The sniffles, cough and fever that accompanied Tia Wessel’s COVID-19 diagnosis were gone after a few weeks, but the rapid heartbeat, fatigue and dizziness that frightened and frustrated the 33-year-old Jacksonville resident continued for more than a year. “It was a horrible feeling,” she said. “You want to know if you’re ever going to be […]
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.
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UIS faculty could strike as soon as May 2
An “overwhelming” vote by unionized faculty members at University of Illinois Springfield to authorize a potential strike should send a message to university officials, the union’s vice president says. “In essence, the faculty are tired and fed up with the administration,” Steve Schnebly, UIS professor of criminology and criminal justice, told Illinois Times. “This is […]
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Downtown redevelopment project gets dicey
A Kansas company wants to buy the 97-year-old Myers Brothers Building and convert the downtown Springfield office complex and former department store into affordable rental housing. Richard Myers, chairman of the executive committee for Myers Family Real Estate of Springfield LLC, confirmed to Illinois Times on April 25 that the family entered into a sales […]
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Town & Country to be auctioned
The scheduled auction of Town & Country Shopping Center in May could bring a revival of sorts to the 61-year-old retail site and more positive news for the west side neighborhood, Ward 7’s alderman says. “That site has got a lot of potential, and I’m sure the new buyer will maximize its use,” alderman Joe […]
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Money for the medical district
Housing for Springfield medical professionals would be expanded with the help of $250,000 tucked inside a state budget bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law April 19 by Gov. JB Pritzker. The money will come from the Build Illinois Bond Fund for a grant to the Mid-Illinois Medical District and is mentioned […]
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At-home tests change state’s COVID reporting
Sangamon County’s COVID-19 case numbers, which are “inching up” but remain relatively low, should be interpreted with caution, the county’s top public health administrator says. The slight increase in recent weeks is “not astronomical,” said Gail O’Neill, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. “But it’s something to be a little concerned about,” […]
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UIS faculty authorizes strike
This week’s “overwhelming” vote by unionized faculty members at University of Illinois Springfield to authorize a potential strike should send a message to university officials, the union’s vice president says. “In essence, the faculty are tired and fed up with the administration,” Steve Schnebly, UIS professor of criminology and criminal justice, told Illinois Times. “This […]
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Charlie Kirk coming to Springfield
The Sangamon County Republican Central Committee hopes to follow up on record-breaking attendance at last year’s Lincoln Day Dinner with this year’s April 19 event featuring national conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, 28, a Chicago-area native and Eagle Scout, has said he is dedicated to “win the American culture war.” Raised in Wheeling, Kirk […]
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Insurance reform proposal fails
State Rep. Sue Scherer asked fellow lawmakers April 6 to vote for legislation she said would protect patients harmed by the contract dispute between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Springfield Clinic. Scherer, D-Decatur, whose 96th House district includes parts of Springfield’s east side and eastern Sangamon County, was unsuccessful in securing passage […]
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Progress for Pillsbury site
The site of the former Pillsbury factory on Springfield’s northeast side could be leveled and developed for future residential, industrial or commercial use – maybe even become a solar farm – in the next five years or more. Those are among the hopes of Moving Pillsbury Forward, a Springfield nonprofit that recently acquired the 18-acre […]
Posted inNews
Insurance reform proposal fails
State Rep. Sue Scherer asked fellow lawmakers April 6 to vote for legislation she said would protect patients harmed by the contract dispute between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Springfield Clinic. Scherer, D-Decatur, whose 96th House district includes parts of Springfield’s east side and eastern Sangamon County, was unsuccessful in securing passage […]
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A rocky recovery
People are showing up at Gateway Foundation sicker than ever from drug and alcohol addiction because of various factors at play in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people with substance-use disorder who walk through the doors of Gateway’s Springfield Treatment Center begin to shut down physically and lose consciousness. That’s according to […]
