In the nine years since Gov. George Ryan imposed a statewide moratorium on capital punishment, death penalty opponents have pushed and prodded legislators to abolish the practice. This year, due to mounting evidence of excessive costs and nominal deterrence, plus a general atmosphere of change, opponents say it could finally happen. State Rep. Karen Yarbrough, […]
Amanda Robert
Posted inNews
The Outlaws can’t stop playing football
Some guys hunt, some guys golf. Brent Bordenkircher plays football. He’s not just talking about throwing the pigskin around the backyard or calling up some buddies for a ragtag round of flag football in the park. He’s talking about competitive semi-professional eight-man football, right here in Springfield. The Capital City Outlaws, founded in 1991 as […]
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Uninsured to get free healthcare
At a recent healthcare forum, Dr. Janet Albers, chairman of the Sangamon County Medical Society’s community health committee, told the audience that even though the United States spent $2.1 trillion on healthcare in 2006, citizens’ overall health is not where it should be. The reason? Because, she says, 47 million people in the U.S. are […]
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Caring for Creation
Last October, Sr. Sharon Zayac, the director of Jubilee Farm and a local environmental advocate, was chosen to represent the Dominican Sisters of Springfield at The Climate Project’s first-ever faith community training session in Nashville. TCP, a nonprofit organization founded by former Vice President Al Gore to increase awareness of the climate crisis, has trained […]
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Advisory council aims to make Springfield bicycle-friendly
David Sykuta and his wife, Marcia, have ridden their bright yellow tandem recumbent bicycle all across the Midwest. They’re not speed riders, he says — they just enjoy riding and exploring the beauty and charm of smaller towns. After several trips through Alton/Wood River and Edwardsville, two Metro-east Illinois areas that Sykuta says have expansive […]
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Cleaning up Springfield’s garbage
Alexander Harris-Taylor deftly navigates his city-issued red sedan through the network of streets and snug alleyways in Enos Park, finally stopping in front of 315 E. Rafter. Bundled in a bulky North Face jacket, he braces against the 4-degree wind-chill and strides toward the rear of the two-family rental house. He whips out a small, […]
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Better facilities planned for the homeless
Springfield’s homeless and their advocates have long promoted the idea of a separate day center, but as two local nonprofits expand their space and services, that need could be eliminated. The Salvation Army began its search for a new site more than four years ago, after the needs of its homeless shelter and community center […]
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Marijuana fines to help city finances
Now that Ward 2 Ald. Gail Simpson pushed through an ordinance that classifies minor drug charges as city code violations instead of as criminal offenses, what effect will it have on Springfield? Simpson introduced the measure to help fill the city’s $12.5 million gap in the fiscal year 2010 budget. Instead of referring such charges […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Loads of Lincoln lore
Next week, Illinois’ favorite native son finally turns 200. After days, months, and even years of planning and preparing, Springfield residents will tip their hats to the 16th president in a weeklong celebration of his life and legacy. The party kicks off Feb. 6 with the opening performance of Our American Cousin, the play Abraham […]
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Alderman attacks drive-up liquor windows
In the early ’90s as a lobbyist for Autosense International, Sam Cahnman had state legislation introduced requiring second-time DUI offenders to install breath-alcohol ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. In 1999, he lobbied to expand the mandate to first-time offenders and applauded the state for implementing the legislation earlier this year. Now Cahnman, the alderman […]
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Funding may be roadblock to
It seems hardly fair to ask new businesses to locate and invest in Springfield if Springfield isn’t willing to invest in itself. That’s the advice Jim Roth, a member of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Quantum Growth Partnership, gave residents last week during a public hearing on infrastructure needs. “A community that’s willing to […]
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Time to renew
If people can spend $40,000 to add a garage to their home or $10,000 on a new swimming pool, Mark Bauer says, why not invest in solar or wind power? “We drop money into our homes for things that we put value on that have no return on investment,” he says. “If you put money […]
