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Credit union tax can’t save Illinois
The state’s credit unions, which by law are exempt from income taxes, have emerged as a tempting target for tax revenue. But stripping credit unions of their tax-exempt status won’t deliver the revenue Illinois needs.

Looking for Mr. Right
But what, exactly, are these board members expected to be better at? They start their new jobs with the usual confused mandate. Some were elected to reverse the closing of the Capital College Preparatory Academy, some to press for more transparent decision-making, some just to be nicer to each other.

George W’s $250 million can of whitewash
What a piece of work it is: a $250 million, 226,000-square-foot edifice on 23 acres in Dallas. His brick-and-limestone structure is certainly imposing, but once inside, you quickly see that it’s a $250 million can of whitewash.

LETTERS
DOUGLAS DESERVES HIS DAY Here in central Illinois it should be noted that a historical figure had a birthday on April 23. It was the 200 th anniversary of the birth of Stephen A. Douglas, Illinois’ own “Little Giant.” Though short in stature at 5 feet, 4 inches the man made up for this with his booming voice and high ideals.

State Senator Matt Murphy out
Brady has been under fire all year for publicly supporting a gay marriage bill, among other things. The Illinois Republican Party’s platform specifically opposes gay marriage, so Brady was accused of being in flagrant conflict with the party’s beliefs.

A plea for African-Americans to get screened for diseases
While urging a Springfield audience to get more involved in minority health issues, Simmons, now 42, said he learned there was little medical knowledge about the causes of cancer and its effects on his fellow African- Americans. Because of this void, he has participated in numerous cancer research studies throughout the years.

FARM-FRESH FOOD
It’s spring in the fi elds, and for Springfi eld, that means it’s farmers market time! The Old Capitol Farmers Market opens next week with a variety of food, goods, and festivities. To start the market off right this year, Downtown Springfi eld, Inc. plans to have live music, a cooking demonstration, and free cake.

GARDEN ALL YEAR
Lincoln Land Community College is giving garden enthusiasts the opportunity to learn how to garden year-round. On May 9 and 10, Four Season Tools gardening experts will host a workshop on movable structures for year-round gardening.

Drying paint and picking jurors
Forty-six years later in a courtroom adjacent to the one where Speck was convicted after less than an hour of deliberations, it took a full week simply to pick a jury in the murder trial of Christopher Harris, who stands accused of slaughtering a family of five.

State suspends doctor, finally
Under a deal reached in February with the state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the doctor who worked as a physician in dozens of jails agreed to a 60-day suspension of his physician’s license, then promised to put his license on inactive status.

Bringing people back downtown
He describes a bustling place so busy that he had to push his way through the crowds of people during his lunch breaks. His favorite memory of working downtown is the Fannie May chocolate store that used to be next door, in the spot now occupied by Bentoh’s restaurant.

Symphony season goes out on a high note
This past weekend marked the end of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s 20 th anniversary season, which was the first under the musical direction of Maestro Alastair Willis. Willis did not conduct Saturday’s program, however, handing the baton to renowned conductor Stefan Sanderling of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

Iron Man 3 a clunky debut for Marvel’s second phase
Meanwhile, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) is running Stark Industries and has been approached by an old colleague, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) in the hopes the corporation will help finance one of his inventions.

Bananas gone wild
“What’s for pudding?” Ashley would ask me for months after she moved back home. In Great Britain and its colonies, both present and past, pudding is synonymous with dessert. Jokes continue to be made about the U.K.

This Momma’s Boy is blessed
Within the burgeoning Springfield music scene bubbles a wonderful and creative world of hip-hop and rap music that thrives on talent and expression. As the national music direction goes, so goes the flow of local music as it filters down through the airwaves and eardrums to affect the musings of individuals making music with passion and care.

PUB CRAWL
3 Years Hollow, Another Lost Year, Midnight Dreary, Prone.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Brothers
The Brothers do the Allman Brothers music and do it well. Unlike other tribute bands, they have actual experiences of working with the group they celebrate, as some of the “brothers” actually played with Gregg Allman in the day, and more recently with his son, Devon.

MUSIC | Sweet carillon
There’s never been a better time to visit Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park. Enjoy free 30-minute weekly concerts four days a week with two performances on Sundays. The park district’s carillonneur, Robin Austin, will play a variety of classical, folk and popular songs.

THE CALENDAR
Pub in the Park and Sat. massed bands at noon and 5:30 p.m. $10, $5 kids 5-12. central-illinois-celts.org. Chatham Community Park, S. Main St, Chatham, 971-5893..

NATURE | Animal social
The wildly popular Dr. Dolittle Day at the Henson Robinson Zoo is Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities are ongoing throughout the day, including the ever popular turtle races, as well as animal programs and special enrichment treats for the animals.

THEATER | Party musical
Theater lovers with a taste for rock ’n’ rock will get elated over a five-time Tony-nominated musical Rock of Ages, performed one night at Sangamon Auditorium.

FOOD | Getting fresh
John’s Hospital and Downtown Springfield, Inc. opens for the season Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Frank Trompeter Quartet will play, Ashley Glatz of RealCuisine Catering and Café will present a celebrity chef demonstration, and free cake by Incredibly Delicious will be served.