City of Springfield, Illinois

MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT SERIES

2011-06-01T14:41:00.003-05:00

The Springfield Municipal Band will begin its summer series of Concerts in the Park on Tuesday, June 7. Each Tuesday evening through August 2, the band will perform in the Douglas Park Band Shell.

The band also will perform its annual Fourth of July concert on the lawn of the Illinois State Capitol.

LINCOLN LIBRARY LAUNCHING E-SERVICES

2011-03-01T10:41:00.001-06:00

Patrons of Lincoln Library can now access many materials without having to leave the comfort of their homes or offices. As a new and expanded service, Lincoln Library, the public library of Springfield, now offers ‘Library on the Go,’ a service for downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. Lincoln Library card holders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere by visiting Library on the Go (http://libraryonthego.org) or following the link on Lincoln Library’s web site (http://www.lincolnlibrary.info).

Users can browse best-selling and classic titles on Library on the Go, check out with a valid Lincoln Library card, and download to PC, Mac®, and many mobile devices. The installation of free software is necessary to be able to access the titles. For audiobooks, music, and video: OverDrive® Media Console™. To read eBooks, users will need Adobe® Digital Editions. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, including iPod®, Sony® Reader™, Nook™, and many others. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees!

New recruits begin at Springfield Police Department

2011-02-28T16:29:00.003-06:00

Four eager recruits started their weeks long training today at the P. D., but not before they greeted the news media. The K-9s will undergo rigorous training to become partners with their handlers.

SOLUTION FOUND TO SAVE COSTS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE ACTIVITIES

2011-01-27T13:14:00.000-06:00

A solution has been reached between the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and the City, and bar owners and the City which will result in a cost savings for the cleanup following activities surrounding the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In previous years the City of Springfield had assigned Public Works personnel on the weekend to clean up after the nearly daylong St. Patrick’s day celebration following the parade. This had cost the City some $3,000 to $3,500 each year in overtime. This year, the bar owners have agreed to clean up their blocks during the weekend of the parade. City crews will return to the area on Monday morning to cleaning up the remainder of area.

Additionally, bar owners have agreed to end their outdoor operations at 7:00 p.m. on March 12th, parade day, allowing Fifth Street to be reopened to traffic a short time later. In previous years, it had been closed to traffic until 3:00 a.m. early Sunday morning to allow patrons to continue their celebration in the street.

“This is a good solution for everyone and will save the City considerable overtime costs,” said Mayor Frank Edwards. “We want to make sure that everyone enjoys the St. Patrick’s Day festivities safely and does so in a clean environment. This resolution accomplishes that.”

FAMILY ESCAPES FIRE UNHARMED THANKS TO CITY INSTALLED SMOKE DETECTORS

2010-11-19T10:09:00.001-06:00

Early on Tuesday morning, November 16th, fire struck a home in the 2000 block of north 20th street. Had it not been for operating smoke detectors that had been properly installed by the Springfield Fire Department, the outcome of the fire could have been tragic.

Nicole Evans, her boyfriend, Gregory, and her daughter, Lydia, all escaped unharmed after smoke detectors alerted them to the presence of smoke coming from their registers. When flames were seen coming from the top of the furnace, Nicole dialed 911, grabbed her daughter and all three escaped unharmed.

This is the first known incident in which smoke detectors installed by the Springfield Fire Department have saved lives.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE RAID SAME HOUSE TWICE

2010-11-10T11:57:00.000-06:00

On Monday, November 8, 2010, the Springfield Police narcotics unit assisted by the Street Crimes Unit and members from the Patrol Division obtained a search warrant for 1926 Brown, looking for illegal drug activity. The visit resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, all from Chicago, and the confiscation of 86 grams of cannabis and over $2,500 in cash.

On Tuesday, November 9, 2010, suspecting the operation was still going on, Springfield Police returned to the same house with another search warrant. This time, they arrested one individual, and confiscated more than 94 grams of cannabis and over $1,100 in cash.

Arrested on November 8th for manufacture and delivery of 30-500 grams of cannabis were:

Rashawn Carter m/b 35 from Chicago,
Shannon Robertson m/b 29 from Chicago,
Antwan Grant m/b 29 from Chicago,
Brashawn Newton m/b 20 from Chicago,
Jeffery Dangerfield m/b 24 from Chicago,
Demetrius Robertson m/b 18 from Chicago,
Rodney Harris m/b 29 from Chicago.

Arrested on November 9th during the second search on the same charge:

Osman Q. Sandford m/b 24 from Chicago.

State Regulators Work with Springfield Officials to Protect Homeowners

2010-11-04T16:35:00.000-05:00

SPRINGFIELD –Investigators from the City of Springfield, the Springfield Police Department and the Building and Zoning Department teamed up with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to make sure that roofing firms seeking to do business in Springfield are appropriately licensed. Of the five roofers checked for licenses so far, four unlicensed roofers were found to be actively seeking roofing work in the City. As a result of the compliance detail, investigators arrested four people and charged them with Licensure Requirement 225 ILCS 335/9(1) Class A Misdemeanor.

Charged were Stephen L. Richardson (DOB 3/10/75), 800 block N. 3rd, Riverton; Eric Anderson (DOB 3/5/79), 1500 block 900th St., Mount Pulaski; Brandon L. Rathbone (DOB 3/23/83), 400 block North St., Springfield; and David L. Edwards (DOB 4/15/65) 1200 block of 500 St., Mount Pulaski. Since this is an ongoing investigation, additional arrests are possible.

All too often – especially during the construction season or after a major storm – property owners are solicited by unscrupulous roofing contractors and pressured to accept work with high prices and low quality. In response to consumer complaints and concerns raised by homeowners, city officials and IDFPR investigators conducted compliance checks in Springfield on roofing contractors. Investigators met with contractors and determined if they were properly licensed in the State of Illinois.

“When you hire a roofing contractor, you should be assured that they are reputable. That’s the reason they must be licensed by the State of Illinois,” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “If you hire an unlicensed contractor, it is likely he will not be bonded and not have insurance. Should someone get hurt, the homeowner would be left in a lurch and could get unnecessarily sued

REHABILITATION OF SPRINGFIELD AMTRAK STATION SET TO MOVE FORWARD

2010-10-21T09:12:00.005-05:00

The rehabilitation and upgrading of Springfield’s Amtrak station will soon begin, now that a contract has been awarded for the work. Evans Construction has been selected by Amtrak to lead completion of this project.

“We have been working toward this for a long time,” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “We have sought to upgrade the facility and add areas of green space so that travelers will have a positive experience when they pass through the station. Now that this bid has been awarded, we will see a time line established that will more clearly identify when each of these improvements to be made.”

The Chicago to St. Louis rail corridor is one of the fastest growing routes in the country. Ridership has more than doubled over the past five years, and is up more than 13 percent this year alone topping 572,000 riders. More and more people are deciding to take the train and leave their automobiles home. Springfield is the 49th most used station stop on the entire nationwide Amtrak system. More than 190,000 people boarded or detrained in the Capital city during the fiscal year ending September 30th.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE ARREST A DOZEN INDIVIDUALS IN ONGOING HEROIN INVESTIGATION

2010-10-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Twelve individuals have been arrested by Springfield Police on charges of possessing and/or selling heroin in Springfield. Those arrests have resulted in the seizure of more than 263 grams of heroin with a street value of $52,640, and the seizure of more than $2,400 in cash.

Over the past several months, the Springfield Police Department Narcotics Unit has been investigating the illegal use and distribution of heroin in our city. Dubbed, Operation “H” Jam, officers spent countless hours tracking the heroin trade in Springfield. The Narcotics unit was joined by members of the Patrol Division and the Street Crimes Unit to initiate arrests during Operation “H” Jam.

“It is important that we work to stop the flow of unlawful drugs in our community,” said Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin. “To do this, we combined several units within our Police Department to increase their effectiveness. This combined operation has resulted in the arrests a number of individuals that were contributing to the heroin trade in Springfield.”

“But, our work is not done. Frequently when people are arrested, others move in to take their place. That is why we are continuing to investigate heroin trade in Springfield, and will continue to bring individuals to justice who are possessing and selling unlawful drugs.”

Because Operation “H” Jam is ongoing, we can only release the names of 10 individuals that were arrested at this time. They are: Timothy D. Akins, Keith L. Powell, Douglass E. Cortelyou, Micah S. Spates, Kevin Godfrey, Elray Prophet, Charles Smith, Jessica Traylor, Willie J. Buckins and Audra Lurks.

CITY TO CONTINUE FALL LEAF PICKUP PROGRAM UNCHANGED

2010-10-12T12:28:00.001-05:00

The City of Springfield's 2010 fall leaf pickup program will begin on Monday, November 1, and end on Friday, November 12.

“Even though the economy has kept city revenue depressed, we have decided not to cut back the Fall leaf pickup program this year,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “We will be providing the same program that we provided last year. While it is difficult to predict when leaves will fall, this city-sponsored leaf pickup program will help residents to get rid of the bulk of their leaves by eliminating the need to purchase stickers for each bag.”

In order for residents to take advantage of the program, they should place leaves in paper yard waste bags or cans marked "YARDWASTE" at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of each week. If they are not left by Monday of the second week, they may not get picked up. Do not remove the bagged leaves or cans from the curb once you place them there.

Plastic bags will not be accepted. Leaves left on boulevards will not be picked up. They should be placed at the end of driveways or on parkways. Leaves should be placed in paper yardwaste bags--not grocery sacks or boxes. Do not put any sort of tape on the bag to seal it shut as the tape is not recyclable.

Waste cans are acceptable, but they cannot weigh more than 60 pounds and must be marked "yardwaste" in letters large enough to be seen from the street by the drivers. Bags containing grass are not part of the program and will require a sticker for pick up. They will not be picked up until after the City’s Fall leaf pick up program is completed.

SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL BAND TO PRESENT SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON SEPTEMBER 11th

2010-09-03T09:07:00.002-05:00

A special patriotic concert by the Springfield Municipal Band will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010. The event will also serve as a fund raiser for the Wounded Warrior Project which is sponsored by an organization that works with military personnel who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The concert will be held on Saturday, September 11th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Douglas Park band shell. Conductor Gene Haas has carefully selected a collection of patriotic music for the event.

This special concert is a tribute not only to those who lost their lives on 9/11, but also the many individuals whose lives have been affected by it, either directly or through military involvement because of it.

