The future of the Town & Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Boulevard is unclear after the aging strip mall failed to sell at auction this month, but the owner of the property says he remains hopeful it will be redeveloped. “I’m always optimistic because as a real estate developer, you have to be optimistic,” David […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
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Springfield gets a city planner, again
The city of Springfield has hired Suraksha Bhandari as its new professional planner, bringing a blend of international experience, architectural training and research-driven urban planning to city hall. Bhandari comes to Springfield from Salt Lake City, where she completed a master’s degree in city and metropolitan planning at the University of Utah and worked in […]
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Families struggle with hunger
On good days, Shay McGhiey eats one meal a day. On bad days, the 57-year-old Springfield man eats nothing. Like thousands of others in the capital city, hunger is no stranger to McGhiey, who works a minimum-wage job in a smoke shop. “I make too much money – according to the public aid people – […]
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SPD to stick with Flock Safety
In the wake of a state audit showing Illinois license plate reader data being shared with federal immigration authorities – in violation of state law – the city of Springfield plans to stay the course with the technology and the company involved. The audit’s findings resulted in Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias demanding that Flock […]
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Stay tuned
Beni Harmony, an anchor at WICS Newschannel 20, posted on social media Sept. 16 that she resigned after being suspended for what she called an on air “non-partisan tribute” to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination. But WICS news director Heather Voudrie Nodine told Illinois Times no one at the station has been suspended […]
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Former city director addresses his departure
In the wake of the assassination of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk, a city of Springfield department head posted something on Facebook critical of the influencer and now he no longer has a job. “I had never heard of this guy before he got shot,” James ‘Jayme’ Sullivan told Illinois Times. “I was on vacation when […]
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Banning printed materials
An emergency rule being implemented by Illinois prisons may soon deny prisoners access to letters, cards and books sent to them by family members. Department of Corrections officials are concerned that drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into prisons through inmate mail. But critics say the measure is overtly cruel and will do little […]
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Learning trades and theology
A new college began classes Sept. 2 in Springfield with 24 students from across the nation learning building trades – and theology. The motto of San Damiano College for the Trades is “Rebuild my church,” which can be interpreted in a variety of ways, from the physical rebuilding of religious edifices to the spiritual rebuilding […]
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Bringing back working-class Democrats
Larry Acton was once a Democrat but today, like many rural, working-class voters, the Springfield man supports Republicans. “The party changed – not me. The Democratic Party has become elitist and focused on issues that have nothing to do with how I live my life,” the 61-year-old livestock feed salesman said. Acton reflects a national […]
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Don Tracy to run for U.S. Senate
Don Tracy, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party and scion of the family that owns the largest food redistributor in North America, wants to be the next U.S. senator from Illinois. The 75-year-old Springfield lawyer said his background makes him particularly qualified to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. “I want to […]
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Frank Lesko to take on Doris Turner
Republican Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko announced Tuesday that he will run for the state Senate seat now held by Doris Turner. Lesko was elected recorder last year when he defeated incumbent Josh Langfelder by 31 votes with more than 100,000 cast. Before being elected recorder he served as the Springfield city clerk. Turner, a […]
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Fire department charging for services
First come the firefighters, then come the bills. After responding to a fire or medical emergency, the Springfield Fire Department is sometimes sending out bills seeking reimbursement for services rendered. The policy, which has been in place less than a year, has raised some eyebrows. After all, aren’t these services already paid for by city […]
