It will cost about $10 million to level the 18-acre Springfield eyesore that was once the largest flour mill in North America. Just where the money will come from to demolish the former Pillsbury plant remains a bit of an open question, said Joel Zirkle, an owner of the Freeport-based engineering and environmental firm Fehr […]
Slideshow
Posted inArts & Culture
Welcome home, Honor Flight #63
Lincoln Land Honor Flight #63, an annual flight to Washington, D.C., accommodated 94 veterans, 92 of whom were Vietnam-era veterans and two were Korean war-era veterans. Fifty-five Illinois counties were represented on the Sept. 27 flight. Currently every Honor Flight is intended for Korea and Vietnam veterans. They are provided a round trip flight to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Wearable art comes alive
Recycled fabric, cardboard and plastic found new life on the runway at this year’s annual fashion show at The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space. Some of the best creative talent Springfield has to offer was on display with dynamic style. “It has become a yearly tradition of the Pharmacy to have a fashion show,” said […]
Posted inNews
Bans Off Our Bodies Reaction Rally
Several hundred people filled the Old State Capitol Plaza in downtown Springfield on Saturday morning, July 9, for the Bans Off Our Bodies Roe Reaction Rally. The event was organized by the Rally for Abortion Justice Coalition which includes Planned Parenthood Illinois, League of Women Voters of the Springfield Area, Black Lives Matter Springfield and […]
Posted inNews
Abortion rights supporters rally in Springfield following Supreme Court decision
More than 200 pro-choice supporters turned out for a June 24 rally in Springfield to chant, “Abortion is health care,” a few hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Holding signs that said, “Trust the Person With the Uterus” and “Keep Abortion Safe […]
Posted inNews
Fifty years of Doc Helm’s photos
Doc Helm was a legendary Springfield photographer, known as “One Shot Doc” due to his astute ability to compose a shot in his mind and capture it with just one exposure. Nevertheless, he took thousands of images over his 50-plus years behind a camera. More than 21,000 photographs taken during his long career as Illinois’ […]
Posted inNews
Historic Old Leland Farm House scheduled for demolition
As Illinois Times goes to press, demolition of the old rambling, brick mansion at Willemore and Wiggins, known as the Leland Farm house, appears to be imminent. The house was set to be demolished by its owner, Frank Vala, this week. Vala, a prominent Springfield businessman, is chair of the Springfield Airport Authority. Rumors had […]
Posted inOpinion
Neither snow nor rain nor heat
The courtship was prolonged. White, male and lacking military experience, Greg Weickart wasn’t a priority for the postal service – it took nine years before he got an offer after applying in 1975. He said no. At the time, he was selling shoes in Wisconsin. He also recalls life as a purchasing agent and working […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Creating new Halloween traditions
Starting back in August, my daughters began planning their Halloween costumes. At first, my six-year-old told me she wanted to be a vampire. Two hours later, she reconsidered that frightening getup and told me she wanted to be a beautiful princess. An hour after that, she changed her mind again. My oldest daughter is “totally […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Bold 70s fashion
Miniskirts, floral shift dresses, sleeveless jumper dresses – there’s a reason the 70s is considered one of the most stylish decades. “Bold colors, big earrings, big hair – everything had a little more attitude,” says Linda Renehan of Springfield Vintage in downtown Springfield. “You are post-Kent State, post-Woodstock. There is a little more unrest in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Capturing stories of life in Illinois
This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. For more stories about the effect of COVID-19 on museums, please visit the Prairie State Museums Project at PrairieStateMuseumsProject.org. The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the entire planet in 2020. The world has changed forever. Undoubtedly, history will record the number of cases and worldwide death toll, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Bold 60s fashion is always in style
Setting the tone for modern style, the trends of the 60s are still popular today. Bold colors and striking cuts defined the decade in fashion. “When I choose things for my shop I try to find pieces that look current, look classic,” says Linda Renehan of Springfield Vintage in downtown Springfield. “And I think that’s […]
