MINIMUM WAGE AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH Your otherwise excellent cover story, “Addressing children’s mental health,” (Sept. 11) states that the problems stem from “influence from a rapidly increasing number of technology and social media offerings in the past two decades.” That is indeed part of it, but it’s more like three or even four decades. I […]
Illinois Times Staff
Posted inTurning Points
Norma L. “Sally” Young
Norma Lee “Sally” Young, 96, of Pawnee, Illinois, passed away on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at her home in Pawnee, surrounded by her loving family. Sally was born July 29, 1929, in Pawnee, the daughter of Jerry and Lillie B. Harrier Brawner. She married George T. Young on June 30, 1951, at Pawnee United Methodist […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Demolition underway at former Pillsbury Mills site
Demolition of the 160-foot-tall smokestack at the former Pillsbury Mills site began Thursday morning after a team of workers spent the first part of the week assembling a crane with a 200-foot boom. The five-story Grocery Mix building will be the next to be demolished. Moving Pillsbury Forward, a nonprofit that was created to facilitate […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Fall Home & Garden Calendar
Illinois Product Farmers Market Third Thursday of every month, 3:30-7:30pm. Through Sep. 18. This market hosts a variety of producers, growers, bakers, artisans and local vendors as well as a food truck, live music and wine and beer choices. agr.illinois.gov. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave. Old Capitol Farmers Market Wednesdays, Saturdays, 8:30am-12:30pm. […]
Posted inIT Picks
Balloons to light up Southwind Park
As the sun sets, watch the park come alive with a breathtaking hot air balloon glow at dusk. Ten balloon pilots are scheduled to be at the event with their colorful crafts tethered to the ground the entire time. Besides the glowing balloons, the event will include food for purchase and free, beautiful park views. […]
Posted inTurning Points
Meyers “Taco John” Everitt
It is with profound love and the deepest sense of loss that we announce the passing of baby Meyers “Taco John” Everitt. Meyers, named after his great-grandpa Ronald Meyers, was born on Nov. 27, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois, and left our world far too soon on Sept. 4, 2025, in the same loving community where […]
Posted inIT Picks
Rockballet: Storytellers
Dive into a night of electrifying performances with Rockballet: Storytellers, featuring music by Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks. This is a high-energy fusion of classical dance and iconic rock music performed live by local group Downstate. Don’t miss this unique celebration of art and sound that brings together the energy of rock and the elegance […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Golden Seed
This Liturgical Arts Festival program will be a dramatic performance with musical interludes. The theatrical component, from playwright and director James Compton Bockmier, features three figures from Springfield’s history. An in-character “trialogue” will take place among Susan Lawrence Dana (played by Arlene Cooney), Frank Lloyd Wright (Patrick Foster) and Vachel Lindsay (Keegan Otwell). The trio […]
Posted inFall Guide
Fall Guide
The annual Fall Guide issue has info on family friendly activities, fall gardening, upcoming theater and art shows and an expanded three-month calendar of events.
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield boy places first in statewide photography contest
Ten-year-old Jerry Feng of Springfield took home top honors in the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photo contest, which encourages young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in the state. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a reception Aug. 8 in the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s tent at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to honor the first-place winners. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Where to see the Budweiser Clydesdales
Springfield-area residents will have numerous opportunities to see the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, both at the Illinois State Fair and several special appearances. Springfield is one of the stops on a cross-country tour to celebrate 15 years of partnership between Budweiser and Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. […]
