The coronavirus chronicles
On Thursday, March 12 we started regularly reporting on how the new coronavirus is impacting our community. Each day, there has been more to report. Closures, executive and emergency orders, medical updates — the news is always changing. Check in for our daily updates. For basic info and local resources, we have created a guide.…
American Harvest restaurant closes chapter
“Nine years ago today, two bright, optimistic 23-year-old chefs set out on a mission to create a restaurant very different from anything else in Springfield.” So began an announcement from chef Aurora Coffey about the decision to shut down American Harvest Eatery as it has been known for nearly a decade. Of course, the restaurant…
In-person school’s out
Gov. JB Pritzker announced all k-12 schools, public, private and parochial, throughout the state will remain closed to in-person classes through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. “I’ve said time and time again, our decisions must follow the science and the science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine this school…
Sangamon County officials announce fourth coronavirus death
A fourth person in Sangamon County has died after being infected with the new coronavirus, according to a release sent on behalf of the county health department and area hospitals. The HSHS St. John’s Hospital inpatient who died was a male in his 90s who tested positive for COVID-19 on April 16. Of the three…
A mid-pandemic night’s dream
“Timmy! Get a move on. We’re going to be late.” “Don’t worry, Dad. I wouldn’t miss Lisa’s graduation for the world.” “I know, son, but the ceremony’s going to start in 15 minutes. Good thing we found a parking spot so close. And in the shade, too. Didn’t used to be this way. Springfield’s sure…
Chicago tavern sues insurer over ‘business disruption’ claim
A Chicago tavern that was closed since March 16 due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois filed a lawsuit this week against an insurance company for refusing to pay out a claim under the tavern’s “business interruption” policy. Attorneys for Maillard Tavern said during a video news conference April 15 that the actions by Wisconsin-based…
Maintaining mental health amid COVID-19 pandemic
SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers put mental health on center stage Wednesday during a virtual town hall in which medical professionals offered advice to Illinoisans struggling with the mental and emotional pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Chicago Democrats Rep. Ann Williams, Rep. Yoni Pizer and Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, the town hall laid out the…
Pandemic rocks the capital city
The influenza outbreak of 1918 brought the nation to a standstill, and the Springfield area was not immune. One hundred two years ago, the United States was swept into a global influenza epidemic that was called “one of the worst natural disasters in history.” As many as 50 million people died around the world, while…
Frederick Douglass in Springfield
On April 3 and 4, 1866 – 144 years ago this month — Springfield was visited by one of the greatest orators of the 19th century and the best-known, and most photographed, civil rights activist in the world. Born a slave in Maryland in 1818, Frederick Douglass learned to read and write, and emancipated himself…
Date night at home
When my husband and I first met I was living in Chicago in a minuscule apartment that was a mass of code violations. I loved the place in spite of its peeling linoleum and lack of ventilation, mainly because of the tiny patio in front. It was April when I moved in and before long…
What’s everybody reading?
During the weeks of staying home, hunkering down and keeping safe, people have binged on shows like “Tiger King,” created colorful paisley designs in adult coloring books, tried new recipes, exercised more and opened up a good book – or two or three. Reading is always the go-to activity no matter what is happening around…
On Prine and more
Here we go for week number five (I’m losing count) of downtime due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, as we stay in private and out of public places as much as possible. Since this column is based mainly on talking about live music performances, we’ve had to adjust to other subjects, including live streaming shows.…
Catch up with the issues facing Illinois
For over 45 years the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) has led issue advocacy campaigns by allowing environmental organizations to pool their resources and create a higher profile for environmental issues. The IEC represents more than 90 environmental and community organizations, such as the Citizens Utility Board and the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club, and…
Films to watch at home
Now that movie watching has become a home-viewing option for the time being, this space will be devoted to small reviews of films that can be seen on various streaming services, cable channels and video-on-demand. Stay safe and happy viewing! Amazon Prime Brittany Runs a Marathon – 4 Stars (Rated R, 104 minutes) Promoted as…
Friendly advice for the mayor
Hello Mayor, your local crackpot gadfly reporting in. I saw an article where police forcibly pulled a man off a bus for not wearing a mask and thought thank goodness this isn’t happening here. Then Sir Langfelder the Ludicrous overshadows Sir Pritzker the Pious by calling for $500 fines for “excessive social gathering.” What is…
Letters to the Editor 04-16-20
EASTER JOY RIDE Last week, the coronavirus spirit serendipitously brought me in contact with the Drew family while driving through the Iles Park neighborhood in Springfield. Their lawn was covered with pastel Easter eggs and a sign that read “Happy Spring.” I smiled and stopped my car for a quick picture. I noticed Mrs. Drew…
word poem #8
word poem #8 walter de la mare’s peacock pie a book of poems for children was given me as a kid some poems I liked some I never even read it was a big book a favorite was (and is) “Silver”: “Slowly, silently, now the moon walks the night in her silver shoon” I didn’t…
Illinois Policy Institute at odds with stay-at-home orders
The libertarian-leaning Illinois Policy Institute has tried reaching out more to Democratic legislators since Gov. Bruce Rauner lost his reelection bid. Rauner at one point was so close to the group that he fired several of his longtime staffers and replaced some of them with IPI staff, which did not work out well, to say…
Public schools into the unknown
There have been a lot of firsts for Springfield Public Schools in recent weeks. Such as the first time the school board met via Zoom, the video-conferencing platform. Watchable on YouTube, the video showed all the members appearing from home, the same place we’ve all been told to stay. School board president Mike Zimmers opened…
Suspended for three days
A City Water, Light and Power supervisor was suspended for three days last month for his role in the failure of a generator last November that has resulted in a repair bill estimated at nearly $6 million. Files obtained by Illinois Times under the state Freedom of Information Act show that Robert Archer, CWLP supervisor…
Keeping the faith
Willa Barger has attended Union Baptist Church on the northeast side of Springfield for 69 years. “I’m a lifetime member,” she explained. This Easter, she celebrated at home where she lives with her son. They watched service from a livestream on Facebook. “I have never experienced this,” said Barger. “The only (other) time that I…
Homeless hunker down
While some larger cities have struggled to house the homeless during the pandemic, the Salvation Army says it’s a case of so far, so good at a temporary shelter set up at the organization’s community center on Clearlake Avenue. “We are averaging about 40 people,” said Capt. Jeffrey Eddy of the Salvation Army. “We don’t…
Call for submissions: thanking essential workers
Grocery store workers. Mail carriers. Sanitation workers. Nurses. Teachers. Those braving the unknown. Illinois Times invites you, our readers, to thank an essential worker in your life. We’re all having to cope with the impact of this pandemic. Those on the frontlines are carrying a heavy burden and adjusting to a new normal. We want to pay tribute. Here…
Support local restaurants
Restaurants, caterers, breweries and wineries with delivery or curbside pickup. Here is the most recent list of “Open For Business” restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries. CLICK HERE If you see something that needs to be updated or don’t see your location listed, email marketing@illinoistimes.com Please support the sponsors below. Be sure and ask for an…
