Cover Story
The college crisis
When University of Illinois Springfield recently was designated Illinois’ top regional state university, it was a dose of good news on a campus that has seen its enrollment drop by more than 800 students during the last decade. UIS is reviewing programs and pondering whether they continue to serve student needs, Chancellor Janet Gooch told…
Pritzker OKs changes to Prisoner Review Board following years of controversy
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law Friday to make a series of changes to the Prisoner Review Board after it released a man who would go on to commit murder, leading to intense scrutiny in Springfield. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 19, which contains changes designed to include victims’ participation in Prisoner Review Board decisions…
Stumbling toward unity
More than 150 years ago, Baha’u’llah proclaimed the oneness of humanity. Addressing mankind, he said, “The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch.” In another place he says, “O children of men! Know ye not why…
Look to modern manufacturing for high-paying, high-impact careers
Did you know that manufacturing plays a significant role in our local, central Illinois economy? From small- and medium-sized local businesses to national brands employing almost 1,000 people, the effect of these businesses is critical for our area. However, after spending much time talking with these employers, I know they struggle to maintain a full…
Legislators react to Madigan sentencing, assassinations in Minnesota
I reached out last week to several members of the “19” – the Democratic House members who refused to vote to reelect House Speaker Michael Madigan in 2021, thereby forcing him into retirement. I asked for their reaction to Madigan’s 90-month federal prison sentence handed down a few days earlier. In talking with several members…
Advocates await action on bill protecting rights of immigrant students in Illinois
Immigration rights advocates in Illinois are anxiously awaiting the governor’s signature on legislation aimed at protecting K-12 students who may be in the country without legal authorization from being denied access to a free public education. House Bill 3247, known as the “Safe Schools for All Act,” passed both chambers of the General Assembly in…
Pixar’s Elio wins you over, Materialists has love but no passion, Echo Valley tests a mother’s love
Elio eventually finds its footing Much like its titular character, Pixar’s Elio gradually wins you over. Directed by Adrian Molina and Domee Shi, the film gets off to an awkward start, clumsily executing the all-too-familiar plot points found in these coming-of-age stories. And, while I shouldn’t say this, the kid is less than engaging. Yet, as…
Classic fairytale gets contemporary retelling
There’s something enchanting about the story of Peter Pan and his adventures on the island of Neverland. He was created in 1902 by Scottish playwright and novelist J.M. Barrie. Since then, the mischievous boy who can fly and never ages has starred in many plays, movies and books. Peter Pan, the leader of the Lost…
Celebrate Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19 Lincoln Land Community College will host the third annual Freedom Walk at 8:30 a.m. The self-guided walk around the Springfield campus includes tributes to the timeline of events leading up to Juneteenth’s Freedom Day. Participants are encouraged to wear Juneteenth colors of red, green, gold or black. Afterward, enjoy a light breakfast…
Massey Commission continues pursuit of reform
Anticipating the July 6 one-year anniversary of Sonya Massey’s death, the Massey Commission met Monday, June 16, to discuss memorial initiatives and further reform efforts in the form of community policing changes and recovery-focused support. The commission began by proposing memorial initiatives, which include wearing purple clothing throughout July and planting purple flowers in remembrance…
Great Race coming to Springfield
Springfield traffic court is usually a very crowded place, as the city has a well-known reputation for being tough on speeders. On June 23, a lot of old cars will come speeding into town, but perhaps in their cases, the radar guns will be more forgiving for going 50 in a 35 that day around…
County coroner’s office opens in former SJ-R building
Coroners speak for the dead. In doing so, they play a key role in bringing accountability to the living. That’s why Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon was emotional when he spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for his recently opened regional morgue in the former State Journal-Register building in Springfield. “We’re in a position now to…
The rule of law is king
The hundreds of thousands of Americans who took part in the “No Kings” protests across the country on Saturday, June 14, were asserting a demand that the current president and his minions comply with the rule of law. Elections do have consequences. It is the American way to oppose policies and programs of a president…
Thousands facing eviction get free legal assistance
Since 2020, around 4% of Illinois residents – 560,000 – have acquired legal assistance from the Eviction Help Illinois Program. Eviction Help Illinois is a state program funded through a partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (or IEJF). The program helps low-income Illinoisans get free legal representation…
Parents of 10-year-old girl file federal lawsuit against Taylorville School District for alleged assault
The parents of a 10-year-old girl who allegedly was assaulted repeatedly by a 14-year-old student in the Taylorville School District have filed a federal lawsuit against the school district and the school bus company. The lawsuit, filed by a Chicago law firm, contains five counts against the Taylorville School District and Durham School Services, including…
Major higher education policy bills stall in General Assembly
Gov. JB Pritzker got some of what he requested from the General Assembly in the area of higher education, but his biggest requests fell short. Pritzker’s wins include a $10 million increase in need-based student financial aid and passage of a direct admission program to make it easier for eligible Illinois high school and community…
Slab pies, perfect for summer
Picture an enormous Pop-Tart, bursting with juicy summer berries and encased in a flaky scratch-made crust. Perhaps it has a drizzle of lemon laced icing if you’re feeling fancy. This is slab pie at its finest – a rustic and ever-changeable creation that feeds a crowd with minimal fuss. Baked in a rimmed 10-inch by…
June music blast
We’re rolling along full speed into summertime action in the live music arena as the days fly by like barn swallows in the evening and the evenings fly by like flies in the kitchen during the daytime. All that mumbo-jumbo being said, let’s go see what all the ruckus is about. Thursdays are still coming…
Editor’s Note
Suddenly the antiwar president is threatening to take the U.S. into war with Iran. He may have thought threats would be enough to get Iran to give in to his demand for “unconditional surrender,” but it only brought a return threat from Iran to inflict “irreparable damage” if the U.S. intervenes. President Trump thought blocking…
Letter to the editor 06-19-25
TRY SOMETHING NEW How many times are you going to rehash the huge vacancy of downtown offices (“A plan to save downtown,” June 5)? This city government has been talking about repairing the downtown since the 1970s. Remember Time – not Illinois Times, but the major Time magazine – had our Hilton hotel towering over…
Found Poem
Some people don’t answer their email Some people don’t answer their voicemail Some people don’t answer their snail mail Sometimes don’t even open it because it gets lost That some people is me yet Everyone expects that everyone Six times a day boots up Their emails opens Their snail mail checks Their voicemail even though…
