Cover Story
Combating human trafficking
When Gregory L. Fraase described the conditions that women working in his Asian massage parlors endured when they were growing up overseas, his words highlighted the way he and others may have taken advantage of their desperation. “Most of these girls coming over, they don’t even have a shower in their house,” Fraase, 61, told…
Caren Christine Murphy-Jones
Caren, 71, died on Oct. 6, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois. Born on July 28, 1953, in Litchfield, Illinois, she graduated from Carlinville Community High School before pursing higher education at Southern Illinois University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Sangamon State University on Aug. 5, 1989. Caren dedicated her career to public…
Lawmakers weigh whether to legalize ‘medical aid in dying’
Lawmakers are considering legalizing a controversial medical practice that proponents say could ease suffering for the terminally ill. It’s sometimes called “assisted suicide,” although physicians and advocates for the practice prefer the term “medical aid in dying,” or MAID. While Compassion & Choices — a group that advocates for medical aid in dying policies —…
A conversation with Chris Welch
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch didn’t sound all that enthused about passing any new ethics reforms during an interview last week. In the wake of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction on 10 felony counts earlier this month, I asked Speaker Welch if he believed Madigan’s conviction called out for new reform laws. “I didn’t…
A great South African agent of change
In 1971, the director of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency was born in Pretoria, South Africa. That same year, another South African, my Dominican brother Albert Nolan, was 1,000 miles away, mentoring students at Stellenbosch University on the country’s southern coast. Stellenbosch was the center of theological study for the Dutch Reformed Church, the…
As federal deadline approaches, Illinois Secretary of State urges residents to “Get Real”
With a deadline approaching for U.S. citizens to obtain Real IDs, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging Illinois residents to “Get Real.” Real ID is a federally-standardized identification card that requires stricter proof of identity to obtain than the regular state driver’s licenses or ID cards. All Drivers Services facilities in Illinois are issuing…
The not-to-be-missed college visit
These days there are many options for exploring colleges and training institutes – in-person with options such as tours, visit days and information sessions, and through websites, social media, online reviews and even AI summaries. Beginning by exploring a college, or institute, on its website and social media channels can provide information on programs, training…
Mad About the Boy and The Gorge both plagued with worn-out ideas
Mad the latest in a tired franchise This big-screen adaptation of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is – and I’m being kind – a mixed bag. While there are some undeniably poignant moments, for the large part the film is collection of remnants, scenes and events, far too reminiscent of others from previous…
Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes
Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape. Spending and revenues would each grow by about 3% under the proposal laid out Wednesday during…
City Council OKs east-side housing expansion
Springfield City Council members on Feb. 18 approved $1.5 million in city funding for a 50-home addition to the Nehemiah Expansion affordable-housing project on the east side. The two 10-0 votes – to spend $1 million in federal HOME grant funds and $500,000 in property tax revenues from the Far East Tax-Increment Financing District –…
Tiny houses project faces big hurdles
A nonprofit that wants to build tiny homes on Springfield’s southeast side faces more big hurdles after the Springfield City Council on Feb. 11 unanimously voted to withdraw a resolution to commit funding for the project’s resource center. Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, who represents the area where the homes would be built, said he…
Don Tracy clears his name
A six-year legal battle recently came to an end with longtime GOP powerbroker Don Tracy claiming victory. In 2019, the Illinois executive inspector general found the Springfield lawyer engaged in a prohibited political activity by making a $1,000 campaign contribution to a legislative candidate while serving as chair of the Illinois Gaming Board. But Tracy…
UIS alums celebrate Public Affairs Reporting program
University of Illinois Springfield’s annual alumni gala on Friday, Feb. 21, is honoring two former participants of the Public Affairs Reporting program, former PAR director Charles Wheeler III and class of ’85 graduate Cheri Bustos. Wheeler, recipient of the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award, was the program’s third director, from 1993 to 2019. His…
Illinois reacts to World Health withdrawal
“The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO,” Donald Trump wrote in one of his many executive orders issued on Jan. 20. Public health officials – locally, nationally and globally – are alarmed by the potential impact. The World Health Organization, which is credited with eradicating smallpox and significantly reducing the burden of polio,…
Nine Pointers poem
by Megan and Gillian (in their teens) How to care for children and keep them out of trouble 1. Supply them with books 2. Supply them with good books 3. Give them reading material 4. Let them read 5. Take them to the library 6. Find lots of good books 7. Teach them to read…
Letters to the editor 2/20/25
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — THINK OF THE EFFECTS ON OTHERS After reading the article “More vacant buildings burn in winter: Recent death, multiple structure fires attributed to squatters” (Jan. 30), I came away thinking this article was more…
The postal service is out of service
It is hard to watch someone or something that you love die. The U.S. Postal Service has been a lifelong friend. The thrill of getting one’s first card. The joys of exchanging letters and cards with friends and loved ones across the country at low cost. (I remember when first class postage was 3 or…
Orange marmalade
The citrus season is in full swing in the southern U.S., and I just returned from our annual Florida vacation with two 15-pound mesh bags of oranges and satsumas. Rather than letting them languish and grow old in my overcrowded refrigerator, I do what I always do when I’ve overbought produce: preserve it! This week,…
Student achievements and major construction updates
The board celebrates student successes in poetry and sports, while also discussing significant construction projects at Springfield High and Owen Marsh. Updates include the progress of the new administration wing and plans for a groundbreaking ceremony. The board also addresses the proposal to issue bonds for school improvements. Watch the full Springfield District 186 Board…
Music warm up
How many “r’s” in your “brrrr” this week? Well, it’s too cold to count them so let’s just be thrilled and chilled to the bone that the upcoming weekend and forthcoming week will be much, much warmer. While we’re waiting to thaw out, let’s see what’s on the books for live music. Thursdays are still…
Event makes legal information available
This event could be life-changing in many ways. It will feature informational booths including Pretrial Fairness Act sessions, legal aid such as expungement and sealing information and intake, Youth Court fines and fees information, license renewals, a housing equity booth, voter registration booth and additional community resources. The Secretary of State – DMV Mobile Unit…
Editors note 2/20/25
Years ago in southern Sudan I had a dream. We were sitting around the camp circle when generators shut off and lights went out, revealing a black sky, star-spangled and wrapped in quiet. Awestruck, we went to our tents. Soon I was flying low in a crop duster over fields of soybeans thriving in what…
Tongues of mortals
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – I Corinthians 13:1 The folklore my mom liked to tell about our family is that I did not speak until I was 3 years old. Apparently as the youngest…
