THANKS FOR HELPING
Julie Benson has been a voice for those in Springfield down on their luck for many years (“Sober living house for LGBTQ+ in the works,” Dec. 4). She has gone above and beyond her call of duty as a person caring for others without asking anything in return. She could have given up years ago, but that wasn’t in her heart to do.
Congratulations to Casey Prather for coming up from the bottom and trusting a person you didn’t know to help. May this next adventure be successful.
Monica Penman
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
A WIN FOR SPRINGFIELD
Hosting the opening of the Women’s Professional Baseball League will be amazing for Springfield (“Women’s Professional Baseball coming to Springfield,” Nov. 20). I hope the city does some amazing promoting in return. This event has to grab national attention if the League is to succeed. It is also a national spotlight for the city. So, get going on this, Springfield, and show the nation the importance of a professional women’s baseball league and make Springfield shine.
Colleen Lavin
Springfield
A WIN FOR DOWNTOWN
This shop is remarkable – so many great, fresh options (“Food hub hits the spot,” Dec. 4). Salt Fork Food Works’ break and cheese selection is amazing. So happy to have them in our downtown!
Beth Ley
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
THINK LONG-TERM
I am a union member. I would have an opportunity to build this project (“Data center debates,” Dec. 11). I am against it.
Of course, union bosses want this project. It is a short-term employment opportunity. Time and again, we see short-term interest over long-term issues. The bosses aren’t concerned about the effects projects like these have. They don’t care about the loss of agricultural land. They do not care about the actual cost as long as there is a short-term work increase, which means dues paid to the union. It means they can say they’ve helped bring jobs in.
Bosses from all trades say, “Vote your paycheck.” That is a slave’s mentality. Vote your conscience, vote your morals, vote your values and vote with your children’s children’s interests in mind.
Are these jobs at the data center really at a level for the local citizens? Are they low-level maintenance, or are they specialized high-level jobs, and can the local population supply the workers?
I love my union. I worked in a right-to-work state and there was no chance to move up to do better. I would have to say, though, the union leaders look at short-term gains and not a sustainable future.
Sean Brown
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
CREATE JOBS
Vote yes, we need the jobs. The permanent jobs are good-paying positions. This is a clean business. If Sangamon County screws this up, CyrusOne will build this in another community.
Ralph Billings
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
THANKS FOR INFO
Thank you to IT for this coverage. I appreciate being able to read all of the perspectives offered in the article and in the comments.
Sheryl Klein
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in December 18-24, 2025.
