Black Guardians Association, the group of African-American police officers, is asking the City of Springfield for a very special favor. Namely, no special favors. In a brief press release issued this week, BGA expressed “concern regarding the City of Springfield’s past lack of commitment to diversifying its police force.” But the press release goes on […]
News
Posted inNews
Where the wild things are
From the first step, education coordinator Sally Patterson enlists the help of the students she leads through the green world of Lincoln Memorial Garden. “Everyone keep your eyes open: I only have one set of eyes. If we work together we can see a lot more.” Before long a small girl squeals, pointing: “There’s a […]
Posted inNews
Behind closed doors
For the past ten years, the Illinois Press Association has been pushing for a tougher Open Meetings Act. IPA would have a much easier time if nearly every governmental body in Illinois didn’t oppose it. Beth Bennett, IPA’s director of government relations, joined the association 15 years ago. Soon after starting her job, she began […]
Posted inNews
Help wanted
There’s apparently another job opportunity at the City of Springfield: legal advisor to the Springfield Police Department. Bill Workman, who had held that position since late 2000, was terminated May 7. Corporation Counsel Jenifer Johnson confirmed the move, but said she can’t comment on personnel matters. Bradley Wilson, who is defending Workman in a civil […]
Posted inNews
Cop Out 4
Last Saturday morning, at Union Baptist Church, the crowd ebbed and flowed, some arriving late, others leaving early, but always with the people slightly outnumbering chairs, forcing neighbors to choose between sitting next to a stranger or leaning against a wall. Hosted by Unity in the Community, a relatively new group of activists headed by […]
Posted inNews
So Sue Me
Two months ago, in the midst of a special City Council meeting, Mayor Karen Hasara made an unusual plea: She begged to be sued. “We’re going to be in court. We want to be in court!” she said. Furthermore, she wanted this lawsuit to be filed posthaste. “I hope the Black Guardians will hurry up […]
Posted inNews
Cop Out 3
Illinois Times’ October 31 cover article revealed the truth behind a story that had been repeated scores of time in the local media over the past year: Springfield Police Department was reported to be conducting an internal investigation into whether rookie officer Renatta Frazier failed to prevent the rape of another officer’s daughter. Frazier subsequently […]
Posted inNews
Cop Out: The Aftermath
City responds with nothing, then everything The revelations of last week’s cover story, “Cop Out,” inspired a special city council meeting last Monday at which Springfield Police Department Chief John Harris was the guest of honor. Aldermen Frank Kunz and Frank McNeil repeatedly asked the chief and the SPD’s legal counsel, William Workman, how they […]
Posted inNews
A Town Without Pity
At around 5 AM, every member of my family was asleep. Everyone except my mother, Renatta Frazier. She was just arriving home from another long night as a Springfield police officer, another night full of drama and upset. Crying, exhausted, and cold, she stumbled into our townhouse and exhaled, dropping her bag and belt at […]
Posted inNews
Disturbing the peace
Sheila Walk was puzzled when she showed up for the Heartland Peace Center’s annual meeting in January. It was supposed to be held at the Space on Super Bowl Sunday. For years, the Heartland Peace Center’s annual meeting has always been on Super Bowl Sunday. This year was supposed to be no different; Walk, a […]
Posted inNews
More med district maneuvers
Duane Schlueter wanted to make some money from Springfield hospitals, family members say, but his refusal to visit one put an end to his plan. Schlueter, who died on Saturday, January 18, at the age of 62, owned a couple of lots in Enos Park near the southwest corner of Third and Carpenter. “He was […]
Posted inNews
Georgeart
George Colin doesn’t exhibit at the Old Capitol Art Fair. He doesn’t need to. The 74-year-old Colin has become a folk-art phenomenon since he retired in 1977 from Pillsbury Mills, where he sacked flour for 30 years. Actually Colin did show some paintings at the very first Old Capitol Art Fair in 1962, but one […]