9th International Route 66 Mother Road Festival & Car Show Returns to Downtown Springfield, Illinois.

2010-09-01T14:52:00.002-05:00

A shiny car with lots of power hitting the open road is part of the American fabric. The spirit of freedom that idea conveys requires little explanation to most Americans; and it is the object of envy of many around the world. Throw in some of the worlds most prized and powerful shiny cars and the world’s ultimate open road—Route 66; and the spirit grows to legend. That spirit will be celebrated in grand style again on September 24, 25, and 26, 2010 in Downtown Springfield Illinois along Route 66 as the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show returns for its 9th annual run.

NEIGHBORS’ WATCHFULNESS LEADS TO BURGLARY ARRESTS

2010-07-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, 29 July 2010 at 12:43 p.m., a citizen in the 2200 block of South 10th St. observed two teenaged boys acting suspiciously near his neighbor’s house. The boys were observed knocking on the front door and when they received no response, they went to the back door. At that point the neighbor telephoned police and reported the possible burglary in progress. Multiple police units responded to the call, and the first unit to arrive observed the two suspects running away from the residence. It was later determined that the rear door to the house had been forced open.

A foot chase then ensued with the suspects. Both suspects were eventually apprehended. The first suspect, a 15 year old boy, was apprehended in the 2100 block of Yale Blvd. The second suspect, Tramonde Woods 17, was apprehended in the 2200 block of South 14th St.

During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that these suspects are responsible for nine (9) other burglaries in the area during the month of July. Detectives are continuing there investigation into these crimes.

WITNESSES HELP APPREHEND MURDER SUSPECT

2010-07-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

Quick work by nearby workers helped capture a suspect wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 48-year-old woman at the rear of 930 S. Eleventh Street. The incident occurred about 8:35 this morning.

The preliminary investigation reveals that an argument ended with the male suspect stabbing the female victim numerous times. Some nearby workers observed this incident and tried to break up the argument. The suspect then fled upon the approach of the witnesses which led to a foot chase. The witnesses were able to detain the suspect at the intersection of 11th & Cook where he was taken into custody by responding Springfield Police Department Units.

The victim was taken to Memorial Medial Center where she died shortly after arrival. The identity of the victim will be released by the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office upon notification of next of kin.

The suspect in this case is Richard M. Garrett (50) of Springfield. He was taken to the Sangamon County Jail facing charges of First Degree Murder.

ACCESS 4 PROGRAMMING RETURNS

2010-07-28T11:16:00.002-05:00

Expands availability to more people

Following a period of final testing, regular programming has returned on Access 4, providing more than 250 hours of Public Access television programming every week. Independent producers have developed a variety of shows which can now be seen at the same times they had been aired in previous years. Management of Access 4 was transferred to the City earlier this year and new equipment has been installed and programmed, making it possible to again provide these programs to the public.

The locally produced Public Access programming can be seen not only on Comcast channel 4, but it is also available on AT&T’s U-verse television system. On U-verse, Public Access 4 and Municipal Access 18 can be found under the channel 99 group on the programming guide.

FREE WORKPLACE RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY PRESENTATIONS SCHEDULED

2010-07-21T09:16:00.001-05:00

The newly formed Springfield Green Business Network (SGBN) is hosting a seminar with the Illinois Recycling Association (IRA), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Illinois National Bank to introduce businesses to a new statewide Online Workplace Recycling Toolkit. The seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Illinois National Bank’s Downtown Conference Center at Fourth and Jackson Streets. Besides the introduction to the recycling toolkit, the seminar will cover sustainable practices and a variety of ways for businesses to reduce waste and recycle materials from the workplace.

The Toolkit is an online site, www.illinoisrecycles.org, through the IRA that will soon be available to provide specific guidelines and suggestions for waste reduction and how to increase recycling at work. The SGBN, which will also be introduced at this meeting, was formed to provide Springfield businesses the opportunity to share resources and opportunities to make Springfield businesses more sustainable and more competitive in the areas of waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency and water conservation. SGBN will also solicit ideas from attendees on the types of information or assistance they feel will be most useful to them in reaching their sustainability goals.

A light lunch will be provided to attend the free seminar, however, pre-registration is required. To pre-register, email the City of Springfield’s Division of Waste & Recycling at wynne.coplea@cwlp.com or call 789-2327. Registrants should include the name(s) of those attending and business or organization name. The registration deadline for this event is Friday, July 23rd.

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD WINS $10,000 GRANT FOR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

2010-06-17T12:43:00.000-05:00

The City of Springfield has been named a recipient of a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to help pay for its Fourth of July fireworks presentation. Back in May, Liberty Mutual launched Bring Back the 4th™, a contest encouraging people across America to rally together and earn $10,000 grants to help continue their cities’ and towns’ official Fourth of July celebrations.

Liberty Mutual reported that tens of thousands of Americans took their Responsible Moments in U.S. History quiz to earn credits for their local Independence Day traditions. Each completed quiz counted as one credit towards a website visitor's town, and the 10 municipalities with the most completed quizzes were awarded grants. Bring Back the 4th grants are awarded to cities and towns in three size-based categories: small, medium, and large.

“We are ecstatic that so many Springfield residents participated in this quiz to help us earn this Fourth of July fireworks grant,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “When we entered the contest, I was confident that we would do well, and hopeful that we would prevail. Thanks to the input of many of our residents, the City of Springfield will put on quite a spectacular fireworks show on the Fourth of July.”

The City of Springfield had already secured a generous $7,000 grant from ICG Illinois which operates the Viper Mine, when they learned earlier this week that the City was short of fireworks funds. Combined with the Liberty Mutual grant, the City will be providing a $17,000 fireworks spectacular utilizing no government funds.

MAYOR DAVLIN TO HOLD SERIES OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS

2010-06-11T14:28:00.002-05:00

In an effort to increase the public’s participation in City decision-making, Mayor Tim Davlin is organizing a series of neighborhood meetings to be held over the next few months. These sessions will provide a forum for discussion outside of the restrictions of the City Council chambers on City programs and services prior to planning for next year’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

“As residents become more familiar with the functions and services that City government provides, they are better able to utilize those services,” said Mayor Davlin. “It’s also important for some of our City directors to be able to meet with the residents to become more familiar with neighborhood concerns and be better able to provide services to meet those needs.”

These meetings will allow for direct citizen dialogue with the Mayor, the Director of Public Works, the Chief of Police and the General Manager of City Water, Light and Power. Residents will be better able to identify specific concerns and help establish a priority for services in the neighborhoods. The meetings will also provide information directly to residents on how City departments respond to issues so that problems can be addressed.

SPRINGFIELD RATED ONE OF THE TOP 50 BEST SMALL CITIES FOR JOB GROWTH

2010-06-10T11:06:00.000-05:00

NewGeography.com has ranked the city of Springfield 42nd in a field of 234 small cities for best in job growth. In its latest survey, Springfield came out ahead of such communities as Rochester, Minnesota, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. NewGeography.com is a website devoted to analyzing and discussing the places where people live and work.

“We have always felt that Springfield offers attractive employment opportunities, especially in the medical and hospitality industries,” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “The medical sector of the economy will only increase in opportunity as the Medical District continues to expand. Likewise, tourism has been fueling an increase in activities within the hospitality industry.”

“Being ranked 42 out of 234 comparable cities for best cities for job growth is certainly a feather in our cap,” Davlin added.

In identifying the methodology they used for the 2010 rankings New Geography said it emphasized the robustness of a region's growth both recently and over time. The rankings include all of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports monthly employment data.

Help us improve our 4th of July Fireworks

2010-06-09T09:52:00.004-05:00

We are trying to capture a $10,000 grant to help pay for fireworks for our 4th of July celebration. Liberty Mutual has a contest going that gives you an opportunity to help us in their “Bring Back the 4th grants.”

All you need to do is complete an eight-question quiz on “Responsible Moments in U.S. History.” Click HERE to participate in the quiz. Your entry counts as one point toward our goal of having the most participants. The 10 top towns will then be eligible to win $10,000 grants. Use 62701 as the zip code on your entry.

SECOND ARREST MADE IN WEEKEND HOMICIDE

2010-06-03T08:35:00.001-05:00

This morning at approximately 5:15 a.m. the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force arrested Mr. Elijah B. Muldrow, M/B 7-6-89 of the 1500 block of S. 7th Street. He has been charged with First Degree Murder. Bond had been set at $2,000,000. Mr. Muldrow telephoned the U.S. Marshal’s and made arrangements to peacefully turn himself in.

Mr. Muldrow was wanted on a Sangamon County arrest warrant for the murder of Mr. Jarrad Norris which occurred on Saturday, 29 May 2010, in the 1500 block of South 7th St.

The Springfield Police Department is continuing its investigation into this crime. No further arrests are anticipated.

No photos of the arrestee can be released at this time.

DOWNTOWN STREET CLOSURES FOR WEEKEND HOT ROD POWER TOUR

2010-06-02T11:49:00.000-05:00

Many downtown City streets will be closed to traffic on Sunday to accommodate the Hot Rod Power Tour event. Up to 3,500 specialty cars are expected to be put on display in the downtown area.

Generally, streets will be closed in an area bounded by Jefferson on the North, Cook on the South, Ninth on the East and Second on the West. Access to the downtown hotels will be from Adams off Ninth Street. Access to the Abraham Lincoln Home site is on Capitol from Ninth Street. Jefferson, Cook, Ninth and Second will remain open to traffic.

Additionally, Sixth Street at South Grand will be closed to through traffic from South Grand to Cook. Seventh Street will remain open until 11:00 a.m.

Parking meters including meters for people with disabilities will be bagged on Saturday night. Parking will be allowed at bagged meters until 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Cars still parked on downtown public streets within the show area after 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning will be subject to tow. All streets within the downtown area will be closed to traffic at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, and remain closed until late Sunday evening.

MAYOR DAVLIN ANNOUNCES CLEANUP PLAN FOR FLOOD DAMAGED PROPERTY

2010-06-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin today outlined the city’s cleanup plan following last week’s storm that dumped more than 5 inches of rain on the city in less than 90 minutes. The heavy rains caused basements to flood, damaging or destroying property in the process.

Residents have three options for having their materials removed.

