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Construction completed on Springfield underpasses

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — In the last 10 years, five new underpasses have been completed and four additional have been reconstructed as part of the Springfield Rail Project. The latest of these are the Madison and Jefferson Street overpasses.

“The new underpasses eliminate the potential for vehicle and train accidents,” said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Both the streets also carry significant transit to school bus traffic on our important thoroughfare through downtown Springfield connected directly to Interstate-72.”

The new underpass allows people to walk, bike, and drive all while trains are traveling overhead through downtown Springfield. The overpasses at Madison and Jefferson Street combined see 20,000 cars a day and the combined construction cost 13.5 million dollars.

“When we started this project, there was a legitimate concern that this project might become a wall separating east from west in the community but today’s ceremony is proof that that is not case,” said Andy Van Meter, Chairman of the Sangamon County Board. “This is a passageway, this is a connecting point.”

While the community is celebrating having another route into the downtown area, there is concern that the overall project will not be completed in a timely manner. In December of 2023, the Department of Transportation rejected a 138 million dollar grant to complete the rail project.

“My constituents are getting more and more frustrated to say ‘how much longer is this going to continue to be on pause or be on hold” said Lakeisha Purchase, Alderwoman for Ward 5. “What I can tell people is that we’re are asking the same questions, we’re holding them accountable.”

Senator Dick Durbin reassured the community today that he hopes to have an announcement about funding soon. He promised to not give up on the project.

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Springfield city leadership celebrate diversity achievements

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)- For Black History Month, Springfield city leaders met to celebrate achievements the city has made. Among the list of recent achievements, the city currently has the most simultaneously serving alderpeople of color, the most people of color in a mayor’s cabinet, and the most Springfield police officers of color.

“We take a moment to embrace the city, not for the sake of a pat on the back, but to pay homage to the city’s firsts,” said Gwen Harrison, Director of the Lincoln Library and honoree at the event. “It is time to continue to move forward with heart, courage and tenacity. It is time to remind our youth and citizens that there are paths that may be taken, roads that we must build, and strides that will be surmounted.”

As part of the celebration, a group of youth dancers performed two songs, and a musical trio played a selection of songs. The common theme was the importance of representation for youth.

“With me growing up, I didn’t see a lot of officers of color in this position, and I believe that had I would have seen that, it would have just gave me idea to, you know, you don’t have to necessarily be an athlete or musician,” said Lonnie Lucas, a patrol officer for Springfield Police Department. “There’s other things that you can do and be great at it.”

For Sergeant Charles Peters, who has worked at SPD for 10 years, the representation goes beyond him. He is excited that his daughter can see women of color in power in the city.

“I’m definitely extremely hopeful,” said Peters. “I’m extremely excited. I have a young daughter, and she can look at all the directors and see that I can be that one day, they look like me. They’re women like like she is.”

Honorees at the event included the three members of the Black Aldermanic Caucus: Lakeisha Purchase, Shawn Gregory, and Roy Williams. The city’s Director of Communications, Haley Wilson; Director of Community Relations, Ethan Posey; and Director of the Lincoln Library, Gwen Harrison, were all honored as well. The event also recognized the Springfield Police Department’s efforts to increase diversity.

Springfield city council looking at future during budget season

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — As Springfield’s city council navigates the newly approved budget, concerns loom over the declining corporate fund, which has decreased consecutively since 2023.

Alderpeople, including Ward 9 alderman Jim Donelan, emphasize the need for caution in future financial planning.

Ward 5 alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase highlighted the alarming trend, stating, “You see it dropping from 25.6 percent in FY26 to 15.2 in 27 from 15.2 to 2.2 in 28.” As the fund approaches zero, the city may be forced to make cuts.

Ward 10 alderman Ralph Hanauer stressed the importance of foresight when considering new programs.

“We might really want to start thinking about it this year because if we add any new programs this year that goes into next year, there’s going to have to be some cuts somewhere, so we got to keep that in mind,” he said.

dramatic cuts or anything of that nature in the near future, let alone in the long term.” He added, “That’s why we’re always looking at fund balance, that’s why when the fund balance is over a certain amount, we’re making extra pension payments and we’re not just doing it willy-nilly.”

He also noted that budget discussions will continue throughout the year.

“But remember, a lot of the major expenditures, just because the budget authority and the line item is there, we’re still going to be debating these things at the council level,” he said. “And whether it’s buying a new piece of equipment that costs $50,000, $60,000, $100,000, whatever it is, those expenditures come before the council.”

Donelan credited the mayor’s office and departments for preparing materials two months ahead of the deadline, facilitating more discussions between departments.