Section Feature

By Sarah Delano Pavlik Freelance Contributor If you work downtown, you are well aware of some of the aggressive panhandlers in Springfield. An encounter with one of them can be a little frightening, especially after dark. In response to this problem, the Springfield City Council passed an ordinance in 2007 making it illegal to panhandle […]

By Patrick Yeagle A long-vacant downtown building is slated for a major renovation, pending city council approval of nearly $1 million in tax increment financing funds. The plan calls for the empty former Methodist church at 501 E. Capitol Ave. in downtown Springfield to be converted to a mix of business and residential space, including […]

By Eric Woods Freelance contributor Born in Gifford, Michael Frerichs dabbled in numerous livelihoods before he reached the state treasurer’s office. From humble beginnings doing farm-related work in Illinois, he studied German in college, taught English in Taiwan, worked as a paralegal, taught at his former high school and started his own engineering company – […]

By Dave Kelm Contributor Earlier this year, Norm Sims, executive director of the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission announced he would be retiring.  Sims has headed the commission for nearly nine years and been involved with city and state government for a number of years prior to his county service.  Much like other superstars, though, […]