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19 MUSIC | Zack Fedor 16 HISTORY | Bicentennial 18 FOOD | French Onion Chicken
FREE January 21-27, 2021 • Vol. 45, No. 27
Healthy,
Wealthy
and Wise
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021
OPINION
Springfield,
Cannabis conundrums home of wasted
Pritzker’s pot plans fizzle opportunities
UPON FURTHER REVIEW | Bruce Rushton GUESTWORK | Mike Jackson
The cannabis industry has failed minorities. shops, levies the maximum three percent
Just one percent of the state’s growing local tax on recreational pot sales, with the The pending demolition of the old
facilities are owned by African Americans. state Department of Revenue dispersing downtown YMCA to create yet another
Blacks control only three percent of marijuana $5.7 million to municipalities since July. In vacant lot will be the latest in a string
retail outlets. Such dismal figures have Springfield, half is supposed to go for projects of similar failures. The YWCA block,
prompted legislation aimed at increasing aimed at promoting economic development immediately north of the Governor’s
the number of cannabis businesses owned in poor neighborhoods. How much have we Mansion, was the worst.
by African Americans, who are said to have gotten? The city won’t say: Disclosing the The state of Illinois failed in a 40-year
suffered disproportionately in the war against amount would reveal to the city’s two pot plan and Springifeld cajoles the state into a
drugs and so should get a leg up when it comes purveyors what the other is raking in, and that, city takeover to “get something done.” An
to growing and selling weed. the city says, is forbidden by state law. The Indianapolis developer submits a mixed-use,
That’s the story in Washington state, where city can’t even spend the money, according to street-oriented development, which any city
recreational pot sales began six years ago. budget director William McCarty. in American would support. But the mayor
Illinois has zero cultivation centers or retail Brad Cole, director of the Illinois Municipal nixed the project because it was “too big”
shops owned by African Americans. League, says that he isn’t sure that cities can’t with no real effort to negotiate a responsible
Not that I ever would imbibe, but if I did spend pot tax revenue, but disclosing how and reasonable TIF allocation. Instead, we
consume marijuana, I would drive a bit further, much cities have collected is an issue for get another empty lot (now called a park) off
perhaps pay a bit more, to do business with municipalities all over the state. “I’ve been the tax rolls and a drain on the city budget.
an African American-owned establishment, trying to get an answer out of the governor’s The most important takeaway here is
particularly if lured by an array of edibles, office for well over a month,” Cole says. “I the lack of any consistent use of TIF funds
bud and concentrates not available elsewhere. guess they just don’t have an answer.” to promote investment that replenishes the
In the Age of Woke, it is not necessarily a One answer would be granting more TIF. A review of the downtown TIF funds
disadvantage to post “Black Owned” on licenses to allow more than two pot purveyors will show that most of the funding has gone
advertisements, particularly if you stock better in towns like ours, but Pritzker has failed at into the non-taxpaying projects, including
Blue Dream at better prices than anyone else. that. Forty growing licenses were supposed $5 million for the new YMCA building.
Ask a Seattle dispensary that boasted about to have been issued by last summer and 75 In the fall of 2019 there was a proposal,
being minority owned by virtue of former NBA retail dispensaries were supposed to have been with a rather uncertain origin, for a
star Shawn Kemp owning five percent of the convictions, Gov. JB Pritzker has checked nary licensed by last spring. The whole shebang downtown campus for UIS that would
franchise. a box when it comes to legalizing pot on terms screeched to a halt last fall, when it turned out require a four-block urban renewal approach
This is what capitalism looks like. That is he claimed in 2019: This is about social equity, that every finalist for a dispensary license was from the 1960s. Fortunately, UIS is now
what they tried in Washington state, where not money. But we haven’t gotten social equity, controlled by whites. The lame duck General moving in a more positive direction. But the
anyone who wanted one could get a license whatever that might mean, nor have we gotten Assembly didn’t pass a so-called cannabis initial proposal of “planning by surprise” is
to grow or sell, and for cheap. Despite money. cleanup bill that would have allowed for an something we have seen before. The 2003
consternation about white people owning Late last spring, the state announced that additional 75 dispensary licenses. proposed “vista” to the ALPLM, which
most of Washington’s marijuana businesses, the $31.5 million from marijuana taxes would Fiscally, at least, Washington state hasn’t would have removed the north block of the
percentage of African American pot proprietors be distributed for social programs to help suffered for its approach to pot – in 2019, it Old State Capitol plaza, was a similar urban
roughly matches the percentage of the state’s communities wronged by the war on drugs. In collected more than $390 million in pot taxes, removal approach with no real purpose.
African American population, according to the Springfield, folks applied for money to rehab or $51 per capita. Since sales began a year ago, Just before last year’s municipal election,
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. houses, with decisions from the state due by Illinois has collected $175 million, or $13.85 the mayor touted a new hotel development
Like Washington, Illinois is trying to the end of December. Not a dime has been per capita. That’s better than Washington did for the downtown, rushed support for it with
do better, or at least that’s what they say – a awarded. Meanwhile, retailers last year sold during its first year, but the per-capita figure a TIF allocation, only to have a good reporter
commission has been formed there and another more than $1 billion worth of weed, with $669 jumped to $25.50 during the second year as turn up the information that the developer
has been proposed here. Our hole appears million subject to taxes. Customers/patients the state churned out licenses, and the take had no financial capacity. For a project of this
deeper while Illinois marijuana monopolists holding state-issued cards spent more than has doubled in four years despite neighboring magnitude to have city support with virtually
laugh their way to the bank. $331 million on non-taxable medical cannabis. Oregon and Canada legalizing pot. Amid no due diligence from the city is municipal
Save for issuing pardons and expunging pot Springfield, like other towns with pot pandemic, Illinois sales to out-of-state residents incompetence.
accounted for more than 25 percent of Another failure is the stalled renovation
recreational sales last year, but that might not of two downtown buildings at Sixth and
last. No state bordering Illinois has legalized Monroe. The issue here is also the appropriate
Editor’s note pot, but recreational weed is legal in 15 states. use of TIF funds when projects also qualify
Less than a decade ago, pot for pleasure was for federal historic tax credits. TIF funding
Democracy doesn’t need an apology. But we can stop blaming Trump, Twitter, illegal everywhere. allocations should be used to supplement
Whether Illinois can match Washington, federal tax credits, not replace them.
