Opinion

Illinois Times has published guest opinion columns opposing construction of a second lake for Springfield. Over the years that the project has been under consideration, IT has published several articles and letters from Reg Davis in support. Here is his commentary on the latest lake proposal. About 15 years ago I attended a Springfield Chamber […]

In a study of electrical supply options for Springfield in the 1990s, a second gas turbine at the Dallman power station was the favored option. Although the fuel was expensive compared to coal, it was relatively inexpensive to build compared to a coal plant. However, another option presented was a solar farm, which showed it […]

President Xi Jinping has taken policy actions which cripple the Chinese economy. Why? Let’s look at Deng’s previous successful policies, what Xi has done since 2012 and the resulting political and economic consequences and discover why Xi has not acted to cure the current economic malaise in China. Last month the stock price of Evergrande […]

The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions (POWR) convened at Chicago’s McCormick Place Aug. 14-18. To reach the registration hall, I passed under banners invoking previous parliaments, including the original one hosted in Chicago in 1893, as part of the Columbian Exposition. The more modern incarnations started in 1993, also in Chicago. This year’s theme […]

For 55 years, the city has neglected Lake Springfield, refusing to dredge in hopes of building Hunter Lake, an unneeded, expensive and environmentally destructive monument to the Langfelders’ legacy.  It would destroy historical wetlands, hundreds of acres of mature forest, endangered species habitat, two streams and hundreds of acres of farms, eliminating nearly 10% of […]

The Illinois State Museum is a source of pride in the Land of Lincoln, but, like everything else in the state, there are always critics. Some take their resentment to extremes. In 1887, the museum was thrown out of its quarters in the Illinois State Capitol during a dispute over space. Some of the museum […]

How to curb teen vaping GUESTWORK | David Palmer The pervasiveness of teen vaping is bringing together policymakers at both the state and federal levels to address a growing problem. On the national level, flavored vaping products are illegal, and Illinois lawmakers are considering a ban on using e-cigarettes and vapes inside public places “in […]

As we consider infrastructure spending, we should look beyond bridges and roads. We might think of the human brain as democracy’s infrastructure. To protect American democracy, we should create an education system that helps all students transcend ignorance and gullibility. We must protect America from the fraudulent claims of charismatic charlatans, paranoid conspiracy theorists, science […]

While deserved attention has been given to the dreadful “right of first refusal” energy bill that Gov. Pritzker has vowed to veto, a second energy bill – repeal of the 1987 Illinois nuclear construction moratorium (SB76) – has all but vanished from radar. Yet this bill’s implications for Illinois’ energy future may be far greater […]

Patients in Illinois are facing a health care crisis that deserves more attention because it affects the availability of medical care in communities across the state. Have you ever been unable to schedule an appointment because a practice doesn’t accept your insurance, or because the specialist you wanted to see no longer worked there? You […]