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A new 100-megawatt solar project, Henkle Branch Solar, promises 30+ years of clean energy, $400K annual property tax revenue, and $25K grants for nearby residents. While Virginia Tech research shows farmland values rise near solar sites, homes nearby dip by nearly 5%. Leeward, the developer, plans native plantings and even future sheep grazing to support local ecosystems. Still awaiting Sangamon C...

Residents in Waverly are suing to halt a proposed data center, arguing a technical error in the county’s approval vote—claiming it occurred in April, not March—and that the project was tabled, not approved. They also fear the data center’s placement on agricultural land will harm nearby farms, homes, and a dog kennel, and challenge whether the county followed zoning rules and due process. The laws...

Jamie Toole and Melissa Gaynor are stepping down from day-to-day management of the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes at the end of the season—but don’t worry, they’re not leaving the team behind. The couple, who’ve spent six years building the franchise and ballpark into a thriving operation, are moving back to West Palm Beach full-time to focus on family as their kids head into high school. They’ll re...

Illinois’ housing battle rages on as Governor Pritzker’s big BUILD plan falls short, but lawmakers still approved $250 million for new housing, including Missing Middle and first-time buyer programs. The HOME Illinois Program survived a proposed $10 million cut—advocates call it a win, though inflation concerns loom. A major victory? A 10-year extension and funding boost for the Affordable Housing...

Sangamon County’s electricity bills are skyrocketing—up over 50% in just five years—despite utility companies promising data centers will lower rates for everyone. Yet, the county board approved a massive data center on farmland, even after local outcry. One farmer, Treg Caruthers, fears the tech’s hidden costs: data centers are turning nearby land into heat islands, and their diesel backup genera...

Illinois is rolling out bold new housing laws to fix its crisis—speeding permits, loosening zoning, and pushing for more housing types—but the plan risks treating neighborhoods like machines, ignoring their messy, living complexity. While state intervention aims for predictability, it could replace local nuance with one-size-fits-all rules that don’t account for city centers versus suburbs. The re...

Orlando Johnson, a 23-year-old Chicago Fire star with Asperger’s, is set to captain his team at the MLS All-Star Game — a first for him and a major milestone in his journey. Rising from Springfield, he’s earned this honor through standout play, scoring goals and proving his athletic brilliance despite processing challenges. With the Special Olympics’ 25-year age cap looming, Orlando’s dream is cle...

A historic new chapter in women’s pro baseball is unfolding with the launch of the WPBL, featuring four powerhouse teams—New York Heights, San Francisco Firebells, Los Angeles Queens, and Boston Hunters—each named after trailblazing women like Dorothy Height, Lillie Coit, Lizzie Murphy, and Dr. Harriot Hunt. Opening August 1st in Springfield, Illinois, the league brings back the spirit of the All-...

Springfield’s downtown Y block is set for a major transformation into a stunning, year-round public park—thanks to a $4 million state investment. Featuring a natural limestone amphitheater, native Illinois landscaping, shaded areas, accessible paths, and a kids’ play zone, this vibrant green space aims to replace an empty lot with a thriving community hub. Mayor Misty Buscher and city leaders are...