Republicans and reporters. And get back to work on vaccination, immigration, education, either in tax revenue or social equity, we’ll know There are many causes for these failures,
discrimination and a peaceful nation. Ask what your country can do for other countries. eventually. But perhaps capitalism should have but one in particular stands out – the lack
Freedom is a project not halfway done. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO been the first choice instead of engineered of a professional planning and development
social progress that appears stalled.
continued on page 5
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 3
OPINION
Hard times ahead for Governor Pritzker
POLITICS | Rich Miller
“The legislature is going to be a check on for the bill. Most either voted “Present” or distracted by their election of a new
the executive branch,” newly elected House took a walk, but Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin Speaker and some white northern suburban
Speaker Chris Welch flatly declared to me (D-Olympia Fields) voted “No.” Black Democrats were prepared to go “on strike” if
during an interview the other day. Caucus members are usually reliable votes for the cannabis bill was passed without allowing
Welch was responding to a question I revenue increases. Not that day. their dispensaries to move to better locations,
posed to him about his Jan. 13 inaugural Welch himself didn’t vote on the which was a deal-killer for the Black Caucus.
address, when he asked not-so-rhetorically, decoupling bill, either. He explained early In the end, the lame duck session
“Why is it difficult to ensure that families’ Wednesday morning that he was “distracted” was a significant failure by the Pritzker
unemployment checks continue unabated (even though the roll call was held open administration. Yes, there were tons of
and arrive on time so struggling families for quite a long while) and would vote for extenuating circumstances. But they knew
can feed their children? Why is that hard to it again when the time came, but that time ever since veto session was canceled in
grasp?” never came. November that a lame duck session was a
Welch’s predecessor, Speaker Michael The Senate played games with the distinct probability. They had two months to
Madigan, stayed completely mum about Gov. governor’s must-have cannabis cleanup bill, prepare and now have precious little to show
JB Pritzker’s handling of the COVID-19 waiting until almost 2 a.m. on Wednesday to for it except for the Black Caucus agenda that
crisis and resulting mass unemployment, pass it pretty much as the governor wanted. they weren’t in charge of.
even though Pritzker occasionally took verbal But, by then, it was too late for the House Pritzker’s huge legislative success in
shots at Madigan and called on him to resign to act. 2019 was an aberration. It was a legislative
if he refused to answer questions about the The Senate seemed to many to be expression of joy and relief at having a
ComEd investigation. deliberately slow-walking important bills for governor who wanted to work with them
Not a single House committee hearing the governor and for others during the last to get big things done after twelve years
has been held about the backlog at the couple days of session. “I’m pretty sure this of gubernatorial ineptitude and outright
Illinois Department of Employment Security, bill that we’re debating right now was sent hostility toward the General Assembly. But
or, for that matter, all the other migraine to us about six hours ago from the House,” if they don’t address whatever issues there are
headaches that legislators have been dealing grumbled one Senator at 5:37 Wednesday with Harmon, woo the new Speaker and start
with as desperate constituents have turned morning. tending to member egos, they’re in for a very
to them for assistance when they couldn’t get The House Democrats were heavily rough spring.
through to a state agency. That could very
1240 S. 6th, Springfield, IL 62703 well change.
PO Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705
Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates)
Office phone 217.753.2226 warned the governor via the Center Square
Fax 217.753.2281 publication last week that the House could
“hold up some of these funds, even federal
www.illinoistimes.com
dollars,” to IDES if members don’t start
getting answers to their questions. Crespo
EDITOR/CEO was instrumental in corralling votes for
Fletcher Farrar........................... ffarrar@illinoistimes.com, ext.1140
Letters to the editor...................................letters@illinoistimes.com Welch and has been the chair of the House
General Services Appropriations Committee.
PUBLISHER
Michelle Ownbey..................mownbey@illinoistimes.com, ext.1139 “It’s not a threat, I think it’s more, I think
it’s an education,” Crespo told the outlet.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
James Bengfort..................... jbengfort@illinoistimes.com, ext.1142 “They’re new and make sure they understand
the process.”
STAFF WRITER
Bruce Rushton....................... brushton@illinoistimes.com, ext.1122 “I’m going to have an open and ongoing
Rachel Otwell...........................rotwell@illinoistimes.com, ext. 1143 relationship with the governor to express
CALENDAR EDITOR what I’m hearing from our members,” Welch
Stacie Lewis.............................. slewis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1129 told me. He didn’t come right out and say
it, but what he’s hearing from his members
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
Joseph Copley..........................jcopley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1125 about the governor ain’t all that great these
Brandon Turley.......................... bturley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1124 days, as Rep. Crespo could attest.
ADVERTISING
The Pritzker administration appears to
Beth Parkes-Irwin...................... birwin@illinoistimes.com, ext.1131 have gotten a taste of what may come later
Yolanda Bell..................................ybell@illinoistimes.com, ext.1120 this year during the just-concluded lame
Ron Young................................ ryoung@illinoistimes.com, ext.1138
duck session when both of the governor’s top
BUSINESS/CIRCULATION priorities failed to pass.
Brenda Matheis.....................bmatheis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1134 A bill to decouple the state from federal
Published weekly on Thursday. Copyright 2020 by Central Illinois business tax breaks (depending whom you
Communications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form talk to) worth between $400 million to $1
without permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to: Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705.
billion to state coffers received just 50 votes
SUBSCRIPTIONS: illinoistimes.com./subscribe in the wee hours of last Wednesday morning.
Nine Black Caucus members did not vote
4 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021
OPINION
Springfield, home of
wasted opportunities
continued from page 3
department in city government. The services
provided by the county are essentially that
of a zoning administrator, not an economic
development planner. Too many projects are
poorly evaluated and fail to meet professional
and accepted standards and policy goals. This is
particularly important for TIF projects, which
require a lot of skill to evaluate a real estate pro
forma and know what the real funding gap is.
