Cover Story
A generous community
“I can’t work on a vaccine, but I can give what I have,” says Cecelia Wendler, a Springfield resident who has been regularly fulfilling requests posted to the Springfield Families Helping Families Facebook (SFHF) group. “It’s the immediacy of stepping in; it’s very in-the-moment. It gives a sense of the lived concern for everyone in…
State’s wealthiest person gives $20 million to anti-graduated tax committee
Illinois’ wealthiest man and frequent Republican political donor Ken Griffin has pledged $20 million to a group dedicated to defeating a graduated tax constitutional amendment. Griffin, who is the founder of the hedge fund Citadel, has previously donated tens of millions of dollars to the campaign of Republican former Gov. Bruce Rauner. He’s also given…
Madigan hearings to begin next week
A special investigative committee of the General Assembly will begin meeting at the Capitol next week to decide the fate of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan, a Chicago Democrat and the longest-serving legislative speaker in U.S. history, was implicated in a bribery scheme in July when officials from the utility giant Commonwealth Edison admitted…
Editor’s note 09-03-20
Kenosha is a little smaller than Springfield, but not much, so it’s easy to imagine us in Kenosha’s place. Maybe Springfield police are trained better, so they wouldn’t overreact with a gun to somebody carrying a knife, but another police shooting could happen here. There is a strong and thoughtful Black Lives Matter movement in…
ARCHITECTURE SCAVENGERS
Springfield architecture is getting a moment to shine. And for some lucky admirers, it’s going to pay. “The Architecture Scavenger Hunt” will challenge participants to find small features in downtown buildings. “This is a fun, socially distanced activity for people of all ages, including families who are home-schooling or who need a change of pace…
Fluffy homemade pancakes
Whether they’re the centerpiece of a lazy Saturday morning brunch or hastily gobbled up on a hectic weekday, fluffy homemade pancakes are a sure crowd pleaser. Pancakes generally freeze well, separated with waxed paper in a zip-close bag, so it’s easy to make a big batch and get a jump on meal prep for the…
CITY LOOKS TO GREEN IN CASH CRUNCH
Springfield budget director William McCarty had mixed news for the city council during a Tuesday budget update. On the plus side, the city has a $28 million fund balance, which amounts to 23% of the city budget, a record amount, McCarty said. That will help cushion a blow that McCarty said remains uncertain because the…
Pretentious Tenet a muddled mess
Warner Brothers was concerned that by releasing Christopher Nolan’s Tenet in overseas markets first that key plot points and twists would flood the internet, ruining the many secrets the film has in store. They shouldn’t have worried – I couldn’t tell you what this movie was about if my life depended on it. Expectations surrounding…
Music labors
Welcome to the land of music-making possibilities in central Illinois as we roll our way into the first weekend of September, which in the calendar of holidays. drops us into Labor Day territory. This time is typically known as the end of the summer season, with Memorial Day as the other bookend, but with this…
Lion & Bird with David Francisco
This internationally renowned singer/songwriter, recording engineer, studio owner-operator, multi-instrumentalist and spinal cord-injury survivor has a story to tell and he’s been telling it wherever he goes. From a captivating American Idol Hollywood performance to appearances on major television shows such as Ellen, stage-sharing with Martina McBride, Steven Curtis Chapman and Chris Blue, plus speaking at…
Support Black-owned businesses
This promises to be a one-of-a-kind pop-up event bringing together the best Black fitness instructors, personal trainers and health professionals from around Springfield. You will be able to participate in the pop-up classes, learn about the latest fitness trends, meet with massage therapists and nutritionists and finish it all off with some great food while…
Put science before politics
When Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state COVID-19 “mitigation” plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16, he said it was done in conjunction “with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis.” Last week, though, the governor admitted the cross-border arrangement to try to contain the virus’ spread…
lonesome poem # 1
lonesome poem # 1 In a 1943 letter to my brother; I’m 15, he’s 13, living out west for his health: he saved his mail. “It’s lonesome being an only child with you in Arizona and Jo and Pat at college. I got home from school – everything’s a grey-green-yellow, the sun shines brilliant and…
Letters to the Editor 09-03-20
MISCONDUCT ABOUNDS Recently, there has been a parade of Springfield-area commenters deriding Speaker Michael Madigan for allegations against his Illinois House members relating to ethics and utility dealings. There are two glaring problems that undermine their credibility on the issue: 1) Locally seated courts’ rejection of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act legislation, passed…
Douglas vs. Douglass
Stephen A. Douglas was a complicated person. So said Samuel Wheeler, Lincoln scholar and former state historian. “If it weren’t for Abraham Lincoln, this would be the land of Douglas,” said Wheeler. Douglas – who was an Illinois resident, politician and lawyer – is largely known in Springfield for his debates with Lincoln. That’s apparent…
Death of a thrift store
Springfield has lost nearly 100 beds for men, some homeless, recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. In a video released last March, the Salvation Army said that railroad relocation plans threatened the adult rehabilitation center on 11th Street, where drunkards and addicts get help, and asked the public to contact elected officials to save 80…
COVID-19 and college
The University of Illinois is aiming to have its saliva tests used throughout the nation and world. The so-called Shield tests provide rapid results and were developed by researchers in Urbana-Champaign at UIUC. “Direct saliva testing can address bottlenecks of time, cost and supplies,” said Martin Burke in a release. “Our test also has unique…
Best of Springfield® 2020
VOTING HAS ENDED. The readers’ picks for Best of Springfield® 2020 will be announced in the October 29 issue of Illinois Times.
Getting soaked
I am recently returned from two weeks on the road, where I social-distanced via motorcycle and lack of hygiene – six feet apart is no problem when you’ve been camping and haven’t showered in awhile. The most memorable moment came the first night, when, caught in an OMG electrical storm, I slept in a car…
First, deal with police mental health
The current national discussion on policing in America has appropriately focused on systemic racism and brutality. However, it has left out one key issue to which almost everyone appears blind: We are not going to get the quality policing we want until we have a concern for officer wellness in the area of mental health.…
