Scott Reeder

The Sangamon County Department of Public Health’s building on Springfield’s east side is on the brink of a multimillion-dollar renovation that could make services more accessible to residents. “We hope it’s a $6 million project,” said Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter. “And we hope that we will be able to do it entirely […]

Volunteers investigating one of the closest elections in area history have chronicled ballot irregularities to try to convince a judge that every vote cast in the Sangamon County recorder’s race should be recounted. With more than 100,000 votes cast, Republican challenger Frank Lesko edged out Democratic incumbent Josh Langfelder by a mere 31 votes. “What’s amazing is […]

Sean Pritchard is many things: 35 years old, a father of five, a lifelong northender and, as of this month, the first city planner in Springfield’s 203-year history. His appointment to the post within the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, which garners a salary of nearly $90,000, raised eyebrows among some in the […]

The new Illinois Environmental Protection Agency headquarters is expected to be completed this month – 18 months behind schedule and with a price per square foot more than double that of other new commercial construction projects in Springfield. The $80 million price tag for repurposing the 186,000-square-foot former Sears department store at White Oaks Mall […]

Operations at the Viper Mine in Elkhart are shutting down after the city of Springfield chose a cheaper coal supplier for its electrical power plant. The mine, which at its peak employed about 300 miners, now is down to a skeleton crew responsible for dismantling equipment, Jim Smith, president of Knight Hawk Coal, told Illinois […]

It is being called the closest countywide race in the history of Sangamon County. Republican Frank Lesko edged out incumbent Josh Langfelder, a Democrat, by a mere 31 votes out of 98,217 ballots cast. “To think that almost 100,000 ballots were cast in a countywide race for Sangamon County recorder, and for it to be […]

The Town and Country Shopping Center on MacArthur Boulevard may be on the brink of being transformed into an upscale apartment complex and retail area. The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider the proposed transformation of the strip mall in the 2300 to 2500 blocks of MacArthur Boulevard on Nov. 20. The […]

The only people to speak in support of a serial sex offender at a recent sentencing hearing were two Springfield police detectives. More than three years after his arrest by Illinois State Police, Zane Merreighn, 25, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the sexual abuse of five girls who ranged in age from […]

While national pundits were surprised by the strength of Donald Trump’s showing, local political observers found few surprises in Sangamon County. That said, the winners of two area races will not be known until Nov. 19. The hotly contested race for Sangamon County recorder had Republican Frank Lesko ahead of Democrat Josh Langfelder by 68 […]

A group determined to end racial affirmative action programs has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois in hope of ending its scholarship program for minority students who want to become teachers. “Illinois can offer assistance to young, aspiring teachers, but not when they exclude a significant number of applicants based on their skin […]

The state legislative district representing much of Springfield and Chatham is destined to have an Italian flavor. The race for the 95th District House seat pits GOP incumbent Mike Coffey, a Springfield restaurateur against Democrat Kristen Chiaro, a Chatham village trustee and retired state worker. Coffey, 54, emphasizes the business acumen he brings to the […]