I’m assuming you’ve already seen coverage of the Democratic Texas state legislators who fled to Illinois to prevent a Republican-backed redrawing of congressional district lines in their home state. Their absence means their legislature doesn’t have enough members to legally conduct business. Like every Democratic governor, Gov. JB Pritzker needs his party to win back […]
Newsletter – Main
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Massey Commission nears end, prepares recommendations
The Massey Commission’s law enforcement work group met Aug. 4 and tried to finalize recommendations to offer up to the full commission, largely focusing on how to strengthen the SAFE-T Act’s transparency provisions. Work groups are submitting their final recommendations to the full commission by Oct. 1, with a full report from the commission to follow. Earlier […]
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City Council approves third round of cannabis grants
Former Ward 2 Ald. Frank McNeil, lead plaintiff in a federal court case that resulted in Springfield switching to the aldermanic form of government in 1987 and electing its first Black members of the City Council, wants to restore the city’s first Black-owned doctor’s office. “I look at this as a community enrichment project,” McNeil, […]
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Proposed rail merger raises competition concerns
Some transportation groups are skeptical and some ag groups are seeking more information about the implications of a planned merger between rail rivals Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. DTN reported both companies’ boards of directors unanimously agreed to a deal July 29 in which Union Pacific will acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, resulting in […]
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Baby Quest Foundation gives hope to local couple
Amanda and Courtney Pingleton of Springfield hope to have a baby through in vitro fertilization (IVF), thanks to a grant from the Baby Quest Foundation. The nonprofit is based in Los Angeles and works with people nationwide, but the founder has a Springfield connection. Pamela Hirsch, who grew up in Springfield and now lives in […]
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Fire department charging for services
First come the firefighters, then come the bills. After responding to a fire or medical emergency, the Springfield Fire Department is sometimes sending out bills seeking reimbursement for services rendered. The policy, which has been in place less than a year, has raised some eyebrows. After all, aren’t these services already paid for by city […]
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Governor signs health laws
Governor JB Pritzker signed more than 100 bills into law last week, with a handful centered on mandating specific health insurance policies, along with enhancing patient safety and disease prevention. From barring anesthesia time limits to a new infectious disease commission, here are some of the latest changes to Illinois state law. Insurance coverage Late […]
Posted inWatch Public Meetings
Utility savings, boulevard gardens and calls for transparency
Springfield residents are paying far less for power than Ameren customers— one alderman broke down just how much the city’s own generation is saving households. A resident made a heartfelt case for letting neighbors plant fruit and veggie gardens on city boulevards, challenging rules that keep green thumbs at bay. Tensions rose as speakers called […]
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Texas House Democrats in Illinois undeterred
Dozens of Texas House Democrats traveled to Illinois and other states this week in hopes of blocking a proposed redistricting map that they characterize as a national threat to democracy. The rare mid-decade redistricting would fulfill President Donald Trump’s call for Texas Republicans to gain five new GOP seats in the U.S. House before next […]
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Murder charges downgraded for Chatham woman
A 26-year-old Chatham woman originally charged with first-degree murder in the 2018 robbery and killing of 19-year-old Springfield resident Dohndre Hughes may only serve a few more months in custody after she was sentenced Aug. 4 in a plea deal. Katherine Smith received a prison sentence of 13 years after pleading guilty to home invasion […]
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Trump administration requests voter data from Illinois elections board
The Trump administration has asked Illinois election officials for a copy of the state’s voter registration database, including sensitive data about individual voters and detailed information about the state’s efforts to scrub ineligible voters from the rolls. In a letter dated Monday, July 28, lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division also […]
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Two health insurers leave Illinois market
Only two health insurance companies are slated to offer marketplace health plans in central Illinois next year, halving the amount of insurance issuers the region currently has as Aetna and Health Alliance announced they will be exiting the insurance marketplace in 2026. However, Aetna will still offer Medicare plans next year. In addition, health policy […]
