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Editor’s note
Perhaps you’ve seen the heavy equipment demolishing an asphalt parking lot on South Sixth, just north of South Grand? We are pleased to announce that the “paradise” being put up in its place is a new office for Illinois Times. It is being built and will be owned by architect John Shafer, to be occupied by our company on a long-term lease.

Make the minimum wage a living wage
The passage of a bill to increase the minimum wage out of committee in the Illinois Senate at the end of May once again brings a multitude of issues to the forefront of public discussion. These issues range from the immediate effects of increased minimum wage rates on unemployment rates to the ability of small business owners to keep operating.

How zoning works
A few days ago the Springfield city council voted 8-2 to replace Griffin Woods, the 20-acre patch of forest at Bruns Lane and Washington, with a parking lot with a building on it. The building will house yet another Schnucks supermarket.

Super PACs and secret money destroying America’s democracy
Leave it to Bill Moyers, one of America’s most useful citizens, to sum up our country’s present political plight in a succinct metaphor: “Our elections have replaced horse racing as the sport of kings.

LETTERS
There has been great effort made to recruit minorities in Springfield, although you wouldn’t believe it from reading this story. I know; I witnessed it. Effort is a two-way street. The city makes an effort to recruit, but the person recruited has to make an effort to prepare for the testing process, be it a written test or physical agility test.

Legislators thought they had a deal to keep prisons open
They weren’t just upset about the lost jobs, however. Some also claim that Quinn brazenly broke a deal on the closures. “If the governor proceeds with this, he has gone back on his word,” Rep. Mike Bost, R- Murphysboro, told a crowd gathered to protest the planned closures last week.

State sued over prison conditions
“We are worse than California,” says Alan Mills, legal director for the Uptown People’s Law Center in Chicago, which sued the state in federal court on June 13. “California is putting people in gymnasiums. But, to my knowledge, they are not putting people into basements or storage rooms.

THR’s finances exposed
He got it. In a series of transactions, Green last year sold Parsons or his company, THR and Associates, a home in Panther Creek, a Cadillac Escalade and a share of a jet.

GREENING CLEAR LAKE
An envelope party fundraiser was cohosted Wednesday by Downtown Springfield, Inc., and Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery to help support the landscaping portion of the project, with individuals receiving a one-year membership to Springfield Green for donations over $50.

BAN THE BAG
Despite Joan Barenfanger’s best efforts, single-use plastic shopping bags continue to stream out of Springfield’s grocery and retail stores to the tune of an astonishing 16 million bags per year. That number is based on interviews with local store managers, conducted by Barenfanger, whose Better Bag Project seeks to eliminate the litter-prone bags.

Tragedy in Grandview
If ever there was an innocent victim, it was Rogers, who was just 22 and relaxing with friends in a Grandview apartment when Willis opened fire with an AK-47. Rogers, a student at University of Illinois Springfield, had earned his associate’s degree and was studying communications.

Falsely accused mothers: Reopen shaken baby case
Jacobazzi, formerly a resident of Bartlett, Ill., was convicted in DuPage County in 1999 of killing Czapski by violently shaking him at her daycare. She was sentenced to 32 years in prison. At her trial, nine expert medical witnesses testified that Czapski could only have died by violent shaking at the hands of Jacobazzi.

ILLINOIS FALLS APART
Miller says he grew up in a family of hunters, anglers and camping enthusiasts, but also learned the value of protecting the land. He’s a combination of conservationist and environmental advocate, which is fitting for his position as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Peachy combinations
I use a 1 1/2 qt. Cuisinart ice cream maker, with an electric base and frozen canister. There are other makes and models, ranging from $40 to $60. You can also make ice cream without one: Put the mixture into a shallow pan in the freezer; stir every 15 minutes until it’s frozen.

Lincoln delivers bloody alternate history lesson
The film wastes little time filling in the gaps of our history books. It opens up on a young Lincoln growing up in Indiana, witnessing the vagaries of slavery firsthand when he sees his young friend Will abused at the hands of his master.

Patchwork 2012 arrives
As I recently wrote in Now Playing, it’s been awhile since we’ve had a recorded compilation of the Springfield music scene, with Patchwork’s namesake coming out in 1992 and a few others appearing during that time span. Someone sent Robbie a copy of an SJ-R.

PUB CRAWL
Mike Burnett, Luke Turasky - Volleyball Bash.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Kelli Scarr
Raised in Folsom, Calif., Kelli Scarr made her way to music school in Boston and eventually arrived in Brooklyn, N.Y. After 10 years of bands and music making, including an Emmy nomination for a film score, Scarr landed an opening solo slot on the musician Moby’s world tour.

THE CALENDAR
Jul 06-07, 6pm-12am Fri, 12pm-12am Sat, Downtown restaurants present ethnic, classic and eclectic cuisine; American Music Show and children’s entertainment. Between Fifth and Washington. $2. Downtown Springfield..

MUSIC | Broadway dynamo
Jennifer Holliday, the Tony Award-winning actress, original dynamo and stellar sensation from the musical Dreamgirls.

FESTIVAL | Holiday fireworks
Last year’s excellence continues this Fourth of July at the Capital City Celebration in downtown Springfield. The celebration begins at 3 p.m. Kids can get their faces painted and jump around in four inflatables. Thanks to MJ Kellner, free ice cream will be served starting at 5 p.

THE CALENDAR
Jul 04, 11, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 3pm, Jun. 13-Sept. 1, Listen to the Lincoln Troubadours every Wednesday. (Also at the Farmers Market 11:45 a.m.), Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza..

CARS | Cool ride
Lincoln Land Community College MotorSports Club hosts its MotorSports Show Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, on the LLCC campus. Friday, check out a free Park ’n’ Peek from 5-10 p.m. with food, and music by The Backliners from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday admission is free, too.

THEATER | Dance fever
Gear up for more great performances at Springfield’s outdoor theater, The Muni. The local production of Crazy For You,.

THE CALENDAR
Saturday at noon on corner of Sixth and Monroe, outside Federal Building. All are welcome. 544-3997. Downtown Springfield..

PUBLICNOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN RE THE ESTATE OF: FELICE SCAVETTA, a/k/a FELICIA SCAVET- TA No. 2012-P-288 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of Felice Scavetta.