Opinion

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 […]

Since my return to Springfield last year, the city has become vibrant with unique local businesses that appeal to young residents like me. Working at one of these downtown establishments allows me to engage with fellow young folks daily. One remarkable location I keep hearing about: the Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens. It fosters neighborhood autonomy […]

Retirement ought to be a time in which every person can relax, spend time with loved ones, and pursue interests and hobbies. And yet, these days, too many of our neighbors are stressed that their golden years will lack the security and dignity they have worked so hard for throughout their lives. Rising cost of […]

Home care is essential to my family. During my late mother’s final days, home care workers made sure she was fed, clothed and comfortable so that I could be by her side as a daughter rather than a caretaker.  My adult son is living with severe autism and requires near constant supervision. Home care workers […]

There’s a literacy crisis plaguing the state’s under-resourced communities — rural, urban and suburban alike. Many thousands of Illinois kids show up for the first day of kindergarten without the basic reading skills they need, very often because they’re growing up in homes where there are no books. Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed 2024 budget contains […]