We live in a society that extols the virtues of degrees and diplomas – but not lifelong learning. In Springfield, we honor Abraham Lincoln, our state’s native son, who, despite having little formal schooling, was able to teach himself and become our greatest president. But today when it comes to politicians, Americans have a different […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
Posted inNews
Art show provides funding for kids in foster care
The reasons youngsters end up in foster care hardly paint a pretty picture of our society: abuse, neglect, addiction, abandonment. But a Springfield-area nonprofit is using pretty pictures to help foster kids throughout Sangamon County. Artsy: An Art Fair for Kids in Care! is an annual event where art donated by local professionals and amateurs […]
Posted inNews
Business incubator slated for Southtown
A historic area on Springfield’s east side could soon spawn businesses that benefit the entire community. That’s the dream of Dominic Watson, president of the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce and executive director of The Springfield Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to unite the community by improving the quality of life in its neighborhoods. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
A spiritual dynamo
Before succumbing to COVID-19, the Rev. Tinnie Randall had a final word for her family: Pray. She was a spiritual dynamo packed into a 5-foot-tall body. She died Dec. 17, 2020, at age 63, after a 54-day stay at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Her husband of 35 years, the Rev. Nate Randall, recalled with a laugh […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The father of academic medicine in Springfield
They call themselves “Zookies,” the physicians scattered across the planet who trained under Springfield’s legendary plastic surgeon, Elvin Zook. But Zook was more than an accomplished teacher and brilliant plastic surgeon, he was a father of academic medicine in the capital city, said Ed Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health. Zook came to Springfield […]
Posted inNews
Parents say police stifled investigation
Weeks after a detective’s son was arrested on charges of sexually abusing their 14-year-old daughter, her parents say the Springfield Police Department made it difficult to learn details of what happened or to file complaints against officers perceived to have acted wrongly. On Oct. 26, Illinois State Police arrested Zane Merreighn, the 22-year-old son of […]
Posted inOpinion
Yes, there is a Santa Claus
Ok, I’ll admit it. I have Santa Claus issues. It’s not that I suffered some Santa trauma as a child. I believed until I was 4, and then I cross-examined my mother. She was sitting on the toilet and I demanded to know if Santa was real. She tried to deflect my questions. But I […]
Posted inOpinion
The role of religion in politics
As the U.S. Supreme Court ponders whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, all eyes are on Justice Amy Coney Barrett – and her religious beliefs. Vanderbilt University law professor Suzanna Sherry said recently in The Hill newspaper that Barrett shouldn’t ponder abortion cases because her Catholic faith prevents her from rendering an impartial judgement. It’s one […]
Posted inNews
City council approves additional technology to fight crime
During its first 18 months of use, the accuracy of an elaborate system designed to detect gunfire on Springfield’s east side and central neighborhoods can be verified less than 25% of the time. Despite this, the Springfield City Council voted to add additional layers of technology to the system on which $644,000 has already been […]
Posted inOpinion
When you’re a wannabe
The Kyle Rittenhouse trial and verdict is a bit like those ink blot tests psychologists sometimes have patients examine. A half-dozen folks can look at the same thing and see something different. I’ve heard Rittenhouse described as a “hero” by right-wingers and as a “criminal” by those on the left. But when I look at […]
Posted inNews
The missing moderates
Illinoisans are passionately moderate. For a quarter century, that was the contention of the Republican governors who led the state from 1977 to 2003. Governors Jim Edgar, James R. Thompson and George Ryan governed from the middle, sought consensus and coated whatever they did with a heavy layer of pragmatism. Edgar and Thompson supported abortion […]
Posted inNews
Jesse Sullivan is well-funded, but does he have a chance?
He’s handsome, articulate and driven. His pretty wife and four adorable children appear to have come right out of central casting. When Jesse Sullivan launched his campaign in September, he already had raised $11 million, several times more than all of his Republican opponents combined. In fact, not that long ago – before billionaires and […]
