There’s something to be said about finishing what you start. As of June 1, associate judges in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court will keep cases from the beginning to the end of a trial. Juvenile court cases will be managed by four judges who will rotate in and out instead of one. Four associate judges […]
Holly Dillemuth
Posted inNews
Summit restores hope
A statewide effort to help restore offenders on probation back to society has come to Springfield through efforts by the Fifth Street Renaissance, Springfield Urban League and Tower of Refuge, Inc. The first “Summit of Hope” in Springfield invited more than 600 individuals on probation at the state and county level, and from Department of […]
Posted inNews
Exporting Illinois
If business is slow here in Illinois, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has a suggestion: Look for customers outside of the country. Carlinville native Sherry Brianza is proud that her line of cosmetic products, sold nationally and worldwide, are packaged with a central Illinois label. “Everyone in Carlinville finds it quite humorous,” says Brianza, […]
Posted inNews
Work beats prison
Three Decatur teens watch as a cloud of sawdust erupts from power tools operated by their wood shop instructor, Jim Taylor, in a warehouse used by Macon County Probation. For two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, these boys are like kids on summer break. In reality, Jimmy Lee, Tylor and Greg, are all minors on […]
Posted inNews
Non profit applicants wanted for $17,000 grant to aid homeless
Springfield residents have turned an extra nickel and dime into a more than $17,000 to help curb homelessness in Springfield. The City of Springfield’s Round-Up program is proof that small change really can add up to make a difference. Through the voluntary contribution program, community residents can round their City Water Light & Power bill […]
Posted inNews
Finding minority firefighters
The father of Chatham resident Alexander Thomas told him before taking a June 18 written test for the Springfield Fire Department that he should study hard because efforts by the city to boost minorities on the city’s payroll might give him a better chance of getting the job. But after taking the first of a […]
Posted inNews
White Oaks renovation planned to attract more people and revenue
A multimillion-dollar renovation is planned for White Oaks Mall beginning as early as late summer. Some say it could mean a boost in sales and property tax for the city of Springfield. “There is absolutely no question that this mall has been an economic engine since the day it opened,” said Mayor Michael Houston at […]
Posted inNews
North side children’s library moves ahead with $20,000 grant
Children and families on the north side of Springfield will soon have a library next door. A committee made up of church members at Third Presbyterian Church and local residents will open the Northside Community Children’s Library at the church in the fall, hoping to fill the void left by north and west branches after […]
Posted inNews
The gamble on harness racing and slots at the state fairgrounds
The owners of a major standardbred breeding farm in central Illinois were planning to put a “For Sale” sign on their racehorses at the end of the summer. That was before the General Assembly passed a bill May 31 to expand harness racing and add slot machines at the state fairgrounds. With the horse racing […]
Posted inNews
Officials slow to sign rail minority hiring agreement
Representatives of Faith Coalition for the Common Good are scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in Chicago, Thursday, June 9, to discuss a Springfield agreement that would fill nearly one-third of rail jobs with minorities, women and low-income workers. “It would be really pleasing to go to Secretary LaHood and share […]
Posted inNews
Will the state cut Springfield’s pay?
Local government officials are questioning whether the state of Illinois will make cuts to local government distributive funds, the portion of state income tax given to municipalities. At a May 27 Citizens Club of Springfield meeting, Mayor Michael Houston told Senate President John Cullerton, the featured speaker, of his concerns that the state could hinder […]
Posted inNews
Local merchants wary of sports superstore
Local athletic stores are gearing up for competition from a sports superstore set to open on South MacArthur Boulevard next month. Scheels Outfitters, located at Legacy Pointe Town Center, will open its doors June 25. The store is one-third hunting and fishing, one-third athletics and one-third shoes and clothing, says Kevin Lambley, store leader at […]
