Letters to the Editor

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — NEED LANDLORD REGISTRATION Many kudos to Dean Olsen and Illinois Times for the excellent article, “Battling Blight,” Aug. 15. As someone who loves Springfield and enjoys living on the southeast side of our city, […]

VIOLATION OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT I am surprised that your article described the reason for the failure of Sam Cahnman’s elected officials recall referendum as a “technicality” (“Sangamon County Board blocks referendum to allow voters to oust future sheriffs,” Aug. 15). This “technicality” was a violation of the Open Meetings Act for which our respectable media […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — BIGGER PROBLEM The root problem is not entirely the sheriffs, but the Sangamon County board’s failure to adequately fund the sheriff’s office (“Sonya Massey’s father calls on Jack Campbell to resign,” July 26). Deputies […]

GOOD FOR SPRINGFIELD Is this (new approach to downtown events) part of the mayor’s plan to create a “better community, better development and better infrastructure for a better Springfield?” The festivals are much bigger than locals going downtown and hanging out (“Downtown’s festival dilemma,” July 25). Wouldn’t that be something that business promoters would use […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — STARTS AT THE TOP Many do not, or choose not to, understand the domino effect of a leadership that incites contempt and indifference for women and people of color in Springfield who are seen […]

BRING CHARGES This poor child never had a chance in the world, and now he’s dead (“DCFS finds foster parent negligent in death of 7-year-old boy,” July 3). And the state’s attorney hasn’t decided if criminal charges are going to be filed? The foster parents weren’t home to supervise – what more is there to […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — SHE’S STILL GUILTY Katherine Smith set the entire thing up (“Not present at crime, still charged with murder,” June 27). She is guilty. Even if she didn’t stab him, Charles Manson didn’t kill anyone […]

DOUGLAS HELPED MY SON I think sometimes people have a negative opinion about alternative school and the kids that get sent to these schools (“No teen left behind,” June 20). I was one of those people who thought negatively, so when my son got expelled and sent to Douglas, I thought his behavior would only […]

CHANGE OF PLANS? I am confused. I read Scott Reeder’s recent story about the former Chiara Center becoming a trade school with some classic education added (“Rebuilding the Catholic church,” June 6). But is this the same reporter who told us in your pages in 2022 that the Chiara Center was destined to be a […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — THINK BIGGER How about a points system for violations (at 3 a.m. bars that have issues)? You are throwing out the baby with the bath water (“City may delay vote on 3 a.m. liquor […]

BIGGER PROBLEMS I find the brouhaha over fescue grass on Lincoln Avenue laughable (“Fight over fescue grass,” May 30). This photo is the house due west of Bernie & Betty’s restaurant on Spring Street. The front porch and front yard are as bad as the east side of the building. I ride my bike all over […]

WORK ON THE BIGGER PICTURE The lack of affordable housing, the deplorable condition of properties, racial disparities in educational outcomes and the labor market are issues that need immediate attention from the city and community leaders (“City launches program to rehab east-side homes,” May 16). The city determines areas such as downtown Springfield, Aristocracy Hill, […]