1. Springfield residents who have large bulky items like sofas or refrigerators should call Allied Waste and request a large item pickup. There is no cost to residents. As many as three items can be picked up under this year-round program. Call Allied Waste at 522-7797 to arrange for pickup.

2. Residents who want to haul the trash to the dump themselves can obtain a coupon that will allow for free dumping at the landfill on Sandhill Road. The landfill is open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Coupons can be obtained by contacting Wynne Coplea at 789-2070 or stopping at the Energy Services office, 231 South 6th Street. The landfill on Sandhill Road will not take appliances, tires, batteries or landscape material. (For residents who do not live in Springfield, the coupons are available by contacting your Township Road Commissioner.)

3. Residents, who have no way of hauling the materials themselves, will have their trash removed by City Public Works crews between today and Friday. Trash must be at the curb by Friday morning for pickup. Branch pickup is being temporarily suspended until this special storm pickup is completed on Friday.

PHASE TWO OF THE CAPITOL AVENUE PROJECT TO BEGIN

2010-05-17T11:39:00.002-05:00

Phase two of the Capitol Avenue project will begin this week with the closure of Capitol between 5th and 6th streets on Thursday, May 20th. This will allow for utility relocation and the reconstruction of the pavement. Also, 6th Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic to facilitate the reconstruction of the intersection at Capitol. This part of phase two involving the closure of 5th to 6th Streets will last approximately two months, but the timetable is extremely weather dependent. The portion of Capitol from 7th to 6th will be closed later in the construction season.

Motorists should follow the marked detour route or use alternate routes to avoid the closure. Pedestrians are asked to use caution in the area as some sidewalks could be closed.

The Capitol Avenue project’s first phase, from 11th to 7th Street was completed last year. It involved removing the street, rebuilding and moving utilities, and rebuilding the roadway with decorative brick. New sidewalks and landscaping are also being installed, in an effort to beautify the promenade leading to the state Capital.

The design was created to achieve a balance between Capitol Avenue’s roles as a traffic artery and a ceremonial corridor was critical to the project’s success. Capitol Avenue currently carries approximately 6,000 vehicles per day. The design also enhanced the visual experience of the Capitol Building.

The Capitol Avenue project was a recommendation made by the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team back in 2002 as part of a larger design to make downtown more livable and inviting. It was described as “arguably the most important streetscape environment in the city of Springfield” by the R/UDAT team.

Springfield Police arrest 8 in drug sweep

2010-05-14T16:27:00.000-05:00

Eight (8) people have been arrested by the Springfield Police Department and charged with a variety of drug related offenses, the result of actions taken over a three (3) day period by the Springfield Police Department’s Pro-Active Crime Unit and Street Crime Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team.

Officers also confiscated a variety of illegal drugs, various drug equipment including scales, over $1,800 cash and several weapons. Search warrants were issued for seven locations where suspected drug activity was occurring and were executed between 05-12-10 and 05-14-10. One arrest is still pending under one of the search warrants where items were recovered.

“This action culminates many, many hours of hard work by officers who have monitored illicit activity and developed information that resulted in arrests,” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “It is comforting to know that we have taken a number of drug dealers off the street. Hopefully this will send a signal to others that we will be watching closely and taking action when appropriate.”

Charged with manufacture and delivery of cannabis were:

Denetrious Horton M/B 04/22/81 - 1011 S. 12th
James McGrone M/B 01/27/78 - 1011 S. 12th
Anthony McGrone M/B 10/12/85 – 1011 S. 12th
John V. Daughtery M/W 01/28/82 – 1037 W. Elliott
Anthony Gregory M/B 08/22/79 – 1331 E. Edwards
Pam Williams F/W 09/12/73 – 804 S. 13th
Timothy D. Akins M/B 01/01/75 – 2006 E. Pine

Charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance was:
David E. Readus M/B 08/03/83 – 1815 E. Pine

Additionally, Gregory was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, and Akins was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Confiscated were digital scales, some with cocaine residue, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, four handguns, ammunition and more than $1,800 in cash.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT BESTOWS AWARDS TO CIVILIANS AND OFFICERS FOR 2009

2010-05-11T11:34:00.003-05:00

Awards and certificates were handed out today to a number of individuals who displayed extraordinary efforts to help solve crimes and maintain the peace in the City of Springfield.

“I want to thank the Springfield Police Department for being one of the first to step up to the plate and agree to concessions that are allowing us to get through these difficult financial times,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “Everyone has had to tighten their belts as we moved into the new fiscal year. The Police Department early on agreed to partner with us and help us get through this period without laying off any officers.”

Springfield tops Peoria in mailed in census count

2010-04-29T15:22:00.002-05:00

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis congratulates Mayor Tim Davlin as Springfield overtakes Peoria in the percentage of census forms mailed in. According to Census Bureau figures, Springfield had a 77% rate of return while Peoria had a 75% rate of return. A friendly wager between the two mayors involved dinner and a proclamation stating the winning city bested the non-winner.

MEMBERS NAMED TO COOL CITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL

2010-04-23T10:16:00.003-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin has named nine individuals to serve on Springfield’s Cool Cities Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to provide guidance and direction on a variety of issues as they relate to the Cool Cities initiative and the use of renewable energy.

“This Council will be essential in helping us move forward with our initiative to doing our part to reduce the threat of global warming,” Mayor Davlin said. “When we signed onto the U. S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, we committed to do our part to expand green initiatives and curb emissions. This Council will be critical in facilitating this initiative.”

Those appointed to the Cool Cities Advisory Council are:

Robert Kobylarz, Chairman, Vice President for Sustainability at Bunn-o-Matic
Robert Cusick, P. E., S. E., Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer for Hanson Professional Services
Kevin Greene, Manager of the Office of Pollution Prevention at the Illinois EPA
Robert Ruff, Senior Public Service Administrator retired, IDNR
Bryan Johnsrud, Senior Civil Engineer with Hanson Professional Services, Inc.
Melody LaMar, former Owner/Broker, Exceptional Realty Services
Jay Neposchlan, Special Services Manager of the Illinois Department of Revenue
Will Reynolds, Vice Chair of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club and Director of the Community Volunteer Center
David Saladino, Environmental Protection Specialist, Illinois EPA

MacArthur Extension to open April 30, 2010.

2010-04-21T12:28:00.002-05:00

The MacArthur Extension will be opened to traffic following a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 30, 2010. Mayor Davlin is expected to be joined at the event by Senator Dick Durbin, Gary Hannig, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, other city and state officials, representatives of the firms that have worked on and designed the extension, neighborhood groups and others.

Construction on the two-mile extension of MacArthur Boulevard was started in 2007. Costing $40 million, the new roadway connects MacArthur Boulevard from Wabash to a new interchange at I-72.

Several streets near the Capital will be closed or have reduced lanes tomorrow and Wednesday

2010-04-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

Several streets near the Capital will be closed or have reduced lanes tomorrow and Wednesday to allow for large crowds who plan to rally and lobby the legislature.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010:

Capitol Street between Second and Third will be closed at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010:

On Monroe between Second and Pasfield, the south parking lane and next two driving lanes will be closed at 8:30 a.m. for bus drop off. North parking lane and driving lane will remain open for traffic use.

Second street between Monroe and Jackson will be closed at 9:00 a.m.

Second to Edwards, Edwards to College, College to Monroe and Monroe to Second street will be closed at 12:00 noon to allow for a march around Capitol complex of about 15,000 – 20,000 people.

All streets will be open to traffic by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21.

MAYOR DAVLIN ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SPEAK OUT ON THE RAILROAD CORRIDOR STUDY

2010-04-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin is inviting Springfield area residents to attend an open house public meeting to learn more about the Railroad Corridor Study and to offer their comments on the issues that affect their neighborhoods.

“This special meeting will provide a forum where anyone can offer comment on the future of railroad traffic through Springfield,” Davlin said. “We want as many people as possible to turn out for this meeting so that everybody’s voices can be heard.”

“Railroad traffic through Springfield is likely to double in the near future. Studying which route is best to handle this increase in train traffic is the only way we can begin to manage the congestion that is sure to follow. This rail study will examine the impacts of various alternatives and, hopefully, provide a plan to keep our residents safe, allow for relatively smooth vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and not hamper the commerce of rail traffic.”

The open house is scheduled for Tuesday evening, April 20, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

18TH ANNUAL EARTH AWARENESS FAIR

2010-04-12T13:27:00.001-05:00

The 18th Annual Earth Awareness Fair will be held Saturday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Old State Capitol. “Springfield’s annual Earth Awareness Fair is the oldest continuous Earth Day celebration in Illinois and we are proud to host this all-ages event,” said Mayor Davlin.

Information on eco-friendly choices such as recycling, energy efficiency, native plants/ habitat and water conservation will be available. Exhibits, giveaways, games and crafts will be offered, all with an environmental message. Live music will be provided by local musicians Tom Irwin and Thornhill. A bicycle rally will be held with bicyclists gathering at the Old State Capitol at 12:00 for a ride around the downtown area to raise awareness of alternative forms of transportation.
Rain barrels will again be available for sale at the Fair.

Using a rain barrel is an excellent way to lessen the demand on our drinking water systems and reduce energy consumption by not having to purify ground water for residential irrigation purposes. Area homeowners can save money while helping the environment and reducing storm water run-off by capturing water in rain barrels.

Admission to the Earth Awareness Fair is free. It will be held rain, or shine. Join us for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!

SPECIAL CITY SPRING LEAF AND YARDWASTE PICK UP PROGRAM ALMOST OVER

2010-03-31T11:16:00.004-05:00

The last day to set out yardwaste is Monday morning, April 12, to take advantage of the City of Springfield's yardwaste pickup program.

Leaves should be placed in paper yard waste bags or cans and placed at the curb. The last day to set out yard waste for the special collection is Sunday evening. Do not remove the bagged leaves or cans from your curb once you place them there. No plastic bags will be accepted. Leaves left on boulevards will NOT be picked up.

Leaves should be placed in paper yardwaste bags--not grocery sacks or boxes. Cans of yard waste rather than paper bags are acceptable, but they cannot weigh more than 60 pounds and must be marked “yard waste” in letters large enough to be seen from the street by the drivers.

St. Patrick's Parade Day Cab Ride Final Numbers Are In!

2010-03-17T16:37:00.000-05:00

The Springfield Police Department is pleased to announce that our St. Patrick’s Day Safe Ride program was once again a tremendous success. During the time of the free rides, Springfield Police handled 8 motor vehicle crashes, of which only 2 resulted in minor injury. None of these crashes were alcohol-related. We made 3 DUI arrests during this same time period.

