Planning a better Springfield

The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission maps the future

No little girl tells her parents she wants to be a zoning analyst when she grows up. The job is figuring out whether a local government should allow proposed changes to a piece of property, which soun

Fatherless Day

Dads claim they’re not deadbeat but beat dead

While many dads celebrate Fathers Day, many others are struggling to develop and maintain a relationship with their children. Illinois Fathers is a network of non-custodial parents and grandparents en

State goes easy on coal mines

Mining permit renewed despite history of pollution violations

What do you get if you’re facing millions of dollars in fines for water pollution over the course of a decade?If you’re the Springfield Coal Company, you get your permit renewed by the Ill

Sundial marks a century of Rotary

Area clubs celebrate 100 years of service

Springfield’s Rotary Clubs are bringing a human sundial to Southwind Park. Located between Erin’s Pavilion and the Great Lawn, the Rotary Sundial Garden will feature a solar module shaped

Convicted by a jury of his peers

Calvin Christian goes to court

Springfield’s most notorious traffic scofflaw or victim of police persecution – take your pick – had his day in court Monday and came away guilty as charged.But Calvin Christian III

Senate passes ‘Obamacare’ bill

Implementation of health insurance reforms awaits House vote

The confusing world of health insurance could get a lot easier for Illinoisans in October, when the federal government opens a public health insurance marketplace here. The state would only get to tak

State won’t pay to defend rogue prosecutor

No reimbursement for state’s attorney who allegedly framed two for murder

New sex ed law would require the full story

The days of sexual education emphasizing only abstinence may be over.Legislation headed to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk would require schools to provide more information on contraception and disease co

Fracking bill draws harsh criticism in Statehouse

Protestors claim deceit over controversial drilling process

In the formerly quiet towns of western North Dakota, there are new strangers arriving every day. New housing is being erected at a breakneck pace, and newfound wealth is flowing quickly into the rolli

Oil wells not so well

Edinburg couple soured on oil production at their farm

Paula Cook has had it with oil. She and her husband, Jim Cook, live on the 65-acre farm Paula’s ancestors owned 100 years ago. Located outside Edinburg, about 20 miles east of Springfield, the f