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Pacha: City falls down on basic services

Pacha: City falls down on basic services

Citizen Ken Pachs speaks to the Springfield city council, July 28, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A frequent public commenter at Springfield city council said Tuesday the city comes up short on the basics.

“I was out knocking on doors as a precinct committeeperson this week,” said Ken Pacha (pictured, left). You know what I hear from people about city council? How disappointed they are; how absolutely frustrated they are that common things like grass-cutting, garbage pickup or even just taking care of the citizens  (are not done properly), Third-party contractors are taken care of. They genuinely don’t feel like they are represented well by the city – not their individual alderperson, the city itself.”

Campaign cash also has Pacha’s attention,

“If the mayor has her way, some of my favorite people won’t be here” after the election, Pacha continued. “$2500 from your own personal money against (Ald. Shawn Gregory‘s) opponent. Another thousand from Friends of Misty Buscher. Does that sound like decorum? Does that sound like a pledge for civility, or does it sound like a backdoor attempt to already feed an opponent against a two-term alderman?” Pacha said he expects the same treatment is coming against Ald. Roy Williams.

The city primary is February 23. The general election is April 6.

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