More than 40% of engagements in the U.S. occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, so this is the time of year many couples are starting to plan their weddings. We talked to area business owners involved in the wedding industry to find out the latest trends. An increasing number of people are looking beyond traditional […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal.
Posted inArts & Culture
Joan Bortolon receives First Citizen Award
The First Citizen Award committee has selected Joan Bortolon as the 62nd recipient of the Springfield area’s prestigious First Citizen Award. As board president of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Bortolon has played an instrumental role in honoring local veterans by providing them with memorable, no-cost trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials […]
Posted inBest of Springfield®
Best Of Springfield 2024
Every year, we ask our opinionated readers to tell us about their favorite people, places and things in the Springfield area. Over the decades we’ve been doing this, we’ve continued to tweak both the process and the results issue to try to keep things fresh and interesting. Our readers tried to demonstrate they are cultured, […]
Posted inOpinion
Publisher’s note 10/3/24
City council meetings are lasting a lot longer than they used to, with a five-hour meeting this week that was again dominated by discussions of how to alleviate homelessness. There were disagreements over many things, but not the need for better communication. The city, social service organizations and individual advocates are all making efforts to […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
O’Shea provides scholarship for LLCC Construction students
Lincoln Land Community College has received a gift from the O’Shea family to fund a scholarship for LLCC students in the construction trades program. The first recipient of the O’Shea Family Scholarship is Alexis Bowman of Palmyra, a 2024 graduate of North Mac High School. “The O’Shea Family Scholarship has opened the door for more […]
Posted inNews
Illinois Times to provide coverage of the DNC
Illinois Times first sent a reporter to cover a Democratic National Convention in 1976, when Jimmy Carter was in New York City to accept his party’s nomination for president. IT’s coverage was focused less on Carter himself and more on the Illinois delegates who supported him, along with sharing their impressions of New York City and […]
Posted inOpinion
Editor’s note 07-25-24
Sometimes Springfield is in the national spotlight for all the right reasons, such as when Sen. Barack Obama announced his campaign for the presidency on the lawn of the Old State Capitol. Lately we’ve been making national headlines for terrible reasons – first the death of Earl Moore in December 2022 at the hands of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grillin’ and Chillin’
Our Grillin’ and Chillin’ issue has plenty of ideas for fun for the rest of the summer. Learn where to see wildlife, including exotic animals, just a short drive from Springfield (no, not a zoo). Find out about all the upgrades – and a splash pad – in the works for Springfield parks. We also […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Summerguide 2024
Whether you’re looking for affordable ideas for summer day trips or plan to stay close to home, we have suggestions for fun family activities. Plus, find out where to see classic cars this summer and enjoy an upcoming concert performed by the Capital Area Concert Band, 50 volunteer musicians who are celebrating the organization’s 50th […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The Wedding Issue
The pandemic put a pause on weddings, leading to a wedding boom in 2022. Now the annual number of weddings has returned to normal levels, but couples are increasingly likely to ditch tradition in favor of personalizing the venue, the ceremony and even the food. Instead of feeling obligated to invite every coworker and second […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise 2024
It’s easy to make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, drink more water and the like, but much harder to sustain by the time February rolls around. Our annual health and wellness issue has tips on stretching to improve your health, maximizing your time in the gym, eating your veggies (and liking it), […]
Posted inBest of Springfield®
Best Of Springfield 2023Ⓡ
Every year, we ask our opinionated readers to tell us about their favorite people, places and things in the Springfield area. Over the decades we’ve been doing this, we’ve continued to tweak both the process and the results issue to try to keep things fresh and interesting. While one out of every three votes cast […]
