Cover Story
A critical loss for District 186
Hundreds of families in Springfield that count on after-school and summer learning programs are about to have the rug pulled out from under them as federal funding has evaporated for key agencies that supply those services. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois informed Springfield School District 186 in early December that a grant…
Church unity: Celebrating “the golden cord”
A few weeks back, a Secrets of the Dead episode sucked me in mid-program when I saw they were exploring the ruins of a basilica thought to be the location of the Council of Nicaea. It wasn’t, as it turned out, but the episode was a reminder to me about the outcome of that council.…
Unapologetically loud and claiming my identity
Hello. I am Breonna but I go by Bree. I am a 26-year-old sales coordinate at Montvale Independent Living. I also serve as co-chair of the Education Task Force as well as the Economic Disparities and Service Accessibility committee under the Massey Commission. My passion lies in advocating for those who need a voice –…
Madigan trial wraps up
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime law firm partner Vincent “Bud” Getzendanner testified in Madigan’s defense against numerous federal charges last week. One of the main themes of Getzendanner’s testimony was the property tax firm’s process of weeding out clients and potential clients who could pose a conflict of interest to Madigan. Getzendanner testified…
Monster Pawn raids result in multiple charges
A chain of central Illinois pawn shops with two Springfield locations functioned as a criminal enterprise, fencing stolen goods and buying silver bullion to launder the proceeds, the Illinois attorney general alleges. The owners of Monster Pawn and some employees appeared in court Thursday in Sangamon County. Charged were Monster Pawn’s owners, Edwin Pierce, 65,…
Voters to decide on eliminating county recorder’s office
Sangamon County voters on April 1 will decide whether to eliminate the office of recorder of deeds and transfer its duties to the county clerk, effective Dec. 1, 2026. The timeline of the vote and its impact were different from what was originally proposed by Republican leaders of the GOP-controlled County Board. But Democrats on…
Practicing
My mother kept me practicing even when I didn’t want to. I remember once in a violin lesson I was trying to play “Brindisi,” a terrible piece musically, but marvelous for problems of technique. My teacher had told me to memorize it, and I’d made a half-hearted attempt. Suddenly, in frustrated rage, I grabbed “Brindisi,” crumpled it up and…
Music heats up
“Brrrrrr and boooo,” says the little guy inside me. And you know what, he’s right, though we did get a break from the cold stuff in time to somewhat enjoy last weekend. This upcoming one gives us Friday and Saturday with considerably higher temps, hopefully tempting you to live a little with some live music.…
Morgan County to pay $6M settlement
Julie Downs hopes that no one else dies the way her son, Brian, did – vomiting on a jail cell floor as Morgan County Jail personnel watched. Morgan County is being walloped with a $6 million settlement in federal court for negligence in the 2022 heroin withdrawal death of 40-year-old Brian Downs. Parties in the…
Cannabis College
University of Illinois Springfield combines education and cannabis with Green Flower noncredit certification courses, offering professional development and credentials to people seeking to get into the growing cannabis industry. Partnering with UIS in early 2021, Green Flower, a cannabis education platform and program, has been a driving force for nearly 10 years in bringing science-based…
Letters to the editor 01-16-25
GLARING CONFLICT A conflict of interest is generally defined as a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity. Conflicts of interest can frequently arise in government work. Note that a conflict of interest in itself is not an issue; the concern…
Stop blaming the shelters
I was extremely disappointed to read “Out in the cold” in the Jan. 2 edition of Illinois Times. The choice to portray Helping Hands employee Jilnita Johnson in such an unfair and villainous manner was irresponsible and unethical. As a person who served as the executive director of Helping Hands for five years, I implore…
Meyer lemon meringue pie
It’s birthday season in our household. Three of us have January birthdays, including my grandmother, who will celebrate her 92nd birthday this year. Our family matriarch loves all things lemon so this year I’m planning to make her favorite, mile-high lemon meringue pie. The recipe for this uniquely American pie was developed in Philadelphia in…
Postal problems
Springfield postal workers are bracing for bad news as federal officials ponder moving some functions of Springfield’s packaging and distribution center to St. Louis. The move would be part of a national effort to consolidate functions within the nation’s mail system. In May, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy paused plans to consolidate centers until January 2025…
No free rent
Springfield officials recently finalized an agreement with the owner of the Wyndham City Centre hotel in which the hotel will resume paying rent for use of a city-owned parking lot at 700 E. Monroe St. But on a higher-profile issue – whether the Wyndham hotel will be renovated in the near future – Tower Capital…
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast. White, the first Black woman to serve on the court, was appointed in 2022 and then won election in 2024. This year’s event, organized by the Frontiers International Springfield Club, is marking its 50th…
Nightbitch has an overbearing message, Unstoppable tops other sports movies
Nightbitch too simple for its own good Getting off to a fast, rousing start, Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch falls into a numbing, repetitive pattern that beats the viewer over the head with its obvious message. Adapted from the novel by Rachel Yoder, the best part of this primal scream for recognition is an inspired performance by…
Reflecting on a year of progress and achievement at UIS
As we step into 2025, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the strides the University of Illinois Springfield made in 2024. The past year was marked by innovation, community engagement and milestones that have positioned UIS as a leader in education and service. These achievements reflect our mission to provide a uniquely student-centered educational…
