And justice for all
There are not many folks in the local courthouse these days, where crimes of fashion lately run rampant. Assistant state’s attorney Brian Shaw looks like he slept in the shirt and khakis he wears during Friday proceedings before Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John “Mo” Madonia. The judge, who needs a shave, wears a robe,…
Mayor authorizes fines for violating social distance protocols
Scofflaws who violate social distancing rules may be fined up to $500 under an emergency directive issued by Mayor Jim Langfelder. Langfelder telegraphed the move at Tuesday’s city council meeting, when he said that the corporation counsel’s office was working on a measure that would be announced today. Under the measure, police can pursue criminal…
Limiting liability for health care workers
Without fanfare last week, Gov. JB Pritzker issued a sweeping executive order (2020-19) granting many health care providers immunity from civil liability during the COVID-19 crisis. If medical facilities, community-integrated living facilities, community mental health centers and others are providing COVID-19 health care services, they cannot be sued “for any injury or death alleged to…
Springfield parks: enjoy, responsibly
The Springfield Park District has issued guidance about its facilities in light of coronavirus. The district said Washington, Southwind and Lincoln parks have become busy which can make keeping at least six feet away from others challenging. “Springfield Park District certainly encourages people to comply with the governor’s executive order and stay home, first and…
Bicycle dreams
Bicycling? Yes. Of all avocations, riding a bike is, almost beyond dispute, the finest. With endorphins and all, it is as much exercise for the brain as the heart, lungs or legs, a way to solve all the world’s problems while seeing the world. There are as many reasons why as there are riders. For…
Letters to the editor 4/2/20
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to letters@illinoistimes.com. ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE? My wife works for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as a health facilities surveillance nurse. She is a reviewer whose job involves processing reports and paperwork generated by surveyors who inspect…
RENT’S DUE
Many people are working reduced hours, if at all. As part of the governor’s orders to “stay-at-home” he banned evictions. On March 31, Mayor Jim Langfelder said city police won’t help remove people who fail to pay. But that doesn’t mean some landlords won’t stop trying to vacate those who can’t cough up cash. That’s…
COMMISSION BLOWS DEADLINE
Lots of people are working from home. Some folks aren’t working at all. Some people – thank you, grocery store checkers and public works crews and firefighters and nurses – are out there holding things together for the rest of us. The legislature canceled sessions more than two weeks ago. And this week, the deadline…
Addiction recovery groups shift to video and phone
Robert Duckels is married with three sons. He’s an attorney who lives in Carlinville, between Springfield and St. Louis. And he identifies as an alcoholic. Like many people who struggle with addiction and are now in recovery, it was hitting “rock bottom” that propelled him to quit. “I realized that there was really nowhere else…
Roadside Americans
“I have hitchhiked a couple times. But that’s not why I wrote the book,” said Springfield native Jack Reid of his new book, Roadside Americans: The Rise and Fall of Hitchhiking in a Changing Nation. The nonfiction history was just featured on a list by Smithsonian Magazine of newly released titles to “read while you’re…
Joys of backyard chickens
Not long ago I was sitting on my grandma’s sofa, flipping through the pages of Women’s Day magazine. I stumbled upon an article about zero waste recipes that use up every part of an ingredient, and I was impressed at the progressive, forward-thinking attitude conveyed in this mainstream magazine. Food waste is a major issue…
Vivarium offers a timely message
Tom and Gemma weren’t really looking to buy a house. They went into the real estate office on a lark, a vague plan of the future in their heads, looking at the models of the perfect, cookie cutter homes on display with bemusement. Embarrassed to say “no” to the awkward, overbearing real estate agent that…
On playing online
Here we are in week number three of Now Not Playing with at least another several weeks ahead of closed venues, social distancing and no way to see live music like the way we used to within the parameters established by those in the know. So with the lack of music made by those in…
Homemade pan pizza
“I figured if we won’t eat it during a pandemic, we never will!,” remarked a friend during a recent Zoom chat happy hour. We’d been discussing the “interesting” meals we’d managed to come up with during this time of shifting shopping and cooking habits. The far recesses of cupboards everywhere are seeing light for the…
Publishing strong
Like everyone else, the staff at Illinois Times has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. While we’ve all stayed healthy so far, we have family members and friends who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Our business, like so many others, has suffered a significant financial blow as a result of the pandemic. However, unlike the…
Editor’s note 4/2/20
Monthly I drive to a board meeting an hour away, meet for two hours, then drive home – four hours. We zoomed the March meeting, and because of the virus tightened the agenda. After 45 minutes business was done and I was home. Our church attendance is up, now that we’re zooming. When one zoom…
How to stay positive
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has created significant anxiety in individuals throughout the world. The incidence rates continue to grow, and shelter-at-home executive orders result in unforeseen adjustments, including working from home, reduced income, children not attending school and loss of jobs. However, our ability to process these transitions through a positive lens may promote healthy…
Legislators find ways to stay busy
This is a story about two very different state legislators, representing very different districts with the same strong belief in hope during a time of anguish. Some legislators are known for their lawmaking abilities and some are known for their constituent services. Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) falls more into the latter category. The always-cheerful…
frugality poem #1
many years ago my sister and husband both musicians got visiting jobs for a season in the honolulu symphony: place perfect pay imperfect so strict economy was in order they made a game of it who could manage with least the younger daughter won in the t.p. division by managing with only one square –…
