Illinois Times published an article April 2 entitled “A collaborative effort for downtown,” referring to the push to create a new taxing body to expand the BOS Center and construct a new hotel. I only wish a “collaborative effort” was indeed the case. While I am not an elected official, I am a longtime advocate […]
Sheila Stocks-Smith
Sheila Stocks-Smith serves on the city of Springfield’s Economic and Community Development Commission and is a longtime community activist.
Posted inOpinion
Wake up. Stay woke.
The term “woke” has been a rallying cry for the political right for years. Things reached a fever pitch during the 2024 presidential campaigns with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis calling it “a form of cultural Marxism” and “a war on the truth” and Nikki Haley labeling it “a virus worse than any pandemic.” Yikes, that’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Too many deaths at the Sangamon County Jail
These are comments written and delivered by Sheila Stocks-Smith to the Sangamon County Board during the board’s meeting at the BoS Center Aug. 13. For decades I have been concerned about questionable tactics and inmate deaths at the Sangamon County Jail. A brief overview: Amon Paul Carlock, age 57, who died in 2007, had severe, […]
Posted inOpinion
Bring back the city education liaison
In November 2003 I became the city of Springfield’s first (and so far, only) education liaison, a cabinet-level position reporting directly to Mayor Tim Davlin, who by his selection of me fulfilled a popular campaign promise. I created the office using resources from the National League of Cities’ Mayors’ Education Policy Advisors Network. This is […]
Posted inOpinion
State Democrats trying to make their Big Tent much bigger
Rich Miller’s article in IT’s Sept. 1 edition (Problems abound for Dems’ new BLUE Committee) basically concludes that current efforts to build a strong and inclusive Democratic State Party won’t matter much. This might be true if Democrats across the state were interested in maintaining the status quo of centralized, insular leadership and control. But […]
Posted inOpinion
East Springfield is worth it
Like you, I am frustrated with having to limit my movements and social interactions. I am worried daily about my family and friends, thankful for each day that averts bad news. I am terrified by the prospect that my children or my 90-year-old mother could become sick and I couldn’t be there. I am horrified […]
Posted inArts & Culture
He elevated the human side of medicine
Dr. Sumanta (Shuman) Mitra died as he had lived – peacefully. He died in his sleep next to his wife, Lynn. Thankfully, he did not suffer or struggle. His death was unexpected and its cause uncertain. Yet Shuman’s life had a clear direction and his family, friends and colleagues find comfort in knowing he loved […]
Posted inOpinion
Springfield needs action on economy
I have some experience with economic development efforts in Springfield. This backstory lends credence to my cynicism about why the new economic development corporation, formed in response to the economic development study commissioned and recently released by Sangamon County government, is destined for failure. In September 2015 I launched a small nonprofit called the Urban […]
Posted inOpinion
Don’t tolerate public corruption in Springfield
Public corruption in Illinois and Chicago is well documented with its roots predating the infamous gangster, Al Capone. In 1911, political scientist and Chicago alderman Charles Merriam said, “Chicago is unique. It is the only completely corrupt city in America.” Thankfully, Springfield and Sangamon County rarely make national headlines for high-level public corruption or share […]
Posted inOpinion
The citizen survey beneath the surface
The recently released Sangamon County Citizen Survey offers an interesting glimpse into the attitudes, perceptions and conditions that help shape our local community. Since surveys like this are not intended to determine fact, using the findings to draw definitive conclusions about complex issues is dangerous. But in public affairs a fine line often separates perception […]
Posted inOpinion
The case against metro government
Local governmental efficiency and city-county consolidation, also known as metro government, are not regular topics of conversation for most Sangamon County residents. Not so for the 23 members of the Citizens Efficiency Commission of Sangamon County (CEC), constituted by the Sangamon County Board in 2010. They are deeply immersed in their charge: “To improve local […]
Posted inOpinion
Leak questions remain, but there are deeper problems
Many questions remain unanswered regarding the unlawful release by School District 186 of student data from the Capital College Preparatory Academy (CCPA), and the official apology issued by the Springfield Board of Education rings hollow. The police and district investigation did uncover much of the mystery – the who and how. Even a motive – […]
