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Everybody join in
You know how some songs seem just right for the moment? Charles H. Chamberlain and Archibald Johnston’s isn’t. The state of Illinois made their “Illinois” the official state song in 1925, but it wasn’t right for that moment, harking as it did not to the Jazz Age but to the immediate post-Civil War era.

A tribute to Phil Bradley
He and I hit it off right away, and laughed our way through some fine meals. It seems Phil was as good at picking out the right restaurant as he was coming up with just the right story. What better way to spend time than stories with food and drink..

Why Brexit shocked global elites
After all, say the flummoxed elites, everyone who is anyone in Great Britain was opposed to exiting. The prime minister, leaders of all the major political parties, nearly every banker and corporate chieftain and most media barons had sternly...

LETTERS
Perhaps Springfield and many other cities would consider these public safety and additional benefits and begin a serious program to construct more roundabouts. Recently there have been numerous Springfield road and intersection reconstruction projects but unfortunately none have included roundabouts, just more stoplights.

Finger-pointing, a stopgap budget and reform
For months, Madigan has noted that every time Rauner sets aside his “personal agenda,” the two men have been able to reach a compromise on a spending proposal.

Feisty law firm fights for Rauner’s agenda
The Liberty Justice Center in Chicago is representing the Village of Lincolnshire in two lawsuits brought by organized labor against the municipality’s passage of an ordinance declaring a “right-to-work zone” for the private sector.

SATTERLEE SENTENCED
A Springfi eld woman has been sentenced to prison by a Nevada judge for passing bad checks worth $160,000 at casinos. In April, the same woman was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison in an unrelated embezzlement case. Illinois Times covered the federal case in May.

BEATING BLIGHT
Goodbye, eyesores. The Springfi eld City Council approved the purchase in June of 71 properties from Sangamon County to demolish the buildings for blight relief under a program started in 2012. The city paid $45,369 total for the properties scattered throughout the city’s core and near east side.

Running for judge
Candidates for judicial spots can’t answer such questions without running afoul of ethics rules that bar would-be judges from commenting on issues or controversies that might come before them in courtrooms.

Curbing court costs
That’s the conclusion of a state panel which is recommending sweeping changes to court fees in Illinois. The panel’s report, released in June, calls the current system “opaque and inconsistent,” calling on state lawmakers to reduce “skyrocketing” fees and standardize how courts apply them.

Taking the sting out of Stingrays
Police departments across the nation have the technology to trick your smartphone into giving up mountains of information about you, and you may never know it happened. That could soon change in Illinois, due to legislation which would limit how police use cellphone spying technology.

Friend of bees
As Arvin Pierce and I pull up to a house in Virden and step out of his small red pickup truck, a young boy cowers near the back steps. He glares up at an active swarm of honeybees near a catalpa tree about 15 feet away and exclaims, “I’m staying over here.

Swiss Army Man: A multi-purpose disaster
The film wastes little time throwing us into its awkward premise as we’re greeted with the sight of a bedraggled young man in the process of hanging himself. Seems Hank’s (Paul Dano) been stranded on a desert isle for an indeterminate amount of time and has literally and figuratively reached the end of his rope.

Unlikely food find in New Berlin
Driving through town, I finally spot a Fast Stop gas station. Spanning the back lot is series of interconnected buildings. I’m thinking: “This is not looking very promising.” Attached to the Fast Stop convenience store is a restaurant called Capone’s Hideout.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Suburban Mystics
Formed by friends interested in playing interesting music together, this local Springfield group includes members of such renowned area bands as The Aspect, Mr. Opporknockity, Winky and the Love Buddhas, Daddy$ Money, The LandSharks, The Emerald Underground, The Tongue Puppets and many more.

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

July jingle jangles
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the upcoming festivals, homecomings, fairs and other big events presenting live music over the next several weeks.

THEATER | Nun on the run
This July, take in one of Broadway’s hottest musical comedies. The Legacy Theatre is proud to present Sister Act: The Musical,.

THE CALENDAR
Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events..

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Celebrate Sherman
The land between The Rail Golf Course and Business 55 in Sherman will be the site of Sherman’s Homecoming celebration this Friday and Saturday, July 8-9. The fun begins on Friday at 5 p.m. with a slew of artisans, crafters and sales vendors plus rides and games for children – all open for business both days of the festival.

ALL ABOUT PETS
Hi, my name is Mocha. I am a 5-yearold chocolate Lab mix. I am an active, energetic girl. I love to run and play! I love my people very much, but I am a bit particular about the type of home I would like to have. I don’t get along well with other dogs, so I would like to be the only dog.