Gov. Pat Quinn’s pension proposal has led to an increase in state employees applying for retirement, which could negatively affect Springfield businesses. According to the State Employees Retirement System, more than 4,000 workers have applied to retire during this fiscal year, which is an increase of 40 percent from last year. Of the 4,000 who […]
Neil Schneider
Posted inNews
Losers are winners in Lose Big contest
On Jan. 9, 1990, Dave Morris experienced a life-changing event. So on Jan. 9 this year he decided to change his life again. He enrolled in the YMCA Lose Big contest. Morris was in his garage working on changing a leaky fuel pump on his father’s Chevy Corvette, when he noticed that the pump had […]
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Children’s library is more than books
When the Northside Community Children’s Library opened its doors in October 2011 it was originally supposed to offset the closings of the north and west branches of Springfield’s Lincoln Library. Six months later, the library in the basement of Third Presbyterian Church on North Seventh Street has developed into more than just a place to […]
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Nature’s friends
When the Friends of the Sangamon Valley – formerly known as the Friends of Carpenter Park – was established in 1998, the organization began by targeting one piece of land to preserve. The target was eight acres of land that was to be developed for a hotel, located at the 322-acre Carpenter Park north of […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Recycling opportunities grow
Abby Walden believes that before Springfield residents start to consider recycling their trash, they should first be aware of the goods they are purchasing. “Products that cannot be reused, you should think twice about buying them,” Walden said. “Instead of buying plastic water bottles, look into getting a reusable water bottle that you can fill […]
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Don’t lie to your doctor
A middle-aged man sits in a chair in a Springfield exam room, facing Dr. Joshua Ellison of North Dirksen Medical Associates, a division of Memorial Physician Services. As Ellison looks through the man’s medical charts, he asks a few questions to get to the root of the man’s health problems. “How many beers do you […]
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New basketball league brings hoops to Springfield
When Steffen Spinks was a young boy growing up in Manteca, Calif., his mother didn’t want him to spend his time playing basketball. She encouraged Spinks to get involved in other sports because she worried that being a young, black basketball player came with a negative stereotype. Spinks, who is pursuing a history degree […]
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Study: Consolidate education offices
The Streamlining Illinois’ Regional Offices of Education Commission recommended last week that the number of regional offices of education be dropped from 44 to 35. State lawmakers created the commission last fall to find ways to provide educational services more efficiently and effectively. Bob Daiber, president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of […]
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Bills would require ID to vote
Illinois is one of at least 24 states considering controversial voter identification measures. Proponents say ID%u2008requirements would prevent vote fraud while critics say they amount to discrimination. An Illinois Senate subcommittee held two such bills in committee on March 22, keeping them from reaching the full Senate, with votes falling along party lines. Both bills […]
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Springfield filmmaker champions social issues
Springfield filmmaker Kimberly Conner says there are many advantages to filming movies in Springfield. “Springfield is an excellent place to make films because you don’t have a lot of the obstacles that you have to deal with in larger cities like New York and Chicago,” Conner said. “Sponsors and businesses are more likely to work […]
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Centennial Park starts addition
The Springfield Park District is making a new addition to Centennial Park that nature-lovers and their kids will be able to enjoy at the same time. The new development is a 20-acre area in the northwest corner of Centennial Park, which will feature a toddler’s playground, a 20-by-20 picnic shelter, a fitness station and environmental […]
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Bike racks on buses delayed
Public buses in Springfield will someday have bike racks, Springfield Mass Transit District says, but not until they finish building their new facility. Requests to place bike racks on buses were among the most frequent responses to a spring 2010 survey conducted by the Leadership Springfield program of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The […]
