Cover Story
Faith, family and football
It’s all about Jesus. After four decades as a coach, six state championships and an unparalleled career as the winningest high school football coach in Illinois history, that’s how Coach Ken Leonard sums up his career. It would be easy to discount the statement as a throwaway line like: “Leave it on the field,” “One…
Work resumes on historic Ferguson building
The most recent developer for the proposed renovation of historic buildings at Sixth and Monroe streets in Springfield is out, and the much-maligned original developer of the $12.6 million residential and retail project is at the forefront again. But by his own admission, Rick Lawrence doesn’t expect to be involved for the long term in…
$28 million Lofts on Madison project seeks council approval
A New York development company says its proposed 136-unit apartment complex at East Madison Street and North Fifth Street would help to address a longstanding need for more residential options in downtown Springfield. The $28.3 million Lofts on Madison project, on the north side of Madison between North Fourth and North Fifth streets, would cater…
Editors note 12/15/22
When the red-suited, white-bearded, overweight man walked into a Springfield holiday party for children this week, a second-grader confronted the Santa character. “You’re not real,” she shouted angrily. “You’re not real!” Come to think of it, in a world where many adults believe in Elon Musk but not Dr. Fauci, that’s not a bad impulse.…
Deputy in trouble again
A Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who has cost taxpayers a six-figure settlement is back in court. This time, Deputy Travis Koester and the county are being sued by Billie W. Greer, a retired Illinois Department of Corrections administrator whom Koester detained and handcuffed last February. According to her lawsuit and an internal affairs investigation, Koester…
Haying poem {letter to a friend 1945}
I drove the tractor for haying today when we stopped to relax I sat in the warm sun on the whippletree I would have lain under it but it’s too narrow to give much shade and the harness straps get in the way. I talked with the other hayers, kids my age since dad can’t…
Letters to the editor 12/15/22
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. —- REWARDING WORK As an election judge, I am appreciative of the article “Election integrity up close” by Dusty Rhodes (Dec. 1). She succinctly captured the work by the office of the Sangamon County Clerk…
Assault weapons ban in the works
There’s been sort of an unwritten rule the past several years in Springfield to stay away from doing things like ban assault weapons. The votes to pass one have seemingly been there in both chambers, but the will of past Democratic leadership seemed to be to not overtly poke any big, cash-rich bears, like the…
A family affair
An ambulance arrived at a U.S. senator’s house recently and hauled his 14-year-old daughter away for self-inflicted stab wounds. When I read that news report earlier this month, I just cringed. That child didn’t choose to be a politician’s daughter. And her problems shouldn’t be exhibited in the news media for all the world to…
Little progress, but a way forward on climate
As climate change increasingly harms our world, 200 countries met in Egypt Nov. 6-20 at the COP27 climate conference. Some 40,000 persons attended the 27th annual conference to make global climate policy to protect our planet. Presidents Putin of Russia, Xi of China and Prime Minister Modi from India did not attend. The conference was…
Be inspired by The Miracle of Salt
A definition of the verb inspire is “to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it.” After I finished reading the recently published The Miracle of Salt: Recipes and Techniques to Preserve, Ferment, and Transform Your Food by Naomi Duguid (Workman Publishing), I realized how much this author has played…
Music more and more
Get yourself all decked out for the hallowed halls and set up for fancy balls as we roll into the last weekend of doings before the big holiday cometh. With Christmas being on a Sunday this year, and therefore putting Christmas Eve on a Saturday night, here’s a heads up that it is very possible,…
A conversation with the new UIS chancellor
Janet Gooch, a higher education educator with a strong history of leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, is the seventh chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). She previously served as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Truman State University. John Allen, a retired educator and longtime Citizens Club board member,…
Gun control only one part of a bigger puzzle
A legislative committee on Thursday, Dec. 15, heard more witnesses call for a ban on high-power, semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines, but some experts said that alone won’t solve the problem of violent crime in Illinois. During its second hearing on a proposed assault weapon ban, an Illinois House committee, meeting in Chicago, heard from…
A dark version of Pinocchio, thrilling Nanny, charming Tiffany’s
Pinocchio a timely, dark tale of resistance While there have been numerous versions of Carlo Collodi’s book, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a distinctly darker, more poignant take on the oft-told tale. Set in Italy at the dawn of World War II, Gepetto (David Bradley) is still mourning the death of his son some 15…
