For the first time in a more than a decade, the governor’s office and the Illinois General Assembly are controlled by two different parties, which will make for an exciting and entertaining legislative session. There is no shortage of contentious issues for the legislature to take up. Here are a few bills to watch. PolicingCriminal […]
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Watch the Republicans and Democrats squabble over the special election bill
The General Assembly met on Jan. 8 in a special session to debate a bill considering special elections for executive branch officeholders. These are highlights from the debate on the floor of the House of Representatives. Republicans framed the issue as a Democratic political attempt to deny whoever incoming Governor Bruce Rauner appoints to the […]
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Aleksandr ‘The Great’ arrives from Kiev
Springfield Sentinels owner Jamie Sullivan (left) greets his new point-guard Aleksandr Skyrta (right) at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport. Photo by Alan Kozeluh. Springfield has a new semi-pro basketball team, and the owners looked as far as Ukraine to fill its roster. The Springfield Sentinels are the latest addition to the Central Basketball Association (CBA), a […]
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A surprise for your service
Doris Teyshak with her new Toyota Camry, a retirement gift for her 33 years of service. Teyshak says her mind went blank when she realized what was happening. “It was a jewelry box, so I assumed it was some form of jewelry,” she said while sitting behind the wheel of her new car. “It’s still […]
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Punk paradise in Southtown
Engineer and musician Brandon Carnes with equine friend at Southtown Recording Studios. PHOTOS BY PATRICK YEAGLE “We needed a place for kids to go in Springfield,” says Kevin Bradford, 31, cofounder of all-ages music venue Black Sheep Café, located near the corner of 11th Street and South Grand in the Southtown neighborhood of Springfield. “It […]
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A city divided
Doris Turner doesn’t need a map to know where the Democratic votes come from in Springfield. Turner is in her second two-year term as chairwoman of the Sangamon County Democratic Party, so she knows that her party’s base is mostly concentrated in Springfield’s northeast quadrant. Republican candidates averaged more support than Democrats in 147 of […]
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The political geography of Sangamon County
Selected results of the 2014 general election are represented in the map below. Because the county is divided into several districts, voters in some precincts did not have the option of voting in races which weren’t statewide or countywide, such as the 13th Congressional district race. Precincts are shaded red (Republican) or blue (Democrat) based […]
Posted inOpinion
PICKET LINES
More than 50 picketers showed up on Monday, Oct. 27, during the lunch hour outside the State Journal-Register to demand a contract that includes raises for editorial employees. Two city cops, both amiable sorts, also stopped by to lay out the rules for waving signs and chanting while walking back and forth on the sidewalk. […]
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Rallying the troops
State Journal-Register editorial employees will rally outside newspaper offices. PHOTO BY DAVID HINE UPDATED OCT. 28 WITH VIDEO BELOW After seven years of no raises, editorial employees at the State Journal-Register are asking the public to join them for a Monday rally outside newspaper offices on Ninth Street. “Anybody can come by and march with […]
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IDOT spends $143,000 on zombie-themed seat belt ad
IDOT’s “Driving Dead” short film on seat belt use features an armored Mustang with a machine gun and actor Michael Rooker from the “Walking Dead” TV series about zombies. PHOTO COURTESY IDOT In a dusty, dimly-lit warehouse, a horde of zombies closes in two men with high-powered firearms trying in vain to escape through a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Video Preview: Special Red at DEMO Project this evening
Brooklyn artist Victoria Calabro has transformed the DEMO Project space into a neon pink beachfront. If you don’t believe me, head over there yourself for the opening reception today from 6 – 8 p.m. for her exhibit “Special Red.” Check out the Illinois Times exclusive video below, shot earlier this week when Calabro was still […]
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From the streets to stability
William Guyer PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE It only took about a month for William Guyer of Springfield to go from employed to living on the street, but it took him almost a year to get back. Guyer’s story is one of injustice, heartbreak and determination. Although he ultimately climbed out of homelessness, he says he’s […]
