MY HEART IS DOWNTOWN
I’m encouraged to see the hearts downtown. Let’s keep that spirit alive by generating local economic growth versus economic growth for non-local corporations. As a reminder, the rest of the country remembers us for some of our more progressive times in history: freeing slaves during the Underground Railroad, being the home of Abraham Lincoln and Route 66, and more recently, home of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign announcement.
While these historic connections draw tourists to Springfield, we do not have an inviting experience to offer them when they arrive, despite Visit Springfield’s efforts (it needs more support, based on what I saw in the most recent budget). My loved ones visited Springfield over the recent holidays and expressed their dismay. To summarize, they described our city as “dead” or “grey,” and they have zero desire to return. This means I will be spending future holiday money in someone else’s local economy.
As someone who has the slightest bit of hope left that we’ll realize our city’s potential during my lifetime, I hope local leaders are beginning to see the economic devastation caused by prioritizing corporate greed, further segregating our city and the lack of love that persists in the way of broken sidewalks, trash blowing through boulevards all over and boarded-up buildings on three out of four sides of town, to name a few. It’s not too late to be more proactive in every way by investing in small and local business owners and bringing real beauty to our community through art, culture and equitable opportunity.
Kaitlyn Keen
Springfield
FOLLOW THE PLANS
There have been many professional planners at various level of government for years (“A real planner this time,” Feb. 19). We never had “a” city planner, but we’ve had certified planners in various offices, making official recommendations. Many of them are regularly ignored by the elected officials.
I am thrilled with the hiring of “the” city planner in this case, but until councils and others stop ignoring professional planners, little is going to change. I hate being cynical like that, because it makes it sound hopeless. It’s not. You just have to elect people who will listen to “the” planner (and the other planners we’ve had on staff for decades).
Steven Simpson-Black
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
AT A CROSSROADS
I hope Illinois Times prints regular updates on the progress of the new city planner. The job is an important one as how Springfield continues to develop will decide what kind of city it truly wants to be.
I left Springfield at the age of 19 and now, decades later, am considering a move back. How the new city planner fares and how she is accepted by the rest of the city will be definitely on my radar.
The observation from Jim Krohe, “It would be nice if they stopped building Springfield without bothering to read the instructions first,” was very telling of the past situation with city planning. I, too, wish the new city planner well. The future of Springfield seems to be at a crossroads. She has a big job ahead.
Colleen Lavin
Ramah, New Mexico
DEATH OF DOWNTOWNS
The twin gods of Smooth Traffic and Ample Parking have turned our downtowns into places that are easy to get to, but not worth arriving at (“America’s Parkopolis,” Feb. 5).
Kurt Kremitzki
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
GOOD THINGS AHEAD
Downtown Springfield, Inc. is funded more than 90% through sponsors and event revenue. We are not a city tax-funded organization, like the majority of other Main Street organizations nationwide. I’m excited about the work we can do to enrich our downtown, and our transition in leadership will only accelerate the work we’re doing (“DSI appoints interim executive director, Feb. 17).
David Lee, DSI president
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in March 12-18, 2026.