Instead, we seem to get projects approved for
politically connected applicants rather than those
LETTERS fill out the advance paperwork marijuana dispensaries before based upon sound economic and policy analysis.
calmness poem #1 We welcome letters. Please include for the vaccination as well as he wrote it. And bought the It’s time to call a halt to the proposed
your full name, address and telephone confirm their residency and good stuff.
number. We edit all letters. Send them
demolition of the YMCA building, which
perhaps the chaos has calmed but in eligibility for the drawing. The article rambles on has been determined eligible for the National
to letters@illinoistimes.com.
any case here is something calming: on Drawing slips would be about Skittles and Egg Men Register of Historic Places. The city/YMCA
your device dial itzhak perlman playing put in a sealed container and appears to direct his ire at should be soliciting proposals for the
the mendelssohn concerto see him which would be collected in the relocation of a state office redevelopment of this building. The proposed
thread his way through the orchestra WHO GETS VACCINE FIRST? the large drum on drawing to the city’s west side instead demolition funding should be used to subsidize
on his crutches (polio when he was four) All large, bureaucratic day. Security for this process of downtown. He mentions redevelopment, rather than waste a renewable
watch him rest the crutches beside his programs quickly devolve could be handled through the one other possible site – the resource.
chair, lift his violin begin to play – you see into picking winners and election board as this is similar former Benedictine University Jane Jacobs, a champion of urban
closeups of his face it is so filled with losers. Our economy has been to an election, only in reverse. – which is about as far away development, made the cogent observation
peace pleasure enjoyment rapture devastated because government On a designated day, a public from downtown (to the north) that “new ideas need old buildings.” Most
even in the fast and tricky parts that at all levels chose those to drawing could be held at the as the Sears building is (to of America’s tech companies started in old
his spirit is catching seeps through your survive and those that were convention center for each age the west). He offers no other buildings, which Jane Jacobs saw as the
soul gives you peace pleasure joy so expendable. The big question group. input other than an indictment true innovation incubators. Renovating old
you too may feel contentment, calm then becomes how to allocate a The one exception to aimed at Irv Smith for the buildings also has substantial economic and
no matter what your music tastes may be scarce resource – the COVID this would be homebound crime of getting the Greater environmental benefits. Renovating buildings
vaccine – to a large number of individuals. However, visiting Springfield Chamber of creates more jobs than building new buildings
2021 Jacqueline Jackson citizens fairly, equitably and nurses have already identified Commerce moved downtown and these additional wages are circulated in the
efficiently. these individuals, and they into a new, cleanly renovated community.
The first two groups, health could fill out the appropriate building at the corner of Fifth Much of the material cost in new
care providers and those in paperwork and receive their and Capitol that had served as construction leaves the community and the
nursing homes and assisted shot at home. an outdoor latrine for the city’s state. From an environmental viewpoint,
living, are easy to vaccinate Critics will lambaste homeless for decades. retrofitting old buildings is a key component of
because the facilities have me, arguing some subsets You can’t have it both ways. urban climate change policies, another planning
databases on staff and patients. with greater vulnerabilities Do you want businesses to tool missing from Springfield. There is no
But what about the 65 and should get their shots first. relocate downtown to formerly need to rush this demolition. There are plenty
over age group as well as the 18 I agree, just make sure it is vacant mold-filled eyesores, of examples of old YMCAs that sat vacant for
to 64 group? To my knowledge, fair and transparent. As a or not? a while and were successfully renovated. The
no database of these cohorts noncommissioned officer in The Sears location is state of Illinois has plenty of other vacant lots
exists. People spend days Vietnam, I made decisions perfect for the agency and its around the Capitol complex that need to be
calling the public health knowing some people would employees – easily accessible developed that are higher priorities. There is no
department only to find out all die as a result. I still have from anywhere in the city, funding in place for redevelopment here, which
shots have been allocated and nightmares 50 years later. unlimited parking and a was the same issue as the YWCA block north
to try again next month. It’s a This is no less a momentous boon for the retail businesses of the governor’s mansion. It’s time to learn
very inefficient system. situation. Who stays and who and restaurants in the mall. from the mistakes of the past and make the
If I was going to run a gets out of the lifeboat has Perhaps having the Sears redevelopment of the YMCA a cornerstone of
lottery for a large group, I always been one of the great building remaining a vacant the downtown revitalization, instead of another
would rent the convention philosophical questions, and eyesore (much like the old planning failure.
center and then hire the group there are no easy answers. K-Mart on MacArthur
that previously ran the weekly Bill Klein Avenue) would scratch some Mike Jackson of Springfield is a preservation
Knights of Columbus raffles. Springfield unidentifiable itch in Mr. architect with a 30+-year career with the
They have all the equipment Rushton’s psyche. Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. He has
and the expertise to run a MOVE TO THE MALL Whatever the case, sir, been a leader on numerous state and national
drawing fairly and legally. The only thing that’s clear kindly keep the cannabis in organizations and a champion of the preservation
People could then go to in Bruce Rushton’s “All the the cupboard until you’re done of roadside architecture, urban revitalization and
the convention center, public King’s Horses” piece (Jan. 7) writing. sustainability. He currently directs the Building
health or designated public is that he evidently paid a visit Doug Wilson Technology Heritage Library, a project of the
places like grocery stores and to one of our newly crowned Springfield Association for Preservation Technology.
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 5
NEWS
Time for “repair work”
Career diplomat talks transition
WORLD AFFAIRS | Rachel Otwell
Kathy Johnson of Springfield knows a thing
or two about diplomacy. She filled posts in
countries including Poland, Austria, Mexico
and Syria. She is a senior member of the
U.S. Foreign Service after serving 31 years.
Her last assignment was director of the
National Museum of American Diplomacy
in Washington, D.C., a post she held until
2017. Johnson is originally from Oak Park,
a Chicago suburb. Having lived all over the
world, she says, “I love the Midwest.” She
settled in the capital city in 2019 to be close
to family and friends in both St. Louis and
Chicago.
