Citing “the unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved,” Navigator CO2 said Oct. 20 that the company will cancel its $3.4 billion, multi-state carbon-dioxide pipeline project. The Heartland Greenway project, which was supported by the Midwest ethanol industry and labor unions but opposed by environmental and landowner groups, would have transported liquified CO2 […]
Dean Olsen
Dean Olsen is a senior staff writer for Illinois Times. He can be reached at:
dolsen@illinoistimes.com, 217-679-7810 or @DeanOlsenIT.
City disburses $3 million grant to address homelessness
Aleisha Young and Russell Patton, both of whom have experienced homelessness, credited a social worker from the Springfield Police Department with bringing stability to their lives. “She helped with everything,” said Young, 35, who sometimes was homeless in the three years since she moved to Springfield from Peoria, where she was born and raised. She […]
CO₂ pipeline plans paused
A Nebraska company facing widespread resistance from property owners and environmentalists wants a third opportunity to win regulatory approval in Illinois for a carbon dioxide pipeline that would cross Sangamon County and inject liquid CO₂ from five Midwestern states under farmland in Christian and Montgomery counties. Navigator Heartland Greenway LLC on Oct. 10 asked permission […]
Call him Judge Wright
Sangamon County’s State’s Attorney Dan Wright will become the 7th Judicial Circuit’s newest associate judge. And it appears likely that former state’s attorney John Milhiser will return to his old job in mid-November. Dan Wright, state’s attorney since 2018, has been selected to fill the vacancy created by the July 23 death of Matthew Mauer, […]
Marijuana money mistakes
Industrial-grade equipment that Ernestus Drake bought with a $20,000 grant from the city of Springfield helped his small business win new contracts, more than double its revenues and add employees. Drake, 47, who was born and raised in Springfield, said the grant program for minority-owned businesses located in an impoverished area provided a needed jolt […]
Val Yazell returns to city government
Val Yazell says she decided to return to Springfield city government as director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development because she saw “so many things that still needed to be done.” Yazell was terminated by former mayor Jim Langfelder in March 2021, though Langfelder never said why. Misty Buscher, who defeated Langfelder and […]
Gail O’Neill reflects on her career in public health
Gail O’Neill began her career at the Springfield Department of Public Health in 1986, first teaching 5- and 6-year-olds the importance of brushing their teeth, then later counseling people newly diagnosed with HIV. She ended her career Sept. 29 as director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, which merged with the city department […]
State’s Attorney Dan Wright a candidate for judge
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright is among seven candidates vying to be appointed to an associate circuit judge vacancy created by the July 23 death of Matthew Mauer. And former State’s Attorney John Milhiser, Wright’s former boss when Wright was an assistant state’s attorney, is now working for Wright as an assistant state’s attorney […]
Momentum after many delays
Ceremonial shovels turning over dirt Sept. 20 signaled the start of construction for a $67 million sports complex that city officials said will make Springfield a popular destination for young people competing on traveling athletic teams from throughout the Midwest and beyond. “This puts Springfield on the map for sports tourism,” Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher […]
Springfield Clinic to be major sponsor
Springfield Clinic’s name and logo will appear on the inflated dome of a 190,000-square-foot structure for indoor practices and competitions at Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe. That name recognition for the clinic, one of the largest multispecialty medical groups in Illinois, is just one part of its involvement as the park’s official Health and […]
Springfield Clinic to be major sponsor for Scheels Sports Park
Springfield Clinic’s name and logo will appear on the inflated dome of a 190,000-square-foot structure for indoor practices and competitions at Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe. That name recognition for the clinic, one of the largest multispecialty medical groups in Illinois, is just one part of its involvement as the park’s official Health and […]
Groundbreaking for Scheels Sports Park
Ceremonial shovels turning over dirt Sept. 20 signaled the start of construction for a $67 million sports complex that city officials said will make Springfield a popular destination for young people competing on traveling athletic teams from throughout the Midwest and beyond. “This puts Springfield on the map for sports tourism,” Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher […]
