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Silent night
At that point, the only looting that had happened was some sort of incident at Dick’s Sporting Goods, where a group of perhaps 20 people gathered in the parking lot yelling insults at five cops standing a safe distance away at the store’s entrance. That’s what a video posted on Springfield Leaks showed.

Documentation of my frustration
April 22, 23, 24 – Put in eight complaints with Illinois Department of Employment Security and never got a response to one of them. Complaints are that no one was getting back to me on how to set up to certify. There was no email, no one answering the phone.

Illinois begins to reopen, issues remain
That outbreak was acknowledged last Wednesday by the administrator of the Jackson County Health Department. The administrator told WSIU Radio that the unnamed southern Illinois church had been holding services in defiance of the governor’s stay-at-home order.

LETTERS
The “no mask, no restrictions, no stay-at-home order” rally organizers and protesters did not obtain permits for their protests at the Illinois State Capitol; were protesting in the streets and blocking traffic; were blatantly and proudly not wearing masks; and did not follow the six-foot social distancing order (“Masked hatred,” May 28).

Springfielders say Black Lives Matter
It was far beyond what anyone had anticipated. Several hundred people drove together, their cars poured down Ninth Street and nearby roadways. They headed to the Sangamon County complex, the courthouse and jail. Vehicles were colorfully and creatively decorated with signs, many stating: Black Lives Matter.

PRAISE FOR PROTESTS
City council members and the mayor praised nonviolent protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Springfield in recent days. Several thousand people showed up for the events.

The show can’t go on yet
Gus Gordon is surrounded by 80,000 square feet of mostly empty space as he begins to work out of the Hoogland Center for the Arts more in the coming days. The Springfield organization’s head had been largely working from home, as had other staff.

DEATH BY DEADLINE
Last week’s demonstration outside the State Journal-Register, aptly, started nearly a half-hour late, as the paper’s newsroom staff and supporters protested a decision to move print deadlines from 9 p.m. (bad enough, considering the deadline was 11 p.m. not so long ago) to 4 p.

Will Springfield come out?
At Linda Renehan’s Springfield Vintage shop downtown, the values come easy. As does the conversation. Renehan loves to play “dressup,” styling anyone willing who comes inside. The business is a passion project. She said for some “micro” businesses downtown such as hers, “We’re just having fun and trying to survive and provide a service to Springfield.

Venezuelan student shelters in Springfield
Sabrina Páez has a friendly smile, outgoing personality and is quick to engage in a lively conversation. Upon meeting her, it’s hard to believe she just turned 17. Páez has been attending Springfield High School since September as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Suicide in solitary
With a history of self harm dating as far back as 2014, Rusher was serious about suicide. In 2017, she succeeded while in the custody of the Sangamon County jail.

Japanese comfort food
According to a report published last month in ResearchAndMarkets.com, the market for dishwashing supplies is expected to grow by 275% as a consequence of everybody eating at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Symphony embraces technology
Suddenly the ISO was faced with having to cancel 2020’s final two performances – and all other programs, including the popular Concert For Kids, which had been set for April – in compliance with federal and state pandemic guidelines.

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

June music jangles
As we begin to see gigs return to venues following safe and sound practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there is a palpable sense of pressure releasing. It’s a reminder of all the good live music does for our sense of well-being and for our being sensible, as well.

Green drives hope for the future
Much of what we hear about the environment these days is doom and gloom. The ozone layer is hopelessly damaged and depleted, the greenhouse effect is not being curbed, deforestation is a scourge that continues unabated and the disposal of waste is a continuing challenge.

BULLETIN BOARD | Community education program
Lincoln Land Community College’s community education program is offering 10 free, noncredit online classes from now until June 30. Once signed up, participants can complete these courses at their own pace within three months.

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