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Being all you can be
This week I dust off a Prejudices column from June 3, 1993, when same-sex marriage was illegal in Illinois and many Springfi eldians still believed that same-sex love should be too.

Too much secrecy in government
City and town councils regularly go into executive session to discuss “personnel issues” that might or might not truly need to be carried on outside public view. And let’s not even talk about what can go on behind closed doors when it comes to contracting.

Where does the GOP’s right-wing grouchiness come from?
Tea-infused Republicans are the “anti” party – anti-science, anti-public, anti-worker, anti-environment, anti-Obama ... anti-antianti. Where does all this unrelenting bombastic negativity come from? It turns out that their sour philosophy is rooted in Horse Feathers.

LETTERS
God created male and female, and for too long our society has seen the proponents of the sexual revolution attempt to deconstruct gender, marriage and anything that God has created and set in order.

Back to work
Eric Smith of Chicago is ready to take over his grandmother’s funeral home when she retires, but he can’t. That’s because Smith earned a criminal record when he was 17, and that mistake 27 years ago prevents him from obtaining the state license he needs.

Elkhart residents challenge coal ash disposal plan
On March 31, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources held a public hearing in Elkhart, about 12 miles northeast of Springfield, on a proposal to expand nearby coal waste storage run by coal company ICG Illinois. A subsidiary of St. Louis-based Arch Coal, ICG runs the Viper Mine, which supplies coal to Springfield City Water, Light and Power.

REMARKABLE REUSE
When Springfi eld native Julia Ann Cain got hitched last month, she did it in style – wearing the same dress her mother and grandmother each wore at their own weddings decades ago. Cain is an award-winning style blogger (ohjuliaann. com) who grew up in Springfi eld and now lives in St.

BRICK BUDDIES
Many adults can trace their interest in science and art back to their play time as children, and for many of us, LEGO bricks played a central role in our love for learning. It makes sense, then, to use LEGO to teach kids the basics of problem solving.

Fraud alleged in bankruptcy
A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee has leveled fraud accusations against Maureen Suhadolnik, former owner of Gold’s Gym, which closed last year amid bankruptcy proceedings, In court papers filed last month, trustee Nancy Gargula says that Maureen...

No city jobs for medical marijuana users
If you’re licensed to use medical marijuana and are employed by the City of Springfield, you may want to start looking for a new job. Because of the city’s drug policy, workers face uncertainty about holding a city job while using medical marijuana, even if they’re legally allowed to.

Police just log in
“On occasions, we use social media to check on suspects potentially involved in major incidents such as homicide,” said Deputy Chief Dan Mounce of the department’s criminal investigations division. “We try to gather information from as many sources available to us.

Police and Fire pensions don’t respond to call
And what’s happened since? Nothing. Inertia has set in, despite the backing of Gov. Bruce Rauner, key lawmakers, public pension experts and municipal finance professionals who contend consolidation is the preeminent way for public safety pension funds...

JACKPOT
Quinn had less than $150 in his campaign war chest as of June 30, 1998, a seminal moment for campaign funds in Illinois. As part of a campaign-finance reform bill passed by the legislature that year, money collected after that date could not be spent for personal use.

For Passover, taste a culture
Around this time every year, I contemplate what I will make for a weekend brunch as I flip through various culinary magazines. Along with the standard menus of glazed ham, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with hollandaise, spinach and artichoke strata, and lemon lavender scones, there are the Passover menus.

Doris more than it appears
Doris Miller has never had a life of her own. So much time has passed since she decided to stay at home and take care of her mother that she’s forgotten that she could have perhaps had a career or a marriage.

April music showers
As we stroll along the boulevard of winterspring balancing acts, music matters move along no matter whether the weather is this or that. Along with the continuous supply of local bands at different bars, some new acts come to town and musicians ask for your support.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Livin’ Thing
Another creative, hard-hitting, pull-no-punches band from Springfield’s continuously burgeoning punk-and-DIY scene knocks off a cool show and record release event. Livin’ Thing is putting out a five-song cassette tape along with an available digital download called It’s a Livin’ Thing.

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

THE CALENDAR
who summer on a lake called Golden Pond. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. $16, $18. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523- 2787..

CHILDREN’S CORNER | Summer camp fun
Enjoy a full week of summer camp condensed into one fun evening during Camp Ondessonk’s Saturday Spectacular on Saturday, April 9, from 3:30 to 9 p.m., at St. Agnes School in Springfield.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS | The voice of the heartland
See one of the most highly regarded songwriters of a generation Sunday, April 10, when John Mellencamp performs with special guest Carlene Carter in support of Mellencamp’s 2014 record, Plain Spoken..

BULLETIN BOARD | Make a difference
If you or your organization is involved in charity work, you won’t want to miss this two-day conference led by Bob Lupton, author of Toxic Charity.