Local News in Sangamon County
Community news from our local sources
Sangamon County 71 storiesWiden to Greater Springfield, IL
Local surgeon inspires prescription accessibility law
A Chatham native decided to be the change he wanted to see in the world when he reached out to his state representatives in an attempt to better healthcare in Illinois. One year later, Dr. Brandt Whitehurst’s conversation with state Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, has brought…
Clayville Fall Festival happens Sept. 19-20
Head out to Clayville Historic Site, just 20 minutes from Springfield on Route 97, for the Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20. Watch a Civil War reenactment and shoot off a cannon, just two of the many activities planned. Tour the oldest brick structure in…
The Weight is thoughtful and compelling, Uprising lacks heart
Physical and emotional burdens drive compelling Weight On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102. This step toward righting the floundering U.S. economy dictated “the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion and gold certificates” over the amount of…
Solution
We were loaned a lovely temporarily vacanthome for our stay out west, but we addlepatedadults had forgotten to retain the key, so we werelocked out. Rather than break a door or a double-glazed picture window we tried this solution: wesent our three-year-old, well instructed,…
Letters to the editor 9/17/26
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com. WRONG PRIORITIES We need more people to turn their useless turf grass into native habitats that support life (“Prairie problems,” Aug. 19).…
Prevention is a shared responsibility
As a practicing pediatrician and president of the Sangamon County Medical Society, I have serious concern about the Aug. 10 executive order targeting routine childhood vaccinations. I addressed vaccine policy in March 2025, and the evidence remains unchanged: vaccines are among…
Doing the job
We live in dread of the robot brains, haunted as we are by our exchanges with chatbots that are smarter than any actual person we’ve ever known. More perfect AI is likely to make obsolete jobs by the millions. (On the upside, that will include lots of dreary jobs that talented…
Collaborating with ICE
This story was reported and produced by Injustice Watch, a nonprofit newsroom in Chicago that investigates issues of equity and justice in the court system, in collaboration with The Intercept. Minutes after Riverton police officer Brad Herzog ran 31-year-old Daniel Torrez…
Beat the frost
Pepper production is reaching its peak at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Champaign. Our walk-in cooler is filling up with a brilliant display of red, yellow, green and orange capsicums. Even though we are currently experiencing a September heatwave that feels more like July,…
Music to remember in September
We’re showing definite signs of the summer slowdown as fall comes up fast with regular outdoor gigs disappearing and inside shows picking up speed, while the final flashes of the festival season roll on by. Let’s take a look. Thursdays hold on tight with Boone’s booking…
Learn more about Pillsbury Mills
As Pillsbury Mills continues to be demolished, interest remains strong in the complex that employed thousands of Springfield residents. Here’s a chance for local residents to learn more. In this event hosted by the group Moving Pillsbury Forward, curator and artist Robert Mazrim…
Leaving a legacy
Seven charitable organizations that help women in need have received a total of $1.21 million in grants from the newly created Justice Benjamin K. Miller Charitable Fund. Justice Benjamin K. Miller was the first Springfield native on the Illinois Supreme Court, serving from…