Local cab companies gave 306 free rides home at a cost of $2529.50. It was our goal to eliminate the drunk driver and the resultant crashes from our roadways during this period of celebration. These numbers are very encouraging and make our efforts worthwhile.

What Firefighters in other cities are doing to ease their budget burdens.

2010-03-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

Part of Eastbound Cook to close for tree removal.

2010-03-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

The eastbound traffic lanes on Cook Street from McCreery to Wheeler Avenues will be closed on Thursday, March 4th, to remove a tree. The closure should last one day, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists are asked to use caution traveling westbound on Cook Street. Motorists traveling eastbound are asked to use the marked detour or to avoid the area

Eastbound Adams closed between 10th and 11th.

2010-03-03T11:10:00.002-06:00

The eastbound traffic lane of Adams Street from 10th to 11th Streets will be closed due to sewer repairs. The sanitary sewer repair should be completed in a week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists are asked to use caution traveling westbound on Adams Street. Motorists traveling eastbound are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

Traffic pattern will shift Friday at Washington Street bridge project.

2010-03-03T10:05:00.000-06:00

Washington Street bridge reconstruction west of Chatham Road/Bruns Lane will have a new traffic pattern starting Friday, March 5th, in order to reconstruct the north lanes of the bridge. Traffic will be switched to the south lanes. One lane of traffic will be open to traffic in each direction throughout the reconstruction project. Eastbound left turns from Washington to Bruns Lane will once again be allowed.

The bridge reconstruction will last through June, weather permitting.

First between Ash and Oaks to close

2010-03-03T10:00:00.002-06:00

First Street between Ash and Oaks Streets will be closed to traffic starting Thursday, March 4th, for sewer and road repairs. The sewer and road repairs should be completed by Monday, March 8th, but may be delayed by weather.

WATER OUTAGE PLANNED FOR MAIN REPAIRS

2010-03-03T09:17:00.003-06:00

On Thursday, March 4, City Water, Light and Power customers located on Carpenter Street between 14th and 17th Streets and also those on 16th Street between Carpenter Street and Moffat Avenue will be temporarily without water while a water main valve is replaced. The service interruption is expected to begin around 8 a.m. with repairs expecting to be complete by noon Thursday.

This outage was previously scheduled for today but longer than expected excavation work has delayed the service interruption to tomorrow.

To accommodate repair crews, the east-bound lanes of Carpenter Street and the north-bound lanes of 16th Street at that intersection are currently closed. A detour route is marked with signage and will remain in place until surface pavement repairs are complete.

Mayor Davlin comments on police union vote

2010-02-23T11:18:00.001-06:00

I’m pleased that our working relationship with the Police Benevolent and Protective Association has resulted in our ability to avoid layoffs of police officers. I appreciate the PBPA’s commitment to the citizens of Springfield.

Police make arrest in vehicular invasion.

2010-02-16T16:33:00.002-06:00

At approximately 2:18 pm Tuesday afternoon, a 26 year old disabled female was sitting in her car in the parking lot of the Capital City Shopping Center when an armed gunman forced his way into the vehicle.

The suspect ordered the victim to drive him to a nearby ATM where she was then forced to withdraw cash from the ATM. Not satisfied with the amount of money that was withdrawn, the suspect forced the victim to drive to another ATM further north on Dirksen Parkway.

However, a citizen had observed this crime occurring and provided detailed information to police through 911. The suspect was not aware that he had been spotted.

Responding officers recognized the victim’s vehicle as it headed north on Dirksen Parkway, and stopped the it in the J.C. Penney’s parking lot. The suspect was arrested without incident.

A search of the car revealed a realistic looking B.B. pistol hidden in the car. The victim was not injured in this incident.

Arrested was Sophann Ros, 30, of the 1900 block of Gregory Court. He was arrested for Vehicular Invasion, Aggravated Robbery, and Unlawful Restraint.

WANTED: GOOD HOMES FOR BOOKS FROM SOUTHEAST BRANCH LIBRARY

2010-02-11T14:30:00.001-06:00

With the closure of the City’s two library branches, some materials from one of them will need to find new homes next week. Lincoln Library will vacate the Southeast Branch facility on South Grand East by March 1, 2010.

In order to facilitate the closure, the entire collection of more than 32,000 items must be moved out. Some of the materials have already been transferred to Lincoln Library’s main facility at Seventh and Capitol, leaving books that are duplicates of those already shelved at the West Branch and downtown.

Therefore, Lincoln Library will open the doors of the Southeast Branch next week to people interested in taking the books for their own personal use or to supplement other libraries. From 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, schools will be allowed to select materials for their use. On Wednesday, February 17, the doors will be open to representatives of not-for-profit groups who may come in and select books to add to their collections.

From 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, February 18 and 19, doors will be open to the general public who can come in for books.

Materials selected during these four days will be provided on a first come first served basis. The Southeast Branch library is located at 2500 South Grand East.

INSTANT APPLIANCE REBATES PLUS CWLP REBATES & TAX INCENTIVES = BIG SAVINGS

2010-02-03T16:20:00.001-06:00

Rebates available until state funding is exhausted

The State of Illinois is making $12 million dollars available for point of sale rebates to consumers who purchase various home appliances. The funding is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is administered through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Point of sale rebates are rebates the customer receives at the register versus submitting paperwork after the fact.

A total of three DCEO programs will soon be available to all Illinois consumers on a first come, first served basis until the funds are exhausted. Qualifying hot water heaters will receive a 25% rebate (effective since January 25th); heating and cooling equipment (e.g., gas and propane furnaces, central AC, air-source heat pumps, gas boilers) will receive various fixed price rebates started January 31st; and Energy Star qualified clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, and room air conditioners will be eligible for a 15% rebate from April 16th through April 25th. Details of the rebates can be found at the DCEO website, www.helpgreenillinois.org.

“These rebates are a great opportunity to save money for anyone who is thinking about upgrading a home appliance,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “This type of program should not only help those folks in town who purchase these appliances, but they should also boost sales and therefore sales tax revenues from Springfield’s appliance retailers and HVAC contractors.”

“The DCEO rebates for a qualifying air source heat pump ($1,000) or air conditioner ($500), when combined with currently available CWLP rebates and federal tax credits, can bring the cost of ownership for a new unit down to 50% to 60% of the purchase price,” CWLP General Manager Todd Renfrow said. “These upfront savings on a purchase are in addition to the annual savings the CWLP customer will see on their bill. For example, a customer installing a new 16 SEER/12.5 EER air source heat pump will save an average of 30% on their heating cooling bills or approximately $375 annually.”

For more information about CWLP energy efficiency rebates call the CWLP Energy Services Office at 789-2070 or click the Energy Services tab on the CWLP website www.cwlp.com. For more information on appliance rebates visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development website at www.helpgreenillinois.org.

ROUND UP FUNDS DESIGNATED FOR SPRINGFIELD OVERFLOW SHELTER

2010-02-03T10:05:00.000-06:00

More than eight-thousand dollars have been designated for use by the Salvation Army for this year’s operation of the Springfield Overflow Shelter (SOS). The initial decision to commit the funding came from the Springfield City Round Up Advisory Committee, which met to decide how the donations should be utilized. In all, $8,310.91 has been raised through the voluntary program.

“This amount will help Salvation Army to maintain this vital annual service to the homeless community this year,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “Even though the SOS operates with numerous volunteers, there is still a need for financial support to keep the doors open.”

“Winter provides more challenges to the homeless, not the least of which is overnight shelter from the cold. The SOS has provided a vital service to get the homeless off our streets during the coldest months of the year. It and other successful programs can continue to operate if our residents continue to help through the Round Up program.”

“We greatly appreciate this donation which will provide money for supplies for the homeless,” said Archie Ford, SOS Shelter Director.

The Round Up Program was established to allow Springfield residents an easy way to help the homeless by having their monthly bill rounded up to the next dollar with the difference between the bill and the rounded up amount going to programs that assist the homeless. In addition to rounding up their utility bills to the nearest dollar, CWLP customers can add a specified dollar amount to each monthly bill.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE SEEKING WITNESSES TO SUNDAY CAR CRASH

2010-02-01T11:20:00.000-06:00

The Springfield Police Department today is seeking witnesses to the fatal car crash Sunday afternoon.

The two vehicles collided at 1:24 p.m. at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Chatham Road. One person died and six persons were injured in the crash.

SPD reconstructions have been working on the crash and a final determination as to which driver was at fault has not been made. Since conflicting statements have been given Officers are seeking witnesses to the crash. Persons who might have witnessed the crash should contact Sgt. Dave Dyer at 788-8345, extension 341.

CITY RECIEVES $666K EPA LOAN AND STIMULUS FUNDS

2010-01-26T16:54:00.001-06:00

Mayor Tim Davlin and City Water, Light and Power General Manager Todd Renfrow announced Monday the City’s acceptance of $666,000 in stimulus funds and an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) zero interest loan for a water meter replacement and upgrade project. Funding was made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the IEPA’s Public Water Supply Revolving Loan Program. Seventy-five percent of the project funding comes in the form of zero interest loans from the IEPA and ARRA funds, while 25 percent of the funding is from ARRA funds in the form of principal forgiveness, in essence a $167,000 grant.

The project will procure the materials and installation for approximately 215 new Automated Read Capable Meters to replace aging three- to eight-inch meters in the system. These new meters will more accurately record water usage and the auto read capabilities should result in the reduced potential for injury to meter readers given their location in large vaults and remote locations.

Earlier this month, the City accepted $4.6 million in ARRA funds and zero-interest EPA loans for CWLP’s chemical storage and chemical feed facilities at the Water Plant.

Part of State Street closed to traffic

2010-01-26T11:25:00.001-06:00

State Street between Edwards and Cook Streets will be closed to traffic immediately due to a cave in. The sewer and road repairs should be completed by Friday, January 29th, but may be delayed by weather.

Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area, and drivers that disregard the Road Closed and Do Not Enter signs are subject to a $250.00 fine.

One lane of Edwards to close

2010-01-26T11:20:00.001-06:00

The westbound parking lane and drive lane of Edwards Street, between New and Walnut Streets will be closed to traffic starting Wednesday, January 27, 2010, for sanitary sewer repairs. The sanitary sewer repair should be completed in two days, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area, and drivers that disregard the Road Closed and Do Not Enter signs are subject to a $250.00 fine.

