Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey spent an hour talking over and accusing each other of stretching the truth in their only planned meeting of the campaign Tuesday night. The WTTW forum was supposed to be a question-and-answer session, but Bailey quickly revealed his strategy to interrupt Pritzker on nearly every question, launching […]
News
Posted inNews
New bookstore opening downtown
Continuing a local trend that flies in the face of conventional wisdom about physical media, a new bookstore specializing in literary fiction, contemporary nonfiction, poetry and graphic novels will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.. Three Ducks Bookstore is located at 414 E. Monroe St. in downtown […]
Posted inNews
Former Massey Commission members ask police commission to expand its call
It’s been more than three years since Springfield’s Police Community Review Commission reviewed a complaint, and it won’t review any this year after the PCRC met for the second, and final, time this year on Oct. 14. The Massey Community Action Network, a group of former Massey Commission members and staff, organized a group of […]
Posted inNews
Vigilante justice
Jeff Bast, who goes by Millstone the Klown on social media, says he is protecting children. His online following has brought scrutiny to people on the sex offender registry – and fear and lost work to people around them. Lucy Reid took down the signs in broad daylight. They had been posted around Winchester for […]
Posted inNews
Pinball makes a comeback
It’s a Wednesday night, and most of East Adams Street is quiet. It’s been that way much of the time here since the fire of June 19, 2024, that caused several businesses in the 400 block to either close or relocate. There is one notable exception, however, at 409 E. Adams St. With doors thrust […]
Posted inNews
UIS to demolish NPR Illinois headquarters
Plans to demolish the headquarters of Springfield’s public radio station and move the station elsewhere on the University of Illinois Springfield campus will create additional expenses for the financially challenged station but also opportunities. NPR Illinois General Manager Randy Eccles told Illinois Times the move will be a “pretty good result” after UIS officials said […]
Posted inNews
County approves contract with Mental Health Board
The Sangamon County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement Oct. 13 to provide administrative support for the newly formed Sangamon County Mental Health Board. The Mental Health Board, which is funded by a limited 0.5% sales tax levy (groceries, medication and services are excluded) approved by primary voters in March, will pay the county just more […]
Posted inNews
County punts on “complicated issue” of whether to change monthly meeting time
The Sangamon County Board decided to punt at its Oct. 13 meeting on the idea of moving the board’s monthly meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday so as not to conflict with Springfield City Council. A trio of Democrats proposed the move: recently appointed District 12 board member Sheila Feipel, outgoing District 18 board member Sam […]
Posted inNews
Proposal for new Springfield police SUVs spurs heated debate at city council
An ordinance to approve the purchase of vehicles for the Springfield Police Department sparked a larger conversation about the city council’s role in monitoring city departments’ spending during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Some Springfield City Council members called for more use of their power to set policy as others argued for reliance on […]
Posted inNews
Gail Simpson joins race for Springfield mayor
Voters will likely have two candidates to consider for Springfield mayor in the upcoming spring election, as a well-known figure seeks another shot at the city’s top job. Gail Simpson gave an impromptu speech to a small group of supporters on Monday and announced her intention to challenge incumbent Mayor Misty Buscher for her seat. […]
Posted inNews
Intricate Minds has new downtown location
Last year, overdose deaths in Sangamon County decreased for the first time since 2019. So far, 2026 is on pace for another decrease – but fatal overdoses are still expected to outpace other unexpected deaths such as suicide and homicide. Tiara Standage, founder of harm reduction nonprofit Intricate Minds, thinks her organization’s efforts over the […]
Posted inNews
First Presbyterian plans open house to celebrate renovations
After three years of fundraising and renovation, the First Presbyterian Church onthe corner of Seventh Street and Capitol Avenue in downtown Springfield will host an open house for the public. “We have made spaces for the community to use, added a central elevator for access to those needing mobility help and designed a trauma-informed space,” […]
