Editor’s note 1/15/26
Cairo, the small Illinois town (population 2,100) with a large legacy, is claiming its place at the confluence of rivers and history. It is a landmark on the state’s Freedom Trail, celebrating the “physical and spiritual pathways of freedom-seekers.” Don Patton, a lifelong resident of Cairo and president of the Cairo Historical Preservation Project, led…
Court finalizes HSHS settlement
A $7.6 million court settlement stemming from a data breach that affected almost 869,000 Hospital Sisters Health System patients will result in average payments of $40 to $50 for 80,000 people. That estimate – representing patients who responded by mail to become part of the class-action settlement – came from Nickolas Hagman of the Chicago…
City Council approves contract with alderman’s brother
The Springfield City Council approved a contract worth up to $25,000 for Scott Hanauer, brother of Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer, at its Jan. 6 meeting. It serves as an extension of a professional service agreement with the Office of Public Utilities that originally took effect in October 2024. Scott Hanauer retired from City, Water…
Court case settled for AZ-T-CA owners
Criminal charges have been dropped against Nicolas Paz, a Springfield restauranter who had been accused of defrauding the state of more than $100,000 in sales tax revenue. But his wife, Amanda Paz, has pleaded guilty to sales tax evasion. According to court records, Amanda Paz has already paid the state the money it was owed…
Warning
Having a baby is a genetic lottery. A couple of my kids have inherited a gene from myself and one from their father resulting in a genetic disease. They caught it in time but found others on the internet who hadn’t. How many folks in the past have contacted strange maladies for no apparent reason.…
Letters to the editor 1/15/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. NO TO SANGAMON COUNTY DATA CENTER I just want to add my voice to the chorus of citizens who have already spoken out against allowing a data center in our community (“Data center debates,” Dec.…
Project Censored 2025
Half a century ago, Peter Jensen launched Project Censored, in part as a response to how the Watergate break-in was covered. Richard Nixon didn’t censor the initial reporting, but he didn’t have to. The press simply didn’t cover it with any serious scrutiny until well after Nixon was elected. The story didn’t reach the American…
One-pot rice dinners
Ready in under an hour, inexpensive and pantry friendly, these one-pot rice dinners are infinitely riffable and a dependable workhorse in our weekly meal rotation. With variations found around the globe, this preparation easily absorbs a range of flavors from punchy tomatoes and fresh dill to homey flavors of the Midwest. While the recipe is…
Music in mid-January
As the new year rolls along our community keeps up a steady flow of live music performances from all directions, and that’s the way it ought to be. We often consider right after the holiday season a slower time for entertainment possibilities, but I think you’ll agree with me when you see that no such…
Molly Schlich International Film Series returns
This popular film series, in its 34th year, features eight award-winning international and independent films from around the world. Once again it is presented by the Springfield Art Association in support of the Michael Victory II Art Library and the SAA’s creative program. The series is named after Molly Schlich, a local woman “dedicated to…
