[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6086957,"mediaKeyId","2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433","parentId",2892803,"title","Residents urge more city action on homelessness; cite Peoria motel program and local laundry services","audioSeconds",952,"startMs",5920000,"endMs",6872000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433&start=5920&end=6872","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433/thumbnail_5920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086957/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Residents-urge-more-city-action-on-homelessness-cite-Peoria-motel-program-and-local-laundry-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086957-2e1a259de501d8228b9ba42c775e0a77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134259&Signature=STDiiTQacGDyDoy2Up3qTJb0ShyKwOGbNdKJZNLzhbzYgkZLUX5LAWL2W2bcmlNSOEA6CnmI9Uk93unoa1YIdj3Sx7WtBCe9~9wRn3jPYyEjWcJfFIBY6EvkFTWhZ6rg-EzHIbIp06WhXpfxPyFKSQG7LXFiKSwV2mkT-r02EN8eh98N-ErKNIwf4v2dMt075s4CqqtZ0FgnieXU2U3fCCQt2EdfDZP0t8RJxNzbA-inNnYmsb9N1iOSguHVxMRq5tNgLsy~6RnxMsQwWqugfMUhjwI7b-DQxFS6NKVx1Bn61NejkGvCmMULYlS~Ni75F6nKntveikbvHFcPWj7MGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield, IL","date","2025-04-07T19:12:30Z","article","Multiple speakers at the council's April 1 meeting urged stronger city action to assist people experiencing homelessness and cited local and regional programs as models.

Veronica Glass said Peoria had recently raised $109,000 and the Illinois United Way had provided $205,000 to support a motel-based program called the Lulu project; she asked why Springfield could not take similar steps. Glass said the Lulu program places unhoused people in motels and provides services including meals, hygiene items and counseling, and that Springfield should pursue comparable supports.

Robert Frazier described a local nonprofit effort, CSA's \"Soak the Hope\" initiative, which he said has provided laundry service and other basic needs. Frazier urged council members to support CSA's monthly funding needs so the program can continue operations that serve people he described as \"poverty traumatized.\" He said CSA has operated a sustained service and requested monetary support.

Faith Coalition and other commenters framed utility and neighborhood-planning decisions as tied to racial and spatial inequities, saying municipal decisions about CWLP and infrastructure have different health and economic impacts across neighborhoods.

The council did not adopt new funding or a new program at the April 1 meeting; public commenters asked the council to pursue motel-based temporary shelter options, increased outreach funding, and to consider partnerships with nonprofits and regional funders to replicate programs like Peoria's Lulu project.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield City Council Meeting, Tuesday April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged the council to expand services for people experiencing homelessness and highlighted Peoria's Lulu motel program and local efforts such as CSA's \"Soak the Hope\" laundry initiative.","taxTitle","Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois","taxId",2651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086962,"Residents press council for better accessibility, accurate captions and fair treatment after microphones and cameras were cut during public comment",4165,2146000,6311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433&start=2146&end=6311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6086962/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Residents-press-council-for-better-accessibility-accurate-captions-and-fair-treatment-after-microphones-and-cameras-were-cut-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086962-d890ce192344f3f024d076747cd80fce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134259&Signature=YlEe5bb7nWc32~sJ~Mb5x5TUaQJ0GaYZspuI8rh8VMJBkF9SxzxwOraqBvOEoTr0HpAAx4mekgsIpnAWXYLyFdjSVpyBuP1GOFK5wp04bJEKeFAsQGakoGpGz9Nb0kr9zs~6-nAQ-huDxYcI4zBjdSlFfQWNl-5lILscf~kLQVZ-xhjLJoDPxo-Zm3G0Hvd6pc8jlveYnpKVzLJ6OeZxyOwUXN7p5acv~ZiTb1ad2VT12a6fcaf5g-Gu2mXlhAGikbsQ5g-A-nPhKsFZJ7ZGK3NcCsPFjGR8WulcJnVEeKoUCpBIMBi7sZLoLD16lI2Gxu1tNkSu8zfQq7dwN785pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the April 1 public-comment period to press the council on meeting accessibility and the city's handling of microphones and cameras during public remarks.

Reggie Guyton, who described himself as a regular citizen, criticized what he called inconsistent rules and said that changes in how the meeting was handled from week to week undermined credibility. He urged the council to \"consider adding a certified sign language interpreter, American Sign Language, or making sure that the AI captions are actually accurate,\" saying many residents rely on lip reading and facial expressions.

Kayla McGuire, who spoke about a past arrest at a September protest and about accessibility, said Springfield has \"a deaf population of over 3,000, pushing 4,000 this year most likely,\" and asked where written transcripts and reliable captions could be found. Brianna Roberts said her microphone was cut off at a prior meeting without explanation and that repeated camera movements removed visual access for speakers using QR codes.

Residents and commenters described specific concerns: camera operators repeatedly shifted angles when speakers attempted to display QR codes, microphones were cut off without on-record motions or explanations, and official responses to requests for clarification from the city's communications director were reportedly delayed or absent.

