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Local governments trying to become less transparent
As state government scurries to fill a projected $8 billion deficit in the 2016 fiscal year budget, it would seem to make sense to move beyond successful compromises and proven solutions already in place and instead focus on issues that truly have a significant impact on the state’s finances.

Land of drinkin’
Well, some far-sighted people see right-towork zones as the ticket to economic rebirth or compulsory prayer as the ticket to moral rebirth. Both notions prove that the problem with being far-sighted is that you can’t clearly see things that are up close.

CNE syndrome strikes state governments
Oddly, CNE syndrome almost exclusively afflicts a narrow segment of our population: Republican political officials and candidates. Scientific studies suggest that CNE syndrome might stem from a genetic defect, but scientists say more research is needed on that.

LETTERS
POLICING POLICE Police management needs to develop a system wherein good cops can report bad cops without the fear of reprisal. Certainly there is a natural sense of loyalty among the police and/or a fear of retaliation that prevents the reporting of excessive force and/ or brutality on the part of their associates.

Rauner’s secret, legislative ‘working groups’
The governor’s office has insisted that not only should legislators dummy up about what goes on at the groups’ meetings – which are designed to forge compromises on the governor’s “Turnaround Agenda” – but also that outsiders should not even know the membership of the groups or when and where they’re getting together.

The rise and fall of Cahokia
Nearly 1,000 years ago, a bustling city sprouted in southern Illinois. As many as 20,000 people lived in this six-square-mile metropolis located near modern St. Louis around the year 1050, but then the civilization simply disappeared. Now, one team of researchers thinks it knows why.

A BAD WEEK FOR CHRISTIAN
A week ago, Calvin Christian, who is either Springfi eld’s most persecuted motorist or its biggest traffi c scoffl aw, had access to wheels and lawyers who were handling his civil-rights lawsuit against the city in which Christian claims that he...

SAVING THEIR ASHES
Guy Sternberg is a different sort of tree hugger. Last year, Sternberg and other arborphiles convinced the Illinois Department of Transportation to spare a group of about 30 historical trees which were planted along Highway 125 and Highway 97 northwest of Springfi eld during the 1930s.

Crowdfunding for businesses
Typically, crowdfunding refers to collecting small donations from a large group of people. It has been used through websites like Kickstarter. com to fund video game development, film production, gadget design and even the creation of political action committees.

He’s back, and with an alias
Rick McFarland, senior executive producer for KPRC television news in Houston, confirmed that a man who appeared in a news story broadcast Sunday identified himself to KPRC as Jeffrey Allen.

U.S.S. Illinois nuclear sub now under construction
Members of the new nuclear submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) Commissioning Committee brought a replica of the cuttingedge sub to the Illinois State Capitol April 29.

A black outlook
Cline, who made his fortune mining coal in Appalachia, bet big on Illinois coal at the dawn of the 21 st century, quietly securing sufficient reserves in the Land of Lincoln to make his company, Foresight Energy, founded in 2006, one of the nation’s biggest mining companies.

We’ve come a long way. There’s a long way to go.
Springfield PrideFest marks the first festival of the season celebrating Pride for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Illinoisans, our families, friends, allies and neighbors. On June 1, we will be marking the first anniversary of statewide marriage equality in Illinois.

Grilling vegetables, a guide
The grilling season is – finally! – upon us. While grilling proteins such as meats, poultry and fish utilize varying levels of skill, grilling vegetables to perfection requires more finesse.

Pursuit leads to disaster
a seedy hotel, they’re required to take a bus during one leg of their journey, and on and on. Again, nothing new here; director Anne Fletcher is simply checking off boxes on her “Road Trip Movie” checklist, filming the necessary scenes with as little inspiration or invention as possible.

May music blossoms
Looks like we are getting our April showers in May, so look up and leave the rain dances at home as this weekend pours in with four area outdoor festivals presenting live music at the forefront of entertainment activities. Combine that with our regular listings of bar venues and we are indeed blessed with a blooming music scene.

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

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Marina V
Always on the move and in the groove, Russian-born, singer-songwriter-keyboardist Marina V stops in town to perform her expressive, original songs. As a high-schooler in Moscow, she won a contest that landed her in Springfield and she ended up at Illinois College in Jacksonville.

THE CALENDAR
Gala affair. All guests will order off menu. Open to public. sherlock.lolopop. org. 217-546-8387. Lonzerotti’s Italian Restaurant, 600 E. State St., Jacksonville,.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Tea time for tots
CHILDREN’S CORNER | Tea time for tots.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Celebrate who you are
The Fifth Annual Springfield PrideFest is a familyfriendly festival boasting two stages of entertainment spanning two city blocks. The 10-hour street party features a diverse selection of live music and other performances.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Celtic competitions in Chatham
A day of athletic events, drumming, solo piping and highland dancing competition rooted deep in 11th century Celtic tradition awaits attendees of the 20th Annual Springfield Highland Games and Celtic Festival, on Saturday, May 16.