As of 5 p.m. Saturday, all state residents must remain in their homes under an order announced by Gov. JB Pritzker that lasts until April 7. Businesses deemed nonessential must close. All gatherings outside a single household are prohibited, but it’s not a complete lockdown. Exemptions include trips to buy food, prescription drugs and conduct […]
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First local death
The first coronavirus patient in Sangamon County has died at Memorial Medical Center. The 71-year-old woman died today, public health officials announced. She lived in Florida and was visiting when she fell ill. “Now more than ever, we call on our community to take care of themselves and each other, to be vigilant and willing […]
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It’s spreading
While parades elsewhere have been canceled due to coronavirus concerns, Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade through downtown Springfield remained a go as of Tuesday. Brian McFadden, Sangamon County administrator, said health department officials have discussed large gatherings and the coronavirus. “I don’t know, specifically, about the parade itself,” McFadden said. “I know they’re going to […]
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DuQuoin fair director busted for DUI
State police arrested the director of the DuQuoin State Fair early Tuesday on suspicion of drunken driving after he crashed a pickup truck. Police reported that Joshua R. Gross, 42, was northbound in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado on the Sherman Boulevard ramp leading to the freeway when he lost control, swerved left off the road, […]
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Cops get gassed
Squad cars are poisoning Springfield police officers, according to emails showing elevated levels of carbon monoxide in police cars have resulted in two officers being taken to hospitals since November. “The officer’s CO level upon arriving to the hospital was close to critical,” Deputy Chief Shawn Handlin wrote in a Nov. 19 email to David […]
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Money time
An attorney for the developer of a hotel proposed for downtown Springfield says the project is on track. But city officials say they haven’t yet received proof of private financing, which is required before the city can release tax increment financing money, and the deadline to provide such information is near. “If the developer needs […]
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Man found dead in city building believed homeless
A man found dead early Sunday in a public bathroom at a city building that includes headquarters for the Springfield Police Department may have been homeless. Someone found the body of Nicholas Gipson, 33, shortly before 1 a.m. on Sunday. He was discovered hanging in a stall and is believed to have died from asphyxiation. […]
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Mayor’s son arrested
Ryan T. Langfelder, son of Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, was released from the Sangamon County Jail this morning after being arrested by University of Illinois Springfield police on suspicion of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a felony. The mayor’s son was pulled over shortly before 1:30 a.m. by […]
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SIU to provide prison health care
With an eye toward expansion, Southern Illinois School of Medicine plans to hire doctors to work in Illinois prisons, which are under pressure to improve health care that critics say amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. A mentally ill inmate has died from gastrointestinal bleeding two months after swallowing two sporks – a nurse determined […]
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Prosecutor quits under fire
A Sangamon County assistant state’s attorney who landed in trouble at a bar last spring has resigned after being pulled over last month on suspicion of drunken driving. University of Illinois Springfield police ended their investigation without arresting or citing Edward Brandt when he refused to perform field sobriety tests after being stopped for driving […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
