Cover Story
Turmoil at senior housing complex
Senior citizen residents and the new management of a Springfield west end apartment complex have been at odds for several months over what some residents say is a concerted effort to intimidate them into moving out. The management, however, alleges that the problem is just a handful of residents who don’t want change and who…
Not ready to learn
“I’ve been hit, struck, kicked, spit on and scratched,” Brian Daugherty said as he explained the challenges he and other teachers face at Grant Middle School. In response to what they perceive as escalating violence, Daugherty, a music teacher, and more than 30 other teachers and staff refused to go to work May 10. The…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and are now adults. The alleged perpetrators were…
Chicago mayor comes to Springfield
Much of the Illinois Statehouse appeared to be girding itself for battle with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson before his Springfield visit last week. After dramatically announcing to Chicago reporters earlier in the week that the city’s families are “owed” $1 billion from state government, particularly education, Gov. JB Pritzker sent two distinct messages to the…
Planet of the Apes a daring film, but no originality for Mother of the Bride or Lazereth
Curious pacing mars Kingdom For a tentpole movie, Wes Ball’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a rather daring film that in some ways plays against “apectations” (sorry, couldn’t resist…). Deliberately paced, at times it seems as if the director is daring us to stay interested in this, the 10th film in the…
Legislation would support local journalism
The number of journalism jobs at Illinois newspapers has dropped 86% since 2005, but press advocates see signs of hope in proposed college scholarships, state tax credits, scholarships and other subsidies to benefit local news outlets. “I’m cautiously optimistic we will see something,” Sam Fisher, former president of the Illinois Press Association, said as the…
The end of the rainbow
Despite a past pledge to reopen his halfway houses for men being released from prison, Dave Kettelkamp said that he is calling it quits after his venture, House of the Rainbow, was displaced by the high-speed rail project. Ironically, Kettlelkamp said he is getting out of the lucrative business of housing former Department of Corrections…
Future of Logan Correctional Center uncertain
Gov. JB Pritzker says it’s time to look beyond prisons when promoting economic development in rural Illinois, but that’s little consolation for the 500 workers at Logan Correctional Center who fear losing their jobs. The state is eying shutting down the prison in Lincoln and rebuilding Illinois’ main prison for women elsewhere. One possibility under…
Renovations, repairs ramping up at state fairgrounds
Construction crews and Illinois State Fair staff are working hard to finish up renovations to the grounds as the countdown to the 2024 fair continues. The Illinois State Fair hosts a plethora of construction projects, including phase two renovations to the Illinois State Fair Coliseum and restoration to the Multi-Purpose Arena. “Spring means construction here…
Editors note 5/9/24
The Lincoln Presidential Foundation brought preeminent Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer to Springfield this week to expound on his new book, Brought Forth on this Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration, and the role Springfield played in shaping his emerging views. Early in his political career he, like Mary, had little use for immigrants, especially the…
African Violets
I spent a college summer as a counselor at a nearby camp – the director said I could bring my goat who proved very popular with the campers. We couldn’t supervise her though when we were all in the mess hall; she bleated plaintively outside awaiting us. One visitors’ day I hurried out to find an…
Letters to the editor 5/9/24
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- CRAZY DRIVERS People already drive like idiots downtown, I can’t wait to see how long it takes for them to figure out these changes (“A new direction: Portions of one-way streets to become two-way,”…
Greek cuisine among world’s healthiest
NPR’s Morning Edition recently reported on a study published in The British Medical Journal that concluded that eating ultra-processed foods harms our health. The study, which was based on data compiled from more than 9 million people, found “consistent evidence” that people who consume high amounts of ultra-processed foods have an increased risk of anxiety,…
Making May music
Here we go with another jam-packed weekend of good times ahead, especially loaded with locally-based, original music happenings to which I give a hearty hurrah! Let’s see what’s on the platter this week, shall we? Thursdays continue in earnest, and with this week containing the second one of the month that means it’s time for…
Madcap race, street party return to downtown this weekend
Springfield’s popular, annual Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity was born on a napkin at the Celtic Mist Pub on St. Patrick’s Day, 2008. Since then, this hilarious downtown spectacle has only gotten better, donating more than $2 million to area charities. The event begins Friday with the Craft Beer and Cigar Festival…
UIS plans academic summer camps for local high school students
The University of Illinois Springfield hosts academic summer camps each year to help area high school students explore career options, gain practical skills through hands-on learning and have an unforgettable summer experience. All of our camps start on the grounds of the university, taught by our world-class faculty and using our first-rate facilities. Many offer…
