Cover Story
County Board elections in the spotlight
The July 6 shooting of Sonya Massey by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy occurred many months after the deadline for candidates to get their names placed on the 2024 Sangamon County election ballot. But that single issue has focused interest on county elected offices like never before. Gone are the days when Sangamon County Board…
State Democratic party focuses on down-ballot races
Last year, the Democratic Party of Illinois and Gov. JB Pritzker targeted local school board races to defeat candidates who wanted to ban books and/or were receiving support from right-wing political organizations. The governor ended up claiming victory in more than 70% of those campaigns. The push was unusual because the state’s Democratic Party, like…
Building a path forward: Tackling homelessness together
A recent report titled “State of Homelessness” from the National Alliance to End Homelessness reveals a challenging reality: the number of people experiencing homelessness in America reached an all-time high in 2023. Based on nationwide Point-in-Time counts, the report highlights a 12.1% increase in homelessness from the previous year. Further, between 2019 and 2023, there…
Illinois State Police investigate another Sangamon County officer-involved death
Illinois State Police launched an investigation into the death of a Kansas man during a multi-county pursuit on Sept. 22 by Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies. Kirtis Shane Davenport, 43, died on Sept. 26 at St. Louis University Hospital, according to the St. Louis City Medical Examiner. An autopsy was completed on Oct. 1 to determine…
My Old Ass a poignant coming-of-age story, White Bird emphasizes Golden Rule, The Outrun muddled
Old an unexpectedly moving look at hope and regret Promoted as a “coming-of-age” story, Megan Park’s My Old Ass is far more than a ribald teen comedy. Rather, it’s a film for those who’ve lived with regret, those who wish they could turn back the clock to, what have become in retrospect, key moments in…
Governor’s Mansion block slated to become a park
The vacant block in downtown Springfield across from the Governor’s Mansion may be on the brink of becoming a city park, Mayor Misty Buscher told Illinois Times recently. “I’m referring to it as the ‘North Mansion Park,'” she said. “We’ve had conversations with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and with landscape architects to create…
First Citizen program revamped
After 61 years, the First Citizen award program is getting a reboot. Applications are now open through Oct. 15, and the winner will be announced at a public event on Nov. 13. The award, which recognizes individuals whose service has significantly contributed to the betterment of the Springfield area, was created in 1963 by Springfield’s…
Senior housing turmoil continues
Low-income residents at Springfield apartment complexes Meadow View Place and Meadow View Landing said they feel targeted after the properties were bought last October by a Denver-based company. Senior residents continue to feel threatened, as previously reported by Illinois Times. Related “Some people are older, and they’re ill, and they don’t have any family members…
Saluting Branches
On Sept. 18, landscape and tree care companies donated their services at Camp Butler National Cemetery as part of the annual national day of service sponsored by Saluting Branches – Arborists United for Veteran Remembrance. For 10 years this nonprofit organization based in Minnesota has honored veterans by organizing tree care professionals to volunteer their…
Pumpkin good for more than just pies
If you’ve ever cracked open a can of pumpkin, there’s a good chance it was grown and produced up the road in Morton, just outside of Peoria. According to the University of Illinois Extension, Illinois farmers harvested more than twice as many acres of pumpkins in 2022 as the next five states combined, with production…
Rocky Horror Show Live returns to Springfield
“It was strange the way it happened… one of those quirks of fate, really,” says Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. That’s a little how we think of it when it comes to Rocky Horror and how we ended up codirecting. A conversation one day about writing for Illinois Times, some convenient timing,…
Parable of the Peacock
Brent Bohlen of Springfield has done it again. His third political satire has been released and is receiving glowing reviews. The blurb on the back cover reads, “The Parable of the Peacock Redux provides a satirical review of the past four years in the life of a sore loser…so many behavioral outrages that readers may…
Fall into music
More than a few folks I know appreciate the autumn season as a favorite time of year. We can definitely notice the difference in the air and in the types of live music events happening as the cooler temps bring on a slowing of outdoor activities. But for now, we’re still on a roll with…
Annual event supports programs that help veterans
This seventh annual event will raise awareness of homelessness among the nation’s veterans and the ongoing challenges they face each day. It’s not too late to help out in this fundraiser for Fifth Street Renaissance/SARA Center programs. According to organizers, boxes will be provided on site or will available in advance. Camp in a simple…
James E. Seiber
James E. Seiber, 78, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at his home. He was born on May 30, 1946 in Alton, IL, the son of Jesse and Bertha (Hill) Seiber. He married Susan (Meyer) on September 14, 1968 in Godfrey, IL and she survives. Jim was Executive Director of the Illinois…
Publisher’s note 10/3/24
City council meetings are lasting a lot longer than they used to, with a five-hour meeting this week that was again dominated by discussions of how to alleviate homelessness. There were disagreements over many things, but not the need for better communication. The city, social service organizations and individual advocates are all making efforts to…
Goin’ Down To Narnia
(Chorus follows every verse, by students in a 1976 Fantasy Class) Wilbur and Charlotte and Templeton the rat; There goes Peter Rabbit with a beautiful white cat; From a distant asteroid came the Little Prince; Said we all must hurry now, a matter of consequence. Goin’ down to Narnia: just follow the yellow brick road.…
Letters to the editor 10/3/24
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — KNOW WHO TO CALL The recent unfortunate incidents involving people with a mental health crisis might have been handled better if everyone was informed of the phone numbers to call instead of 911. The…