Council members acknowledged the concerns and described differing institutional roles. Several members said they do not control day-to-day camera or social-media moderation but expressed willingness to review procedures. Corporation counsel and other councilors referenced the Open Meetings Act and Robert's Rules of Order as governing public-comment process, and some members asked staff to prepare an overview for the council on meeting rules.

Speakers asked the council to publish transcripts, ensure accurate live captions, provide ASL interpretation, and adopt consistent camera and microphone practices to make meetings accessible and to avoid the perception that rules are applied unevenly. The council did not announce an immediate policy change at the April 1 meeting but several members committed to reviewing procedures and to communicate further with staff.","Multiple residents told the council on April 1 they experienced or observed microphone and camera cutoff, poor captions, and lack of sign-language access; they called for ASL interpreters, transcripts, consistent camera framing and fair treatment across speakers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086967,"Public speakers press council on CWLP, IRP timing and House Bill 2902",3937,2767000,6704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433&start=2767&end=6704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433/thumbnail_2767000.jpg","/articles/6086967/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Public-speakers-press-council-on-CWLP-IRP-timing-and-House-Bill-2902","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086967-5390019a9e96c7857543d2aa8604f0cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134259&Signature=PO3kvI43h0w1IdYKRwlknzF4ymD3iivHmDjGVGdtFBdoS3fKaKq872BZeFA8ZhhKuxJRitq37XdOGFQLgBDEHqfki8LgRL8CnScIbPTfui1K0kxSh9Zq7NejkAfD-yyg6TPQSgPvxVqvyZaJ9R7pcoJn3xsqjfCAQWj2B49umxsiul4uHm2MlSn7Z2j9GZwedp4xrxRdZWQ4KvfF3UK4pgeNxyHOARmUi9JJCtFS25sbVcyYI8fnpaD~PcSqwAulG5bOjlCR0R8A2SghYrL2IxfTRRIkrTSaeL21xZ2uZYaeD9OoTw7UU5lP-S4r~Xq9XI-Fzgy~gVz6Fob408v8bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple speakers at the April 1 Springfield City Council meeting urged prompt, transparent planning for City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), and urged the council not to pause local work while state legislation moves through Springfield.

Ken Pasha, a longtime local commentator, criticized CWLP for previous contract decisions and urged the council not to accept blame deflected onto environmental groups. He told the council that prior wind contracts locked in rates that later cost ratepayers and that prior Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) had been delayed.

Laurie McKernan, who addressed the council with a focused critique of CWLP's presentation, read provisions of House Bill 2902 and disputed statements made by utility representatives. \"Don't let Doug Brown tell you that these bills are bad. You need to get the whole story,\" McKernan said, summarizing the bill's stakeholder and contractor provisions laid out in the proposed law, including required public meetings and the Illinois Power Agency’s role in posting IRPs and managing public comment.

Several council members and public commenters argued against pausing local planning while state-level legislation is pending. Alderman Williams and others said the city should continue its schedule for a new IRP rather than delaying. Faith Coalition for the Common Good representatives and the Coalition for Springfield's Utility Future urged the council to use a participatory IRP process to address equity and neighborhood impacts from CWLP’s energy choices.

Speakers asked the council for fuller engagement with community groups on energy planning and asked CWLP for clearer data on projected staffing costs and contract terms referenced in CWLP's presentation to the council. No final action on an IRP was recorded at the April 1 meeting; speakers urged the council to proceed with public, participatory planning.

Alderman Williams and other council members said they intend to pursue the IRP process and requested further information from CWLP on the financial and staffing impacts described in recent presentations.","Residents and advocates urged the council to pursue a new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for City Water, Light and Power and raised concerns about local control and transparency amid discussion of House Bill 2902.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086972,"Council hears update: Wyndham Hotel investigation prompts convention relocations; management estimates three-month window",264,1462000,1726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433&start=1462&end=1726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433/thumbnail_1462000.jpg","/articles/6086972/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Council-hears-update-Wyndham-Hotel-investigation-prompts-convention-relocations-management-estimates-three-month-window","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086972-987b0b8cc969b4236f8154da1c919104/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134259&Signature=Kc66Pb0mrGbVUP6fHdc7xzaTpwDP3dKO8kQgLOR~zUmOupC11WC98UEtMQjqmdG6QyniOblxJcGLugxgnHGNqD966RjNbqgE5KUlVoiY7oPOtkC0r4NKM5sgw2Yn1FIfmjgE7VBw3jSg3HTPw15~l5rPdmtx4yI3WHeh68xmA-ZtjLm9MsQoJ-992N9w4yEe-NEmo4lM-djmsjqD67qxY7LS1jAfnAIP1~w3iwse5JmkgtZLBl-eKQSIfWyF3rJFzXHHSJyO3ooOCD3atmoNTIiN31tkNbwvTvDryTgu9hQ4epoOSkkWSNA8zxEiiHNUI7GJkqatFZSFcIL~sIUmjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City tourism and legal officials told the Springfield City Council on April 1 that the Wyndham Hotel incident now under investigation has prompted active relocation of conventions and that hotel management has given an estimated three-month window for repairs.

