Amanda Robert

Mandy Magill, a 29-year-old mother of two, started as a library assistant at Lincoln Library in August 2004. She was one of 15 employees recently laid off as part of Mayor Tim Davlin’s plan to reduce city spending by $3.2 million. Magill has witnessed a gradual breakdown of the library system, she says, with this […]

A federal judge recently hindered efforts to allow more people with developmental disabilities to live in the community rather than in institutions. U.S. District Judge James Holderman ordered Ligas v. Maram, a civil lawsuit filed against the state in 2005 by nine people with developmental disabilities who say institutions are their only housing option, to […]

Small miracles have come true since Chewey moved in with the Drew family. Six-year-old Kaleb Drew has autism, a developmental disability that affects social, emotional and communication skills. He was only sleeping three hours each night until Chewey, a nearly 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, climbed into bed with him. The dog lies “longways” against Kaleb, […]

Before developers installed the children’s playground at Edwin Watts Southwind Park, they spent an entire day discussing their options with representatives from United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln, Sparc and the Hope Institute for Children and Families. Diane Mathis, a lead developer for the new 80-acre “all-abilities” venue near the intersection of Interstate 55 and […]

Even though Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois announced this week that state funding cuts would temporarily shutter its central unit, leaders hope community support and federal dollars can get their organization back on track. Jill Shurtz, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, says that beginning July 13, the 100 kids who once spent their […]

In just the past year, Cassy and Alyssa Gaddis, teenage sisters from Springfield, have become the bright-eyed faces of the National Guard music campaign. Since Alyssa, now 13, penned “The Price of Peace” last summer, the girls have recorded the song in Nashville, starred in their own music video (which appeared in movie theaters across […]

As Illinois prepares to slash funding for, and effectively shut down, social service and nonprofit organizations, Kerry Jennings is working to launch Chrysalis Independence Foundation, Inc. — a nonprofit that plans to build a fitness center for Springfield’s low-income and disabled communities. So how’s he going to do it? “I want this all to be […]

After less than two months of fundraising, the Pleasant Plains Historical Society is ready to purchase and restore Clayville. Jim Verkuilen, the historical society president and village mayor, and David Bourland, the property’s current owner, have signed an option agreement for the 13-acre historic site, located along Route 125 just east of Pleasant Plains. The […]

More than 50 people assembled on the steps of the Capitol Friday, wearing tan, gray and blue T-shirts that carried their message: Break the Silence in Sri Lanka. The crowd — with members young enough to ride in strollers and old enough to be grandfathers — chanted “Stop the genocide” and “We want justice.” They […]

Local Flavors, a program that connects farmers, restaurants and consumers, has returned for its second season. The program, which started as a dinner series, will expand this year to offer both lunches and dinners at 11 locally owned eateries in the Springfield area. Consumers who attend will support local farmers, as well as the restaurants […]