LAKE SPRINGFIELD ICE SKATERS & SNOWMOBILERS BEWARE

2010-01-19T14:31:00.000-06:00

The City Water, Light and Power Lake Security office is issuing a warning to ice skaters, snowmobilers and any others venturing onto frozen Lake Springfield: Keep off the ice.

This past week CWLP patrols, the Springfield Police Department and Sangamon County Sheriff all received calls regarding recreational users on Lake Springfield.

Because of recent varying temperatures and the fact that Lake Springfield receives hot water discharge from the Dallman 1, 2 and 3 Power Plants, any recreational activity on the ice is extremely risky and prohibited for most.

City Code only allows lake residents and their guests to go on the ice under their own risk and precaution near their property’s shoreline in designated zones. Unless otherwise designated by the CWLP General Manager, no other public skate dates or recreational activities are permitted on the ice near private or public shoreline areas.

MAYOR DAVLIN OFFERS INCENTIVES TO VETERAN CITY WORKERS TO CONSIDER EARLY RETIREMENT

2010-01-11T14:15:00.000-06:00

Because of a projected budget deficit for FY2011 of between $8.5 and $12 million, Mayor Tim Davlin today has proposed several incentives which are designed to help long time city employees consider retiring earlier than they had planned. This would reduce the number of layoffs necessary to balance the budget, which begins March 1, 2010.

In letters to workers who have been with the city the longest and are eligible to retire, Mayor Davlin is offering to pay $300 per month toward the cost of their continued participation in the City’s health insurance program as a retiree, for a 30-month period. They must begin receiving pension benefits on or before April 1, 2010in order to qualify.

To workers with 20 or more years of service to the city, Mayor Davlin is making a different proposal. He is offering to give them a lump sum payment of $7,500 if they retire prior to March 1, 2010. These individuals would not qualify to return to employment with the City of Springfield.

Responses to both offers are due by mid January. Mayor Davlin would then present the package to the full Springfield City Council, which must approve the offers.

Mayor Davlin names Cecilia Tumulty as the City's FOIA Officer

2010-01-07T09:50:00.001-06:00

Mayor Davlin has named City Clerk Cecilia Tumulty to be the City’s Freedom of Information officer. Under the State’s revised Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which became effective on January 1, 2010, each governmental unit is required to designate someone to act as the FOIA officer.

“People who are interested in obtaining information through the FOIA must file their requests with the Clerk’s office,” Mayor Davlin said. “The office has already been the repository of FOIA requests, so this designation is a natural extension of that. Clerk Tumulty will track requests to make sure that the information sought is provided in a timely manner, as prescribed by the new FOIA law.”

Tumulty will work directly with designated FOIA coordinators within each City department to prepare and provide information requested by the public.

MAYOR DAVLIN LAUNCHES DATABASE TO EASE SEARCHES OF CITY RECORDS AND IMPROVE OPEN GOVERNMENT

2010-01-07T09:49:00.000-06:00

Mayor Tim Davlin today announced the establishment of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) database that will centralize all requests and responses for public records from the City of Springfield on the city’s website, http://www.springfield.il.us/publicfoia/main.aspx.

“Since FOIA requests are themselves, public documents, the City has increased the transparency and accountability of City government by making these documents easily accessible to anyone with a computer,” Davlin said. “ More than 300 public record requests are processed by the City every year, which is in addition to other general inquiries from the public that take up staff time.”

“This database will also help reduce duplicate records requests and costs because we will post the results on the City’s website as well. This extra step will make it more convenient for the public to view requested information and download it from their own computer without delay and without incurring the fees the City Clerk would charge to print those documents.”

Power Engineering Magazine Names CWLP’s Dallman 4 Project of the Year

2009-12-23T09:10:00.001-06:00

City Water, Light and Power’s new Dallman 4 Power Station has been named Power Engineering magazine’s 2009 Project of the Year. The award was announced at the POWER-GEN International conference attended by power industry leaders in Las Vegas. Each year the magazine’s editors recognize some of the world’s best projects in four major categories: gas-fired, coal-fired, nuclear and renewable.

Power Engineering named Dallman 4 the 2009 Project of the Year based on the utility's successes among a number of factors including the Sierra Club agreement, air quality and efficiency improvements and overcoming air permit challenges.

Mayor Tim Davlin said he is proud of Dallman 4’s success. “Getting through all of the obstacles and challenges that faced this project and to still come out ahead with these top industry honors is a testament to the hard work of the teams that made this happen.”

CWLP General Manager Todd Renfrow said a lot was learned from Dallman 4’s success. “Having the various project teams among the partners work closely together to meet both the utility’s and contractor’s goals, allowed concerns and issues to be addressed immediately,” he said. “This open communication was key to limiting issues that would have impacted the project cost or schedule.”

The magazine also noted challenges that were overcome without causing costly construction delays. “Tighter emission standards meant design changes had to be made, even though project engineering and procurement were more than 50 percent complete…The final result was a project completed seven months ahead of schedule and within budget.”

Power Engineering also praised the payoff from the efficiency of the Dallman 4 Unit, saying a 34% unit efficiency improvement is expected to yield $12 million in annual operational savings.

Dallman 4, which had a contact completion date of April 2010, was completed on November 19, 2009. Projected to utilize up to 700,000 tons of Illinois coal annually, Unit 4 will be equipped with the most advanced pollution controls. More than 700 workers, representing nearly a dozen local labor unions, have been employed throughout construction of this project. A total of 1.7 million construction hours were logged in on Unit 4 to reach substantial completion.

17 DRUG ARRESTS MADE BY SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

2009-12-21T16:06:00.002-06:00

Seventeen people have been arrested as the result of a several months-long invetigation into the sale of drugs in the City of Springfield. Springfield Police Department’s Pro-Active Crime Unit and the Streets Crime Unit along with the Sangamon County State’s Attorneys Office today culminated that investigation.

Arrested as a result of this investigation were:

Levente Ingram, 22, 2100 block of E. Jackson, charged with unlawful delivery of a look-alike substance.
Trayvon Little, 23, 2700 block of S. MacArthur, charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substance.
Aaron King, 37, 1400 block of E. Reynolds, charged with possession of control substance, possession of cannabis, and driving while license revoked.
Otis Edwards, 55, 1200 block of N. 8th, charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.
Anthony W. Burrows, 48, 1200 block S. 15th St. charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.
Todd Buchanan, 32, 1100 S. Pasfield, charged with manufacture/delivery of cannabis.
Korey Craig, 26, of Springfield, charged with manufacture/delivery of cannabis.
Titus Williams, 23, 3100 block of Butler, charged with possession of controlled substance.
Niccos Scott, 26, 100 block N. Park, charged with delivery of look alike substance.
Paul Hullum, 33, 800 block S. 13th, charged with manufacture/delivery of control substance.
Cory Norman, 27, 3200 block Red Oak Lane, charged with manufacture/delivery of cannabis and possession of cannabis.
Alana Jackson, 26, 2100 block S. Renfro, charged with prostitution.
James Lacy, 34, 900 block of S.15th , charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substance.
Ladrecaus Eddings, 38, 900 block of S. 15th, charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substance.
Shane Reiterman, 35, 2100 block of S. 13th, charged with manufacture/deliver of cannabis and possession of cannabis.
Anthony Bridgeford, 48, 500 block of N. 13th , charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Dominic Wilson, 34, 2800 block of Stanton, charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Also assisting in execution the arrest warrants were members of the U. S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force.

SPD REMINDS MOTORISTS OF TWO NEW DRIVING LAWS

2009-12-15T12:06:00.000-06:00

Springfield Police Department Acting Chief Robert Williams today reminded Springfield motorists that two new laws aimed at cutting down on distracted drivers go into effect on January 1st.

The two new laws will:

1. Prohibit drivers from composing text messages or reading text messages while driving.
2. Make it illegal to talk on a cell phone will driving through a school zone or highway construction project.

“These two laws are aimed at curbing drivers who become distracted while using electric communication tools,” Williams said. “SPD Officers want to make our streets safe and these two new laws will be helpful.”

“Motorists are also encouraged to slow down and pay attention to posted traffic signs,” Williams said, “since these signs are aimed at giving motorists information.”

Part of Illinois Street to close.

2009-12-14T14:50:00.001-06:00

Southbound Illinois Street will be closed between Lawrence and Fayette Avenues starting Wednesday, December 16 to repair a water service. The repair should take two days, weather permitting.

Motorists should avoid this area during heavy traffic times and be alert for workers on the pavement when driving through.

POLICE INVESTIGATING AN APPARENT HOMICIDE

2009-12-10T09:21:00.000-06:00

The Springfield Police Department is investigating the death of a 24 year-old Springfield man as an apparent homicide.

Police responded to a report at 12:45 a.m. today that a man appeared to have been shot and was sitting in an automobile in the 1200 block of West Mossman. When police arrived they found the man sitting in the car and the wound appeared to be from a gunshot.

One block of Monroe to close

2009-12-10T09:07:00.001-06:00

Monroe Street, between Seventh ( 7th ) and Eighth ( 8th )Streets will be closed to traffic starting Saturday, December 12th, for crane operations. The lanes should be closed for one day, but may be delayed by weather.

Motorists should seek alternate routes to avoid the area.

CWLP COMMUNITY ENERGY FORUM THURSDAY

2009-12-08T12:08:00.000-06:00

City Water, Light & Power is hosting its last Community Energy Forum of 2009 on Thursday, December 10 at noon at the INB Conference Center at Fourth & Jackson Streets. Items on the agenda at this brown bag luncheon meeting include an update on Dallman 4, details on new customer rebate programs as well as a report on progress for CWLP’s Energy Services Office’s strategic planning.

CWLP recently announced three new customer rebate programs for energy savings and efficiency improvements, which include a commercial retro-commissioning program, a high efficiency air conditioner rebate program and a commercial lighting retrofit program, CityLights. In September the City of Springfield was awarded $1.2 million in federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block grant funds to make these programs possible.

The CWLP Community Energy Meetings are designed to provide updates to the public on progress made regarding environmental and energy saving activities and to solicit suggestions and ideas from the community regarding energy programs and related issues. CWLP is using the input received from these meetings to enhance existing programs and develop new energy efficiency and conservation programs.
CWLP customers wanting more information on this forum, energy efficiency advice or rebate information may call the Energy Services Office at 789-2070 or visit the CWLP website at www.cwlp.com.