Corporation counsel Mordock briefed the council that an investigation is underway and deferred operational details to tourism staff and to Director Dahl. Scott Dahl, identified in the meeting as the tourism director working with VISTA Springfield staff, said his office has worked since the prior Thursday with the Springfield Hotel Lodging Association and Wyndham management to relocate groups, provide shuttle service where needed, and to keep events downtown.

\"We've been successfully moving these groups and relocating them, providing shuttle service when we need to,\" Director Dahl said. He told the council that groups are being contacted daily and \"so far so good\" in keeping attendees in Springfield and preserving future bookings.

Dahl told council members that Wyndham management issued a statement saying the repair window would be about three months, and staff are planning on a 90- to 120-day disruption window for some group reservations. He said city staff have asked affected groups to reach out first to Wyndham management and then to the city bureau if further repositioning is needed.

Mordock and Dahl said the city team has been communicating directly with Wyndham management and that ownership has been communicating with fire safety, public works, and the police department. Dahl said the city has not communicated directly with the hotel's ownership group and that discussions with owners are being handled by the mayor's office and corporation counsel.

Council members praised the tourism bureau's response and asked for continued weekly updates as relocation work continues through the convention season.

No formal action or emergency order was taken by the council at the April 1 meeting; the briefing was recorded as an update from staff.","City officials and tourism staff told the Springfield City Council that Wyndham Hotel management estimates repairs will take about three months and that the city and local tourism staff are relocating conventions and providing shuttle service as needed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086977,"Council approves two urban-forestry appointments, withdraws one item",128,1252000,1380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433&start=1252&end=1380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892803-d18cab6d000cdf2d2f7884770d521433/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6086977/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Council-approves-two-urban-forestry-appointments-withdraws-one-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086977-d3aa15e673df4527dbc70cfbb954b4e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134259&Signature=BRyKugbOOUFQjtCUJPykvd0oSm-8X~-kRcjYaVl6~DOiXf4VtWMmN9gcZ4u04-d9zYi0P3lCn1mI8gMyo8RgFcafMio~FsZ7cJkzgUmHM7Tq4aidss3cp3AhTVm-eYh0eO24oWfYxxEzx5s4wznWDBKrG04kEFgP~ytYcQULO8FjiS2EgiH69tz7KOJvlMp6Lvo90bA97YPb9YUJdBZlZKzytUI8OsAV3w4KDksrIQErtrEOdIPFQXHhaDk6TDJOIMjetRESYUHXYvsK4ZEp7ETBwbhPc2R74fQ7soGVDmh8NPpqnBuqF5LUGu6kLGa-Kqj73vkd~FtUNugPxjzC5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Council on April 1 voted to withdraw one appointment and approve two others to the city’s Urban Forestry Commission and approved routine meeting procedures and minutes.

The council voted to withdraw agenda item 2025-127, an ordinance that would have approved the appointment of Wade Cayman to the Springfield Urban Forestry Commission; the motion to withdraw passed with 10 votes in favor. The council then approved ordinance 2025-126 appointing Steven M. Simpson Black to the commission and ordinance 2025-128 appointing Susan J. Rimfer; each motion passed with 10 votes in favor and none opposed.

Mayor Misty Buscher called the votes after the council moved agenda items into the record and advanced the consent agenda. Clerk Redpath conducted the roll call at the start of the meeting and confirmed a 10-member vote tally on the passed motions.

The council also moved to dispense with the reading of the March 18 minutes and to incorporate pre-council readings of ordinances into the official record; those motions carried by voice vote.

No debate on the appointment motions was recorded in the meeting transcript. The item the council withdrew (2025-127) was not debated on the floor before withdrawal. The clerk and mayor recorded the procedural actions and tallies during the meeting.

Votes at a glance:
- Withdraw agenda item 2025-127 (appointment of Wade Cayman to the Urban Forestry Commission): motion to withdraw approved (10 yes – 0 no). Motion outcome recorded as withdrawal.
- Ordinance 2025-126 (appointment of Steven M. Simpson Black to the Springfield Urban Forestry Commission): approved (10 yes – 0 no).
- Ordinance 2025-128 (appointment of Susan J. Rimfer to the Springfield Urban Forestry Commission): approved (10 yes – 0 no).

The meeting proceeded to other business after these procedural and appointment votes.","The Springfield City Council voted to withdraw one appointment and approved two appointments to the Urban Forestry Commission during its April 1 meeting; minutes and consent-agenda procedures also passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge more city action on homelessness; cite Peoria motel program and local laundry services

Residents press council for better accessibility, accurate captions and fair treatment after microphones and cameras were cut during public comment

Public speakers press council on CWLP, IRP timing and House Bill 2902

Council hears update: Wyndham Hotel investigation prompts convention relocations; management estimates three-month window

Council approves two urban-forestry appointments, withdraws one item