Johnson spoke with Illinois Times about
the presidential transition in the days after the
Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and before
the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Kathy Johnson stands in the middle of four former U.S. secretaries of state at the National Museum of
Biden. The following contains excerpts from American Diplomacy in Washington, D.C. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY JOHNSON
that conversation, which have been edited and
condensed for clarity and length. thing. There are lots of things happening. on the Capitol), and the oath that we all sign
What is our relationship with China going to to support and defend the Constitution,
The view from outside be? All of that has to be worked out. and to acknowledge that Joe Biden is the
I have a lot of friends around the world who One of the first things I would have president-elect (now president). If it comes
are serving as U.S. diplomats, and friends the new administration look at is ethics, to the point where someone – as a matter of
who live and work in other countries. My accountability and the Hatch Act. I was conscience – can’t support an administration
last overseas post was Australia. I’m getting horrified when (former) U.S. Secretary of or feels it crossed an ethical line, their choice
emails and texts and phone calls from various State Mike Pompeo gave a political speech is to resign or to dissent. And there are
places around the world, specifically Australia, in the middle of an official foreign trip. We established channels and means to dissent.
saying, “Kathy – what’s going on over there? would have been fired immediately for doing A bunch of foreign service officers did that
What are you guys doing? Are you okay?” something like that. since the events at the Capitol. They drafted
They’re worried, they’re saying, “This isn’t the and submitted, via the dissent channel, a
America that we’ve known.” Commitment to country letter expressing alarm at what had happened.
There have been changes over the past four During the internal policy deliberation And so that is how career professionals
years. The Biden administration is going to processes, diplomats can argue forcefully would go about it. We serve the country.
have to come in and do some repair work. about what they believe to be the best Administrations come and go and we have to
They need to take a hard look at international policies. There have been a lot of insinuations scrupulously stay nonpartisan and apolitical.
agreements or organizations that the Trump about the so-called “Deep State” and The kinds of people who do well in the
administration walked away from or withdrew bureaucracies out to get people. Well, they’re foreign service are people who care deeply
the U.S. from and decide where we need to not. They’re out there doing their jobs, about their country and about public service
be. Because if we don’t have a seat at the table, representing as best they can the current – about helping to advance America’s interests
we don’t have a voice. administration. and values, whether it’s helping Americans
When the new administration comes in, after an earthquake or a plane crash overseas.
Priorities it will not in any way be the job of diplomats It’s for somebody who understands the
This transition got off to a late start. But even to criticize the old administration, they just value of nuclear nonproliferation and not
given the difficulties, a lot of these people won’t do that. They will say things like, “I just saying, “Well, let’s bomb the blank out
(Biden appointees) have prior experience have new instructions.” Whatever diplomats of them if they don’t do what we want.” You
that will help them pick up the reins. Right might say at home to their cat, or dog or need somebody who has a strong moral and
now we’re in the midst of a pandemic. And spouse, they will not be publicly criticizing ethical backbone. I loved it. I think I had the
people have lost their jobs. A lot of need for the Trump administration’s policies. best job in the world. It was a real honor and
government funding has changed. That said, you’ve seen voices of alarm a privilege to be able to represent the United
There’s also symbolism in where the new raised. For example, there was the letter States. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
president goes in his first overseas trip. There signed by every member of the Joint Chiefs of
have been crises. Recently, the Iranians seized Staff talking about the role of the military (in Contact Rachel Otwell at
a South Korean tanker – that’s not a good days leading to the inauguration after attacks rotwell@illinoistimes.com.
6 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021
Bill passes to combat
opioid epidemic
HEALTH | Madison Angell
While the state legislature’s lame-duck session
earlier this month was largely defined by
criminal justice reform, a measure aimed at the
opioid epidemic passed through both chambers
more quietly.
State Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, was
a sponsor of the measure, meant to add teeth to
the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, a
network that collects and shares information on
controlled-substance prescriptions. In 2017, she
sponsored a now-law that requires prescribers
to check the PMP to see if a patient has already
been given controlled substances by other
doctors before writing an initial prescription.
The new measure, if signed by the governor,
would ensure all prescribers have access to the
PMP database. In a public statement, Bush said
this measure would promote transparency and
help the state “crack down on over-prescribing
and doctor-shopping.”
Illinois has worked, over four years, to
fully integrate the system into all health care
facilities with any legal prescription authority.
Once a hospital receives full access to the
PMP, it is mandated by state law to report physicians are prescribing opioids at a much
new authorization of prescription medications lower rate,” said Thoren.
including oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl Last fall the state passed a bill awarding
– which belong to the opioid drug group. hospitals and programs more than $30 million
Across the U.S., opioid overdose deaths to expand the reach of recovery programs. The
are most common among white people aged Gateway Foundation said progress has been
25-34, according to the Illinois Department made by partnering recovery treatment providers
of Public Health. But despite national trends, with local law enforcement agencies. When
last September IDPH reported Black and law enforcement comes into contact with those
African American males aged 50-59 represent suffering from substance abuse, they are able to
those most at risk. The agency now has goals point them to treatment options versus arresting
to expand recovery programs to address the and charging them. With these funds, Gateway
“striking racial disparity” found in statewide also provides direct transportation to recovery
data. centers for those visiting emergency departments
“In the first two quarters of 2020, Black or due to substance abuse and overdoses.
