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Put voters on trial next
At last, we have a verdict on the governor. Within hours of its announcement, deliberations began in the press to decide the guilt or innocence of the people who elected him twice as Illinois’s chief executive officer.

The real problem beyond the debt ceiling dilemma
J. Fred Giertz is a University of Illinois professor of economics and member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at Illinois. In an interview with News Bureau Business and Law editor Phil Ciciora, he discusses the economics of the debt ceiling debate.

Perry is peddling Texas snake oil
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and get your ticket to see ‘Rick the Wonder Worker!’ Texas Gov. Rick Perry is less than revered back home, where he is widely ridiculed as Gov. Good Hair. So he’s now on the road with a traveling medicine show, billing himself as the ‘Texas Miracle Man.

LETTERS
It has been heartening in recent years to see how the efforts of some of the local businesses, such as Hanson Professional Services, Bank of Springfield, the Inn at 835, and, yes, our family property (Butler Funeral Home on S. Sixth) to mention a few, have made positive aesthetic contributions to Springfield.

The real problem beyond the debt ceiling dilemma
The situation is one where we have to reduce our borrowing. We’re spending up to a trillion and a half more than what we’re taking in; that’s obviously not a sustainable path. The way you deal with that is to do one of two things: Find more revenue, or think of ways to reduce the growth in spending.

The Senate president’s side of the budget story
But Cullerton made no apologies during an interview last week for the way his caucus sought to hold the state’s public works bill hostage by tacking on $430 million in additional budget items. The move was rejected by both parties in the House and by the Senate Republicans and even, in the end, by Gov.

FLUTE FUN
A “melting pot” of ages, the group led by Debbie Eddy of Eddy Flute Studio 51 showcased local musicians aged eight through adult-hood as it performed at the United Nations and the Statue of Liberty. The group also shared its talents as it visited the site of television’s “Cake Boss,” the World Trade Center site and Central Park.

OLD STYLE ART
you do your thing, and singer-songwriter Clark “Bucky” Halker wants to get you connected. Halker, who serves as director of Chicago-based nonprofit Company of Folk, is trying to find Illinois artists who practice “traditional” forms of art –...

A living legacy
Everything but the basic framework may be new, but the 60-year-old auditorium at 101 E. Lawrence Avenue will reopen next month with due honor to the past, says Scott Richardson, director with local community theater group Roxy Theatricals and the new private owner of the former Springfield Theatre Centre building.

Police arrest 60 on drug war anniversary
“We all know that the War on Drugs has failed to end drug use,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle at a public rally June 17 in Chicago. “Instead, it’s resulted in the incarceration of millions of people around the country…. Drugs and the failed War on Drugs have devastated lives, families and communities.

Some people get all the breaks
Just after midnight on Nov. 6, 2010, a Riverton Police officer noticed a blue pickup truck speeding down the street by Riverton High School. The truck slammed on the brakes to avoid rear-ending a car stopped at the four-way stop, then screeched through the intersection, following the first car closely and blowing through the stop sign.

Some people get all the breaks
It wasn’t his first such arrest. Selinger was picked up on suspicion of driving under the influence in 1993, 2001 and 2007, and there may have been earlier arrests that are no longer available in court records. But Selinger has so far managed to avoid being.

Exporting Illinois
“Everyone in Carlinville finds it quite humorous,” says Brianza, founder and president of Brianza Bella, a company based in central Illinois. But Illinois business owners at the Capital City Training Center June 23 weren’t laughing. They were taking notes on how to include exports in their business plans.

Work beats prison
Three Decatur teens watch as a cloud of sawdust erupts from power tools operated by their wood shop instructor, Jim Taylor, in a warehouse used by Macon County Probation. For two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, these boys are like kids on summer break.

Work beats prison
Lawn mowing supervisor Mike McCoy, dressed in a bright orange vest, sets a potted tomato plant down on the steps of Rex’s home as three youth finish up working on her yard. “I’m just thrilled they can help me out like they do,” she says, repeatedly thanking them for their work.

Work beats prison
Frank Kopecky is a retired legal studies professor at University of Illinois Springfield and was president of the Juvenile Justice Initiative between 2004 and 2007. He is a policy consultant for a possible Redeploy Illinois site for Sangamon County.

