| | Display: News - Images - Sections What’s new at IllinoisTimesDiocesan diddlersIn 2004, she sued the Diocese of Springfield, alleging an awful thing. In the late 1960s, when she was 10 years old, she said that the Rev. Richard Niebrugge took her under his care as a foster child and began sexually abusing her. A decade later, she said in her lawsuit, she gave birth to his child.  Ending the Cuban blockadeAs you sit down to a delicious meal, imagine you are an average Cuban worker, who earns $15 per month, making your monthly trip to the only “supermarket” in Havana where you are registered to shop. You enter a concrete block warehouse with tables scattered around the edges.  Populism is not about mobsThis is how America’s economic and political systems really shake out, with each of us located somewhere high or low on that spectrum. Right to left is political theory; top to bottom is the reality we actually experience in our lives every day.  More of Page 4 »LETTERSFirst, as executive director of the ALPLM, I share Mr. Rushton’s concerns about our support foundation’s behavior. The lack of transparency is troubling, and I have made it clear that I am not pleased with their actions.  More of Page 5 »Rauner’s loss might be Tillman’s gainThe Illinois Policy Institute transferred ownership of the network to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity back in January. But they all share the same street address. “Same difference,” Madigan’s press secretary said in response to his boss’ question.  More of Page 7 »From vaccines to child abuseBefore becoming an expert witness in child abuse cases, Dr. David Ayoub argued that immunization amounts to genocide in the Third World. When it comes to population control via sterilization, he once compared the cost of vaccines to the cost of wars, which are messier and more expensive.  MUNI SEASON, A HOPEFUL THEMELeach is president of the Muni board of managers. “But it’s not just the wishes of the characters in our four shows. It might be the wish to let your talent shine on stage, or to be a part of the team backstage that makes Muni magic, or maybe just a wish to spend a summer night in Springfield in the best way possible – at the Muni.  FREE PARKINGUntil Dec. 22, shoppers who obtain permits labeled “Shopper” from one of 10 downtown retail businesses – and what a pity it is that there are not three times that amount – can park for free between Fourth and Seventh streets eastwest and Monroe to Washington streets running north-south.  More of Page 8 »A stronger voice for the environmentProtecting Illinois schoolchildren from exposure to lead in drinking water, reducing health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and funding open space acquisition are some of the accomplishments of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC). Founded in 1975, IEC serves as the environmental community’s eyes, ears and voice in Springfield.  Pet portraits“I got my gerbil, Rusty, from a gerbil breeder who shows gerbils. Show gerbils are in much better health and are friendlier, due to human interaction early in life. Rusty had a brother that just passed away about two weeks ago, so he’s feeling a bit blue, but the picture shoot really perked him up.  More of Page 12 »Holiday happenings for petsAPL will host its annual Tree of Lights open house on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 12-5:30 p.m. at its shelter, located at 1001 Taintor Road in Springfield. The public is invited to enjoy refreshments, tour APL facilities and meet adoptable cats and dogs. The official tree lighting will be held at 5:30 p.  Gift ideas for pets and people who love themAccording to a survey conducted by Rover.com, 95 percent of pet owners said they have purchased a Christmas gift for their pet. Another 61 percent have bought birthday presents for their pets. While the average amount spent is $36, five percent of respondents said they had bought a pet gift that cost $100 or more.  More of Page 16 »More than a pretty faceHave you ever been enticed by the image of an adorable puppy or kitten, dog or cat, frolicking at your feet, looking up at you with winsome charm and snuggling up to you on a cold winter’s night? All this and more can be yours when you adopt a pet, if you do your homework first.  More of Page 17 »More of Page 18 »Finding a forever homeForever Home Feline Ranch was founded in 2009 to provide every cat in need a forever home, be a sanctuary where cats will have a second chance to live a full life in a nocage, no-kill environment and to help end euthanasia as a method of controlling feline populations.  You CAN buy loveWhy? These fees help to offset the costs that the organizations have already put into the animals. For an animal to be able to go up for adoption, it has to meet certain standards.  More of Page 19 »Edible giftsSeveral years back, my family agreed to stop buying holiday gifts for the adults. Money was always tight for somebody and none of us are big shoppers, so we decided just to buy gifts for the kids. It was determined that homemade gifts would be an acceptable caveat and we’ve never looked back since.  More of Page 20 »More of Page 22 »Great performances save BookEvents are compressed because of time considerations, two or three people may be combined into one fictional character, and a bland ending may be shaped into something a bit more dramatic and palatable.  More of Page 23 »More of Page 24 »Hullabaloo for holidaysLast week I never made it past Friday, so let’s start there this week. James Armstrong, known as the Ambassador of the Blues (not to be confused with the Blues Ambassadors, but that’s another story), mostly travels, touring around the country and overseas, playing his blues that are like no other.  More of Page 25 »BAND SPOTLIGHT | UltravioletIn 2003 Suzie Stephens formed a musical enterprise that would give her the outlet necessary to best use her music inspirations and aspirations. Now 15 years into the project, Ultraviolet is still going strong as the band celebrates the occasion with another gig.  More of Page 26 »More of Page 27 »More of Page 28 »HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS | A ho-ho-ho holiday paradeEnjoy holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec. 8, during the 47 th annual Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade. This festive downtown parade celebrates the start of the holiday season and is a time-honored tradition that began in 1949 and has been held annually since 1972.  More of Page 29 »More of Page 30 »HOLIDAY | Carols, cookies and cocoaOn Sunday, Dec. 9, individuals of all ages are invited to sing holiday carols accompanied by the carillon bells during the 37 th annual Caroling at the Carillon event at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon.  More of Page 31 »More of Page 32 »THEATER | Christmas time is hereCelebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite blockhead on Wednesday, Dec. 12, during A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage.  More of Page 33 »More of Page 34 »More of Page 36 »More of Page 37 »More of Page 38 »More of Page 40 »More of Page 42 » Loading writers... Loading ads... Loading comments... THEATER | Christmas time is here  Celebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite blockhead on Wednesday, Dec. 12, during A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage at Sangamon Auditorium. This brand new touring production is based on the timeless story by Charles M. Schultz and features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi performed by a three-piece ensemble plus a concert of holiday carols led by the Peanuts gang. It tells the story of Charlie Brown, who, after expressing his discontent at the materialism of the holiday season, takes Lucy’s advice to direct the neighborhood Christmas play. Things go awry when Charlie Brown selects a tiny fir tree as the focal point of his production, leaving it up to Linus to save the day and remind everyone about the true meaning of Christmas. To purchase tickets and find more information about A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage visit http://UISpac.com or call the Sangamon Auditorium box office at 206-6160. |