Chamber supports county sales tax for education
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce board of directors approved a resolution at their Aug. 30 meeting to support a countywide investment in educational facilities. This support is in line with the vision of the Chamber of Commerce to be the leading advocate for economic development and a leading partner for education.

Faithful to the period
The National Park Service is preparing a new General Management Plan to guide the NPS administration of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site for the coming 15 to 20 years.

Wall Street’s connected lobbyists
Right? Uh ... no. What Congress passed is a 2,300page compendium of concepts, leaving the real decision-making about the details of financial regulation in the hands of the Federal Reserve, the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other regulatory agencies.

LETTERS
Construction is one of our nation’s largest industries. The evidence of its size and scope is all around us – our industry’s professionals build the schools, hospitals, offices, churches, restaurants, highways, sports arenas and other venues that make our communities unique.

Open up Illinois politics to let the sunshine in
The CFIF claimed in its request for an injunction against the state disclosure laws that it wants to “speak about judicial matters, legal reform and other justice-related public policy issues in Illinois” before the general election.

CAT SCRATCH FEVER
Street banker or a well-connected politician. This time, it’s literally a portly feline gaining the spoils. Merry Noel, a chubby kitty at Springfield’s Forever Home Feline Ranch, has won some new furniture for her fellow felines in a nationwide contest.

Legalized video gambling stalled
Gene O’Shea, spokesman for the Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates video gaming, says the board has no timeline for implementing the system. The Illinois Video Gaming Act, which legalizes and regulates video gambling machines, became law in July 2009.

Nice guys finish last
“Since January of last year, it’s been the busiest time of my life,” Quinn says between bites of roasted pork chop while sitting in the Commodities Pavilion at the Illinois State Fair. He says he likes to relax by reading, going to movies and taking walks to meet new people.

Nice guys finish last
Miller says that Quinn also hasn’t defined himself as governor, which he needs to do before Brady does it for him. Former state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka got defined as “the crazy old aunt” by Blagojevich when Topinka ran against Blagojevich for governor in 2006, Miller recalls, and that cost her the election.

However, Charlie Wheeler says Quinn isn’t beaten yet.
If elected for a second term, Quinn says he would continue to push for a one percentage point income tax “surcharge” that would go toward education. He also wants to reduce the state’s reliance on property taxes to fund education, instead using income tax revenue.

Nice guys finish last
“He has been under the delusion that Michael Madigan is his friend,” Miller says. “Michael Madigan is nobody’s friend. Quinn has also been under the delusion that if he made friends with [Senate President] John Cullerton, that Cullerton would pull Madigan along, but that’s bass-ackwards.

The glories of Illinois high school football
During the first days of September, as temperatures across Illinois remain in the 80s, it is difficult to think about the cool weather of fall and the excitement of Thanksgiving weekend when high school football championships will be decided at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Making your own cheese
But just in case there are any doubters among local food/culinary enthusiasts, a trifecta of intriguing food events will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11: a class on home cheesemaking, an oyster and beer festival, and the annual Hope School Celebrity Chef Benefit featuring four-star Chicago chef Curtis Duffy.

Switzerland cheese toast
A few years later I found a recipe for Switzerland cheese toast and I’ve been making it ever since. I mostly pair it with a salad and/or soup to make a complete meal.

Exorcism
Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is an exorcist who’s on the ropes. Facing a crisis of conscience, he invites a film crew to accompany him on his last exorcism as he’s intent on telling all that most of what he does is a lie.

Movie times
AMC listings are for Friday, Sep 3 through Sunday, Sep 5. Bracketed show times are Friday/Saturday only late shows and Saturday/Sunday only matinees. Weekday movie times were not available at press time. All times are subject to change. For updates on AMC films, call 1-800-FANDANGO.

The Graduate goes to work
In these days of rampant ungainful employment, what a pleasant surprise to see someone get work, especially if they’ve strived long and hard for it and are well suited to the task. The recently rehired workers in our story happen to hail mostly from the Springfield area and belong to the band The Graduate.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Tom Irwin and the Notorious Hired Hands
The Hired Hands moniker originated from an offhand comment by local music guy Sean Burns about the shifting musicians in Tom Irwin’s groups of the early 2000s.

PUB CRAWL
Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

Missing Muse
Smile Empty Soul, Edison the Dogs Divine, Frequency 54, Black Feet.

Backliners
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

THE CALENDAR
provide ethnic foods, music and cultural activities. For info call 629-7871. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave..

12th Prairieland Chautauqua
American Originals is the theme to this year’s history festival under the big tent in Jacksonville. Each night opens with music, followed by historical re-enactments, dinner, music, storytelling, dance and more.

West Coast Swing Dance
Orchestra, Sly and the Family Stone, Heart, Wild Cherry and many more. $16-$26. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza. 206-6160..

Cachet Club of Springfield Card Party
Sep 02-04, 8am, Free four-day horse show at the Coliseum. 781-760-1270. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave..

New Salem Harmony
Mathewson, a composer and musician with national credits, has also assembled bluegrass performers: Erich Schroeder, one of the best clawhammer banjo players in Illinois; Steve Staley, known as the ‘house fiddler’ at Lincoln’s New Salem; and, Jan Sarnes, former bass player for McGee Creek Connection, a very popular bluegrass group in the area.

THE CALENDAR
include local fitness clubs, hospitals and health food stores. Food, games and prizes. Abundant Faith Christian Center West, 301 W. Reynolds St, 585-4000..

605/18.5(g-1). If the sale is set aside...
605/18.5(g-1). If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.