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What would Willis do?
For years the Sierra Club has played the conscience of City Water, Light and Power in the absence of mayors and aldermen capable of the role. Most people can agree that having a conscience is a good thing, but no one likes be nagged by one, and CWLP is doubtless fed up with the Sierra Club telling it how it ought to run its business.

Ovarian cancer awareness grows
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum was lit up in teal last month in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The month was dedicated to raising awareness about ovarian cancer and honoring those women who have lost their lives and who are still fighting this deadly disease.

Do better than a rip-off health care system
For the gazillionth time, GOP lawmakers have put a shiny new ribbon on their same old ugly package of health insurance deforms. As before, this latest plan would eliminate coverage for millions of Americans, raise the price of insurance for the middle class and deliver much less care.

LETTERS
The fact of the matter is, cherry-picking townships as a unit of government that should be eliminated or consolidated is simply unfair and does not look at the important role township government plays in bettering the lives of residents across the state – and that goes for all townships, not just rural.

The governor’s credibility problem
The bill deletes a so-called “trigger” provision in current law which states that if the Roe v. Wade case is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Illinois would automatically revert to outlawing abortions.

No green for turf project Booster club owes six figures
The booster club four years ago vowed to pay for the turf project at Springfield High School, promising that it wouldn’t cost taxpayers a nickel. The turf on a field used by physical education classes, the school’s marching band and the football team was installed and ready for use in 2014.

DO YOU HAVE A PENCIL?
and academic adviser to East Mississippi Community College Lions football team, will speak at noon Saturday, Oct. 7, at Springfield High School’s Schnirring Auditorium.

MILK ILLINOIS
dairy producers and veterinarians from seven countries in an effort to increase export sales for the Illinois dairy industry. Individuals from Guatemala, Mexico, Myanmar, Peru, South Korea, Thailand and the Dominican Republic visited farms and agribusinesses throughout Illinois over a three-day tour Oct.

Check, please Aldermen collect campaign money
Seven aldermen attended, according to Brad Schaive, business manager for Laborers Local 477, which handed out at least $4,000. No city business was discussed, and so there was no violation of the state Open Meetings Act, according to aldermen who attended.

Evolving Benedictine Three years after shutdown, “nontraditional” education takes shape
Kirby was among the 25 of Benedictine’s 100 employees who survived following the announcement three years ago this month that the university would end its undergraduate program for traditional students with primarily daytime classes and focus instead on nontraditional, or adult, students who are served mainly with night classes.

Enos Park gets an artistic makeover
“People keep pulling up and then immediately driving away,” said a bemused Allison Lacher, one of the local organizers of the Terrain Biennial, which held its preview night Saturday in Enos Park, with festivities spread throughout the neighborhood. “That’s not usually the way things go at art openings – it’s a little disconcerting.

African-American heritage explored
“You, as individuals, are very significant to the success of a project like this,” said Floyd Mansberger of Fever River Research, addressing a group at Union Baptist Church Sept. 18.

Celebrating the CCC The “Dollar-a-Day Boys” who built New Salem
In 1831, Abraham Lincoln arrived in New Salem as a penniless young laborer who took on a variety of odd jobs, including manual labor, to support himself. His experience in the village gave him the confidence, social connections, and work experience necessary to climb out of poverty and become a successful, professional gentleman.

Bread 101
Bread and I have always had a tenuous relationship. I had dreams of crusty artisan loaves and soft, pillowy rolls, but at a certain point, every attempt produced leaden bricks. It wasn’t until late one night, when I couldn’t sleep and I decided to watch old Baking with Julia.

Blade Runner 2049 a worthy continuation
Set some 30 years after the events of the first film, blade runners still exist, though most of the rogue replicants have been rounded up while new models have been made with failsafe mechanisms that prevent them from rebelling.

The BassBerg lowdown and Moore
As I started writing my column, the news went from bad to worse with mass shootings and Tom Petty’s untimely passing. No telling what else will happen before I finish this and we go to press, but condolences go out as a feeble exercise in combating the sadness and grief.

PUB CRAWL
Find more details and gigs in our online calendar at www.illinoistimes.com.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Kingdom Brothers
Based out of St. Louis while reaching out across the Midwest, Kingdom Brothers are achieving their stated goal “to do something really different on the St. Louis music scene,” as professed by founding member Bob Walther.

THE CALENDAR
Presentation by three local estate planning specialists titled “If there’s a will ... it’s your way!” Reservations requested. Free. LLCCFoundation.org. 786- 2785. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200..

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | Party at the dog park
Springfield’s only Halloween party for dogs will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Stuart Park. The event will feature dog games and activities as well as a dog costume contest at 1:30 p.m.

THEATER & COMEDY | The role of photojournalists and reporters
This October, Hoogland Productions presents six performances of Time Stands Still,.

HISTORY | Historical brews, tours and tunes
On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., join Rolling Meadows Farm Brewery for an event in support of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation.