An ordinance to approve the purchase of vehicles for the Springfield Police Department sparked a larger conversation about the city council’s role in monitoring city departments’ spending during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Some Springfield City Council members called for more use of their power to set policy as others argued for reliance on […]
Maria Gardner Lara
Maria Gardner Lara is a staff writer for Illinois Times. She has a master's degree in journalism from the Public Affairs Reporting program at University of Illinois Springfield and served as a corps member with Report for America at the NPR station in DeKalb.
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Gail Simpson joins race for Springfield mayor
Voters will likely have two candidates to consider for Springfield mayor in the upcoming spring election, as a well-known figure seeks another shot at the city’s top job. Gail Simpson gave an impromptu speech to a small group of supporters on Monday and announced her intention to challenge incumbent Mayor Misty Buscher for her seat. […]
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Erin Conley not seeking reelection to city council
Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley announced Sunday she won’t be seeking a third term on the Springfield City Council, leaving only one declared candidate in the Ward 8 race. Candidates have from Oct. 19-23 to file their petitions for the Consolidated Primary Election, scheduled for Feb. 23. A candidate running for Ward 8 needs a […]
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Want to be an election judge?
Slots are still available for people interested in serving as an election judge on Nov. 3, according to the chief election authority for Sangamon County. Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray said there are 49 vacancies out of 830, and he is confident his office will be able to fill the positions in time for Election […]
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SMTD takes steps to replace Junction Circle transfer center
The Sangamon Mass Transit District is moving forward with an estimated $12 million project to build a new transfer hub to replace the existing Junction Circle Transfer Point. The SMTD Board of Trustees approved a $1 million purchase of property Sept. 30 that would allow for construction of a new transfer center. The Junction Circle […]
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Changing demographics in Beardstown
Young people bearing the flags of countries in Latin America and Africa, along with girls dressed in traditional folkloric skirts, walked under the banner of a Latino civic organization in the recent Beardstown Fall Fun Festival parade, although it may be the last time the longstanding group participates. Claudia Zabala, an ESL middle school teacher, […]
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East-side community garden adjusts to federal funding delays
A community garden on the east side of Springfield continues to deal with the fallout of delays to federal funding that the nonprofit had counted on to expand its capacity. Democrat Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) was on hand at Motherland Community Project on Tuesday afternoon to speak with the organization’s founder, Yves Doumen, during the […]
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Manufacturing group highlights new UIS degree to support growth in automation
A manufacturing lobbying group made a stop in Springfield to highlight the launch of a new major at University of Illinois Springfield related to the growth in automation. The visit was part of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s “Makers on the Move” bus tour that seeks to celebrate October as Manufacturing Month and the growth of […]
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Sheriff’s office releases video of officer striking pedestrian with his vehicle
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department released dashcam footage Friday evening of a lieutenant striking a pedestrian with his vehicle as the man crossed the street in downtown Springfield. The man was walking in the crosswalk heading northbound on Ninth Street at the Monroe Street intersection on Sept. 24 when he was struck by an off-duty Sangamon […]
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ABC announces funding recipients from State Fair proceeds
American Business Club of Springfield awarded funding to 55 nonprofit organizations Sept. 28, using proceeds raised from overseeing gate admissions to the Illinois State Fair. More than $126,000 was given to groups such as Gold Star Families, Kiwanis Club of Springfield and organizations tied to area high schools and churches. The presentation was held on […]
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Candidates face off at forum
The Committee of Springfield Illinois, a nonpartisan group, held two debates on Sunday, Sept. 27, bringing together candidates for the 48th Senate district and Sangamon County sheriff races. Bernard Schoenburg, a former political journalist at The State Journal-Register, moderated the debates held at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield. Schoenburg now serves on the board […]
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Local officials tackle election misinformation
Election officials sought to address election myths and disinformation during the Citizens Club of Springfield forum held at the Hoogland Center for the Arts on Friday. Kent Redfield, a retired professor of political science at University of Illinois Springfield, moderated the discussion with Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray, a Republican, and Matt Dietrich, spokesperson for […]
