficult times over the past two years of pandemic and racial upheaval. Political divisions, also, can’t help…
Lincoln lore on stage
Summer’s end brings a new play to Springfield with the premiere of The Baltimore Plot, by local writer and director John Woodruff, playing in the newly renovated Peggy Ryder Theatre at Hoogland Center for the Arts, Sept. 2-4, and produced by MASS Media. Based on real characters and events, the play tells the almost-unbelievable story…
Drag queens, scripture and division
The United Methodists are not so united these days. The nation’s third-largest denomination is teetering on a schism over the role of the LGBTQ community. At the center of this maelstrom of discontent is Isaac Simmons, a drag queen lay preacher in Bloomington, which is part of the Great Rivers Conference encompassing Springfield and much…
Don’t throw away your cantaloupe rinds
The latest stop in my culinary journey has landed me in the Research and Development and Fermentation Laboratory of Audrey, Sean Brock’s new restaurant in Nashville. The lab manager, Elliot Silber, holds a degree in food chemistry from McGill University, in addition to being a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. He is passionate…
Labor Day Weekend music
Well, we made it to Labor Day 2022 and the holiday weekend attached fairly unscathed from the bustling summer music schedule. Now let’s move forward with eyes and ears wide open to catch all the bountiful music bursting onto our local scene with verve and gusto, plus some good, old-fashioned fun in the sun. This…
An archaeologist’s ultimate project
Archaeological investigations by Floyd Mansberger, Fever River Research, led to the discovery of remains of five houses burned during the 1908 Springfield Race Riots. Hanson Professional Services hired Fever River Research to conduct archaeological surveys at 10th and Madison Streets as part of the Railroad Relocation Project. The site was formerly a St. John’s Hospital…
A good time for a good cause
Hey, all of you cerevisaphiles (including hopheads, you know who you are), if you’re looking for a way to round out the summer with good beer and good food, all while helping a good cause, check out the annual Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival at The Inn at 835. Over 50 different craft beer brands…
A new model for Lincoln Christian University
Lincoln Christian University officials say they are pleased by initial reactions to the institution’s new model, though the transition was wrenching and mournful for the 78-year-old institution and pillar of the Logan County seat. The model features a slimmed-down undergraduate program, continued focus on seminary and graduate-level ministry degrees and an expansion of off-campus education…
Good citizenship
Bob Gray says the Citizens Club of Springfield has accomplished many of the goals he set as founder and president since the club’s inception 16 years ago. “I think we’ve done a good job at getting a good mix of ideas and civil conversations on major issues,” Gray told Illinois Times after his retirement from…
Gigi & Nate lays it on thick, Samaritan an intriguing action film, Burial is muddled
Gigi too obvious to be effective Gigi & Nate has nothing but the best of intentions. It wants to raise awareness of the value of service animals, provide a positive portrayal of someone physically disabled and even take a swipe at illegal animal mills. It has a lot on its plate and it’s woefully obvious…
Calvin Christian III headed to prison
Calvin Christian III, whose battles over Springfield police files won him a six-figure settlement with the city while helping topple former Mayor Mike Houston, is headed to federal prison. U.S District Court Judge Sue Myerscough on Aug. 25 sentenced Christian to 24 months on six charges of possessing equipment to make phony credit cards and…
we remember we forget
I had a great idea once was I four? five? I was standing on the walk between the big house and the little house on the farm I could hardly wait to tell my sisters they came tumbling out of the little house their heads filled with their own great ideas I tucked mine away…
Letters to the editor 9/1/22
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- NOT A VICTIM The last article Illinois Times posted in this regard had the officer playing loud country music as he pulled over a Black female (“Force to be reckoned with,” April 29, 2021).…
Special session on abortion appears unlikely
Back in early July, after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Gov. JB Pritzker and the two Democratic legislative leaders, House Speaker Chris Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, issued a joint statement, which in part said: “We plan to work closely together for the remainder of the summer to assess every possibility…
