Cover Story
Losing health care coverage
Dr. Janet Albers is sad that thousands of Springfield-area patients could lose Medicaid coverage and delay care because of Republican President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” Albers, a family physician, told Illinois Times that she saw many previously uninsured patients get screened for cancer and chronic health conditions, then obtain lifesaving treatment, after the…
Migration and our faith tradition
Since June 4, we have had yard signs posted on the blocks around the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse. These signs are based on Catholic Social Teaching principles which come from the Gospel and the living tradition of the Catholic faith. I am quick to say that these messages are not unique to our faith tradition. Many…
Conversations about homelessness
Beginning on Oct. 9, a 24-hour livestream outside Inner City Mission, 714 N. Seventh St., will discuss the challenges of homelessness. The livestream, which starts at 2 p.m. and is part of a nationwide effort called Conversations on a Bench, will feature current and former residents of the faith-based nonprofit’s long-term transitional living program. Scott…
Illinois sues to block Trump’s National Guard deployment to Chicago
Illinois and Chicago filed a federal lawsuit Monday to block the Trump administration’s planned deployment of National Guard troops to the state — a move Gov. JB Pritzker called an “invasion.” Trump pushed forward with the plan to activate hundreds of National Guard soldiers, including some from Texas, despite monthslong opposition from state and local…
Here’s what’s in Illinois’ $50.6B six-year infrastructure plan
Illinois on Wednesday unveiled its latest six-year, $50.6 billion infrastructure plan for the state’s roads, bridges, railways, airports and more. The plan spans all 102 counties and includes $32.5 billion over six years for roads and bridges, including $25.7 billion for the state system and $6.8 billion for the local system. It covers 8.4 million…
The voice within
Hello, my name is Dr. Roxanne Casey. As a child reared in the inner city of Chicago, I overheard women often talking about the constant inequalities due to society limiting them to domestic roles, submissive wives and mothers. I lacked understanding as a child regarding their conversation, but I recalled their conversation when I was…
The Lost Bus carries warning, canine star rescues Good Boy
Bus a gripping, vital cautionary tale On the morning of November 8, 2018, a powerline from a tower owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. broke during a windstorm and fell to the ground in northern Butte County, California. Having gone without rain for 121 days, the area was a tinderbox waiting for the slightest…
Recipe
Do people eat prunes these days? When we were small my mother would dice up a prune and add it to sugared whipping cream. (We lived on a dairy farm after all so cream was plentiful.) This dessert was called “Prune Whip” and we kids loved it. Why not give it a try?
Lawsuits against Trump’s immigration actions
Illinois cannot yet file suit against the federal government for an apparent plan to send federal troops to Chicago, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said, but if boots hit the ground, President Donald Trump “should expect a legal challenge here.” It would be the latest in a bevy of lawsuits that the state has filed against…
Editor’s Note
This week’s cover story by Dean Olsen, about what federal Medicaid cuts mean for the Springfield area, couldn’t be more timely. That’s because the cuts, enacted by Congress and signed into law earlier this year, have become the focus of the federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1. Democrats say the cuts are too deep…
Lion’s mane mushroom delights
Mushroom hunters command my utmost respect. Their observational skills are keen, and their patience, especially during unproductive spells, is remarkable. My own forays into mushroom hunting have yielded little success. However, when a friend arrives at my door with a basket overflowing with fungi, my excitement is undeniable! Every autumn, I used to look forward…
Jacksonville turns 200
This weekend, Jacksonville’s year-long bicentennial commemoration culminates with the Budweiser Clydesdales, a drone show, parades, musical entertainment and other festivities. Jacksonville is celebrating a long and varied history. It has been a prairie town, an Underground Railroad stop and home to one of the state’s first colleges as well as state facilities for special needs…
Echoes of yesteryear
The annual Sangamon County Historical Society’s cemetery walk, Echoes of Yesteryear, will make for a great Sunday outing on Oct. 5. It takes place from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave. The last tour begins at 3 p.m. Susan Helm, co-chair of the cemetery committee, said, “This year’s Cemetery Walk…
Come From Away reminds us of our shared humanity
“To the coves and the caves and the people from the planes…. five days… 19 animals… and 7,000 strays!” Most people of a certain age can vividly recall where they were and what they were doing when they learned on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, that the United States had been attacked. While many…
October music arrives
Well, hello October, how are things? Good to see you again, and keep up the good work of September, weather wise. The inevitable colder days are just ahead, but since we’re gifted with unseasonably warm weather, let’s get out there for our remaining outdoor shows. Thursdays are still hanging around for now as we see…
Letters to the editor 10/2/25
MINIMUM WAGE AFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH Your otherwise excellent cover story, “Addressing children’s mental health,” (Sept. 11) states that the problems stem from “influence from a rapidly increasing number of technology and social media offerings in the past two decades.” That is indeed part of it, but it’s more like three or even four decades. I…