Work beats prison
“That’s not going to change our position on these individuals who commit violent crimes or who will not follow the conditions of the court,” says Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser.

A famous warplane comes to Lincoln Land
The Boeing B-17 was the world’s first longrange, strategic heavy bomber, deployed to England in 1942 to help retake western Europe from the German war machine that had invaded in 1940.

Springfield author e-cstatic over e-publishing success
After reading Konrath’s blog, Flynn joined the e-book revolution. Enlisting the help of his wife, Catherine, a graphic designer, and his brother, a social media expert, Flynn more fully engaged social media resources such as Facebook and e-publishing resources available through Amazon.

Wieners gone wild
No, I’m not talking about New York’s disgraced former congressman. I’m talking about the iconic American food that’s eaten from sea to shining sea as well as in Alaska and Hawaii. But differences in buns, composition, cooking methods and condiments create regional versions of this most All-American treat: wieners – a.

Diaz goes to the head of the class in Bad Teacher
Diaz effectively plays against type as Elizabeth Halsey, a gold digger who has one year of middle school teaching under her belt and is ready to leave the world of lesson plans and homework behind to marry her sugardaddy.

July music explodes
On Friday, talented singer-songwriter Pete Sander hosts another Homegrown Folk showcase at Bar None starting around 7 p.m. A monthly event since January 2011, the concert features some of the area’s finest songwriters in a listening environment performing in the round.

BAND SPOTLIGHT
The Illinois Central Blues Club features Philadelphia’s Deb Callahan on the Fourth of July for a Red, White and Blue Monday. The blues and soul-soaked singer and songwriter released Tell It Like It Is,.

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

PUB CRAWL
Open Jam w/ Big Daddy and Uncle Dolphin.

THE CALENDAR
Jun 30, 6-9pm, Listen to Springfield Poets and Writers’ poems inspired by Prairie Art Alliance art. Meet the artists. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres. Free. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544-2787..

FESTIVAL
Awarded best new special event by Downtown Springfield, Inc., Pork and Cork returns Friday, July 1, for a second year and a night of scrumptious food, savory wine and ear-pleasing music outside in Union Square Park across from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.

THE CALENDAR
Beverages, hors d’oeuvres, music. Free. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 221-223 S. Sixth St, 544-2727..

THE CALENDAR
Marvin J. And Thomas Leo Likes Memorial Lecture Series.

THEATER | Odd couples
The Muni kicks off their second production with multiple performances of the funny dance musical Guys and Dolls..

THE CALENDAR
Jul 06, 7pm, Dr. Vibert White, University of Central Florida. “Mother Laura Adorkar Kofi: The Female Marcus Garvey.” Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037..

THE CALENDAR
Albanian Muslim Rescuers During the Holocaust.

HISTORY
Elijah Iles House volunteers host Clara Irwin’s Strawberry Party Friday, July 1. In addition to strawberry shortcake, sundaes and daiquiris, other food available for purchase includes hot dogs, bratwurst and side dishes. Tour the house and garden, hear period music by Thistle and Thyme, listen to a storyteller and play 1800s children’s games.

PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE UNDER ASSUMED BUSINESS NAME ACT STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF SANGAMON TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that on 6th day of June, 2011 a Certificate of Ownership of business was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Sangamon...

PUBLIC NOTICES
Number 2003R04691, which is prior and superior to the interest of plaintiff. Purchaser shall be responsible for payment of any revenue stamps and the cost of any title insurance. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, By: Steven L. Nelson For SNYDER PARK NELSON & SCHWEIB- ERT, P.

NEWS QUIRKS
Camden, N.J., police Sgt. Jeffrey Frett, 40, plotted an early retirement by having his wife meet him while on patrol to shoot him in the leg so he could claim he’d been the victim of a random shooting. The scheme unraveled after a plainclothes officer passed the couple and noticed the wife’s van.

AMY ALKON
I had to talk a guy friend out of showing up on a first date with a rose and a book the woman had casually mentioned she liked. He’s a genuinely nice guy and professionally quite successful, but he repeatedly turns women off by coming on too strong too soon with these gifts.