Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Summarizing Tuesday’s public comment, Springfield voters elected for themselves racist, corrupt aldermen who are beholden to wealthy donors and who employ an inept corporation counsel and a police force whose response time depends on whether that ward’s alderman and constituents have criticized the police.

It all stems from last week’s vote not to put the question of whether the city should more tightly regulate landlords onto the March 17, 2026 election ballot. The vote was 5-4, with Ald. Lakeisha Purchase – herself a landlord – recusing herself. Corporation counsel Greg Moredock said the measure needed six Yes votes.

Citizens Tuesday said Moredock gave Purchase inaccurate advice – and gave conflicting advice to other aldermen – though Moredock last week said the decision to recuse herself was Purchase’s.

Citizen Ken Pacha called the aldermen who voted against a referendum white supremacists. “You relied on bad advice given to an alderwoman to remove her vote – a Black alderwoman, as a matter of fact,” said Pacha.

“We hold tenants accountable for everything and landlords accountable for nothing,” said citizen Tiara Standage. “That is white supremacy in action, a system where certain people profit, while others are disposable.”

“A vote to let your citizens vote is never a conflict of interest,” said citizen Aaron Cahill.

Citizen Bradley Russell asserted that Moredock advised other aldermen not to recuse themselves — and also that imposition of a landlord registry would hurt businesspeople such as Mike Buscher, Mayor Misty Buscher’s husband.

Some citizens warned that there would be repercussions on Election Day.