The 21st is starting a new series highlighting mayoral races happening across Illinois, starting with Springfield. We talked with the incumbent and the challenger.

The 21st is starting a new series highlighting mayoral races happening across Illinois, starting with Springfield. We talked with the incumbent and the challenger.

Springfield is the only municipality in the state to run its own coal power plant. But city officials are considering a plan to close three of its four coal generators after a report on CWLP’s future found that the cost to run them is more than what the utility can sell the electricity for on the wholesale market.

There’s a battle brewing in the seat of state government. But it’s not a traditional debate over policy and politics, it’s about land. Governor Bruce Rauner is attempting to leave a lasting imprint on Springfield, despite push-back from downtown business owners and some city officials.

On Feb. 12 -- Abraham Lincoln's birthday -- officials released plans to salute another President with state ties. The Springfield mayor, governor and Illinois secretary of state announced a project to salute Obama's time in the capital city.