Cover Story
Inside Illinois youth lockups
In late December 2022, a teenage boy with a broken arm was left to suffer alone in his cell at a youth lockup in rural southern Illinois. Staff were aware he’d been seriously injured; he told them he was in pain and asked to see a doctor. Two hours passed before staff took him to…
Dolly Parton Imagination Library officially launches statewide in Illinois
Illinois families with infants and toddlers now have access to free children’s books that can be sent directly to their home, regardless of their income. Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced the official launch of the state’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program founded by the country music legend in 1995 in her…
State releases revenue and spending forecast
The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget released a revised state revenue and spending forecast last month for the current fiscal year and it’s pretty good. Its projections for next fiscal year, however, were not nearly as strong. Projected Fiscal Year 2024 revenues have been revised upward by $1.4 billion, according to GOMB. However, “most…
Liquor license dilemma
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is overruling the decision of Rochester’s village president to deny a liquor license to a business owner who had recently evicted his son. Village President Joe Suerdieck said Nov. 27 he hasn’t decided yet whether to appeal the commission’s ruling. He declined to speak further on the matter. “I don’t…
Letters to the editor 11-30-23
BOOST FOR DOWNTOWN I hope this brings in the shows and conventions that they say it will (“BOS Center one step closer to major expansion,” Nov. 23). That would be a big boost for downtown. It also puts on the radar the casino that has been talked about for decades. But with that comes transportation.…
Celebrate the season at Holiday Inn
If you’ve been looking forward to the holiday season and playing Christmas tunes since Halloween, you might want to set your sights on the next production in the STC lineup. Based on the 1942 classic film, Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers,…
At Home for the holidays
Five years ago, I attended a book-signing for the highly acclaimed Noma Guide to Fermentation. Noma is a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, considered by many to be one of the world’s best. In his presentation prior to the book signing, Noma’s chef, Rene Redzepi, criticized the restaurant’s two previous cookbooks: Noma: Time and Place in…
Holiday happenings arrive
It seems some folks were determined to wade into the yuletide before the ebb and flow of Thanksgiving or even Halloween had gone out, but the time is definitely here now. In our business of reporting on live music stuff (multiplying like Santas this time of year) let’s harness up the flying reindeer and see…
Disney gets Wish right, May December is muddled, Napoleon a cinematic spectacle
Wish a solid Disney product The curse of the long-time artist is that you’re initially celebrated for your uniqueness, chastised from deviating from your established norm and ultimately condemned for doing the same old thing. I was thinking of this as I watched Disney’s Wish, the 62nd animated feature from the Mouse House, released to…
Sangamon County could see first wind farm soon
A German renewable energy company plans to file applications with Montgomery and Macoupin county officials early in 2024 for approval to construct the first phase of a multi-county, $450 million wind farm development known as Grand Prairie Energy Park. UKA Group’s North American Affiliate, based in Stuart, Florida, would build about 60 wind turbines in…
Journey with Clara, prince to magical Kingdom of Sweets
THEATER | Journey with Clara, prince to magical Kingdom of Sweets The magical holiday classic The Nutcracker is a perennial favorite this time of year. Fans of the traditional play about Clara and her Nutcracker Prince will have a chance to see it as early as Dec. 2-3 as two different groups – the Copper…
Letter to his parents from Ron in France 1924; Ron is considering joining his father on the farm.
Letter to his parents from Ron in France 1924; Ron is considering joining his father on the farm. P.S. Wish I knew how in the world a chap could work out the problem of hired help on the farm. We haven’t hit the solution yet, have we. The idea of having them…
