Man arrested by FBI owns property with an Illinois state trooper
A 60-year-old man charged in federal court with operating six “houses of prostitution” in Springfield wants to transfer his ownership interest in an office building to an Illinois state trooper who jointly owns the building. Gregory L. Fraase of Springfield asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen McNaught for permission to transfer his interest in a vacant…
Local efforts increase federal funds to address homelessness
Over the past decade, the Springfield and Sangamon County community has received the lowest amount of U.S. Housing and Urban Development funding to address homelessness among Continuums of Care in the state of Illinois. HUD utilizes an annual Continuum of Care competition and application process to determine the amount of funding communities receive through their…
A major loss for Chicago Teachers Union
Just eight of 78 Illinois House Democrats openly sided last week with the once-indomitable Chicago Teachers Union. The CTU hotly opposed a bill to halt all public school closures and prevent disproportionate budget cuts and changes to admissions criteria at Chicago’s selective enrollment schools until a fully elected Chicago school board is seated in 2027.…
Harold L. “Lee” Milner Feb 25, 1946 – April 17, 2024
Harold L. “Lee” Milner, 78, of Springfield, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born on February 25, 1946, in Breese, Illinois, the son of Shirley and Dorena (Burkett) Milner. Lee married Cynthia Young on November 30, 1974 in Springfield. Lee graduated from Bridgeport High School in Lawrence County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications…
Firefighters lobby for city-operated ambulance service
The president of the union representing Springfield firefighters says he is encouraged by Mayor Misty Buscher’s plan to form a commission that will examine options for improving emergency medical services. Whether that group will make more progress than a panel with the same task under the previous mayor, Jim Langfelder, remains to be seen. Also…
Blown away by April music
Ahoy, mateys, and welcome to our weekly roundup of local happenings in the Springfield music scene. This week is some of this and some of that, but that’s not all; as the warmer weather blows our way, the outdoors gigs increase and we get closer to full-swing summer mode. Our first mention is sad news…
William Somerset Maugham play scheduled at Edwards Place
Lady Frederick Fri.-Sat., April 26-27, 7 p.m. and Sun., April 28, 2 pm Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St. 217-523-2631 THEATER | William Somerset Maugham play scheduled at Edwards Place This romantic comedy by acclaimed British writer William Somerset Maugham was first performed in London in 1907. It later moved to Broadway…
The Ministry an engaging fact-based story, Civil War a timely tale but Sasquatch Sunset plods along
Fact-based Ministry a rousing effort Based on the book of the same name and recently unclassified documents, Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is the latest fact-based entertainment to hit the big screen. It’s 1942 and England is on the ropes in its conflict with the Axis powers. Bombing raids have put the populace…
Home & Garden events
Ongoing Tuesdays Stewardship Workday Work with others or independently on a variety of stewardship projects at various properties. Learn about properties of the Friends of the Sangamon Valley and the diversity of plants and animals. Call or text for location and details. Hosted by the Friends of the Sangamon Valley. 217-493-3115. Spring Migration Bird Hikes…
What’s happening at the Capitol
Weeks after two high-profile resignations at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Gov. JB Pritzker on April 15 appointed the first-ever executive director to help lead the beleaguered agency. To fill the newly created position, the governor tapped Jim Montgomery, who most recently served as director of administrative services with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department in…
Changes proposed to state’s biometric privacy law
It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On April 11, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that, approving the first major change to Illinois’ Biometric…
Editor’s note 04-18-24
Late to the gym, I blew past a crosswalk near Memorial. A woman waiting to cross called me the name of a rear end. Secretly I agreed with her and vowed to make amends. Now I take that route every morning, slowing at each white-striped intersection, and if a pedestrian is near, stopping for them.…
The Brave Little Rooster
The Brave Little Rooster friends, a chicken is an omnivore needs protein, that’s why so many early kids’ books are heavy on boys hunting and trapping – so pitch that dead bunny in the chicken yard! when bugs are under the snow my daughter and son-in-law keep a 5-gallon covered can in…
Letters to the editor 04-18-24
POINTLESS CHANGE This seems really pointless if the bars in Springfield will still be open until 3 a.m. (“Sangamon County Board to vote on ending 3 a.m. liquor licenses, April 4). You’re just forcing more people into fewer bars. Chaney Lovellette Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes OVERREACTION I live downtown, and while there are isolated incidents, for the…
Helping the Homeless. My journey and my blessing.
“You haven’t lived until you have helped someone who cannot repay you.” –John Bunyan Crack pipes. Heroin needles. Baggies. Air canisters. Infection from dirty needles. Stitches. Staples. Black eyes. Arms in casts. Open wounds. Crutches. Wheelchairs. Canes. Tears. Used condoms. Bloody clothing. Worn out book bags. Wet blankets. Torn sleeping bags. Dirty coats. Duct-taped tennis…
Periodical cicadas will emerge in droves
Throngs of people flocked to Illinois to witness the solar eclipse on April 8. Central Illinois will experience an even rarer phenomenon this spring, although it won’t attract as many tourists. In May or June, dependent on temperature, the 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas will emerge concurrently for the first time since 1803. This won’t…
Spring Lawn and Garden show
After a cold and blustery week, it didn’t quite feel like spring had arrived, but as I approached the entrance to the 2024 Spring Lawn and Garden Sale last weekend, I was shuffled along in a ripping current of homeowners and gardeners, all eager to get out of the cold and into some local deals.…
Grow a container garden
If you’re longing for the sight of fresh blossoms and lush foliage after a long winter, container gardening is an affordable, high-impact way to brighten almost any space. Whether it’s a window box overflowing with soft, romantic florals or a planter filled with tasty edibles, these basic strategies will help you create jaw-dropping arrangements that…
Spring cleaning checklist
Ever wondered why we call it “spring cleaning”? According to National Geographic, spring cleaning dates back to ancient times, and the themes of purification, preparation for a new beginning and the celebration of spring’s arrival are central to this worldwide tradition. Before electricity, homes were heated with coal and light was provided by the flame…
Spring Home & Garden
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Lush lawns covered with wildflowers are a lovely excuse to delay pulling out the mower. Amethyst-hued carpets of violets dotted with sunny dandelions not only provide food for pollinators and encourage biodiversity, but they can also brighten your bakes and add whimsy to supper. These early edible wildflowers will soon be followed by other tasty…
