Cover Story
City’s Black Caucus addresses disparities
When the Springfield City Council voted July 1 to expand the way revenue can be spent from two tax-increment financing districts to improve homes and businesses on the economically challenged east side, a council member from the west side asked the proposal’s sponsors: “What are we trying to fix that’s broken?” The main sponsor, Ward…
Ari Aster: Searching for an olive branch in Eddington
On the basis of his films Hereditary and Midsommer, it would be tempting to pigeonhole Ari Aster as a director of horror films. However, his third movie, Beau is Afraid, was an indication that his primary focus is human behavior, which is at times more inexplicable and terrifying than anything that might go bump in…
Teaching antiracism is a practice of freedom
In June, the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network finished its last 2025 Healing Illinois funded antiracism trainings –this is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois and United Way of Central Illinois. Our workshops focused on learning how to identify and interrupt anti-Black, anti-Immigrant prejudice, bias,…
What good is prayer if we still suffer?
As of this writing, the nation keeps vigil with the Texas families whose loved ones were swept away by flood waters, the death toll north of 100 and climbing. According to media reports, over the Fourth of July weekend gun violence killed 189 people and injured 500 in our country. Last week I traveled out…
Liberty, equality and fraternity – The blessings and the challenges
A week and a half ago, we observed the Fourth of July, our American Independence Day with picnics, fireworks and parades and, hopefully, a renewed dedication to the principles and aspirations on which our country is founded. This week France observes its national holiday, Bastille Day, the 14th of July, marking the date in 1789…
Illinois braces for impact of federal cuts
The costs to Illinois’ government because of the new Republican congressional budget reconciliation law will be steep. However, the state has some time to prepare itself, and possible Democratic gains in the U.S. House and Senate next year might be able to reverse or mitigate some of the steepest cuts to food security and health…
Illinois hospitals fear massive cuts under Trump domestic policy law
Hospital officials in Illinois say they will have to make some difficult decisions in the next few years that could involve laying off staff, cutting back services and even closing some facilities entirely. That’s the expected result of federal funding cuts built into the recently passed domestic policy bill that President Donald Trump signed into…
Flawed Superman still soars
There’s a great deal riding on James Gunn’s Superman. Not only is this the initial entry of what promises to be a revitalized, expansive cinematic universe featuring the DC Comics’ characters, but it is also an opportunity to remind people what the Man of Steel represents. Gunn has stated the timing couldn’t be better for…
Minority Business Institute coming soon
The city of Springfield is developing a new program to provide training and resource education to minority business owners and nonprofit leaders. Plans for the new Springfield Minority Business Institute were recently announced by Office of Community Relations Director Ethan Posey. The institute intends to serve Black and other racial or ethnic minority, female and…
Food assistance changes threaten benefits
Hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans could lose benefits from a federal food assistance program while the state will be required to cover more costs under changes passed in the latest domestic policy plan. President Donald Trump signed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” into law on July 4, making sweeping changes to social services programs,…
High school student writes bill to prevent opioid deaths
A high school student wrote legislation that could save lives in Illinois. The bill, which has passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature to become law, would require all public libraries in Illinois to carry naloxone, which saves people during opioid overdoses. Her bill also calls for library staff…
Stop undervaluing conservation
For the second year in a row, the state of Illinois has chosen to underfund the backbone of its conservation infrastructure. This year’s state budget once again provides only $4.5 million in operational funding for the state’s 97 soil and water conservation districts – comparable to levels from the 1990s. It represents a 48% cut…
Letters to the editor 07-10-2025
PUBLIC SERVICE The U.S. Postal Service is a service of the government and written into the Constitution (“Congress must act to pull USPS back from the brink,” June 26). It was never supposed to make a profit and should not be privatized. It’s the only government agency that is required to pre-fund its retiree benefits…
Found Poem
Another Letter From My Grandpa My grandpa wrote this letter to his second son who is at college: “My Dear Boy Trever You have a great day outlined for me and I am sure I would enjoy every bit of it. But I cannot come. We are building the floor tomorrow between the milk house…
Cool beans for warm days
Growing up in the Midwest, I had to attend many potlucks. These communal gatherings often featured dishes that, to modern tastes, seem pretty bewildering. My mother, by her own admission a poor cook, regularly contributed a solid block of Philadelphia cream cheese, generously blanketed with Sau-See Shrimp Cocktail – tiny shrimp swimming in a bland,…
Jumpin’ July music
Bring it on, I say, as we power on through July with more music happening than you could shake several sticks at, if that was something you wanted to do. We’re right in the thick of it, so let’s go find something to keep us rocking and a-rolling along. First up, since it’s the second…
Grease at The Legacy: It’s electrifying!
The current run of Grease at The Legacy Theatre glows with happy memories and non-stop grins. Director and producer Scott Richardson said, “I only saw Grease once, at the 1994 London production with Debbie Gibson, and it was a trip.” The show is brightly entertaining with resounding energy, especially in its iconic song-and-dance numbers choreographed…
Morgan County Fair
Need to get to a county fair? The Morgan County Fair in Jacksonville will fill the bill. Enjoy some of what Morgan County has to offer from thrilling carnival rides and games to livestock shows and agricultural exhibits. Savor delicious fair food, watch exciting events at the grandstand such as the demolition derby and tractor…
Zach Adams joins Illinois Times, Springfield Business Journal
Zach Adams will join the staff of Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal as a digital media coordinator, effective July 14. Adams is the owner of 1221 Photography and has done freelance work for IT and SBJ for the past several years. He said he has been interested in photography since high school, but began…
In pursuit of justice: A personal reflection
Hello, my name is Diana Elshref. I want to thank Illinois Times for allowing me an opportunity as a board member of Faith Coalition for the Common Good to share my story and the outstanding work that the FCCG is doing in the community. My passion and journey have always concerned civil, social and racial…
Friday Night Live in downtown Springfield
Downtown Springfield is the place to go on four Friday nights this summer to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and family fun at local businesses. Friday Night Live is a collaboration among downtown businesses and community supporters to bring people downtown and experience all those local businesses have to offer. It was born from a grassroots…
