Cover Story
STATEHOUSE YEAR IN REVIEW
A tumultuous year in Illinois politics draws to its close as the historic legislative accomplishments of May and June give way to a flurry of ongoing federal investigative activity, resignations and indictments. Central to the story of 2019 is Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Chicago Democrat and billionaire who spent more than $170 million of his…
Blockbuster verdict in prisoner lawsuit
An inmate at Taylorville Correctional Center has won $11 million after his kidney cancer was neither promptly diagnosed nor treated. After a weeklong trial, the jury award entered Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Springfield might be cold comfort to William Dean, who is still listed as a prisoner on the Illinois Department of Corrections…
‘Tis the season
We’re almost down to the last minute, and so if you haven’t finished your shopping, here are some ideas for presents that are sure to bring big smiles and heartfelt “thank you’s” on Christmas morning. MAYOR JIM LANGFELDER: A copy of the city charter so he can remember what a strong mayor form of government…
Prison malpractice settlements are public records
The Illinois State Supreme Court today ruled that settlements reached in malpractice claims against the company that provides care for inmates in Illinois prisons are public records. The ruling ends a legal battle that began four years ago, when Illinois Times asked the Illinois Department of Corrections for a copy of a settlement reached in…
Alec James Payton
A folksinger by calling and by determination, this young man makes music for himself and we’re fortunate to be recipients of the thoughtful and provocative, insightful and superlative work he produces. After Alec James Payton took off a few years ago (was it more or less or less or more?) accompanied by an acoustic guitar,…
Ravioli Christmas
Growing up as a young child in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, I always envied the neighbors who lived next door to our 1950s ranch house. My parents had an unhappy marriage. My father always liked to say, “When I took the vows, it was for better or for worse,” and he wore it…
First Night Springfield 2019
If you want to ring in 2020 the right way then you’ll want to be downtown Springfield on New Year’s Eve. This year marks 33 years that the capital city has hosted the annual celebration of the arts. “I’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve with my husband and friends at First Night Springfield since it began…
Abrams delivers spectacle and heart with satisfying Rise
It’s obvious that writer and director J.J. Abrams is a big fan of the Star Wars franchise. His 2015 The Force Awakens resurrected the franchise for a new generation, served as an energetic primer for all things in a galaxy far, far away and introduced a bevy of new characters around which to build future…
Music and more
It’s the weekend before Christmas and all through the town, lots of creatures were stirring and moving around. Why, heck yeah, they were! The city was hopping with all these folks going out to see the barrage of live music happening all over the place. First we have a call out for volunteers to help…
Christmas Eve 1864
Lincoln Home National Historic Site invites the community to attend a special performance of A Message at Midnight, a one-act play set on Christmas Eve of 1864. Celebration is far away from the mind of President Abraham Lincoln as he awaits the news from General Sherman as the general marches towards Savannah, Georgia. A victory…
Editor’s note 12/19/19
When 150 or so impeachment supporters rallied Tuesday evening in front of the Springfield office of Rodney Davis, they didn’t hold out much hope they would change the congressman’s vote. But they reminded everybody that Davis is now a Trumper through and through. Though a month before the 2016 election Davis said he couldn’t vote…
A change in seasons
The winter solstice occurs when one of the earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the sun thus creating the longest night of the year in the Western hemisphere. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this astronomical occurrence and celebrated the subsequent return of the sun in a variety of ways.…
When Christmas in Springfield was no big deal
Today, people often long for the simplicity of Christmases past, free of Black Friday, the endless hustle and the never-ending shopping lists. At Christmas in Springfield 170 years ago, there was little of that. Christmas in the 1840s and 1850s was no big deal. In many areas, New Year’s was more important. But there were…
Few viable opponents emerge
Republican Lawrence Oliver of Dorsey has filed to run against Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) in the March primary. Oliver has not yet reported raising any money, but his main issue appears to be Bourne’s vote for the 19 cents per gallon gas tax hike to fund infrastructure projects during the past spring legislative session. Dorsey’s…
Flocking Poem #2
This poem, written by a new friend in response to one by my daughter Damaris which ends “listening, waiting to hear the joining of the flock,” is dedicated to Demi and printed here with the author’s consent. Flocks, schools, swarms, hives, herds – the animals move instinctively together; for them, being is belonging. We humans…
Letter’s to the editor 12/19/19
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to letters@illinoistimes.com. IT’S ABOUT INCLUSION As a San Franciscan with humble roots in the north end of Springfield, I am so incredibly moved by how far my state and my community have come (“Teaching LGBT history,” Dec.…
In need of weed
As the state prepares for legal recreational marijuana sales come Jan. 1, some patients who use pot for medical reasons say that the price has skyrocketed and there’s a shortage. During a recent visit to HCI Alternatives, the only marijuana dispensary within Springfield city limits, a dozen patients stood outside a few minutes before the…
RECYCLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
If you have burned-out Christmas lights, don’t throw them in the trash. Recycle them. Thanks to BLH Computers, in collaboration with units of local government, there are several drop-off sites in Springfield and surrounding communities. You can recycle your Christmas lights in drop boxes at Springfield City Hall/Municipal Center West (300 S. Seventh St.), Springfield’s…
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE…HALLOWEEN
Pity Menard County sheriff’s deputies who drew short straws earlier this month and were tasked with doing a job no one wants: Slithering beneath a home in search of human remains. It began when a Petersburg homeowner hired a contractor for a weatherization project in a crawl space and a basement. What’s this? Looks like…
Guy Fawkes and you guys
Four hundred years ago “guy” referred to an arch-villain; today the word has come into common usage: “hey, guy,” “that guy” and “you guys.” Allan Metcalf, retired professor of English at MacMurray College, traces the story of Guy Fawkes and the evolution of the word “guy” through the centuries to its use as a second-person…
