As I walked through the lobby of the University of Illinois’ Veterinary School, I looked at the photos of graduates lining the walls. Of course, I was drawn to the images of two people: my father and my wife. But sandwiched between their classes of 1960 and 2001 was another image that had a nearly […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
Posted inNews
Esports facility opening at UIS
A state-of-the-art intercollegiate sports facility opens Sept. 6 at University of Illinois Springfield, but don’t expect to see any of the competitors run, jump or throw. They’ll spend their time sitting, staring and clicking. Videogaming, or esports, has become the latest team activity on the college campus. “Esports is a rapidly growing sport that is […]
Posted inNews
Park District plans projects citywide
Using a blend of state, private and local tax dollars, Springfield Park District is undergoing an aggressive program to upgrade its 34 parks, Leslie Sgro told Illinois Times. Sgro, who has been president of the Park District Board for 32 years, said several factors have resulted in the district becoming more aggressive in improving its […]
Posted inOpinion
The power of words
An unexpected conversation with a college acquaintance this past week has me thinking about the power of words. I first met Bill 40 years ago when I was a freshman in college. I was going through a rough time. I was away from home for the first time and was assigned a roommate that I […]
Posted inOpinion
The missing portrait
As I stood on the Australian shore last month, I pondered the majesty of the Pacific, but when I looked down, I couldn’t help but think of Rod Blagojevich. There at Rex Lookout in the Australian state of Queensland stood a plaque that once identified the politician who made the scenic overlook possible. But an […]
Posted inNews
A ruff experience
Sam is a handsome lad caught in a love triangle between a local politician and the woman with whom he has resided for five years. His two love interests say he has captured their hearts and they don’t want the other to have him. Sam, aka Buddy, is a dog. Edinah Lincoln, a retired Springfield […]
Posted inNews
A matter of faith
The Catholic Diocese of Springfield has produced a one-hour motion picture exploring matters of faith and possible miracles in central Illinois. Former WICS journalist Andrew Hansen, who now works as a spokesperson for the diocese, explores five stories in different cities that he believes show God is real and helping people to put their faith […]
Posted inOpinion
A changed man
The congressman was a former crack addict. When I heard those words, I was flummoxed. It’s not that I found it difficult to believe that someone in public life had a substance abuse problem. During my 35 years covering politics, I’ve seen politicians drunk while debating legislation. And I’ve seen them holed up in their […]
Posted inNews
A life of service
Paul Palazzolo, a stalwart of Sangamon County Republican politics, told Illinois Times Friday he is stepping down as circuit clerk to become executive director of Kiwanis International. The 57-year-old Springfield native has held public office since 2001, when he was elected to the Springfield Park Board. He has also served as county auditor, treasurer of […]
Posted inOpinion
The whitest profession
Last summer I met my first Black veterinarian. I was accompanying my wife’s colleague to a veterinary conference in North Carolina and we sat down for lunch with a group of other animal doctors. One of them happened to be African American. What’s remarkable about this first-time encounter is that I’m the son and husband […]
Posted inNews
Revitalizing Robin Roberts Stadium
The crack of a bat, the cheer of a crowd and smiles exchanged between a grandparent and child weave a tapestry of memories on Springfield’s north end. But that tapestry is getting frayed and the future of Robin Roberts Stadium is being pondered. Is it a valued amenity or white elephant? Last year, the Lucky […]
Posted inOpinion
What colleges should consider
There is a perception that last month the U.S. Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions. But that is not the case. What it did was end race-conscious admissions. Former first lady Michelle Obama put it this way: “So often we accept that money, power and privilege are perfectly acceptable forms of affirmative action, […]