African-American populations had 7.9 times Thoren said 72% of those who die from
more nonfatal suspected overdose cases per opioid overdoses had an average of four previous
100,000 than white populations and 6.3 times hospital encounters in the year before they died,
more than Hispanic/Latino populations,” so the funding and expansion of intervention
according to IDPH. In addition to this, measures is important. Furthermore, eliminating
statewide opioid deaths in the first quarter of the stigma around substance abuse plays a
2020 rose by 36.5%. significant part in getting treatment to those
The Gateway Foundation offers several who need it most.
drug and alcohol recovery treatment programs, “Our patients continue to confront
including in Springfield and Chicago. Gateway stigma, and this population (Black/African
works directly with hospitals and emergency American over 50, suffering from high rates
departments providing services to those of unemployment) has been described as
struggling with substance use. Sally Thoren, experiencing ‘stigma upon stigma,’” said
executive director of the Gateway Foundation, Thoren. “Public awareness, physician education,
acknowledged reports of “improper behavior information about resources and outreach all
among pharmaceutical companies.” would help connect with this group and invite
“Illinois, however, experiences a higher them to care.”
number of overdoses attributable to heroin and
fentanyl rather than prescription opioids. In fact, Contact Madison Angell at
when we look at the prescribing data, Illinois mangell@illinoistimes.com.
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 7
NEWS
Reform or overreach?
Cops, prosecutors criticize police overhaul bill
GOVERNMENT | Bruce Rushton
Police and prosecutors are blasting a bill that opportunity to shape our state into a lesson in both their livelihoods and, equally important
eliminates cash bail and puts the state in true justice for the nation by abolishing cash to them, what it will do to the criminal
charge of determining whether cops accused bail, modernizing sentencing laws, instituting justice system,” Edwards wrote. Sangamon
of misconduct can remain police officers. a certification and decertification system County Sheriff Jack Campbell predicted a
The bill, introduced on Jan. 5 and passed for police officers statewide, requiring body spike in crime. “This is an anti-police bill,”
during the closing hours of the lame duck cameras, reforming crowd control response, Campbell said.
session – the Senate got a revised version at 3 and amplifying law enforcement training The sheriff’s office and city police have
a.m. on the final day and sent it to the House standards.” struggled to make terminations stick under
two hours later – was one of the last pieces Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx collective bargaining agreements that would
of legislation to pass the General Assembly endorsed the legislation, but the Illinois State’s be irrelevant in state dealings with accused
before adjournment last week. Supporters say Attorneys Association, calling it a rushed piece officers. Springfield police officer Loren Pettit,
that the 764-page bill sent to the governor will fired after a positive test for illegal steroids,
make police more accountable while putting kept his job after an arbitrator ordered him
poor defendants on an equal footing with reinstated and Sangamon County Associate
accused criminals who have sufficient cash Judge Rudy Braud in 2016 upheld the
to bond out of jail. decision. Sharon Waldron, a former
The bill contains dozens of changes sheriff’s deputy who was acquitted
to state law beyond the elimination of stealing plants from a Sherman
of cash bail in 2023. There would be park, then admitted shoplifting
statewide use-of-force standards, and groceries, was ordered reinstated by
all police officers would have to be an arbitrator in 2015, but Sangamon
equipped with body cameras by 2025. County Circuit Court Judge John
The state Law Enforcement Training and Schmidt overruled the decision. Under
Standards Board could receive complaints, former sheriff Neil Williamson, a
anonymously or otherwise, conduct deputy kept his job despite more than
investigations and revoke certification for 40 complaints, with a supervisor once
cops who engage in misconduct ranging praising him as a “squared-away” cop.
from excessive use of force to turning off body Campbell said that there’s room for
cameras, and without state certification, cops improvement in disciplinary procedures and
can’t work. Cops also could lose certification other areas, but the bill suffered from lack of
for “any unprofessional, unethical, deceptive negotiation and discussion with police. “We
or deleterious conduct or practice harmful disagree with the process,” he said. “Nothing
to the public; such conduct or practice good happens at three o’clock in the
need not have resulted in actual injury to morning. There was no reason to push that
any person.” The bill defines unprofessional through except that it was bad legislation.
conduct as departure from “minimal standards Under scrutiny, it would have collapsed.”
of acceptable and prevailing practice of an The bill allows judges to deviate from
officer.” of work, predicted an increase in violent mandatory minimum sentences contained in
No longer could former state police crime while victims go without justice. some sections of state law. Springfield defense
employees work for the Illinois State Police Before the bill passed, Sangamon County attorney Mark Wykoff foresees defendants
Merit Board, which disciplines state police State’s Attorney Dan Wright issued a written getting breaks in cannabis cases. Under
officers. Motorists who don’t pay five tickets statement urging legislators to slow down. existing law, he says, prosecutors can charge
generated by automated speed detection or “These fundamental changes to our someone caught with slightly more than
red-light equipment would no longer have criminal justice system, far beyond the issue 11 pounds of pot as a drug trafficker – on a
driver’s licenses suspended. People who lie to of ending cash bail, should be considered first offense, a defendant running weed from
officers couldn’t be arrested for obstructing in a manner which permits sufficient public California to points east can face a dozen
police unless there’s a second underlying awareness in all corners of our state and a years in prison if pulled over in Illinois.
offense. Judges could put aside mandatory reasonable opportunity for diverse stakeholder “Basically, the first time they walk up
minimum sentences in drug cases. input on the specific provisions of the to the plate, they’re in the big leagues and
The package has won praise from the proposed bill,” Wright wrote. they’ve skipped all the minor league play,”
American Civil Liberties Union and the The day after the bill passed, Don Wykoff says. “I’ve handled probably five
Illinois State Bar Association. Gov. JB Pritzker Edwards, president the union representing or so of those. Even if you have just an
lauded lawmakers when the bill passed. Springfield police officers, sent a letter unbelievable evidence in mitigation, the
“I have long held that an essential mark of to Mayor Jim Langfelder, urging him to judge’s hands are tied. They can’t get the
good governance is a willingness to change the condemn the legislation and saying that city person a day under 12 years.”
laws that have failed the people of Illinois,” cops had started looking for jobs outside
Pritzker said in a written statement. “This Illinois. “Our membership is disgusted and Contact Bruce Rushton at
criminal justice package carries with it the frankly frightened of what this will do to brushton@illinoistimes.com.
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021
Charting its own course
Ball Charter remains remote
EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell
Micah Miller is one of the three District 186
school board members to consistently vote for
schools to remain remote. Whichever position
parents, teachers, administrators or board
members take – it’s a controversial one. While
just about any in-person activity comes with
a risk to health these days, Springfield serves
many low-income and at-risk students who
need extra help.
