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 […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
Fighting for the right to try
Lottie Milburn is a bright-eyed Springfield 4-year-old who brings joy wherever she goes. “Lottie is hilarious. I feel like for somebody who really is not very verbal she communicates pretty well. She is really, truly, the sweetest little soul you’ve ever met,” her mother, Abby, told Illinois Times. But in April, Abby and her husband, […]
Posted inNews
Budzinski hosts Springfield forum on postal service problems
Local mail service is in crisis, and it will likely get worse if the federal government follows through with a proposal to move a Springfield letter distribution center to St. Louis, contended a group that gathered Monday in a public forum at Lincoln Land Community College. The meeting, led by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, […]
Posted inNews
Baseball stadium may get new owner
Robin Roberts Stadium, the century-old baseball stadium on the city’s north end, has been a political hot potato for the last several years but appears to be on the cusp of new ownership. The ownership of the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes contends the facility has been poorly maintained and has become an embarrassment to the community. […]
Posted inNews
The college crisis
When University of Illinois Springfield recently was designated Illinois’ top regional state university, it was a dose of good news on a campus that has seen its enrollment drop by more than 800 students during the last decade. UIS is reviewing programs and pondering whether they continue to serve student needs, Chancellor Janet Gooch told […]
Posted inNews
Two Springfield attorneys have law licenses suspended
A Springfield lawyer faces a two-year suspension of her law license after a state commission cited her recently for unethical conduct during her time employed by the Illinois Attorney General and the city of Springfield. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, or ARDC, investigates complaints against lawyers and makes recommendations to the Illinois Supreme […]
