“At the risk of establishing a precedent,I take my pen in hand! About detasseling,we are letting out most of the boys but keeping on 7 or 8. They are older this year,high school seniors. The corn has come outall at once and we are getting it detasseled cheaper and better than usual. There is nothing new of course, […]
Joseph Copley
Joseph Copley is production designer for Illinois Times and co-publisher of Activator, the music and arts magazine.
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the editor 6/25/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. GREAT ASSET Congratulations, Christian County. This will be awesome for all residents and businesses in the county and surrounding areas (“Area data center updates,” June 11). Don’t let out-of-town carpetbaggers come in and spread lies […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the editor 6/11
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. VOTERS DIDN’T WANT IT I was the Springfield corporation counsel who represented the city in the McNeil v. City of Springfield Voting Rights Act lawsuit. I believe that there is a factual error in Jim […]
Posted inJuneteenth
The Stanza Stories
The public is invited to The Stanza Stories presentation and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St. Celebrate the culmination of 10 racial healing workshops and hear the powerful poetry created by seven participants throughout this journey facilitated by Dr. Kelly Hurst, executive director of the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the editor 4/30/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. ADS AREN’T TRUE There has been a rash of ads vilifying a “new” law that “may” make it so tipped workers can’t get tipped in a credit card (“‘Credit card chaos’? Financial institutions bet big […]
Posted inIT Picks
Meet the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden
Meet former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, known for firing the shots that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden, during this inaugural Heroes at Home Plate event. O’Neill, 50, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Heroes at Home Plate is designed to feature inspiring individuals who have shown courage, leadership and impact through their stories […]
Posted inPoetry
Psychology
My sister gave violin lessonsHer studio was her home nearour dairy. When her own daughterhad a scheduled lesson she had toput on hat, coat, and boots, go outthe back door, come around andknock on the front door, and belet in for her lesson – just like allthe other students she had! 2026 Jacqueline Jackson
Posted inRemembering
JAMES AUBREY DURKIN
It’s been almost a year that I lost my Jim. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him and I miss him even more. My wonderful husband was smart, funny, handsome, loving and giving. Jim was the youngest of four sisters and a true gentleman. A wonderful dad/stepdad, granddad/step granddad, great granddad, […]
Posted inRemembering
JANET I. EDEN
Janet Eden, 88, passed away on Aug. 9, 2025, in Springfield. Seven years earlier her husband, John Eden, passed away after 59 years of mutual respect and devoted married life. Janet lived a quiet life as a homemaker. For most of their marriage they lived on three partially wooded beautiful acres on State Park Road […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letters to the editor 10/9
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. UNDERSTANDABLE Dean Olsen’s cover story about the local impact of cuts to Medicaid was excellent – thorough, well-researched, with multiple perspectives (“Losing health care coverage,” Oct. 2). You made a complicated issue easier to understand […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Blacks in Springfield theater
You have been in theater for nearly 20 years. What is it about the stage that keeps you coming back for more? Reggie Guyton: Theater has saved my life. It gave me purpose and understanding. There’s something about sinking into roles or a script that gives you a sense of distraction. During some of my […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Wearable art comes alive
Recycled fabric, cardboard and plastic found new life on the runway at this year’s annual fashion show at The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space. Some of the best creative talent Springfield has to offer was on display with dynamic style. “It has become a yearly tradition of the Pharmacy to have a fashion show,” said […]
