JOHN O'CONNOR | The Era-Leader

Home

The hulking former Pillsbury Mills plant in Springfield, Ill., is seen, Dec. 30, 2022. It presents a challenge for the citizen nonprofit organization, Moving Pillsbury Forward, but the group has collected $6 million in commitments and has a road map for securing the balance of the $10 million it says it needs to demolish the 500,000 square feet of former factory before redeveloping the 18-acre site. The mill operated under Minneapolis-based Pillsbury and another owner for 71 years but has been vacant nearly a quarter-century. (AP Photo/John O'Connor)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Decaying Pillsbury mill in Illinois that once churned flour into opportunity is now getting new life
By JOHN O'CONNOR - Associated Press
Sat,12/23/23-11:16PM , 60 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — It was the dog, stuck atop skyscraping grain silos on Springfield's northeast side in 2019, that forced Chris Richmond's hand.
Click Here to Read More

FILE -Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, left, speaks with Illinois Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet, right, while on the House floor after adjoining veto session, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 in Springfield Ill. Officials in a suburban Chicago community have issued municipal citations to a Hank Sanders, a local news reporter for what they say are persistent contacts with city officials for comment on treacherous fall flooding. Sanders continued to call and email city employees, drawing complaints including from Mayor Thaddeus Jones, who is also a Democratic state representative. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Illinois city tickets reporter for asking too many questions, in latest First Amendment dustup
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Reporter
Fri,11/03/23-4:50PM , 40 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) —

Officials in a suburban Chicago community have issued municipal citations to a local news reporter for what they say were persistent contacts with city officials seeking comment on treacherous fall flooding.
Click Here to Read More

Semi-automatic guns are displayed for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply, Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Ill. Illinois will soon outlaw advertising for firearms that officials determine produces a public safety threat or appeals to children, militants or others who might later use them illegally, as the state continues its quest to curb mass shootings. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

Illinois to ban advertising for guns allegedly marketed to kids and militants
By JOHN O'CONNOR - AP Political Writer
Mon,08/07/23-7:37AM , 67 Reads
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.
Click Here to Read More

Highway in Illinois reopens after a windstorm kicked up clouds of blinding dust from farm fields and led to crashes that killed at least six people. (May 2)

AP
premium content - for subscribers only
Click to subscribe

On Illinois highway, blinding dust, then 'crash after crash'
By JOHN O'CONNOR - Associated Press
Tue,05/02/23-7:55AM , 67 Reads
DIVERNON, Ill. (AP) — Winds stirred up a wall of dust from farm fields that engulfed a stretch of busy interstate highway in a matter of minutes. The brown cloud's intensity caked even the insides of vehicles in dirt. As darkness enveloped them, some cars and trucks hurtling down the road put on their brakes; others didn't.
Click Here to Read More

Subscribe to JOHN O'CONNOR