As I wrap up my year as board chair of United Way of Central Illinois, I find myself reflecting on a journey that began more than 25 years ago. My United Way story started in 2001 when I led the workplace campaign at Eaton Hydraulics. Not long afterward, I began volunteering as a co-chair on […]
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Posted inFilm
Leviticus both terrifying and heartbreaking, Jessie stars in Toy Story 5
Heartbreaking Leviticus terrifying yet poignant Though discredited, conversion therapy relating to homosexuality is still being used today, albeit with much less frequency. Some of these practices are folded into other approaches, have been renamed and also presented as a free speech issue through a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued in early 2026. While steps are […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Reflecting on a year of progress and what’s ahead for UIS
A few weeks ago, I stood on the stage of the Bank of Springfield Center, shaking the hands of more than 1,000 University of Illinois Springfield students who earned their degrees this year. Each graduate represents a story of perseverance, growth and achievement. It is a privilege to celebrate those journeys and to see the […]
Posted inRich Miller
Bill offers little state tax relief for homeowners
Before the House passed the megaprojects bill last month, we were told that the drafters didn’t want to just do some symbolic or “token” property tax relief. After the chamber passed the bill, we were told the property tax component will provide meaningful statewide relief for homeowners. Well, the governor’s office ran the numbers on […]
Posted inFilm
Normal masters bloody humor, Balls is crudely funny
Bloody humor a winner in Normal I wouldn’t have expected Bob Odenkirk to take the Liam Neeson route to map out the final act of his eclectic career. Having cut his comedic teeth as a writer at “Saturday Night Live” and co-creator of the groundbreaking sketch comedy series “Mr. Show,” he proved he had dramatic […]
Posted inFilm
The Drama serves as a cautionary tale, Thrash a silly, welcome respite
Smart Drama a cautionary tale for today A cautionary tale for today, Kristoffer Borgli’s The Drama is a movie that thrives on making its characters and the viewer uncomfortable. Handling hot button topics with a commendable deft touch, the film puts social media era relationships under the microscope, as well as our ever-shifting perspectives of […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Antiracism training and building the beloved community
A piece of artwork hangs over my desk. For more than 20 years of ordained ministry, it has reminded me of connections with others and a touchstone when the path is cloudy. It is an inscribed painting of the “Golden Rule” as translated from many faith traditions and ethical systems of the world. We share […]
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Hail Mary good but too long, Immortal Man brings Peaky Blinders to an end
Epic Hail Mary a journey too long Having not read Andy Weir’s novel Project: Hail Mary, I came in cold to Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s big screen adaptation of the same. It didn’t take long to understand why the book was on the New York Times’ Best-Sellers List for nearly 40 weeks. Knowing that […]
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Independent campaign expenditures rise
Independent campaign expenditures have skyrocketed this year in state legislative races. All of these numbers were current as of 4:20 p.m. Friday, March 13, when I finished writing this column. Independent expenditure committees are not allowed to coordinate their spending with candidates, ergo the “independent” label. As with the federal level, they are also not […]
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Opportunities blooming at LLCC’s spring career events
Career fairs and networking events do more than introduce students to employers. They open doors to possibility. At Lincoln Land Community College, connecting students to opportunity is central to our mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities through learning. These experiences extend the learning environment beyond the classroom. Students explore career pathways and strengthen essential […]
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Letters to the editor
DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE If I was running for office, I would run for the people, not the party (“Marc Bell drops out of sheriff’s race,” Feb. 12). Barack Obama did not have the support of Sangamon County, including most Black voters, until he won the primary against Hillary Clinton. The local Democratic party […]
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UIS research highlights stakes for Illinois farmers amid changing hemp regulations
In November 2025, President Trump signed legislation to fund and reopen the federal government, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. While many celebrated, Illinois hemp farmers were stunned. Buried in the legislation was a provision that fundamentally altered the federal definition of hemp, potentially making many hemp farming activities and products illegal once […]
