Letters to the Editor

NO BACKGROUND Very glad they finally hired a city planner, which was much needed (“Springfield gets a city planner,” Dec. 12). But why hire someone with no degree, training or experience in the field? Tim Moore Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes PLANNER NEEDS EXPERIENCE The key is that he lacks experience in planning. He doesn’t need to have […]

INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase needs to involve all stakeholders in working on the ordinance (“Helping the unhoused,” Nov. 27). It doesn’t seem like she is, based on the article. Hopefully that will happen. We need to pull out the roots, not just the weed eating the exposed areas. Listen to the community […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY It seems strange that Josh Langfelder – both during the race and after the final results were announced – never mentioned that he would even research the consolidation of the recorder’s […]

SPECIAL COUNTY BOARD MEETING The Sangamon County Board Elections Committee will hold a special meeting Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to consider whether, in light of the tragic killing of Sonya Massey, our county should give voters the right to recall our sheriff when the people lose confidence in him or her. The public is invited […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — AN UPHILL BATTLE Five months ago, my cat café – my dream – was destroyed by a fire. Our original space at 413 E. Adams St. was more than a business to me, it […]

DON’T DEMONIZE OTHERS Stop blaming Kamala Harris. She did her job. Joe Biden did his. Big donors made their choice by pulling out funds from the DNC. They pulled the plug on 2024. Democrats that voted not just for the president, but for all down-ballot races, will be what saves this country. The GOP is […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — ALREADY PUBLIC The Oct. 17 cover story is titled “Citizens want a voice in CWLP.” Oddly, CWLP already happens to be publicly owned. Remember this when progressives tell you privatization of public utilities is […]

FOCUS ON REAL PROBLEMS Cry me a river. The poor police get a middle finger from some kid whose friends, co-workers, relatives and acquaintances have been attacked by armed “jump out boys” of the Springfield Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, who target Black people 5.7 times more often than whites, even though statistics fail to […]

GO VOTE I’m glad the Democrats are finally putting up candidates for county races (“County Board elections in the spotlight,” Oct. 3). Now get out there and vote! Anne Hofferkamp Springfield LONG ENOUGH A recent article in The Atlantic noted that one of George Washington’s greatest gifts to America was knowing that the office didn’t […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — FIX CURRENT PARKS Springfield has 36 parks already (“Governor’s Mansion block slated to become a park,” Oct. 3). Even though I am all for parks, we do not need an additional park at that […]

DO THE MATH The less you rely on smoke and mirrors, the less you will have to put out fires (“Tiny houses, big controversy," Sept. 26). The total project includes 18 tiny 540-square-foot homes and a 1,200-square-foot learning center. The total amount requested for the project is $5.2 million, $400,000 from the city of Springfield […]

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — KNOW WHO TO CALL The recent unfortunate incidents involving people with a mental health crisis might have been handled better if everyone was informed of the phone numbers to call instead of 911. The […]