The Iraqi Peace Coalition, which is considering a name change so it can take on more issues, wants Springfield parents to know that the U.S. military is interested in their children. “The No Child Left Behind Act requires high schools to provide the name, address, and phone numbers of all juniors and seniors to the […]
News
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Death of a Killing Machine
Overshadowed here by legislative debate over possible death-penalty reforms, a milestone in the history of the American death penalty has been sneaking up on us. Nebraska’s legislators are expected to vote this spring to quit using the electric chair, sanctioning a switch to lethal injection as the state’s execution method of choice. Nebraska will be […]
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The mystery of the street corner spy
Every Saturday for the last few months, Pax Christi Springfield–the local chapter of a national Catholic group–has been holding a noontime “peace vigil” in front of the Illinois State Capitol. Organizer Diane Hughes says these vigils have been held “in solidarity” with antiwar demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and around the world. Hughes had already secured […]
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The buck stops where?
The City of Springfield may have gotten a bit more than it bargained for last week when three experts came to town to advise officials on the formation of a citizen police review board. In brief welcoming remarks, Mayor Karen Hasara set the agenda, saying that “there’s no question that we will have a review […]
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The Eastside speaks
The new mayor will have his hands full. The police department and the self-insurance fund will be immediate concerns. But what about the Eastside of Springfield? A recent city-funded study outlined many of the problems there, including sections of urban decay comparable to the worst parts of Chicago. Between 14th and Dirksen, Cook and South […]
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Found and lost
For archaeologist Robert Mazrim, director of the Sangamo Archaeological Center in Elkhart, last weekend’s dig in downtown Springfield was simply another revelation of Illinois’ all-but-forgotten prairie past. But for city historians Curtis Mann and Linda Garvert, every turn of the trowel was nothing less than a miracle. The site was Second and Jefferson streets, the […]
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Electric shock
Long plagued by malfunctions, fines, and shutdowns, the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant petitioned the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission last year to increase its generating capacity by 20 percent. But more surprising, its owners have asked the NRC to approve plans to build a new advanced reactor at the site, which is located about 45 miles […]
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The incredible shrinking talk show hosts
Jim Leach was just a youngster, no older than eight, when he saw Bob Murray doing a radio broadcast in front of the K-Mart on Clear Lake. Murray had a portable deejay booth–turntables and microphone–and little Leach was instantly enthralled. He realized he now had the answer to every adult’s favorite question, “Hey kid, what […]
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People, Places, Goofing Off
Oddest LandmarkHilton Hotel 700 E. Adams, 789-1530 1. Deviating from what is ordinary, usual or expected; strange or peculiar. In defining the word “odd,” the American Heritage Dictionary could have used a photo of the Springfield Hilton. The hotel is modern and well-run, but over the last 30 years nearly everyone has wondered why it […]
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Food and Fun
For most of the past two decades Illinois Times has asked readers what they like most about Springfield. And each year hundreds of you are more than eager to tell us. This year is no different. About 500 of you filled out our ballots and told us about your favorite places, people, and things to […]
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The Lost City
A lot happened in 1935: Amelia Earhart became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean; Bruno Hauptmann was sentenced to die for killing the Lindbergh baby; and, here in the Illinois state capital, people witnessed the dedication of Lake Springfield and the Vachel Lindsay Bridge, the planning of Lincoln Memorial Garden, and […]
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Doug Knight’s “Little Renaissance”
The drive-in movie is one of the few pleasures in life designed with the whole family in mind. Traditionally a double-bill, the first show targets the kids, after which they (theoretically) lapse into slumber. Intermission features the vintage concession promo with the dancing soda pops and acrobatic hot dog. The second flick is geared toward […]
