The repercussions from the Aug. 27 water main break along Monroe Street in downtown Springfield continue to be felt as businesses seek to recoup losses and move past the day’s events. The building at the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets received the brunt of the flow of water when a 12-foot section of the […]
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Capitol renovations set to wrap up this winter
Nearly five years after construction crews started moving dirt on the $350 million renovation of the Illinois State Capitol’s north wing, there are finally glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. The massive project, which included a rehab of the Illinois Senate chamber, construction of a new underground parking garage and conference room […]
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Taking it to the streets
Patricia Gaddy sleeps sitting up in her walker. After about 20 years without stable housing, she has learned how to survive on Springfield’s streets. But health problems have made that harder. Gaddy has heart problems, high blood pressure and a history of blood clots in her legs. A problem with her knee makes it difficult […]
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Banking on the BOS Center
Hotel taxes will rise 3% one month from now to pay for a $60 million expansion of Springfield’s publicly owned convention center after a 20-5 vote by the Sangamon County Board on Sept. 1. The bipartisan vote on the Republican-controlled County Board came after arguments from advocates who said the 47-year-old BOS Center, last renovated […]
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ShotSpotter stalls
The Springfield City Council postponed a decision on whether to renew its ShotSpotter contract as the mayor pursues tweaks to the agreement and Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory said he plans to introduce an amendment to the ordinance. The City Council voted Sept. 1 to withdraw the ordinance for a $1.1 million, three-year contract for […]
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The saga of Colton Lexus
Colton Lexus is going from a tiny home to the big house. The 31-year-old, who became something of a cause celebre in challenging Springfield’s zoning laws by trying to live off the grid on a vacant lot within city limits, was found guilty last week of aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm by a […]
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Lead-aches
Springfield’s thousands of service lines that are made out of lead will need to be removed within 10 years due to the Illinois Pollution Control Board’s decision to adopt a 2024 federal rule. The move likely occurred as a precaution amid fears the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would ditch the Biden-era rule that sought to […]
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Springfield City Council to consider ShotSpotter renewal
The Springfield City Council is slated to vote Sept. 1 on extending the Springfield Police Department’s use of ShotSpotter, a surveillance technology used to detect gunshots. At the Aug. 25 committee of the whole meeting, Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory moved to place the ordinance on the debate agenda, calling for further discussion before a […]
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Putting on the brakes: New Illinois law establishes rules for e-bikes, scooters
New rules governing who can use electric bikes and scooters, including where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on new legislation. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 Aug. 26, which establishes regulations on “micromobility” transportation that include age requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be […]
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Illinois to receive up to $768M in Meta settlement over teen social media addiction
Illinois will receive up to $768 million from a multi-state $17.1 billion settlement with social media giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — the culmination of a three-year legal battle brought by state attorneys general. Nearly three dozen AGs, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, sued Meta in 2023 over teen social media addiction, […]
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Downtown water main break update
City officials said Friday afternoon a faulty pipe may have been the cause of the main water line break that shut down water and electricity for numerous businesses in downtown Springfield on Thursday evening. The city’s water division manager, Todd LaFountain, said he was alerted by the water purification plant around 5:30 p.m. of “some […]
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Women’s Equality Day marked with Springfield locals joining national relay
On Women’s Equality Day, Springfield residents joined one woman’s relay to Washington, D.C. to draw attention to the progress still needed for justice for women to be achieved. Emily Waugh walked with a steady pace and carried one end of the banner that read “Women’s Walk Across America.” The 40-year-old and mother of two began […]
