Cover Story
Fighting back against Trump
As President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office, Gov. JB Pritzker called on Americans to pressure congressional Republicans to oppose Trump’s agenda and highlighted how federal actions are affecting Illinois. He delivered a fiery speech in New Hampshire, continuing to raise his national profile while still downplaying speculation that he will run for president in 2028. Meanwhile,…
Springfield’s next police chief and downtown plans
Meet Springfield’s likely new police chief: hear about his background, his focus on officer wellness, and plans for supporting both new and veteran officers—including ideas for in-house mental health support and better fitness programs. Council members pressed for more minority leadership, stronger community policing, and action on speeding complaints. Downtown revitalization is picking up steam,…
A conservative approach to state finances
I spent some time talking with a top legislative budget negotiator last week who said rank-and-file legislators will very soon have to come to terms with a state budget environment unlike anything many have ever seen before. The “budgeteer” didn’t know yet how things would shake out, but the person was adamant that weak revenues…
Longtime Chicago friend describes first American pope as ‘very dedicated’
As the red velvet curtains at the Vatican parted, a priest realized that his college pal from the South Side of Chicago that he knows as “Bob” had been elected the first American pope. “Oh, dear God,” the Very Rev. Anthony Benedetto Pizzo, the prior provincial of the Augustinian Order in Chicago, said as he…
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order May 7 that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unless it’s medically or legally necessary. The order was in response to a move by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier Wednesday to research and create a national…
Sangamon County Republicans host 2025 Lincoln Day Dinner
The Sangamon County Republican Committee hosted the annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Wednesday, May 7, at the BOS Center in Springfield. The keynote speaker was Johnny “Joey” Jones, a FOX news host and U.S. Marine corps veteran who lost both legs above the knee while serving as an explosive ordinance disposal tech in Afghanistan. Jones is…
Urban farming in Jacksonville
Juan Caballero plants seeds a little differently than most people. “I use my finger to make a hole in the potted soil and that way I can judge how deep the seed will go,” Caballero said. “When I’m in the potting room sometimes I would rather have the light off than on, but it depends…
New leadership for Springfield police, fire departments
Mayor Misty Buscher’s picks to lead the Springfield police and fire departments are receiving high marks from members of the city council. Buscher is recommending the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Nicholas Zummo to fire chief and Assistant Police Chief Joseph Behl to police chief for the city of Springfield. The promotions need to be…
Nonnas a tribute to traditions, Clown in a Cornfield a witty slasher film, Fight or Flight gratuitously violent
Nonnas a tasty tribute to tradition You’d be well served to have a pot of spaghetti, a pan of lasagna or a tray of cannoli close at hand while watching Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, a tribute to Italian food, family and tradition. Likely, what you have won’t be nearly as tasty as what you see on…
“An insult to Emma’s memory”
A tragedy became a backdrop for political theater Wednesday as Kristi Noem, part ofPresident Donald Trump’s cabinet, spoke near the home of Emma Shafer, a womanpolice believe was killed by a Mexican immigrant. “Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, if murderers, rapists and pedophiles roll free in his state,” the Homeland Security secretary…
Terrible Story
My cousin Hazel much older than me had a beau, he moved from town but wrote her love letters. My great aunt, her mother, intercepted his letters and destroyed them all. My own grandma told me this story when I was much older; I was appalled. Should I tell Hazel, forever unmarried? I decided it…
Letters to the editor 5/8/25
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — A MAJOR LOSS Illinois Times is to be commended for the article “A loss for Illinois farmers and food banks” (April 24). The cancellation of grants intended to enable food banks and schools to…
Pritzker on Trump’s first 100 days
President Donald Trump marked the 100th day of his second term on April 29. Gov. JB Pritzker spent the week calling on Americans to pressure congressional Republicans to oppose Trump’s agenda and highlighting how Trump’s policies affect Illinois. “I’m deeply concerned about what the next 100 days, and frankly, the next 1,000 days will be…
Stratton’s top priority in Senate campaign: Fighting back against Trump
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has one priority if she is elected to the U.S. Senate in 2026: fighting back against President Donald Trump’s policies. “What I’m just seeing is that the old playbook in Washington, D.C., isn’t working,” Stratton said April 30 in an interview with Capitol News Illinois. “People aren’t – as I…
Protests continue in Springfield
Another 50501 protest, part of a grassroots movement that has been organizing gatherings in all 50 states to protest the actions of the Trump administration, took place in front of the Capitol on Saturday, May 3. The term 50501 refers to 50 protests in 50 states as part of one movement that encourages people to…
Lettuce beyond the salad bowl
It seems like only days ago that I was gingerly plucking a single leaf from each little lettuce seedling in my garden, hoping to gather enough to put a salad on the dinner table. Since then they’ve rapidly grown into generous, lush plants, each large enough to make a meal on its own. I don’t…
ISO’s percussive, significant finale
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 season came to a close on May 3 with an energetic and highly rhythmic performance, which in some ways may signify the end of an era. The University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center, where the ISO has performed in Springfield for many years, will be closed for 15 months…
More May music
Hop on in as we take a cruise through the second weekend in May, checking out all the sights and sounds along the way in our happening music scene. As you may already know, there’s a bunch of stuff going on so drop it into drive, put the pedal to the metal and let’s be…
Annual madcap race raises money for charity
The place to be this weekend is downtown for Springfield’s popular, annual Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity. This hilarious downtown spectacle, born in 2008, just keeps getting better, donating more than $2 million to area charities. The event begins Friday with the Craft Beer and Cigar Festival featuring food, drinks and music…
Editors note 5/8/25
Uneducated in either racehorses or wine, I pick mine by the name. If I saw Lazy Bones Carbernet on the store shelf, I’d buy it to support cleverness. Of course I picked Journalism to win the Kentucky Derby. But I’m not sorry Sovereignty won. In retrospect I think journalism is already getting too much press,…
Lift assist fees approved, Growth Alliance funding debated
The council took a big step by approving new fees for lift assists at care facilities, but not before a heated debate. Some members pushed for targeting only the worst offenders, while others worried about costs being passed to residents. The new rule gives each facility two free calls a year and bans charging individual…
Major solar development opens in Sangamon County
Sangamon County is now home to the largest solar power development east of the Mississippi River. On April 30, Swift Current Energy, a Boston-based firm, held a ribbon-cutting at its Auburn office for the Double Black Diamond solar farm. The collection of solar panels was erected on more than 4,000 acres in western Sangamon County…
