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Masked hatred
Last week, I headed to the Bank of Springfield Center, not for the spectacle within as the state House convened, but for the madness surrounding. I had heard of protesters, with their swastikas and flags, but never had talked to any.

Entitlement at the Statehouse
On at least one occasion I saw a Chicago-area lawmaker drunk in the House chamber to the point she barely was coherent. Interestingly enough, she was a social conservative who courted the religious right and was known for the anti-abortion legislation she would sponsor.

Covering politics with no public access
I’ve been writing about Illinois politics and government for 30 years. Like many of my more experienced colleagues, I’ve developed an extensive list of sources and contacts that I can reach out to. I can also watch General Assembly floor debates and many committee hearings on the internet.

LETTERS
The leaders interviewed in Rachel Otwell’s article (“Moving Pillsbury forward, inches at a time,” April 23) are the same leaders who haven’t been able to move Pillsbury forward in decades. What’s missing is a city advisory council. This group of appointees from each ward could meet monthly to offer the city recommendations on how to move forward.

U of I prohibits faculty-undergrad relationships
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved changes to its policies on hiring as well as faculty and staff relationships with students and subordinates. In an online meeting May 21, board members voted in favor of the two proposals without discussion.

SUPERHEROES WEAR MASKS
These days, everyone can and should be a superhero. All it takes is wearing a mask when in public. That’s the message behind a new Kidzeum initiative. The children’s science and health museum in downtown Springfi eld is still closed to the public.

MOW YOUR LAWN!
Ralph “Bounty Hunter” Hanauer is working on an ordinance that would hit scofflaw property owners and perhaps tenants with fines for not keeping lawns and garbage in check. “I’ve been on a tear and sending in properties (to code enforcement) with grass that’s knee high,” Hanauer declared at this week’s city council gathering.

Pandemic enforcement remains uncertain
Enforcement of Gov. JB Pritzker’s restrictions on businesses appears murky after an abbreviated legislative session that ended with lawmakers declining to pass anything that might give the governor the power of law to keep people apart amid pandemic..

The polio quarantine of 1949
Then, as now, the length of isolation was set at 14 days; people were urged to stay away from others and practice clean hygiene. There was a call for nurses to help with the increase in hospital patients. Some patients had to be given help with breathing, although through an iron lung rather than a ventilator.

Learning remote learning
In mid-March, when Buffy Lael-Wolf realized in-person school was indefinitely postponed, she sprang into action. She knew her 10-year-old daughter, Nea, thrived on routine, and she wasn’t going to skip a beat. She felt her professional background had prepared her.

Strawberry shortcake for real
Strawberry shortcake is one of the most beloved desserts in the American culinary repertoire. Neither brief nor small, the cakes are named short because of the generous quantity of shortening in the dough.

High Note familiar but entertaining tune
While Maggie’s (Dakota Johnson) job title may be “Personal Assistant” she’s really nothing but a lackey to pop star Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), making sure to cater to her every need. However, she has bigger plans for herself and her employer as she hopes to one day produce an album for her.

Live music lives
As we hit week number whatever-it-is of the shelter-in-place order, live music is back and truly live, and not just online. The calendar exploded this week with all kinds of inperson music at a good deal of local venues this weekend.

THE CALENDAR
The Fantastic Jones Family 48th Anniversary Virtual Concert.

MUSIC | Illinois Symphony Orchestra
MUSIC | Illinois Symphony Orchestra.