Cover Story
Marijuana money mistakes
Industrial-grade equipment that Ernestus Drake bought with a $20,000 grant from the city of Springfield helped his small business win new contracts, more than double its revenues and add employees. Drake, 47, who was born and raised in Springfield, said the grant program for minority-owned businesses located in an impoverished area provided a needed jolt…
Illinois’ educator workforce improves, but teacher shortages persist in some areas
The supply of education professionals continues to improve in Illinois despite strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but persistent issues remain in certain regions of the state and within some teaching fields. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the education advocacy group Advance Illinois, which was instrumental in the 2017 passage of…
General Assembly avoiding controversy during veto session
Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch both threw cold water on the idea of a veto session supplemental appropriations bill to help Chicago handle the increasing influx of asylum-seekers from Venezuela. Speaker Welch told reporters last Thursday he had “made it clear” to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson that “we were not expecting to…
UIS Performing Arts Center expands programming in UIS Studio Theatre
Have you recently attended an event in the UIS Studio Theatre? Over the past year, the UIS Performing Arts Center has expanded presentations in the UIS Studio Theatre, offering a multitude of engaging events for anyone seeking entertainment, cultural enrichment or a memorable night out. As a complimentary space to the 2,000-seat Sangamon Auditorium, the…
Val Yazell returns to city government
Val Yazell says she decided to return to Springfield city government as director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development because she saw “so many things that still needed to be done.” Yazell was terminated by former mayor Jim Langfelder in March 2021, though Langfelder never said why. Misty Buscher, who defeated Langfelder and…
Springfield jury awards $19 million to former inmate
A woman who reported being repeatedly raped by a staff member at Logan Correctional Center while she was an inmate at the Lincoln prison was awarded a $19 million judgment last month by a federal jury in Springfield. The woman referred to in court documents as “Jane Doe” was a gymnastics instructor in McHenry County…
Police misconduct lawsuit ends in mistrial
A police misconduct lawsuit against the city of Springfield ended in a mistrial Oct. 4 amid allegations that the city hid evidence that it was required to share with other parties in the case. U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough ordered a hearing for Nov. 20 to consider sanctions against the city. It is reportedly…
Nurses unions push for mandatory staff-to-patient ratios
Unions representing nurses in Illinois are pushing for legislation that would impose mandatory staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. But lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes say they are steadfastly opposed to the legislation, arguing that a nationwide nursing shortage makes it impossible to comply with such a mandate.…
Why I support building Hunter Lake
Illinois Times has published guest opinion columns opposing construction of a second lake for Springfield. Over the years that the project has been under consideration, IT has published several articles and letters from Reg Davis in support. Here is his commentary on the latest lake proposal. About 15 years ago I attended a Springfield Chamber…
Pushback against Chicago as sanctuary city
I sent a top Democratic strategist who I respect a copy of the Venezuelan migrant-related poll I posted for my subscribers last week. Among other things, the M3 Strategies poll of 659 likely Chicago voters found that pluralities of likely Chicago voters said they opposed “migrants being housed by the city of Chicago” (49-46), while…
Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe
“Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence – whether much that is glorious – whether all that is profound – does not spring from disease of thought – from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect.” Poet Edgar…
It’s OK to read this book, Jerry Reinsdorf
I am certain that Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is not a regular reader of Illinois Times. But there are some residents of Springfield who may, on occasion, speak with him. If you do, please make certain you tell Jerry that, despite what he told author Joe Posnanski, he should read Why We Love…
When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
It was 1984. We had just bought our first house, an old farmhouse built in the late 1800s. The kitchen was outdated and needed renovation. There wasn’t a range hood over the stove, and over the years, the ceiling and cabinets had acquired a dingy brownish-grey patina from the buildup of decades of smoke and…
The Exorcist: Believer a tired rehash; Reptile a let down
Bland Believer a trial Blandly executed and featuring little in the way of new ideas, sitting through The Exorcist: Believer is a chore that proves dispiriting, as it contains little in the way of thrills or intelligence. Eschewing the concept that less is more, the film deals with two possessed 12-year-old girls, rather than one.…
Editor’s note 10-12-23
We who observe from afar and aren’t directly involved, condemn the attack on Israel, and express our love, support and compassion for our Jewish friends who are grieving. We who know a little about the political situation condemn Hamas, the terrorist organization, while supporting peacemaking Palestinians, as Gov. JB Pritzker did. We who want to…
Silo Poem
Silo Poem The round barn silo had developed a crack; Dad decided to try out a new form of silo – one on the ground. A space was dug beside the path to the creek, cemented, needed only sides in order to be filled with silage. Time after time the farm workers raised…
Letters to the editor 10-12-23
EXPLORE SOLAR I agree, partially, with the author’s idea as it’s time to abandon the experimental coal scrubber, and now gas conversion (“A solar farm for Springfield,” Oct. 6). Let’s make some healthy progress for the citizens of Springfield. Solar and wind energy have a future, and it needs to be explored for our region.…
Boo Bark Party and more
Boo Bark Party and more Sat., Oct. 14, 11am-2pm Stuart Park, 1800 Winch Lane 217-544-7387 apl-shelter.org FUNDRAISERS AND SHOWS | “Howling good” times set this weekend for dogs, owners Humankind’s best friend takes center stage this weekend at three events happening in the capital city. Springfield’s “only Halloween Party” for dogs once again takes place…
Springfield rocks on
Central Illinois contains a definite rock connection, ranging from early garage band days to producing superstar groups. Nowadays the music world is splintered into many factions but this weekend the rockin’ returns full blast with plenty of heavy hitters hitting the scene, just by chance of the calendar. While we’re messing with Springfield rock music…
