Opinion

Less than six months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe, states where abortion remains legal are seeing large increases in out-of-state patients forced to cross state lines for abortion. One of these states is Illinois, which remains a safe haven in a region where abortion is increasingly difficult to access.  This month, my colleagues and I at […]

As we close out another season of giving in Springfield, let’s give thanks for prior residents and leaders who left us a treasure – our municipally owned power plant. We, the people of Springfield – not Ameren, or any other company – run City Water, Light and Power (CWLP). It’s a time for fellowship too, […]

As climate change increasingly harms our world, 200 countries met in Egypt Nov. 6-20 at the COP27 climate conference. Some 40,000 persons attended the 27th annual conference to make global climate policy to protect our planet. Presidents Putin of Russia, Xi of China and Prime Minister Modi from India did not attend. The conference was […]

I’ve always considered voting to be a process somewhat like an oil change – an occasional and mildly inconvenient task necessary to keep the engine of democracy humming. I’d never thought twice about the mechanics involved until a couple of years ago, when people stormed our nation’s Capitol screaming bloody murder about it. That horrific […]

All but one of the City Water, Light, and Power coal-fired electric generators have been shut down. According to the CWLP website, it generates 200 MW of electricity. The utility will be partnering with the University of Illinois to conduct testing of carbon capture technology. Other research projects associated with coal-generated electricity are also in […]

It is a very exciting time at the Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center. We feel it is important to share with the many pet owners and residents of Sangamon County the numerous changes we have made. We are always looking for ways to improve in order to better serve all our clients, both […]

Today, Halloween is a mixture of revelry, as both trick-or-treaters and adults are in costume with happy pumpkins, and ghoulish skeletons for décor. A century ago, the holiday was more sinister – and violent. Halloweens of the late 1800s and early 1900s were dominated by “pranks” that were closer to felonies and misdemeanors. Vandalism ruled […]

It’s not fixed. Changes have been made, but Sangamon County Animal Control is not fixed. Low-hanging fruit has been addressed. Now a doubling down on the more complicated issues that have vexed the operation for years is needed. Overall operational changes have not been made. Sangamon County finally posted the operation director’s position on Oct. […]

This year in Sangamon County, the state’s attorney successfully sought the removal of two cases involving adolescents to adult court for trial. It’s true that their crimes are serious, each involving a loss of life, but adult court is the wrong place for juveniles for three reasons: 1. adolescent brains are not yet fully developed, […]