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 […]
Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder is a staff writer at Illinois Times.
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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, […]
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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, […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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General Assembly passes Sonya Massey Bill
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have endorsed legislation introduced in the wake of the killing of Sonya Massey that would make it easier to learn more about problem cops before they are hired. Proponents of the measure heading to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk, named in honor of Sonya Massey, say it may prevent […]
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Exploiting Emma Shafer’s memory
In the wake of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Springfield, there are recriminations and explanations. On May 7, Noem visited Springfield and held a news conference near the home where community activist Emma Shafer was slain in July 2023. Police believe her former boyfriend, Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, whose mother brought him to the U.S. […]
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New leadership for Springfield police, fire departments
Mayor Misty Buscher’s picks to lead the Springfield police and fire departments are receiving high marks from members of the city council. Buscher is recommending the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Nicholas Zummo to fire chief and Assistant Police Chief Joseph Behl to police chief for the city of Springfield. The promotions need to be […]
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“An insult to Emma’s memory”
A tragedy became a backdrop for political theater Wednesday as Kristi Noem, part ofPresident Donald Trump’s cabinet, spoke near the home of Emma Shafer, a womanpolice believe was killed by a Mexican immigrant. “Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, if murderers, rapists and pedophiles roll free in his state,” the Homeland Security secretary […]
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Major solar development opens in Sangamon County
Sangamon County is now home to the largest solar power development east of the Mississippi River. On April 30, Swift Current Energy, a Boston-based firm, held a ribbon-cutting at its Auburn office for the Double Black Diamond solar farm. The collection of solar panels was erected on more than 4,000 acres in western Sangamon County […]
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Judge dismisses lawsuit contesting city clerk appointment
A Sangamon County judge has dealt a blow to efforts to unseat City Clerk Chuck Redpath from his post, which opponents say he obtained through an illegitimate city council vote. The longtime Springfield City Council member was appointed clerk Jan. 7 by a divided council after a tumultuous, two-hour meeting amid allegations the process was […]