More than 300 days after students were
first told to stay home via state mandate – in
March of last year – some Springfield Public
Schools students returned to class through the
hybrid plan. About 44% of students enrolled
in the hybrid option in Springfield. They are
split into two groups, each of which go to As students at Ball Charter, school board member
Micah Miller's daughters continue to learn from home.
classes in-person two days per week. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICAH MILLE
The decision for hybrid was made Jan. 4.
Students returned Jan. 12. In order for them
to do so, the board strayed from public health effectively protect our staff during that time.”
metrics it had previously voted to follow. In Remote doesn’t mean kids aren’t getting
a decision of four to three, the board decided help in-person. Williams said since the
to implement its return plan, created over the beginning of the school year, 10-15% of the
summer as was required by the Illinois State school’s 396 students have received additional
Board of Education. The state has allowed in-person support, such as instruction for
local districts to decide when to send kids those with special needs. While there have
back to school. been plenty of challenges, remote learning
Miller’s two daughters attend Ball Charter, has meant consistency during these uncertain
which teaches grades kindergarten-eight. As times, she said. “It’s safer to consider the data
the only charter school within District 186, it and think critically about what will allow us
has its own board and freedom to make many to be more consistent than it would be to rush
of its own decisions. Students enroll through and have approximately 25% of our students
a lottery. Miller, who works for the Illinois in the building at any one time.”
Secretary of State, said remote learning has In order for Ball Charter to return to
been hard for his family. He wasn’t approved in-person learning, three out of four school
to work remotely. “I’ve been going in (to the metrics set by the Illinois Department
office) later in the afternoon, staying later into of Public Health must be sustained at a
the night, coming in over the weekend. So it’s “minimum” risk level over the course of two
been stressful.” weeks, according to the school’s own return
Still, he said, remote learning mitigates plan. They are similar to the metrics the
the spread of infection throughout the district, which served 13,411 students in
community, and lessens risk for teachers 2020, decided to stray from. Metrics include
and school staff who face a higher risk of the positivity rate of county residents and
complications than youth. He said getting new youth cases. As of Jan. 19, zero out of the
more people vaccinated should be a factor in past 14 days were “successful” – the last being
deciding when students return to classrooms. Christmas. Williams said vaccination rates
Private schools in Springfield opened could end up playing a role in the decision of
their doors to students for the fall semester. when to return. She said she hopes the hybrid
According to the Sangamon County option will be offered this school year.
Department of Public Health and its exposure Miller said his daughters have become
data published Nov. 12, schools accounted for more tech-savvy over the course of the past
5.19% of exposure locations in the county, year. While there are challenges, there have
trailing bars and restaurants, offices, hospitals, been successes too. “I’ve seen my first-grader
travel and workplaces. grow by leaps and bounds with her reading
The principal of Ball Charter, Tiffany skills.” And his third-grader is learning
Williams, said when it came to the decision of multiplication. Miller said he knows remote
whether to reopen in August, “I chose remote learning doesn’t compare to being at school
because I’ve always looked at the health and in-person. “But when you’re in the midst of
safety risks. I don’t feel like we knew enough a pandemic, and you’re trying to keep people
about the effects of COVID and how to alive, I think it’s a pretty good alternative.”
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 9
HEALTH
Small changes, big results
HEALTH | Lana Shovlin
Years before having a family of my own, I
had a conversation with my brother-in-law in
which he admitted that his favorite time of
day was in the morning, before his children
had woken up. Not understanding how
exhausting parenting can be, I was shocked
by his admission and judged him harshly.
I pegged him as a “bad” father who didn’t
appreciate how amazing children are and I
imagined my future parenting mornings filled
with sunlight, making homemade pancakes
and lots of cuddles from little people whom I
loved more than words.
Now, having been a parent for over 10
years, I understand exactly what my brother- first thing I did was come up with a plan for
in-law was saying. Parenting is wonderful, how I wanted my mornings to look. I tried
but it’s nonstop work, and sometimes I need to be realistic about the changes I wanted to
a break from the minutiae of it all. Much make and decided that the best way for me
like my brother-in-law, I’ve found that the to accomplish my goals was to divide my
only moments I have alone are early in the free time into two blocks. My hope was that
morning, when no one else is awake. During I could use each block of time as a way to
that time, I love tip toeing downstairs, make my mornings more efficient, which, in
pouring myself a hot cup of coffee and turn, would make my entire day run more
scrolling through Instagram. smoothly.
For months, this has been my go-to Now, instead of staring at my phone while
morning routine and I’ve relished every single I wait for the coffee to brew, the first thing I
indulgent, brainless moment of it. I love that do in the morning is some light stretching.
golden hour when no one needs anything Standing in my kitchen, I spend my first
from me and I’m able to zone out, laugh at block of time taking some deep breaths, doing
silly memes and compare my insides to other some sun salutations and touching my toes a
people’s outsides. few times. I hate exercising first thing in the
Recently, though, I noticed that even morning, so trust me when I say that these
after an hour of alone time, I wasn’t feeling small movements are nothing fancy, but I’ve
recharged and ready to tackle a new day. been amazed at how they’ve helped me feel so
Instead, I found myself feeling resentful when much more energized and ready to face the
I heard my family waking up and shuffling day.
around upstairs. Those sleepy sounds signaled My second block of time is devoted to
that I was seconds away from being back on making lists. As it turns out, the extremely
mom duty, and I still had a lot of things that simple act of jotting things down on a piece
I wanted to accomplish before the day began. of paper has been a great motivational tool for
Plus, after seeing all of the amazing things me. In the past, I’ve often felt overwhelmed
other people were doing on social media, I by all my daily tasks and excelled in
couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of never procrastination, but being able to physically
being quite good enough. That frustration, see my daily goals has made me feel much
coupled with a great article I recently read more grounded. Plus, there is no better feeling
about how our daily routines have the power than striking through items on a to-do list.
to change our lives, made me seriously I’ve been practicing my new morning
question how I’ve been spending my free time. routine for a few weeks now, and I’m amazed
Being on social media for an hour each at how much more productive and relaxed I
morning did not mean that I was in some feel. No longer does it seem like my free time
kind of habitual crisis, but I knew that using has been wasted, and when I hear my family
that time more productively would help me waking up in the morning, I’m excited to
to feel less frazzled throughout the day. Plus, see their sweet faces. By putting forth a little
studies show that spending too much time on effort, I’ve been able to make a few positive
social media can have a negative impact on changes to my life, and that’s worth taking a
our mental health, so I wondered if limiting break from Instagram.
my time on Instagram might actually make
me feel happier. Lana Shovlin is a Springfield mother of three
Making even the smallest adjustments who loves her family as well as the occasional
to our routines can seem difficult, so the times without them.
