Cover Story
Angels among us
While working on building a new home in downtown Springfield, University of Illinois Springfield’s business incubator is rolling out some new, innovative programs to expand its resources and services, highlighting access to expertise and sources of startup venture capital for entrepreneurs. Innovate Springfield, which currently offers its members support such as office space, business planning, market…
Lights out for Olde Towne Apartments
Dennis Hull is losing his home of 18 years through no fault of his own. “I always paid my rent on time – every month. I never missed a month and now this happens,” he said as he glanced down the entrance to Olde Towne apartments at the intersection of Bruns Lane and Jefferson Street.…
Volunteering is a powerful way to make change happen
Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network is a grassroots volunteer organization serving immigrants and refugees, children and families who have come to Springfield – many after surviving life-threatening living conditions and environmental, economic, and political turmoil. Its mission is to protect the rights and promote the well-being and inclusion of Springfield’s immigrant and refugee communities through advocacy,…
General Assembly tries to amend Biometric Information Privacy Act
Chicago-area news outlets have been so intent on amplifying every possible angle on the proposals for new publicly financed sports stadiums that they’ve sometimes missed the bigger picture. Senate President Don Harmon last week tried to make it simple for everyone what that bigger picture is. In a speech to the Illinois Chamber, in town…
Turner Classic Movies Film Festival kicks off April 18
The Turner Classic Movies Film Festival begins on April 18 in Hollywood, the 15th annual event kicking off with a 30th anniversary screening of Pulp Fiction. John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel and other cast members will be in attendance. What with the festival’s theme of “Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in…
Making downtown Springfield more marketable
Doubling the Bank of Springfield Center’s size would result in a similar increase in conventions coming to the capital city, and construction of a new 300-bed hotel adjacent to the center would maximize the expanded facility’s potential. Those were two of the major conclusions from a recently completed feasibility study of the potential impact of…
A self-serve farmers market
The tiny Scott County community of Riggston, 50 miles west of Springfield, with a mere 18 residents, is drawing national attention for a self-serve operation in a small building that is addressing the issue of rural American food deserts. “There is not another one like this in the United States,” said Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall, the owner…
County bars to close earlier
The Sangamon County Board opted not to allow for more public comment and instead voted 21-5 on April 8 to eliminate 3 a.m. liquor licenses for bars in unincorporated areas outside Springfield and other municipalities. The decision will affect four taverns with 3 a.m. liquor licenses, effective July 1, and will require those establishments, if…
Lawmakers question Pritzker’s plan for new early childhood agency
Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to consolidate the state’s early childhood programs into one new cabinet-level agency ran into tough questions during a House budget committee hearing. The plan, which Pritzker first announced in October and which he included in his budget address in February, would consolidate a host of programs and services currently run by three different agencies…
Springfield YMCA celebrates 150 years
On March 25, YMCA officials, local dignitaries and Springfield citizens gathered in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary at Seventh and Capitol streets to celebrate 150 years of the YMCA serving Springfield. In the same building on that same date in 1874, a group of young men met to discuss forming a YMCA in Springfield. Federal,…
Saving a historic round barn
There’s the old joke about a man who dies running around a round barn trying to find a corner to exit. But it isn’t a joke as to what is happening to a round barn located along Interstate 55 near Glenarm. The 60-foot diameter barn with a center silo is being restored by the family…
Arcadian a relatable dystopian drama, Sting a fun sci-fi throwback, but Greatest Hits tries too hard
Intimacy the key to Arcadian’s success Director Benjamin Brewer and writer Michael Nilon cover familiar ground in Arcadian, a dystopian drama that focuses on one family’s efforts to survive against insurmountable odds. John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place will likely come to mind often, yet Brewer finds a unique approach to hook us, doing a fine…
Editors note 4/11/24
Americans should know by now – but many don’t – that U.S. Jews differ widely in their political views. A study released last week by Pew Research Center shows that, among U. S. Jews, younger adults express much more negative attitudes toward Israel than older adults do, reflecting attitudes in the broader U.S. public. While…
Secret
When we lived in Kent Gillian was a small girl: we had a visit from a distant professor friend who said to Jilly, “Would you like to hear a secret?” She climbed up into his lap, her face glowing with anticipation – who doesn’t love a shared secret? He whispered in her ear, “You are…
Letters to the editor 4/11/24
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- DISINGENUIOUS POSTAL PLAN The goal of the U.S. Postal Service’s 10-year Delivering for America Plan, launched in March 2021 by Postmaster Louis DeJoy, is to “redesign” the USPS processing, transportation and delivery networks; however,…
Merch madness
Thanks to ingenuity and fortunate timing, Campus Ink has become a sensational example of small business expansion, with the assistance of Illini Angels investment capital. Founder Steven Farag isn’t a coach, player or official, but he and his team logged many miles on the road to the Final Four. When rules changed in 2021, allowing…
Springfield-area native wants to redesign global supply chain logistics
Matt Salefski, an entrepreneur who grew up in the Springfield area, recently launched Rectangle, a freight cargo logistics communications company. He reached out to Illini Angels as part of his quest for early-stage venture capital. “When you look around your home, or at store shelves, probably everything you see moved through a global supply chain…
Travel back in time with spaghetti Caruso
Food memories have the power to transport you back in time and trigger strong emotions. When an old favorite restaurant closes, it can make you sad. It can feel like a part of your history has been erased. These establishments often hold a special place in our hearts, reminding us of happy moments, people and…
History of the Young Men’s Christian Association and Springfield YMCA
The Young Men’s Christian Association was founded in London in 1844 as a refuge for young men. The first U.S. YMCA opened in Boston in 1851. A group of young men met on March 25, 1874, at the First Presbyterian Church, Seventh and Capitol Streets, to discuss forming a Springfield YMCA. The impetus was to…
Mid-April music shines
As we wander into the second full weekend of April, post-eclipse fever is overshadowed by an array of activities, all blessed with above-average temperatures and sunshine galore. And may I say (because it will be May soon), that comes just in time for more music outdoors wherever the place may be. It’s the second Thursday…
Saturday’s guided tours are the last scheduled
Haven’t toured the old Pillsbury Mill plant yet? Well, this Saturday offers a last chance to take a guided tour of the abandoned plant. Tours at noon and 2 p.m. last about one hour and include stops and photo opportunities at several of the plant’s buildings. The tours are on a level surface but “sturdy…