ARREST MADE IN DAVIS CLEANERS ROBBERY

2009-12-08T12:04:00.001-06:00

Anthony Allison, 27, of Springfield has been arrested in connection with last Wednesday’s robbery of the Davis Cleaners, 1131 W. Jefferson St. Allison turned himself in to SPD Detectives on Monday.

Allison walked into the business late last Wednesday, demanded money and fled on foot after taking an undisclosed amount of cash. At the time of the robbery, Allison told employees he had a gun under his sleeve. Allison was on parole on drug and weapons offenses.

TWO SPRINGFIELD JUVENILES HELD IN CONNECTION WITH CAB HOLDUP

2009-12-07T11:46:00.001-06:00

Two Springfield juveniles have been arrested in connection with the robbery of a cab driver Saturday night in the 1900 block of East Lawrence.

The victim told police officers the two juveniles called for a ride and when they got into the cab they displayed what he called a handgun and demanded money. While investigating the robbery police officers located the two suspects at Wheeler and Kansas Streets and made the arrest and took them into custody.

CWLP RESIDENTIAL A/C REBATES ARE BACK

2009-12-03T13:32:00.002-06:00

Mayor Tim Davlin and City Water, Light & Power General Manager Todd Renfrow announced today that the utility is bringing back its High-Efficiency Air Conditioner Rebate program as another way to help residential customers reduce energy costs while reducing summer peak demand.

“We’re pleased to be bringing this rebate opportunity back to assist in reducing the cost of high efficiency air conditioning units,” said Mayor Davlin. “These are high value rebates because not only do they provide assistance with the up-front costs, but the customers also reap the benefits of lower summer bills on the electric side for the life of the unit, year after year.”

Renfrow said the utility benefits from reducing summer demand through such efficiency programs. “When summer demand is high, across the nation, surplus power is a profitable asset,” he said. “Through this rebate program, we project an annual energy savings of 1.4 megawatts that can be available for better market returns, which can equate to lower fuel adjustment charges on customer bills.”

Effective December 1, 2009, central air conditioning units installed by CWLP residential electric customers may be eligible for this new rebate on a first-come, first-served basis. The program, which can be paired with a current Federal Tax incentive program, will run over two years, has a total funding allocation of $200,000 and projects an average rebate of $270 per unit.

For more information visit www.cwlp.com.

Sixth Street to close from Allen to Lawrence

2009-12-01T09:52:00.000-06:00

Sixth Street from Allen to Lawrence will be closed to traffic from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, December 2, 2009, to allow for the rededication of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Traffic will be detoured at Allen Street. However, local traffic headed to Springfield Clinic will be allowed through.

CWLP GIFT CARDS, GREEN ENERGY GIFTS AVAILABLE

2009-11-24T16:23:00.001-06:00

City Water, Light and Power is offering two gift options this holiday season that don’t require fighting the crowds at retailers. Gift cards for bill credits or green energy credits are available for purchase in any amount for city residents with CWLP service.

Those interested in purchasing a gift card for bill credits may do so at CWLP’s Customer Service Office at Municipal Center West at Seventh and Monroe Streets or by credit card over the phone, 789-2030. The cards may be purchased year-round in any amount with cash, cashier’s check, personal check or credit card and will be applied as a credit on a customer’s CWLP bill.

The name and address of the intended recipient will be requested and the gift card will be provided to the purchaser to present to the recipient. For more information on gift cards call 789-2030.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) provide a way to purchase ‘green energy’ attributes and neutralize the environmental impact of their monthly energy usage. CWLP will provide certificates showing the quantity and a proof of purchase for RECs and enrolled customers will also be given a window decal for their home or plaque for their business to display their participation in the program.

RECs can be purchased in 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh) blocks of renewable resources for $ each through their monthly CWLP bill or one-time purchases in any amount can be made. The typical residential CWLP customer uses 800 to 1,000 kWh per month and can, on average, have an account representing 100% renewable investment for an additional $8 per billing cycle.

Signing up to enroll in the program can be done in person or over the phone by contacting the CWLP Energy Services Office (ESO) at 789-2070. One-time purchase opportunities and Renewable Choice Gift Certificates for those that want to buy RECs for someone else can be made at the customer service counter in Municipal Center West at Seventh and Monroe Streets.

CWLP’S PROJECT RELIEF PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES IN NEED

2009-11-23T12:58:00.001-06:00

As another heating season is here, City Water, Light and Power customers who need help paying water and electric bills could qualify for assistance from the utility’s Project RELIEF program.

Project RELIEF is entirely supported through donations, primarily from CWLP customers who add $1 or more to their monthly bill to help those less fortunate. Since the program’s inception over 3,000 families have been helped. Last year over $28,000 was raised and 141 families were assisted.

All funds that are received for Project RELIEF go directly to those in need, without any amount being used to cover administrative costs. Individuals can sign up to support the CWLP program through their utility bill year-round.

Customers can begin applying for assistance from Project RELIEF on December 1.

CWLP RESTORES POWER TO 2,700

2009-11-19T09:36:00.001-06:00

At 9:16 a.m. City Water, Light and Power crews restored power to the remaining 1,350 customers affected in two southwest neighborhoods in Springfield this morning. At the height of the outage 2,700 customers were affected in the Westchester subdivision and the apartment complexes east of that subdivision and Chatham Road. Traffic lights in the area were also affected.

At 7:21 a.m. this morning 167 customers lost power, followed by another 2,500 who lost power at 7:45 a.m. A substation power transformer failure is the cause of both outages. CWLP troubleshooters will further investigate the specific cause of that failure when rain conditions improve.

Customers who remain with electric service problems should call the Electric Trouble Line at 789-2121.

Springfield man held in connection with fatal stabbing.

2009-11-17T10:07:00.001-06:00

A 38-year-old man is being held in the Sangamon County Jail in connection with the fatal stabbing of his 53-year-old mother.

Michael W. Seal of the 3500 block of North Dirksen Parkway was arrested shortly after 9 p.m. Springfield Police received the call at about 8:30 p.m. and the caller said Seal had called family members stating he had stabbed his mother. While securing the residence Seal was asked to step outside and he complied and was arrested without incident.

Charges against Seal are pending as SPD Officers continue their investigation. This is the tenth homicide this year.

BEVERLY PETERS: A STUDS TERKEL HUMANITIES HERO!

2009-11-17T09:50:00.001-06:00

The Illinois Humanities Council along with Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin are proud to announce that Beverly Peters is the recipient of the 2009 Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award. This local “humanities hero” has been recognized by Mayor Davlin and the city of Springfield for her outstanding efforts on behalf of the humanities in our community. She is one of more than 40 individuals being honored across the State of Illinois.

“As the chair of my 1908 Race Riot Commemoration Commission, Beverly did an extraordinary job,” Mayor Davlin said. “She recruited community leaders who, together, would devise a way to reintroduce the City to its past while promoting reconciliation throughout a year of various activities. This is truly an honor that she so richly deserves.”

The Commission worked to refashion the historical markers into prominent wayside displays that readily depict the entire story of the Springfield Race Riot. And it commissioned a special bronze sculpture by Preston Jackson to be permanently located in Union Station Park. Today, this cast-bronze sculpture stands directly across from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library as an image of the aftermath of the actual.

Part of Capitol between 4th & 5th to be closed

2009-11-13T10:24:00.000-06:00

The westbound lane of Capitol Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, November 16th and lasting through Friday, November 20th for crane operations on a building expansion. Westbound traffic will be routed around the closure with a detour going southbound on 5th Street, westbound on Jackson Street, northbound on 4th Street, and then westbound on Capitol.

Motorists are reminded to follow the marked detour or avoid the area and that drivers that disregard the Road Closed and Do Not Enter signs are subject to a $250 fine.

Lanes reduced at Lawrence & Spring on Saturday

2009-11-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

The eastbound lanes of Lawrence Avenue starting west of Pasfield Street will be reduce to one lane of traffic starting Saturday, November 14th, to allow for the demolition of a building at Lawrence Avenue and Spring Street. The demolition will start at 7:00 a.m. and should be completed by 12:00 p.m.

Motorists should drive with caution through this area during this demolition.

LINDSAY BRIDGE CLOSURE NEXT WEEK

2009-11-12T11:28:00.001-06:00

Vachel Lindsay Bridge at Lake Springfield on Long Bay Drive will be closed to all traffic beginning Tuesday, November 17th at 7 a.m. through Wednesday, November 18 at 4 p.m. to accommodate repairs to the pedestrian tunnel. Traffic will reopen to one lane on Wednesday, November 18 at 4 p.m.

Motorists will need to plan an alternate route during the bridge closure.

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Tickets Still Available

2009-11-12T10:21:00.002-06:00

Tickets to Mayor Tim Davlin's Fourteenth Annual Prayer Breakfast are still available. Call 789-2270 to reserve a seat for $20 or a table for $200.

SPRINGFIELD TO HOST AMERICA RECYCLES DAY RECYCLING EVENT

2009-11-09T10:31:00.002-06:00

Mayor Tim Davlin announced today the City will host an America Recycles Day recycling extravaganza event on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“By participating in America Recycles Day Springfield will provide a collection for three different materials,” Mayor Davlin said. “We will again collect all colors of glass bottles and jars that food or drink came in. We will also be accepting private documents to be shredded and recycled. And, for the first time, the city will accept old holiday light strands for recycling. This recycling service is not just for city residents, but for all area residents.”

All colors of glass containers are acceptable: clear, brown, green and blue. Only glass bottles, jars or jugs that held food or drink will be accepted. Other acceptable materials are private documents to be shredded and recycled, up to four large bags/boxes per person, and old Christmas or holiday light strands. Old holiday lights are generally very energy inefficient and are sometimes a fire hazard. New holiday lights are usually LED lights, which are much more energy efficient.

Participants should enter the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate 11, at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and 8th Street. The event is cosponsored by the City of Springfield, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois National Bank, F&W Resources, Affordable Shred, SPARC and Illinois Department of Agriculture. For further details, call the city’s Division of Waste & Recycling at 789-2327.