10 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021Evaluate your financial health
FINANCE | Holly Whisler
Typically, people make resolutions at the Gordon recommends a minimum
dawn of each new year to improve their emergency fund with enough savings to
health and physical fitness. Now that a cover three to six months of basic living
global pandemic has caused many businesses expenses, which does not include “fun
to close their doors and cost more than money.” A household sustained by one
a million Illinoisans their jobs, the list of income should increase the emergency fund
resolutions for 2021 may include improving to cover six to 12 months of basic expenses.
one’s financial health. Even those who still “After you’ve planned for the worst, this is
have a job may have had their hours reduced when your money should be working for
or work in an industry that is less than stable you,” Gordon said.
right now. Research has shown that when an
This is the time to educate yourself and individual has greater control over their
take control of your financial health. Nic finances that, this has positively impacts
Gordon, a financial planner with Robert their physical health, mental health and
Gordon & Associates, Inc., 1201 Veterans emotional well-being. On the other hand,
Parkway, said, “If financial planning doesn’t economic hardship has detrimental effects
get you excited, recognize that you don’t have on a person’s overall health.
to be the expert, and develop a relationship Joel Gustafson, owner and investment
with a qualified financial planner.” adviser at Hilltop Securities, 3040 Spring
Understanding your wealth potential Mill Dr., views financial health as an
is vital. “The topic of financial health is investment plan or strategy that is reviewed
not going to get less important – life keeps and rebalanced periodically, making sure
changing, and these changes always affect the that it is proper for each client’s risk-return
financial aspect of life,” said Gordon. profile. Gustafson suggests, “Think of your
He noted, “Most people are not taking investment health checkup like you would
advantage of things that are right in front your yearly physical checkup.”
of them. The days of relying on company When talking with clients about their
pensions are over. More companies are financial health for 2021, Gustafson
offering quality retirement plans, but you emphasizes two priorities: having an
have to remember to revisit them and adjust investment plan and not letting emotions
your contributions.” dictate financial decisions.
What does financial health look like? Financial planning is tailored to each
That answer varies from person to person client’s risk-return profile. Gustafson
but includes having some money in the bank explained, “Someone who is 30 should take
and little or no debt, along with the ability on more risk than someone who is 60.”
to meet life’s basic needs while being able to Regardless of what plans you make, life
realize some wants. Overall, good financial happens, so it’s also important to periodically
health lends itself to the feeling of having less review your risk-return profile.
worries and stress, which makes for a more Secondly, Gustafson encourages clients
enjoyable life. to keep emotions out of their financial
Strong financial health is realized when decisions as much as possible, such as
there is a steady and adequate flow of opinions from the media, family and
income, predictable expenses, strong returns others. Gustafson said, “The emotions that
on investments and a cash balance that usually dictate how you invest are fear and
is growing. These factors allow a person greed, and those two never make a good
to exercise more control and plan for the combination.”
anticipated basic expenses of a monthly Gordon also draws a parallel to physical
budget, along with life’s unanticipated events. health, saying, “The best investments you
Gordon said, “It took a global pandemic can make are in your physical wellness and
to get some people to realize the importance your wealth.”
of an emergency fund,” which he describes as He says a good financial planner follows
“a boring savings account that’s there when up with clients and reminds them to take
you need it.” action to make their goals happen. “I’m
As Gordon assists clients in taking kind of like a personal trainer who keeps
inventory of their financial health this year, reminding you of your physical wellness
he is emphasizing having an emergency fund goals.”
that will sustain you and your family should
income decline, educating yourself about Holly Whisler is a freelance writer from
wealth and developing a relationship with a Springfield who enjoys learning how to make
financial planner. her money work for her.
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 1112 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021
HEALTH
Staying active during
Improve your physical and mental health
COVID
HEALTH | Molly Crow Gorup
In December, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna
rolled out COVID-19 vaccines that many
hope will return us to a normal way of life.
What they won’t do is address the other
physical and emotional symptoms people have
been dealing with in the wake of the pandemic.
Some have suffered the worst loss
imaginable: the death of a loved one. But there
are other sources of mourning, like the loss of
our sense of community. Family gatherings
have been virtual. We’ve lost out on the simple
comforts of hugs and handshakes. Businesses
have closed, jobs have been lost. Parents and
teachers have struggled to fill the gaps in
children’s education.
Sandra Eades, a licensed clinical
professional counselor with more than 20 years
of experience, says, “It’s important we allow
ourselves to feel this grief and loss,” but adds
there’s a danger of it becoming overwhelming.
“We have a tendency to focus too much on the
big picture that we don’t have any power over.
People need to focus on what they can change
in the moment to empower themselves.”
Setting small physical goals to take care of
your health can have a major impact on your Chad Marschik, owner of Body Symmetry, conducts a personal training session with Keith and Lisa Wichterman.
emotional well-being. Eades recommends
getting at least 15 minutes of physical activity open at limited capacity, group classes like “It’s kind of like monkey see – monkey do,”
five days a week. She also says people need to yoga are still not allowed under the current she explains. “It makes me hopeful that these
get outside and be in the sun when they can. mitigation guidelines. This has left some healthy lifestyle practices are something my
“Sometimes I will have my patients see businesses relying solely on income from kids will carry with them throughout their
their general practitioner to check their vitamin virtual classes. lives.”
