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Don’t touch that building!
“Although outside the purview of our regulatory review, this office suggests that the City of Springfield considers (sic) the potential for future tourism related to President Barack Obama, just as it capitalizes upon its association with President...

We need more politics
Our declining national optimism. Our relaxed attitude toward fixing our election machinery, overseeing financial institutions and making sure that our key democratic institutions and processes are working effectively.

How bad public policy happens
Well, tweets are one thing, but Donald has the firepower of the federal government at his beck and call, so he is arrogantly using the government power to escalate his personal spat with Bezos.

LETTERS
It became institutionalized in the ’80s under Jim Thompson, as funding 60 percent of what was required was deemed sufficient and became embodied in legislation and the term “pension holiday” crept into our language.

Can Madigan change 20+ years of behavior?
Mapes made sure everything got done exactly the way he (and his boss) wanted. He mastered the complexities and dominated the workings of Illinois House operations as well as Speaker Madigan’s massive political network. He worked practically nonstop and he appeared completely loyal to Madigan.

Historic tax credits expanded statewide
If Gov. Bruce Rauner signs it into law, the legislation would give those who restore historic buildings credits on their Illinois income tax. Previously, state preservation tax credits were restricted to the RERZ communities of Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford.

From prison to college
It’s an improbable story that began in 2001, when a suspicious clerk at a United Parcel Service outlet alerted her supervisor: This package doesn’t look right, and the woman who dropped it off was nervous. California cops forwarded the package to Decatur police, who found 38 pounds of marijuana wrapped in electrical tape.

ABE IN EVERY COURTHOUSE
A digital reproduction of Alexander Hesler’s famous Abraham Lincoln portrait was unveiled in the first floor lobby of the Sangamon County Courthouse this week. Of the original portrait, taken on June 3, 1860, Lincoln reportedly said, “That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen; if it pleases people I am satisfied.

JOBS FOR VETS
As part of the American Legion Department of Illinois’ 100th annual convention at the Bank of Springfi eld Center next month, the legion will hold a hiring fair from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. for veterans and spouses of military members at the BOS center on July 13, which is a Friday, always a lucky day for job-seekers.

Vachel comes alive!
Like a beacon facing the corner of Fifth and Cook streets, five large panels of colorful, multidimensional work created by artists Delinda Chapman and Marco Mulder fill the windows of the triangular building on the outer edge of the Pharmacy parking lot.

Candidate Kwame
This is the fourth in a series of in-depth profiles of statewide political candidates. Erika Harold, the Republican candidate for attorney general, was profiled last fall. See “The GOP’s fresh face: Conservative with a clean image, Erika Harold launches unlikely campaign for attorney general,” at illinoistimes.

Rosé all day
Sometimes, you can have too much of a good thing. It wasn’t long ago that the selection of good dry rosé wines was limited in wine shops and practically nonexistent in grocery stores. Now, entire displays are set up at big box grocery stores with dozens of pink-hued bottles from regions all over the globe.

Stylish Incredibles 2 hits all the right notes
Picking up not too long after the first film ended, the Incredibles find themselves in a world in which superheroes have been outlawed. Seen as being more trouble than they’re fiscally worth, costumed crusaders around the world have retired or have been working underground.

June is jumping
Let’s go straight to Sunday when the Curve Inn hosts a tribute to Shane Shomidie on Father’s Day from 2 to 8 p.m. in the form of a benefit for his daughters, Lola and Baelynn, ages 3 and 9.

PUB CRAWL
Chris Sorenson Project, Los Injectors, Wolf Crick Boys.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The 44’s
This Los Angeles-based blues/roots/rock band winds and climbs through the greasy and grand world of gut-bucket blues like nobody’s business.

SPORTS & RECREATION | Run, roll or ride
Enjoy safe recreation with minimized vehicular traffic in Washington Park now through the end of September during the Springfield Park District’s annual “Bike and Hike Days.” “Bike and Hike Days” will occur on Sundays from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., and “Modified Bike and Hike Days” will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4-6 p.

THE CALENDAR
BYO lawn chairs. Athens New Life Baptist Church, 207 N. West St., Athens, 636- 8076. Leah Blevins.

CHILDREN’S CORNER | ISM Super Saturdays
Take in a fun-filled afternoon of art and science activities during the Illinois State Museum’s “Backyard Art and Science Family Event” on Saturday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | A Father’s Day festival
Celebrate dad during the “Wild West Festival” on Sunday, June 17, at Indian Creek Farmstead and Pumpkin Patch. The live entertainment, food and fun begins at 11 a.m. and features the Dan Barth Medicine Show, The Whip Guy, music and rope tricks by Cowboy Randy and the Running Wild Drill and Trick Riding Show.