Cover Story
Holding police accountable
This story is a collaboration among Invisible Institute, IPM Newsroom and Illinois Times. Kyle Adkins was leaving his parents’ house in Kincaid, a small village in Christian County, to pick up his young children from their mother’s house on the night of May 8, 2021. Kincaid Police Officer Sean Grayson pulled him over – but…
Will Pritzker run for a third term?
“It seems crazy, but it’s true that when I serve out the end of this second term, I will be the longest-serving Democratic governor in the history of Illinois,” Gov. JB Pritzker said last month during the Democratic National Convention. I looked it up and it’s true. Pat Quinn served about six years as governor,…
Shaky start nearly sinks Beetlejuice reunion
Stumbling out of the gate, Tim Burton’s long-awaited Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice eventually rights itself and delivers the unique brand of horrific dark humor fans of the previous film embrace. However, it’s a bit of a clumsy, overly long haul before we get to the inspired hijinks that carry the third act. Cluttered with extraneous characters and…
Overcoming the odds
Like many Springfield teachers, K.J. Reid returned to school last month after a long break, but in his case, much of his time off was spent fighting for his life and trying to recover from a sudden illness that nearly killed him. In February 2023, the respected 17-year-veteran science teacher at Springfield High School was…
Lobbying for libraries
Two numbers that concern Melissa Hostetter are 76% and zero. The first is the percentage of fourth-graders in Springfield School District 186 who aren’t proficient in reading. The second is the number of librarians in the district’s elementary schools. Hostetter, who chairs the Springfield Education Association’s literacy task force, believes there is a strong correlation…
Democrats need to address abandoned state property
Gov. JB Pritzker and state Democrats have been touting the catchphrase, “Democrats get things done.” In one west central Illinois town, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In an election year where House Speaker Chris Welch is talking about flipping seats in this district and that, there are a handful of districts state Democrats…
Attorney seeks class-action status in funeral home lawsuit
As many as 800 families across the country who patronized a Carlinville funeral home may never know if the remains on their mantles belong to their loved ones, according to an affidavit signed by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. The affidavit was filed in a lawsuit pending against Carlinville-based Heinz Funeral Home and its director…
Editors note 9/5/24
Because I have high hopes for the Massey Commission, the group charged with charting a way toward reform after the July 6 police killing of Sonya Massey, I was initially pleased to hear that the commission would have its first session Sept. 16. I hadn’t known that the 12 commissioners had been chosen. But wait.…
Singer-songwriter Ben Bedford makes art debut
Local folk singer-songwriter Ben Bedford, known for his storytelling and evocative lyrics, is making his debut in the visual arts world. He’ll become this fine art gallery’s newest 2D-artist when his ink and pencil drawings and watercolor paintings – which he has enjoyed doing for decades – go on display for the first time. Gallery…
September songs are here
You heard that right (or read it right, actually) the headline proclaims September is here, and so it is. And with that comes the beginning of the end of the summer season as we wind our way toward the autumnal time, all the while finding more live music to experience. After that introduction, let’s move…
Set it and forget it
Fall is supposedly just around the corner, but as I write this the temperature outside is a balmy 96 degrees and a blanket of corn sweat is hanging heavily in the afternoon air. Weather like this compels us to slow down and seek out a shady spot, perhaps with a cool drink in hand. Modern…
Art from the former Pillsbury site
The current exhibition at the Springfield Art Association is nontraditional in many ways. In contrast to a juried exhibition, Pillsburied: Multiple Resurrections is the result of an open invitation for any artist to create a work of art using objects from the Pillsbury site or inspired by the ruins of the Pillsbury Mills plant. No…
RockBallet celebrates its 30th anniversary
Copper Coin Ballet Company will host the annual “RockBallet” show at the Muni this Saturday, Sept. 7. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the theme of Rockballet for this year is influenced by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. It’s sequenced in three parts: Classic rock, 80s/90s fusion rock, and modern rock. Formed from the split of the Springfield…
Letters to the editor 9/5/24
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — ALLOW THE VOTE Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter claimed his use of county board rules to block my effort to place on the ballot a binding referendum on whether county voters should…
Violin poem #2
When my sister Pat was asked why she started children on violin so early she replied, “That’s so they grow up thinking the violin is part of their arm!” 2024 Jacqueline Jackson
UIS alumni and community invited to celebrate homecoming
As summer winds down and the excitement of a new academic year begins, there’s an unmistakable energy at the University of Illinois Springfield. It’s that time of year again—homecoming! Whether you’re a proud graduate, a loyal fan of the Prairie Stars or a member of the Springfield community, I’m excited to invite you to celebrate…
