Cover Story
Repeat offender
Michael Gansbauer, 49, has spent fewer than four years out of prison since the age of 18. Convicted for first-degree murder 32 years ago in Springfield, he has spent only an eighth of his adult life out of jail or prison. Victims’ family members, prison reform advocates and childhood friends have agreed that his current…
Murder charges downgraded for Chatham woman
A 26-year-old Chatham woman originally charged with first-degree murder in the 2018 robbery and killing of 19-year-old Springfield resident Dohndre Hughes may only serve a few more months in custody after she was sentenced Aug. 4 in a plea deal. Katherine Smith received a prison sentence of 13 years after pleading guilty to home invasion…
A growing passion for agriculture
When most people think of agriculture, they picture tractors, cows and endless fields of corn. I used to think that way, too, until I found myself standing in a hazelnut orchard in Italy, tasting freshly crushed hazelnut spread and listening to a farmer explain how pests and diseases are changing the way his family works…
Texas Dems flee to Illinois to block redistricting vote
Gov. JB Pritzker welcomed a contingent of Texas House Democrats to Chicago Sunday night as part of a strategy to delay a vote in Austin on a mid-decade redistricting plan designed to give Republicans an additional five congressional seats in next year’s midterm elections. The Texas Legislature is currently meeting in a special session originally…
Trump administration requests voter data from Illinois elections board
The Trump administration has asked Illinois election officials for a copy of the state’s voter registration database, including sensitive data about individual voters and detailed information about the state’s efforts to scrub ineligible voters from the rolls. In a letter dated Monday, July 28, lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division also…
Taron Egerton and Nick Rowland on the challenges of bringing Shotgun to the screen
In adapting Jordan Harper’s novel, She Rides Shotgun, a couple of happy accidents took place during its prolonged production. A change of locale and the discovery of a brilliant young actress helped transform this story of urban crime into something more meaningful and poignant. Charting the cross-country journey of recently paroled convict Nathan Mcclusky (Taron…
Two health insurers leave Illinois market
Only two health insurance companies are slated to offer marketplace health plans in central Illinois next year, halving the amount of insurance issuers the region currently has as Aetna and Health Alliance announced they will be exiting the insurance marketplace in 2026. However, Aetna will still offer Medicare plans next year. In addition, health policy…
Fighting for the right to try
Lottie Milburn is a bright-eyed Springfield 4-year-old who brings joy wherever she goes. “Lottie is hilarious. I feel like for somebody who really is not very verbal she communicates pretty well. She is really, truly, the sweetest little soul you’ve ever met,” her mother, Abby, told Illinois Times. But in April, Abby and her husband,…
Improving relations between police and the public
Springfield officials pledged to work harder to diversify the police department, inform the public about existing channels for holding law-enforcement officers accountable and “promote transparency for the community.” Those were among steps outlined in an “action plan” released by members of Mayor Misty Buscher’s administration, local nonprofits and religious leaders after more than 20 private…
Editors note 7/31/25
It was a step toward world peace when China visited Springfield July 25. The occasion was China’s gratitude for Minnie Vautrin of the tiny town of Secor, north of Bloomington, who was a teacher in Nanjing, China, when the Japanese captured the city in 1937 and massacred thousands. In her school, Vautrin sheltered many women…
Bad night
My dad, a camper at Phantom Lake Y Camp, went on a “night-hike” with his tent mates. “We stood in a line,” said Dad. “Holding onto a rope in one hand and a blanket in the other. Our counselor led us for miles, to some field or other, told us to spread out our blankets…
Letters to the editor 7/31/25
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. — TURN OVER STADIUM I find it disappointing to the point of exasperation that the ownership of the Lucky Horseshoes has to resort to begging the community to pressure the Springfield Park District to live…
The solution for oversized zucchini
Anyone who has grown zucchini in a garden will inevitably end up with a few mammoth squash that seemingly appear out of nowhere, especially after a generous dose of summer rain. Too tough and fibery to sauté or grill, I’d grate the first jumbo zucchinis of the season to use in quick breads, but toward…
Rolling into August
August is upon us and with it comes a break in the hot and heavy heat and humidity of recent weeks. I’ve heard of a few gigs being canceled because of the heat wave, but now we’re back on track. Next week comes the Illinois State Fair and its rush of live music performances. Let’s…
Annual event features cruise, actor Erik Estrada and more
This annual car show, in its 12th year, begins with a classic car cruise at 6 p.m. Friday. The cruise will begin at the Horace Mann parking lot and travel to Cherry Hills Church, the site of the show. This year’s event features actor Erik Estrada, star of the television show CHiPs. The car show…
Back-to-school events, after-school updates, and budget process begins
The board opened with a heartfelt remembrance of a former member who led through some of the district’s toughest times. – Over 1,000 families attended a back-to-school event, receiving book bags, supplies and strong community support. – Upcoming walk-in clinics for student physicals and immunizations were announced, along with orientation details for incoming freshmen and…
What I did for love
As a young woman, I saw the 1975 musical A Chorus Line. Set on the stage of a Broadway theater, the musical provides a glimpse into the personalities of 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on the chorus line as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.…
Sean Grayson’s attorneys withdraw cease-and-desist request against Massey Commission
The citizen commission working on racial justice and reconciliation in the wake of the 2024 death of Sonya Massey won’t be restricted in its activities by the judge presiding in the murder case against Massey’s alleged killer. That’s because Mark Wykoff, one of the attorneys for former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy…
