News Progress

Traveling on the Springfield Road (Part 3)

•November 19, 2025•

by Janet Roney

Traveling across the prairie of central Illinois on the Springfield Road in the 1830s was not easy, whether on a horse, in a covered wagon, or on foot, as seen in the last two columns. An alternative way to travel was by stagecoach. The Springfield Road was laid out by the state in 1826 specifically as a route for stagecoach travel and for the US mail.

Unfortunately, stagecoach travel was not much better than going by wagon, horse, or walking. In The Sangamon Saga, one lady described riding in a stagecoach on a trail in Sangamon County as “one prolonged torture.” The body of the stage was suspended on leather straps between the wheels, which acted as a crude form of springs, but gave little relief from bouncing along on the rough, rutted trail.

“When she got into the stage at noon, she found her traveling companions included an elderly woman and six young men. The latter were all going west to seek their fortunes. The roads were so tough that the harness was broken twice that afternoon and had to be mended before they could continue.”

Somewhere in Sangamon County, they stopped at an inn, “which seemed about ready to fall down. For supper, there was greasy side meat, soggy and ill-smelling saleratus biscuits, and coffee made from parched corn. Flies swarmed the table unnoticed by the host.”

•November 12, 2025•

The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has announced that it’s almost time for one of Sullivan’s favorite holiday traditions - the Lights On Parade. Businesses, organizations, and community members are invited to be part of this magical night by entering a lighted float or display. The goal is to make Sullivan sparkle together and kick off the holiday season in style. Entrants are encouraged to be creative, have fun, and help spread holiday cheer all through downtown. The annual lighted parade will be held on Friday, December 5th, at 6:00 p.m. This year, the route has been shortened, with the line-up starting at the parking lot of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, 112 N. Main St. (across from McDonald’s). For more information, contact staceyuphoff@gmail.com.

The Sullivan ‘Hometown Holiday Lighted Parade’ sign-up form can be found here: https://forms.gle/oVHp5rkEmsPs9axe6.

•November 12, 2025•

Amid federal health care changes negatively impacting Americans, Get Covered Illinois is here to help. Get Covered Illinois kicked off 2026 open enrollment and launched its “Here to Help” campaign across the state. Open enrollment, which began on November 1st and runs through January 15th, is the annual opportunity for Illinoisans to enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance plans. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans purchased health coverage through Get Covered Illinois during open enrollment last year, a 17% increase from the previous year. 

This year, Illinoisans will experience a new marketplace. Enrollees will apply for and enroll directly on GetCoveredIllinois.gov now that Illinois has officially transitioned to a state-based marketplace. They will also have access to increased support that is more tailored to their needs.

Traveling on the Springfield Road (part 2)

•November 12, 2025•

by Janet Roney

The time is 1837. Young Mary Parkinson’s family is traveling across the prairie in Douglas County in a group with two other families (26 people in all) and seven loaded wagons. Her letters to her sister back in Vermont, printed in a 1909 issue of the Journal of American History, are the earliest account I have found of traveling on the old Springfield Road that went across the northern part of Moultrie County.

•November 5, 2025•

The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is encouraging everyone with Medicare to check if their plan still meets their needs and budget during this year’s Open Enrollment Period, which began on October 15th and runs through December 7th, 2025. Individuals can get free help comparing health and drug plan options by contacting the state’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).