D levels if they say they are feeling sluggish and Ahh Yoga owner Betsy Link says she “People like being connected, even if it is
low. The sun is a great way to soak up vitamin has been working hard to continue to give for an hour once a week.” Body Symmetry
D,” Eades says. her clients the same sense of community owner Chad Marschik says. He adds the
Leah Boente, a physical therapist and co- online they would find in the studio. “A few link between physical and mental health
owner at Physiotherapy Professionals, says yogis who moved away or just visited our are undeniable. “Physical activity releases
she thinks her patients experience more pain studio while visiting Springfield have started endorphins. This has been proven to be a
when their emotional health is suffering. attending our online classes,” Link says. “These positive physiological response in terms of
She says the most important thing is to keep people have been an unexpected gift during mental health.”
moving. However, another physical therapist this pandemic.”
and co-owner, Kristen Transue, warns that “It’s difficult right now. People are losing Molly is a Licensed Massage Therapist at Pure
you don’t want to push yourself beyond your income and usually the stuff like yoga Synergy Massage in Springfield and previously
limits.“We’ve seen several new patients this year classes, massages, personal trainers and gym worked as a TV news producer for 10 years.
who injured themselves trying new workout memberships are the first to get cut from the
routines at home they were unfamiliar with,” budget. Now is when people need those things
Transue says. If you feel like you need extra help
the most,” Link said. With that in mind, she navigating your feelings, Memorial
Boente and Transue both stressed how started offering one free yoga class a week and
important keeping their facility clean has been Behavioral Health has an emotional
has made all the children’s yoga classes free. support hotline 217-588-5509 you can
in making patients feel comfortable about Yoga practitioner Kelly Hurwitz is a stay-
coming to appointments. That said, even with call even if you’re not an MBH patient.
at-home mother of three. She is dedicated to The Illinois Department of Public Health
sanitation precautions in place, virtual visits her practice and has continued taking five or
have become part of a new normal – one both is available 24 hours a day at 800-889-
six classes a week through the pandemic. “I’m 3931. And if you or a loved one are having
therapists think will be around even when not sure I would have coped as well without
the pandemic is behind us. Many clients have thoughts of suicide, please call the National
that community to lean into,” Hurwitz Suicide Prevention has an emotional
sought out online personal trainers and online says, adding the online classes have been an
group classes because, while gyms are now support hotline at 800-273-8255.
unexpected source of fun for the whole family.
January 21-27, 2021 | Illinois Times | 13HEALTH
Bullet journaling
Use it for accountability and creativity
HEALTH | Carey Smith
It’s the time of year when many people make
goals to shed undesirable habits and encourage
healthy behaviors, and meeting a buddy at
the gym or a meditation class can provide
accountability. However, a pandemic restricting
indoor activities and social gatherings puts
a damper on this time-honored method. A
bullet journal can provide another means
of accountability, while also encouraging
creativity, mindfulness and insight.
A bullet journal is simply a journal with
items listed to help you focus on tasks as well as
behaviors, actions, goals and a myriad of other
possible items. It provides an accounting of
what you have done, your current actions and
what you hope to do in the future. Many of us focus on what is important to us, as well as to
already use to-do lists to lay out our tasks, but prioritize tasks within these lists. Sure, we may
these “external brains” can be cumbersome and not have time to read all the books on our list,
overwhelming at times. but we can choose one to begin.
Ryder Carroll, the originator of the bullet This method of upscaling a to-do list is
journal, struggled with ADHD in college, an introduction to bullet journals, but some
and developed the bullet journal to keep have further expanded their bullet journals to
him organized and on track. Since sharing cultivate desirable habits, which is a common
his system publicly in 2013, the market for theme this time of year. How much water
stationery and pens has grown substantially as would we ideally drink in a day? How long do
bullet journaling has been adopted as a proven we wish to meditate on a daily or weekly basis?
method for organization as well as cultivating What are we grateful for? Are we eating enough
new habits. or too much? Are we active in our daily lives?
While any notebook will suffice to begin Creating a monthly system to keep track
a bullet journal, proponents often choose a of habits or to organize desires and thoughts
notebook with grids of light-colored dots, is perfect for a bullet journal. Doing so in an
which allow the user to draw their own lines, artistic way by incorporating drawing, collage
graphs, grids and possibly other artwork. or painting helps express our creativity, which
Carroll advises beginning with an index and many people find calming and relaxing. It can
then page spreads that contain yearly tasks also be a joy to look through an artistically
listed by specific months, as well as a monthly created and personalized bullet journal.
task list and a daily task list. Each individual Besides keeping ourselves organized and
task is listed with a bullet point and crossed productive, a bullet journal provides a means
off when finished. Tasks include things like to observe our behavior over a period of time.
scheduling a haircut or oil change, calling a What tasks do we tend to ignore? Those that
friend, purchasing a gift or returning an item require executive function? Or provide self-
to a store. care? How does staying up late affect our mood
At the end of the month, Carroll takes a the next day? Do we tend to get grumpy when
look at what he hasn’t accomplished and asks we ignore self-care or eat poorly? Does our
himself the very important question: Is this still mood improve when we are active?
worth my time? If so, add the item to the next Insights we may have overlooked become
month’s list in a process called “migrating.” If apparent because we are keeping track. This
not, cross it off. This, he says, is the difference is a big component of mindfulness. Making
between being productive and being busy. choices because we are actively choosing often
Collections are another important grouping results in a different outcome than when our
of a bullet journal. This allows us to aggregate choices happen because we are too tired or
random ideas into one place. Some examples not paying attention to actively choose what
of collections are vacation ideas, house repair we desire. It is the difference between being a
tasks, our “someday” bucket list, books we’d passenger in this conveyance of life or in the
like to read, new words that we learn, recipes driver’s seat.
we enjoyed making and eating, what we love
about ourselves, self-care ideas and so on. Carey Smith learned about bullet journals from
Gathering ideas in one place allows us to her artistic daughter.
14 | www.illinoistimes.com | January 21-27, 2021You can also read
