Cover Story
Divided over data centers
“The U.S. is now spending more on data center construction than public transportation infrastructure,” Bloomberg reported earlier this month. The data center boom has upended the American political landscape, connecting people from all kinds of ballot leanings while shining a light on local politics like never before. As more companies and individuals bet on artificial…
Memories sustain us in time of loss
This past weekend marked a transition in the life of Temple Israel, the congregation I served for 47 years as rabbi and of which I am now the rabbi emeritus. The experience was a bittersweet one. On Saturday morning we held our last Shabbat service in the building that has served as our spiritual home…
The AFL-CIO and endorsements
The news earlier this month that the Illinois AFL-CIO has “deferred” all decisions on legislative and statewide endorsements in the upcoming fall election generated quite a bit of headlines. “Springfield not only failed to advance key priorities, but the process by which legislation was considered fell short of what working people deserve,” a statement by…
Future data center tax breaks on hold
Despite the governor mentioning a pause on data center tax breaks at his budget address in February and a massive swell of political will to regulate the energy-hungry centers since then, Illinois lawmakers did not meaningfully address data centers during their spring session. Gov. JB Pritzker, less than a week after legislators left Springfield, ordered…
Man fights city hall
He lives in an 18-square-foot home on a corner lot at 17th and Carpenter streets. He built the “pod” himself, he says, from watching how-to videos on YouTube, and it features solar panels, battery-powered generators, a foundation of heavyweight tires, air conditioning, insulation, a six-foot bed, a microwave and an internet connection from a cheap…
Tavern
In our move-about early marriagewe went for low- or no- rent spots.One year we lived over a tavernwhose jukebox blasted till 1am.We solved that problem byputting the kids in our bedroomwhile we took theirs cantileveredover the outside. Come spring wemoved to a free cottage in Vermont.While I was cleaning one little girllay on a bed…
Letters to the editor 6/25/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. GREAT ASSET Congratulations, Christian County. This will be awesome for all residents and businesses in the county and surrounding areas (“Area data center updates,” June 11). Don’t let out-of-town carpetbaggers come in and spread lies…
Cheering an empty stadium
The most interesting news out of Chicago about this year’s World Cup finals is that there isn’t any. We Old Ones remember that Chicago hosted the official opening match of USA ‘94 (watched on TV by an estimated 750 million people) plus a further five games at a sold-out Soldier Field. But even with those…
A history of public education
Why does Illinois have an education system that relies on property taxes? Where did physical education, high schools and vocational education in Illinois schools originate? How did Chicago become its own school district with separate rules and a separate pension from the schools in the rest of the state? These questions and more are explained…
Not your average turnip
Growing up in a home with a Teutonic heritage, I was exposed to turnips at a young age and developed a strong aversion to them. To my youthful senses, they smelled like skunk and tasted even worse. Finding them in a pot of corned beef and cabbage was enough to spoil the entire meal for…
June music jolt
Join me in enjoying a jubilant journey, as we jump into the juke joints to jam and jive while juggling all kinds of music on this jewel of a juggernaut jubilee. There’s no justification for the j-sound jargon I’m generating so let’s not jinx it and just get joyful, jovial and generally jolly as we…
Annual event draws artists downtown
Artists of all ages and skill levels will once again take over Washington Street downtown to create masterpieces in 6-by-6 squares. Each artist receives a paint supply bucket (including brushes and the tempera paint participants will be using which is water soluble/washable), a giveaway bag with goodies from sponsors and one Paint the Street T-shirt.…
