Cover Story
Illinois Report Card for District 186: Low attendance holds back school performance
District 186 graduation rates are returning to pre-pandemic levels, but the district continues to struggle with low attendance rates, according to 2024 Illinois Report Card data released Oct 31. Half of the district’s schools are performing below state standards, and Nicole Nash Moody, assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and school culture, says attendance “makes a…
Judge dismisses biometric data privacy lawsuit
A clarification to Illinois’ biometric data privacy law made by state lawmakers earlier this year limits the size of damages that can be claimed in lawsuits over Biometric Information Privacy Act violations, a federal judge ruled last week. It’s an early indication that the courts are willing to apply a recent amendment to the biometric…
We gratefully acknowledge
The Thanksgiving holiday which we will celebrate in the coming week is a time for family gatherings and festive meals and for giving voice to our feelings of gratitude – whether by attending special services at our house of worship or by reciting grace as we sit around the dining table. For sports enthusiasts, there…
Jennifer Gill reviews her decade as superintendent
Jennifer Gill’s children were in middle school when she accepted the job to be the District 186 superintendent in 2014. Now, her kids are in college, and Springfield schools have changed over the decade of her leadership. Gill has worked as a teacher, principal and administrator in Springfield schools since 1994. Her superintendent contract ends after…
Detective’s son gets maximum prison sentence
The only people to speak in support of a serial sex offender at a recent sentencing hearing were two Springfield police detectives. More than three years after his arrest by Illinois State Police, Zane Merreighn, 25, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the sexual abuse of five girls who ranged in age from…
New life for Poplar Place
Tameika Thurman says she has enjoyed living in Poplar Place the past five months with her 11-year-old daughter and their dog, Coco. “It’s peaceful. I don’t have any problems,” said Thurman, 27, a single mother and Lyft driver who was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Springfield a year ago. The lack of…
LGBTQ+ community expresses concerns
Members of the LGBTQ+ community in central Illinois have expressed fear, bewilderment and frustration after the Nov. 5 election of Donald Trump to a second nonconsecutive term as president. About 80 people attended a “post-election support group” Nov. 7 at Phoenix Center’s Out on Second site at 120 E. Scarritt St., and many said they…
Surgeon, a Springfield grad, shares life lessons
Dr. Andrew Lam – doctor, surgeon, author and storyteller extraordinaire – spoke to students at Springfield High School Nov. 1, 30 years after graduating from SHS. In the audience were his former guidance counselors, tennis coach and teachers who taught history, Spanish, physics, P.E., English, math and economics. All were delighted to witness his induction…
Independent women in Emilia Perez, Hugh Grant shines in horror film, Best Christmas Pageant sweet and sincere
Emilia Perez: A fierce, distinctive vision of independence A vital, vibrant piece of cinema, Jacques Audard’s Emilia Perez is a gleeful mashup of a variety of genres that, much like its titular character, creates its own proud identity. And while the title refers to a single character, three women drive the story, each blazing their…
Fall into November music
No matter what season we are in, there’s always something and almost anything, plus nearly everything you need while never amounting to nothing week after week. So let’s go see what’s in the works out there. Thursdays are resurging, starting with the Thursday Night Live showcase at Motorheads, still going strong after several years. This…
Editors note 11/14/24
As you read this week’s cover story about the disappointing state report card on District 186, it would be easy to look for people to blame. Another idea would be to double down. Double down on trying to understand disparities that allow some children to succeed while others don’t. Double down on kindness and helping…
Novel by Katherine Vaz set in historic Jacksonville
A new novel released last week in paperback is based on the true story of a Portuguese family that settled in Jacksonville in the 1800s. Katherine Vaz, a former Claridge writer-in-residence at Illinois College, will talk about Above the Salt and “the surprising turns in the road while researching this incredible tale of survival, heartache,…
Two Sangamon County races still too close to call
While national pundits were surprised by the strength of Donald Trump’s showing, local political observers found few surprises in Sangamon County. That said, the winners of two area races will not be known until Nov. 19. The hotly contested race for Sangamon County recorder had Republican Frank Lesko ahead of Democrat Josh Langfelder by 68…
Family quote
My sister Jo, herself aging visiting our dad on his 88th birthday says to him “you wear well! you can be a goal for all of us.” Our generation is indeed aging; my sister has surpassed my father. I think because processed food was not available till after World War II. 2024 Jacqueline Jackson
Letters to the editor 11/14/24
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — ALREADY PUBLIC The Oct. 17 cover story is titled “Citizens want a voice in CWLP.” Oddly, CWLP already happens to be publicly owned. Remember this when progressives tell you privatization of public utilities is…
Ode to a delicata squash
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love your attractive yellow and green striped skin. I love your light orange flesh and mild, sweet, almost nutty flavor. I love your compact size. I love that you are easy to slice through and your tender edible skin doesn’t require peeling. You cook…
Sleuthing in the cemetery
Guy Sternberg, director of Starhill Forest Arboretum in rural Menard County (the largest research/collection center for the study of oak trees in the nation), is also the arborist for Oak Ridge Cemetery, home to the largest habitat for rare and hybrid oak trees in Illinois, if not the Midwest. Every October Guy recruits more than…
Impressive Impressions
The audience assembled this past Friday, Nov. 8, for “Paris Impressions,” the second concert in the Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s new season, was treated to an audacious and vibrant time capsule of early 20th century Paris. Guest conductor Alastair Willis, who served as music director of ISO from 2012-2015, presented an engaging and thrilling evening of…