Street Lane Reductions Next Week

2009-11-06T11:26:00.001-06:00

The westbound curb lane of Iles Avenue will be closed to traffic west of Veterans Parkway beginning Monday, November 9th, for street repairs. On Tuesday, November 10th, the southern eastbound lane and the westbound left turn lane will be closed to traffic to complete the street repair. Each repair should take one day, weather permitting. Motorists should avoid the area during heavy traffic times or drive with caution and be alert for workers in the street.

And, the southbound curb lane of Peoria Road, between Garfield and Wood Avenues will be closed to traffic Tuesday, November 10th, for storm sewer and street repair. The repairs should be completed in a week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists should drive with caution in the area of this work and avoid the area during heavy traffic time if possible.

Sewer repair to close traffic lanes

2009-11-03T14:47:00.000-06:00

The northbound curb lane of Chatham Road and the eastbound curb lane of Cherry Road will be closed to traffic starting Wednesday, November 4, 2009, for sanitary sewer repairs. One lane of traffic for northbound traffic will be provided at all times. One lane of traffic for both east and westbound traffic will be provided east of the intersection of Chatham Road and Cherry Road. The sanitary sewer repair should be completed in a week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists should drive with caution through this area and avoid the area during heavy traffic time if possible.

Circle Drive between Sheffield and West Lake Drive will be closed to traffic beginning Wednesday, November 4, 2009, for sanitary sewer repairs. The work should be completed in three days, weather permitting. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

CITY TO RESURFACE TWO HEAVILY-TRAVELED STREETS

2009-11-02T14:21:00.000-06:00

The City of Springfield is poised to resurface two of its worst streets, Eleventh Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Thanks to a state grant of $635,000, the City will soon overlay and repair the two major streets.

“Hopefully we can still get these projects done this fall,” Mayor Tim Davlin said. “But, if the weather prevents completion, we will work on them as soon as we can this Spring. These two aging thoroughfares are clearly in need of resurfacing so that they can better handle current and future traffic loads.”

“I want to thank State Representative Raymond Poe for including these projects into the state appropriation,” Davlin added. “Without his help and assistance, we would still be looking for funding to resurface these busy streets.”

The projects cover Eleventh Street from Ash to Stanford, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive from South Grand to Ash. The emergency repair funds cover milling, overlaying, and curb and gutter replacement. The Springfield City Council is prepared to approve the two projects at its next meeting.

MAYOR DAVLIN ISSUES REMINDER FOR FIFTH ANNUAL RECEPTION FOR VETERANS

2009-10-28T10:12:00.001-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin today reminded veterans that his fifth annual Reception for Veterans will be held on Wednesday, November 4th at 5:00 p.m. the Northenders VFW Post 10201, 2349 Stockyard Road.

“Just as in years past, we pause from our busy schedules and invite veterans to join us for an informal reception,” Mayor Davlin said. “The eve of Veterans Day Week is a perfect time for us to gather and show our veterans that we greatly appreciate everything that they have done for us.”

The annual Reception for Veterans was created and developed by members of the Mayor’s Veterans’ Advisory Council, whose members plan and organize the reception. It is traditionally held in early November, in connection with Veterans Day each year.

This year’s speaker will be Daniel W. Grant, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Grant is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a serving member of the Illinois National Guard. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The reception is free and open to any Springfield Veteran, no matter what branch of the military or what time period they served.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTES HALLOWEEN SAFETY

2009-10-26T11:43:00.001-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin and Police Chief Ralph A. Caldwell Jr. today reminded Springfield residents to be aware of children walking in the neighborhoods as they trick or treat on Halloween.

“The safety of our children is very important and this can help them in having a fun filled Halloween,” said Mayor Davlin. “We also want to remind adults they should accompany the trick or treaters as they go about their neighborhoods.”

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MAYOR DAVLIN NAMES ROBERT L. WILLIAMS AS NEW POLICE CHIEF

2009-10-22T11:35:00.002-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin today announced that he is appointing Assistant Chief Robert L. Williams to be the new Chief of Police, to replace Chief Ralph Caldwell who is retiring. Williams appointment requires the approval of the City Council. He will serve as acting chief in the interim. “I couldn’t be more pleased in appointing Robert Williams to be Police Chief,” Mayor Davlin said. “He brings to the table an extensive list of accomplishments, having served in a number of key positions within the police department. I know he will do a great job as chief and I have every confidence in him.” Williams is a 22-year veteran of the Springfield Police Department having started as a Patrol officer in April of 1987. He has served as Deputy Chief of Professional Standards which includes the day-to-day oversight of Internal Affairs for the entire Police Department. He also has served as Detective/Sergeant in charge of the Juvenile Section. Williams holds a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice from the University of Illinois at Springfield, and an Associate degree from Lincoln Land Community College. A Springfield native, Williams is married and has two daughters.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

2009-10-21T13:32:00.001-05:00

Washington Street, between Chatham Road and Oxford Road, which is closed for bridge construction, will remain closed to traffic tonight following the partial collapse of a bridge under construction. The roadway is expected to be reopened sometime tomorrow.

Street Closure, Sewer Repair

2009-10-19T13:32:00.001-05:00

Washington Street, between Chatham Road and Oxford Road, will be closed to traffic on Wednesday, October 21, due to construction, weather permitting. The necessary construction should be completed within one (1) day. A marked detour route will be in effect to route motorists around the closure. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

And, the eastbound curb lane of South Grand Avenue between Whittier Avenue and Pasfield Street will be closed to traffic starting Tuesday, October 20th, for sewer repair. The sewer repair should be completed in one week, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists should drive with caution through this area and avoid the area during heavy traffic time if possible.

SPRINGFIELD GREEN SOCIETY RECEPTION AT THE MANSION

2009-10-14T17:07:00.003-05:00

Mayor Timothy J. Davlin and R.W. Troxell & Company will host the 5th annual Springfield Green Society Reception to benefit city gateway beautification projects on Thursday, October 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in a new location this year, the Illinois Executive Mansion located at 410 E. Jackson Street.

Mayor Davlin will present Springfield Green awards for outstanding support and participation for the 2008-’09 season and a short program on America In Bloom activities will also be announced. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served and Jane Hartman Trio will entertain.

Admission to the reception, which is also good for a one-year membership to Springfield Green, is $50 for individuals and $125 for a family. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by e-mail at green@springfield.il.us.

Guests may RSVP at the online invitation at www.socialzr.com/event/green/society. This event is sponsored by R.W. Troxell & Company, Todd and Helen Renfrow, Tom and Lori Cullen, Downtown Springfield, Inc., E & F Distributing and The Barrelhead.

CAT THE CAUSE OF POWER OUTAGE

2009-10-14T10:47:00.002-05:00

Approximately 2,700 City Water, Light and Power customers lost power at 9:57 a.m. when a cat got into transmission equipment at the Stevenson Drive substation. Customers in the area roughly bound by 11th Street, South Grand Avenue and Lake Springfield are affected. (The cat survived the encounter.)

Power has been restored all customers. Those who remain with electric service problems should call the Electric Trouble Line at 789-2121.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

2009-10-08T08:49:00.003-05:00

Clearlake Avenue, between 16th Street and Madison Street, will be reduced to two lanes in each direction beginning Tuesday, October 13th, to install an overhead sign on the pedestrian walkway. Installation of the sign is expected to be complete on Wednesday, October 14th, weather permitting.

Drivers should avoid the area if possible and be aware that the extent of the installation could reduce the lane closures further after the morning peak period.

Springfield Police confiscate cash, guns and drugs

2009-10-05T15:36:00.004-05:00

Members of the Proactive Crime Unit of the Springfield Police Department raided a house at 1809 Greentree Road, confiscating a variety of guns and drugs, and apprehending one individual.

Operating on a search warrant, the Narcotics Unit with the assistance from members of the Patrol Division, seized a 12 gauge shotgun, a 20 gauge shotgun, a .22 cal. rifle, a .30 cal rifle, a 9mm pistol, assorted ammunition, appx. 18 grams of cocaine, an ounce of cannabis and $11,570 in US Currency.

Officers arrested James Patterson (66) and charged him with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Manufacture/Delivery of Cannabis.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE ARREST TWO JUVENILES INVOLVING CAR THEFT

2009-10-05T11:06:00.003-05:00

Springfield Police arrested two juveniles Saturday night in connection with an automobile burglary in the 1800 block of South Walnut. Officers are continuing their investigation into their connection of 10 to 20 automobile burglaries in the general area of the near southwest side of the city.

Officers said they were called when two witnesses saw them in a parked car in their driveway. When the juveniles saw the witnesses they fled on bicycles. Both juveniles were located by officers in the general area of the South Walnut Street burglary. Among the items taken in the burglary were an IPod, IPod charger, and telephone.

The juveniles, 16 and 15 years old, were released in the custody of their mothers.

CWLP CELEBRATING PUBLIC POWER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK

2009-10-02T16:19:00.000-05:00

City Water, Light and Power will celebrate Public Power Week and Customer Service Week October 5 to 12 by focusing on the history of public power in Springfield and honoring the men and women responsible for serving the utility’s 65,000+ customers.

“The foresight of the founders who fought for the municipal operation of CWLP ensured our community’s independence for a century of success in public power,” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “With this foresight, a representative government and the thousands of professionals who have kept the lights on and the watering running, our community has truly benefited.”

“Public Power Week recognizes CWLP and other utilities for providing an essential service and that is driven by public service, not profit,” said CWLP General Manager Todd Renfrow. “We should all be proud of the long history that began with a 750-kilowatt generator and 300 customers to what CWLP is today as the state’s largest municipal utility serving power and high-quality drinking water to a population over 152,000.”

An exhibit on the construction of Dallman Unit 4 is set up outside of the CWLP Customer Service office in the lobby of Municipal Center West at 7th and Monroe Streets. Photos depicting the phases of construction of the utility’s new 200-MW unit are included. In honor of Customer Service Week, a second exhibit will introduce visitors to the men and women who make up the CWLP Customer Service Office and respond to their calls for account information and service.

CWLP is the largest of Illinois’ 42 public utilities by numbers of customers served, revenue, sales and generation. CWLP has nine generating stations, which includes six coal-fired power plants; two oil-fired gas peaking turbines and a dual fuel natural gas and oil-fired combustion turbine, which serve customers in an 80-square-mile service territory.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE CONDUCT SECURITY CHECK AT LANPHIER HIGH

2009-10-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

The Springfield Police Department conducted a security check, which included the wanding of students at Lanphier High School this morning.

