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 […]
Opinion
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Don’t let perception become the narrative
The My Heart’s Downtown campaign has been in the news recently, and while I am grateful to see attention focused on our city center, I want to clarify how this effort began. It was not created by a single organization or person. It came from a small group of individuals who care deeply about downtown […]
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Armory 2.0
How nice to see construction cranes instead of wrecking balls around the Illinois State Armory. Having kvetched for years about its neglect by the owners, I feel obligated to say a few words in praise of the project that is restoring it to health. As alert citizens know from these pages, the Armory, now in […]
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This is what opportunity looks like
It’s not every day that a $500 million private investment comes along – especially one with the potential to reshape the economic future of Sangamon County. The proposed CyrusOne data center campus represents exactly that kind of opportunity: hundreds of jobs, a strengthened tax base, and long-term benefits for families across our region. Economic development can […]
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Learning begins at home
Each year, Illinois Times publishes an article on the status of Springfield District 186 Schools. Across the district, teachers, staff and administrators give their all, pouring their heart and soul into our students’ futures. Many of our students make gains, but not the dramatic grade-level jumps necessary for major changes to the Illinois Report Card. […]
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Illinois goes all-in on more nuclear power
The curtain has finally and unequivocally been ripped back: Gov. JB Pritzker is all-in on new nuclear. Pritzker released Executive Order 2026-01 Executive Order To Accelerate New Safe Nuclear Power Generation In Illinois – the final missing element of a plan for a more nuclear-reliant Illinois, dating back to the two-part repeal of Illinois’ nuclear […]
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New wisdom for a dangerous world
“We live in a world – the real world, Jake – that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world that have existed since the beginning of time.” – Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, to journalist Jake Tapper […]
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Build systems for equitable AI growth
Artificial intelligence continues to spark a robust debate in our society, but all can agree it is a technology with true staying power. This is why it is essential for Illinois and the United States to take a leading role in the advancement of this technology. The global landscape is shifting rapidly, particularly as nations […]
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Don’t slide backward on disability services
For years, Illinois was known as a state that chronically underfunded services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) – the essential workers who provide daily care, skill building, medication assistance and community access – were paid wages that made retention nearly impossible. People with disabilities faced years-long waiting lists, […]
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From planning to implementation
Imagine a vibrant town center that serves as a hub of cultural and social activity. There’s a beautiful, tree-lined roundabout and plaza in the middle of it all, with a water feature that serves as a splash pad for children on a summer day, and a nice spot to read a book or to catch […]
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America facing the “banality of evil”
I was at lunch in Springfield when a close friend called from one of the suburbs of Chicago. He said, “This area has been invaded; I cannot go outside my house for fear of being taken away. They (ICE) are waiting outside construction and other offices. As soon as workers come out who look Latino […]
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Adults to blame for children’s mental health crisis
I read with interest Dilpreet Raju’s cover story on children’s mental health. Like numerous other sources, it cites an increase in screen time as one of the primary reasons for increased anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions among youth, especially girls. With the wealth of information about the impact of screens on children, we […]
