Illinois Times

28/01/2025

A man accused of putting out a $10,000 contract to have a Collinsville woman killed may find it difficult to fulfil his own contract with the city of Springfield – to raze 38 dilapidated houses.

Had demolition contract with city of Springfield

28/01/2025

The Illinois State Board of Education is encouraging local school districts to adopt clear policies spelling out how and when their staff should cooperate with federal immigration officials carrying out enforcement actions or seeking information from school officials.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news-opinion/illinois-schools-prepare-for-immigration-enforcement-19677827

Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

State board issues guidance after Trump rescinds Biden-era policy limiting actions in ‘sensitive locations’

28/01/2025

Newly elected Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko tried but failed to give a former employee of his in the city clerk's office a 15% raise. Nicole Cunningham followed him from the city to the county to become the chief deputy recorder.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news-opinion/lesko-gives-raise-to-his-deputy-recorder-19659756

Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

Nicole Cunningham followed him from city to county

28/01/2025

Win tickets to see Brett Young at the UIS Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 13:

https://illinoistimes.secondstreetapp.com/Enter-to-win-tickets-to-see-Brett-Young-at-the-UIS-Performing-Arts-Center

Check it out now!

27/01/2025

The Illinois legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability recently released an eye-popping actuarial analysis of a union-backed pension reform plan:

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news-opinion/state-braces-for-major-deficits-19672670

Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

Proposed pension reform plan would cost $30 billion over 20 years

27/01/2025

At tomorrow's city council meeting, an ordinance will be discussed that would change the process for filling future vacancies for mayor, clerk or treasurer.

Community activist Calvin Christian III has filed a lawsuit seeking to undo the recent appointment of Chuck Redpath as city clerk.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news-opinion/city-council-to-consider-changes-to-appointment-process-19659752

Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

Ordinance proposed following contentious debate over city clerk position

27/01/2025

Louisiana is home to the iconic Natchitoches meat pie, a savory hand pie that includes ground beef, pork and onion, bell pepper and celery. Learn to make your own:

Savory hand pie includes ground beef, pork and onion, bell pepper and celery

26/01/2025

Sister Beth Murphy, the communications director for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, reflects on moving away from chaos and division and toward unity:

A few weeks back, a Secrets of the Dead episode sucked me in mid-program when I saw they were exploring the ruins of a basilica...

26/01/2025

Did you set a New Year's resolution for 2025? Are you still going strong, or have you slipped and already feel like a failure?

Here are some tips for making small changes that are more likely to last:

Build good habits a little at a time

25/01/2025

Looking for a popcorn movie, a film that's enjoyable without requiring too much thought?

The ghost movie "Presence" and the action films "Flight Risk" and "Back in Action" all fit the bill. Read the full reviews here:

Technique trumps story in disappointing Presence Steven Soderbergh has always struck me as an artist who’s easily bored. His latest, Presence, is a Jekyll-and-Hyde exercise,...

25/01/2025

If you're anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring and dealing with the side effects of so much darkness, here are a few tips for beating the winter blues:

Embrace the spirit of fresh-air living to stay happy and healthy

25/01/2025

Tomorrow!

Looking to advance your career? Attend the January Job Fair at St. Patrick's Catholic School from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. A variety of employers will be on hand to discuss both full-time and part-time opportunities.

24/01/2025

Haven't seen the Springfield Jr. Blues yet this season? Our hometown North American Hockey League team is on a two-weekend home stand at the Nelson Center:

Haven't seen the Springfield Jr. Blues yet this season? This might be a good time as our hometown North American Hockey League team is on...

24/01/2025

The Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, "You Can't Take It With You," explores a few days in the life of an eccentric but lovable family, setting in motion a series of events that culminate in a few poignant lessons for all of us.

See it Jan. 24-26 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts:

Springfield Theatre Centre’s You Can’t Take It With You Jan. 24-26

24/01/2025

Learn about the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority’s Abandonment to Rehab Program, a $1 million rehab pilot program underway in Decatur.

Springfield ICON will host a presentation from executive director Mike Davis at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, at Southside Christian Church. Mike will share his experience in this work as ICON works together to address abandoned property in our neighborhoods.

23/01/2025

Stefan Hillsheim plays The Alamo this Monday for the Illinois Central Blues Club-sponsored Blue Monday performance.

There's also plenty of live music happening around town this weekend, check out this week's Now Playing column for more details:

I started last week's column with a nod to the chilly weather, but this week it's downright frigid, to put it nicely. The good news...

23/01/2025

Our annual health and wellness issue has tips on breaking the habit of a sedentary lifestyle, beating the winter blues and using strength training to age well, plus ditching the New Year's resolutions in favor of small, more sustainable changes.

It’s easy to make New Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise more, drink more water and the like, but much harder to sustain by the...

23/01/2025

Take part in a meet-and-greet and Q&A for the District 186 school board candidates from 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Lanphier High School.