Vol. 48, No. 15
Best of Springfield® 2022 Readers' Poll
By IT Staff
Early voting expands as campaign season enters final two weeks
Pritzker, Bailey traveling state amid campaign’s final stretch
By Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois
Gone with the wind
Lincoln foundation takes artifacts from ALPLM
By Bruce Rushton
More Illinoisans believe state is on the right track
By Rich Miller
Halloweens were more sinister a century ago
By Tom Emery
Getting into the spirit of Halloween
By Scott Reeder
Good Nurse an intriguing true-crime story, Black Adam is endless chaos, fun trip to Paradise
By Chuck Koplinski
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
SPORTS TEAM
Springfield Lucky Horseshoes
THEATER PERFORMANCE – FEMALE LEAD
Cam Lecocq Matilda
THEATER PERFORMANCE – MALE LEAD
Mike Wallace Ragtime, the Musical
BEST ART STUDIO/GALLERY
Springfield Art Association
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: HOME AND GARDEN
LANDSCAPE SUPPLY COMPANY
Artisan Stone Products
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: KIDS STUFF
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING STORE
Once Upon a Child
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: MUSIC
BASS PLAYER
Ty Ellis
MALE VOCALIST
Jason McKenzie
GUITARIST
Tyler Landess
LIVE MUSIC VENUE (SMALL)
Locals Bar
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: RETAIL
BEST NEW BUSINESS (DOWNTOWN)
Aviatori Coffeehouse
NEW BUSINESS (NOT DOWNTOWN)
B's Creative Studio
ONLINE BOUTIQUE
Piper + Arrows Boutique
GIFT STORE
Once in a Blue Moon International Gift Gallery
BOOKSTORE (USED)
The Book Rack
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: FOOD AND DRINK
OVERALL RESTAURANT and NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED AFTER 8/1/21)
Broadgauge
STEAK
Old Luxemburg Inn
COFFEE HOUSE
Grab-A-Java
SUSHI
Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant
NEW BAR (OPENED AFTER 8/1/21)
Whiskey Jack's
SPECIALTY DRINK
JP Kelly's Pub - bloody mary
MARGARITAS
Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill
BRUNCH
Brunchfield Café
CAJUN SEAFOOD
Anchors Away
CATERER
Cured Catering
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: GOODS AND SERVICES
PET GROOMING
Pup.E.Tails
FUNERAL HOME
Staab Funeral Homes
TATTOO ARTIST
Benny DeWitt - Good Heart Tattoos
VETERINARIAN CLINIC
Laketown Animal Hospital
BEST SALON
Willow & Birch
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: CIVIC AND COMMUNITY
BEST CITY OFFICIAL
Springfield Police Department Neighborhood Police Officers
UNSUNG HERO
Charlene Powers
NONPROFIT
WILD Canine Rescue
UP-AND-COMING LEADER
Liz Rupel
BUSINESS GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY and COOKIE
Café Moxo
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: CANNABIS
BUDTENDER
Samuel Brubaker, Prairie State Hemp
WINNERS AND FINALISTS: HEALTH AND WELLNESS
GYM OR FITNESS CENTER
YMCA of Springfield
Dab and Gab Paint Workshop
@ Phoenix Center: Out On Second
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
My curriculum not the reason kids can’t read
By Lucy Calkins
Home alone
By George Pawlaczyk
PILLSBURIED: Art, artifacts and curiosities from the former Pillsbury site
By Karen Ackerman Witter
John Mellencamp more than rocks
By Tom Irwin