Statues of Illinois figures who profited from slavery will be removed from the Statehouse lawn. The decision was made when the Office of the Architect of the Capitol board voted unanimously for statues of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard to be removed and put in storage. Andrea Aggertt, Capitol architect, said discussions with contractors are […]
Rachel Otwell
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UIS announces 10 new on-campus cases of COVID-19
The University of Illinois Springfield has confirmed 10 new on-campus COVID-19 cases and two off-campus cases within the past week. The university began its on-campus testing program on Aug. 11. Since late June, UIS is aware of 22 total confirmed cases: 15-on campus, and seven off-campus, according to the university’s website. During a Thursday afternoon […]
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Dist. 186 Supt. tests positive for COVID-19
District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill learned she was COVID-positive on Wednesday night, according to a statement. Gill and family were tested after having “mild coughs.” Gill worked from home on Wednesday, and last worked at the administrative office on Tuesday. On Monday, Gill and other board members convened in-person for the school board meeting. Meetings […]
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Schools shapeshift
John Freml never anticipated squaring off with the Springfield public school district over pajamas. Among the details to work out for the coming school year, District 186 updated its student handbook. Per the guidelines, students can’t wear pajamas during the school day, even when school is happening at home. “My first instinct was just how […]
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Statehouse statues slated to go
Statues of Illinois figures who profiteered from slavery will be removed from the Statehouse lawn. The decision was made when the Office of the Architect of the Capitol board voted unanimously for statues of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard to be removed and put in storage. Capitol architect, Andrea Aggertt, said discussions with contractors are […]
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1,000 cases and counting
At the beginning of the year, scenes from our current reality might have seemed as though they were out of science fiction. Mask wearing has become the norm, or at least should be, according to medical experts. Grocery stores are urging one family member per cart and have floor markings to promote distance. Lines for […]
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Spit test
University of Illinois Springfield saliva testing for the new coronavirus is up and running as of Aug. 11. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed the so-called SHIELD test. The tests are being used at all three U of I campuses. The university system said it wants to supply the tests throughout the state […]
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Politics with no parade
Doris Turner can’t remember a time in the past 30 years she hasn’t been a part of the Twilight Parade. “It is such a Sangamon County tradition. And it seems like we’re losing so much of our traditions during this time of pandemic … it really is a drain on our community as a whole,” […]
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Springfield school board to decide whether to begin year remotely
Springfield Public Schools is set to discuss whether to begin the school year remotely. A special District 186 school board meeting was announced for Thursday night to discuss the plan. Families had been asked to choose between registering students either for remote-only, or for a hybrid model that would have them attend school on certain […]
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Statehouse statue solutions
About 45 people recently got together to discuss who is represented – and who’s not – around the Statehouse grounds in downtown Springfield. In July, House Speaker Michael Madigan said he wants an audit done and statues of Pierre Menard and Stephen Douglas removed. Menard, the first lieutenant governor of Illinois, owned enslaved people. Douglas […]
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Barney’s bids adieu
In the midst of much economic pain, one longtime independent retailer is folding, due to writing that was on the wall well before the pandemic hit. Barney’s Furniture was founded in 1939 by Bernard “Barney” Seidman, who first operated the family business at a downtown Springfield location. In the 1970s, the retailer moved to the […]
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Staff and residents test positive for COVID-19 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village
Two residents and three staff at Lewis Memorial Christian Village in Springfield have tested positive for COVID-19. That’s according to communication sent to family of patients and a hotline number that regularly updates information about coronavirus. The retirement and assisted living community publishes the hotline number on its website: 217-547-5560. Those numbers were up-to-date as […]
