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After the Supreme Court affirms marriage equality
It’s here. Forget for a moment any quibbles you may have had with the strategy that got us here. Forget all the other important priorities that were already forgotten along the way. Forget your private doubts about whether marriage equality was the right fight at the right time for the right reasons.

Through a glass beautifully
In a climate in which open windows are as rare as an honest tax return, I don’t need paperweights on my desk. I have one anyway. It’s a segment of a plexiglass cylinder in which seem to float shiny new bolts and nuts. It was made for me in art class by one of my sisters – I was the fix-it guy around our house – and to me it is a thing of beauty.

Government by sucker punch
Once again, the American people are being victimized by a hush-hush blanket of official secrecy, rhetorical dodges and outright lies. This time it’s not about wholesale spying on us by our own government, but a wholesale assault on our jobs, environment, health and even our people’s sovereignty.

LETTERS
To truly show how sorry he is, I suggest he offer to pay for this election from his campaign fund. Certainly that would be a much better means of financing this election than having to use taxpayer funds from cash-starved Illinois’ coffers. How about it, Mr.

Dissecting Schock’s downfall
Just eight weeks ago, Schock was widely believed to be next in line to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee. But his rapid fall from grace ruined his career and deprived the NRCC of a chance to project a far more youthful public image.

Cahnman faces challenger in Ward 5
The race pits a veteran pol against a newcomer who is politically savvy nonetheless. Cahnman, an attorney in private practice, previously served on the Sangamon County Board and was first elected alderman in 2007 and again in 2011. Meanwhile, Proctor works in the Illinois Statehouse, giving him both political acumen and strong allies.

TUITION DROP
At a time when college tuition on average is increasing at around twice the rate of infl ation, it’s hard to imagine any school actually decreasing the cost of attendance. But Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln did just that earlier this month.

PATIENCE, PLEASE
As race organizers prepare for the Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon on April 4, the city of Springfi eld is asking motorists to be patient if their Saturday drive is delayed by throngs of runners. About 2,000 people are expected to run the 13.

Three for Ward 4
Stacks of mailers and campaign literature sit next to a rolled-up map of Springfield’s wards on a table in the dining room of Fulgenzi’s Pizza and Pasta.

Take a seat
If you work for the state of Illinois and are assigned to the state fairgrounds in Springfield, you can get all this, and more, for free. That’s what state employees said when a pair of colleagues were caught removing state-owned chairs from the multipurpose arena at the fairgrounds last December.

Political newcomers face off in Ward 10
Former Gov. Jim Edgar has come out in favor of one of the candidates for Ward 10 alderman. Edgar, in a press release put out Monday, gave his endorsement to Phil Chiles, former president of the Illinois Association of Realtors “He performed capably and effectively when we worked together in state government,” Edgar said in his press release.

Straight shooters
“I just want to keep it stable, to protect the people’s money,” said Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards, who is running for treasurer after reaching the limit of three terms on the Springfield City Council. In his view, his greatest accomplishment during his time on the council was providing stability, which is what he wants to bring to the treasurer’s office.

Differences aplenty
Park board member Robin Schmidt says that discussion of the district’s need for a new Zamboni last year convinced her to challenge incumbent Leslie Sgro for the board presidency.

Familiar names battle in Ward 8
The Ward 8 alderman is seeking a third term on the Springfield City Council, and he’s using his computer skills to bolster his campaign. From a list of about 11,500 people registered to vote in his ward, he eliminated those people who have moved, haven’t voted in recent elections or have died, narrowing his list to about 3,000 people.

Something old, something new
Charles “Chuck” Redpath, who served on the city council from 1987 until 2007, has been gearing up for the race since 2013, when he established a campaign committee and started raising money. He formerly represented Ward 4 in the north side of the city and purchased a home in Ward 1 in 2011.

Experience counts
Jim Donelan, who is associate director of the Township Officials of Illinois Risk Management Association, worked as executive assistant to former Mayor Tim Davlin for five years. As the mayor’s top aide, Donelan was intimately familiar with such issues as rail consolidation and city finances.

Deputy and alderman want to be city clerk
Current deputy city clerk Rianne Hawkins, 35, was appointed by outgoing city clerk Cecilia Tumulty and confirmed by the city council in May of 2011. Since that time, Hawkins has worked closely with Tumulty on various initiatives.

Images of Illinois
From Chicago’s tallest towers to Lincoln’s log cabins, across the sweeping plains, through rivers, streets, rails and woods, the submissions for the Prairie Art Alliance’s fourth annual Images of Illinois contest came from throughout the Prairie State.

The Cubs’ golden age
Pernot’s fascinating baseball anecdotes actually predate the birth of the Cubs. He notes that there is evidence of organized baseball being played in Chicago by the mid-1850s. An undated news article from that era describes a game that some believe was between staffers supporting Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

Ham or lamb?
I couldn’t find statistics, but apparently ham is the centerpiece of most American Easter dinners; lamb is also traditional, though less so. My family has always been firmly in lamb’s camp. My grandmother’s roast leg of lamb was legendary, not least because of its gravy.

Hugh Moore: Poet, painter, personality
When Hugh Moore passed away after an extended battle with cancer on March 10 at age 67, the Springfield area arts scene lost an indelible presence.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Chris Bradley & Jennifer Hood
In an unpredictable world, it’s so nice to hear a pair of studied and stellar music makers playing good songs well. Jen learned her singing lessons bluegrass song-style, at home from the family in Shelbyville, Ill., directly from her parents, both accomplished musicians.

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

Hard silly, offensive but effective
Ferrell is James King, an investment banker who’s living the dream. He has millions to spare, has a beautiful fiancé (Alison Brie) who happens to be his boss’ (Craig T. Nelson) daughter and has just been named partner at the firm he’s been toiling at.

So long, Josie
This weekend Julia’s Kitchen & Lounge celebrates a year in the business of serving food and showcasing live music. Many excellent entertainers have graced the lounge area, sending tasty tunes wafting throughout the restaurant, mingling music with the pleasing aroma of finely prepared dishes.

THE CALENDAR
Playhouse on the Square presents a classic tale of loyalty and friendship featuring local youth. Directed by Laurie McCoy. $10 adults, $5 kids. Tickets. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 217-491-3977..

BOOKS and AUTHORS | Speechwriter, poet, author
On Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m., poet, speechwriter and author Jericho Brown will present the keynote speech at the UIS Student Technology Arts and Research Symposium (STARS), at UIS Brookens Library. Brown grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and worked as the speechwriter for the mayor of New Orleans before pursing a Ph.

ART | An artistic approach to genetics
On Thursday, April 2, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., stop by the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery for the opening reception for BIO-fi ed,.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | A classic children’s tale
This weekend enjoy a performance of Charlotte’s Web.