No major security problems were discovered, but some school regulations may have been violated which will be handled by the school officials. No arrests were made and a police report was not generated.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

2009-09-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

Cook Street from 13th Street to 14th Street will be closed Thursday, October 1, 2009, to allow crews to remove a tree. A detour route will be marked. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

Drivers that disregard the Road Closed and Do Not Enter signs could be subject to a $250 fine.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE ARREST FOUR IN PIZZA ROBBERY

2009-09-29T11:52:00.001-05:00

What started out looking like the usual scene of robbing the pizza delivery guy Monday night ended up in the arrest of two adults and two juveniles.

The victim told police he was delivering pizzas in the 2100 block of East Watch Avenue at 10:30 p.m. Upon arrival he was approached by a male subject, who made the pizza order and three other males. He was give a small amount of money for $35 worth of pizza.

The victim said he momentarily looked down at the money and when he looked up one of the males produced a long barreled pistol and demanded his money, wallet and the pizzas. They took about $55 from the delivery person. After taking a pack of cigarettes the four fled.

After being called Police Officers established a perimeter and the K-9 tracked the suspects to a residence in the 2100 block of East Keys. Officers located five individuals in a garage and after questioning arrested four. With the use of the K-9, officers observed through a window the 15 year-old youth placing a substance that appeared to be cannabis on a scale.

Arrested were: Adam M. Bartnick, 20, of the 2100 block of East Keys and Justin E. Shepard, 20, of the 1000 block of North 8th St. Both were charged with armed robbery. The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with armed robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of cannabis while the 16-year-old was charged with armed robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and armed violence. The juveniles were taken to the Sangamon County Juvenile Center and the adults were taken to Sangamon County Jail.

CITY GLASS COLLECTION SATURDAY

2009-09-28T10:45:00.002-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin announced today the City of Springfield will provide a glass recycling drop-off event on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“This collection will accept all colors of glass bottles and jars that held food or drink,” Mayor Davlin said. “Although the value of glass is low, we want to continue to provide service for this material because keeping glass out of landfills where it takes up space forever is the ultimate goal. We are happy to take the lead and provide this recycling service for all area residents, not just for city residents.”

All colors of glass containers will be acceptable for this collection event: clear, brown, green and blue. Only glass bottles, jars or jugs that held food or drink will be accepted. Please do NOT bring other types of glass such as kitchenware, window panes, eyewear, etc. These items are a different type of glass and cannot be recycled in the same manner as food containers. Other recyclable materials will not be accepted.

Participants should enter the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate 11, at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and Eighth Street. Traffic will be directed from the entry to the collection area and will be directed to exit via Gate 7, exiting onto Taintor Road. Those seeking to drop off glass and entering any other gate will be redirected to enter through Gate 11.

“We also appreciate the Illinois Department of Agriculture for allowing us to use the State Fairgrounds. This provides an ideal site for a drive-through drop-off. We appreciate them partnering to provide this free public service,” Mayor Davlin added.

Information on many types of recyclable materials is available at the city’s website at: www.springfield.il.us/recycle.htm. For further details, call the city’s Division of Waste & Recycling at 789-2327.

Street Closure

2009-09-28T08:34:00.000-05:00

The southbound lane of Taylor Avenue and West Lake Drive at Stevenson Drive will be closed starting Tuesday, September 29, 2009, for a gas valve replacement. The eastbound left turn lane and the north curb lane for Stevenson Drive will be closed to accommodate the closure at the intersection.

The closure should be completed in three days, but may be delayed by weather. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid congestion in the area.

SPRINGFIELD POLICE ASK MOTORISTS TO USE CAUTION

2009-09-23T14:53:00.002-05:00

Springfield Police Chief Ralph A. Caldwell Jr. today urged motorists to exercise caution this Friday night if traveling in or near the parade route area in connection with the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival.

“SPD officers will be stationed along the parade route to help motorists as well as parade participants,” Caldwell said.

The festival parade will begin at 6 p.m. from the Capital City Shopping Center. The parade will travel south to Stevenson Drive and then west to South Sixth Street then it will go north on South Sixth Street to the festival’s entrance which is near the Cook Street area.

The parade is expected to last about two hours.

Springfield Awarded $1.2 million for Efficiency Projects

2009-09-23T10:45:00.001-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin announced today that the City of Springfield has been awarded an Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant allocation of $1,225,600 from the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act announced this past March.

“These funds will further bolster CWLP’s activities to save energy, reduce greenhouse gasses, and create jobs locally through many important energy efficiency projects.” said Mayor Tim Davlin. “Every dollar that we can invest into smart energy solutions is a win for the city in that Springfield homes and businesses are less expensive to heat and cool and it’s an opportunity for local energy efficiency related firms to expand business in tight times.”

This grant, specifically allocated to Springfield, originated from a Department of Energy program totaling almost $1.8 billion nationally. Energy efficiency projects funded through this grant will provide both significant energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint for City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) electric customers.

“With this funding, we particularly look forward to expanding our efficiency and rebate options we can offer to our residential and business customers,” said CWLP General Manager Todd Renfrow. “Every kilowatt saved is money to be earned for being a smart consumer.”

CWLP will utilize these funds to undertake one new energy efficiency program and reinstate two others, which include a commercial retro-commissioning program and bringing back a high efficiency air conditioner rebate program and a commercial lighting retrofit program, CityLights. These programs will be managed by CWLP’s Energy Services Office and will lead to substantial energy and cost savings for many CWLP customers.

The 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama in February.

Route 66 Mother Road Festival Street closings

2009-09-21T14:21:00.000-05:00

Thursday, September 24, 2009 beginning at 3:00 p.m. NO parking on:

Fifth between Jefferson and Capitol, and Sixth between Jefferson and Monroe

Friday, September 25, 2009 beginning at Noon the following streets will be CLOSED:

Fifth at Jefferson
Sixth at Capitol
Washington, Monroe and Capitol between Fourth and Seventh
Adams between Fourth and Fifth and between Sixth and the alley

Additionally, the above streets will have no parking bags installed for existing cars at 2:00 p.m. on Friday. Cars must be moved by 5:00 p.m.

For a map of the event which shows street closures, go to map.

CWLP ENERGY SERVICES OFFICE OFFERING LOW-COST/NO-COST EFFICIENCY WORKSHOP

2009-09-21T12:19:00.002-05:00

The CWLP Energy Services Office will host another Low-Cost/No-Cost Efficiency Workshop on Wednesday, September 23rd. The free 90-minute workshop, which focuses on home energy efficiency improvements that can be made for little or no cost, provides residential electric customers with a crash course in how to become efficiency do-it-yourselfers.

The workshop will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Carnegie Room South at the downtown branch of Lincoln Library, on the corner of Seventh and Monroe Streets. The program is open and free of charge to all CWLP residential electric customers.

Workshop participants will receive instruction and hands-on experience installing a variety of weatherization products, including caulk, weatherstripping and flexible interior storm windows. Participants will also receive a free take-home “starter kit: of several of the products discussed in the workshop. This program can be especially beneficial to customers living on low or fixed incomes who are having difficulty covering their home energy costs and who can’t afford to hire someone to make necessary efficiency improvements to their homes.

Reservations for CWLP’s Low-Cost/No-Cost Efficiency Workshops call 789-2070 or email nrgxprts@cwlp.com your name, residential address and daytime telephone number.

In addition to these scheduled public workshops, the CWLP Energy Services Office also offers Low-Cost/No-cost Efficiency Workshops to interested churches, neighborhood associations, and other community and civic groups who expect a minimum attendance of at least 15. In most cases, the workshops can be set up at the convenience of the requesting organization.

NINE PEOPLE TO BEGIN SERVING ON SPRINGFIELD’S BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL

2009-09-21T11:17:00.001-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin today named nine individuals to serve on the Springfield Bicycle Advisory Council. The council will act as an advisory body on bicyclist issues; analyze routing, operation and the safety of bicycles and their riders. Members will also evaluate and make recommendations for signed shared roadways, the use of and installation of bicycle racks and signalization.

Named to the Council are David A. Sykuta, chairman, Dr. Daniel Adair, John Allen, Janet L. Cooper, Michael Cummins, Kevin Greene, Michael F. Higgins, John Pohlman, and Terry Farmer. more

CITY TO CELEBRATE PARK(ING) DAY

2009-09-17T15:12:00.002-05:00

Mayor Tim Davlin announced today that the City of Springfield and Downtown Springfield Inc. are joining hundreds of cities worldwide who will be celebrating Park(ing) Day on Friday, September 18th. Participants in this event create temporary parks in public parking spaces in order to promote the needs for and benefits of green space in urban settings.

“Through Park(ing) Day, the City is able to demonstrate what a nice complement green spaces are to an urban setting,” said Mayor Davlin. “I hope that many of our residents and downtown business owners and employees can join us in this event and learn more about green benefits to our community.”

For Springfield’s celebration, the southwest corner of Fifth and Adams Streets is being transformed by Coppertree Designs into a mini green space with more than 100 groundcover plants and perennials. A dedication of the park is being held at 10:30 a.m. Friday and the space will be available to the public through Sunday, September 20.
More information on global Park(ing) Day activities and maps can be found at http://my.parkingday.org.

CWLP PARTICIPATING IN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS FORUM

2009-09-16T10:25:00.000-05:00

In lieu of City Water, Light & Power’s Community Energy Forum scheduled for September 17, the utility’s Energy Services Office staff will instead be participating in the Sustainable Springfield Business Forum occurring that day at 7 p.m. at the Dove Center at Sixth and Mason Streets. CWLP supports the efforts of the Sustainable Springfield Business Forum, particularly in the areas of commercial energy efficiency and resource savings.

CWLP invites interested businesses and nonprofit companies to join members of the community and CWLP staff at this premier event to explore sustainable business practices that make sense for the environment and the bottom line. In addition to reducing carbon output, sustainable business practices can mean both immediate and long-term cash savings for businesses.

CWLP’s final Community Energy Forum of the year will be a brown bag lunch event on Thursday, December 10th at noon at the Illinois National Bank Downtown Conference Center located at Fourth and Jackson Streets. CWLP uses input received from its energy forums to enhance existing programs and develop new energy efficiency and conservation programs.

Call 789-2070 for any questions about CWLP Community Energy Meetings, energy efficiency programs or other programs.