Springfield
Sunrise
Saturday, January 17th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 17th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will honor MLK Day on Jan. 19 with a live reading of 'I Have a Dream', a blood drive, a historian talk, and free skating plus hot chocolate from 1 to 4 p.m. + donations welcome. The State Journal-Register
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ In November, Springfield's jobless rate rose to 4.3% from 3.8% recorded last year, and nonfarm jobs dropped by roughly 200 to 112,600 - state and federal agencies reported the year-over-year change. WMAY
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education has recommended Dr. Terrance Jordan as its next superintendent and will vote soon on his appointment; if approved, he will take over from Jennifer Gill on July 1 (Dr. Jordan brings years of experience as a teacher and principal). ABC 20
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Lincoln Library Director Gwen Harrison told aldermen the library—serving over 114,000 residents—is under-resourced compared to Champaign and Urbana even as digital circulation and program attendance rise. City officials also noted high vehicle maintenance costs and long waits for parts during the budget hearing, prompting the hire of a new fleet manager. WYMG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Springfield Clinic has named Rebecca Birenbaum as its new CEO, set to begin on March 16 and succeed Jen Boyer, and she brings over 25 years of health care leadership experience from Vancouver Clinic (the largest independent multispecialty group in the Northwest) to guide the facility's 86-year legacy. The State Journal-Register
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Illinois Springfield men's basketball lost 84-56 to the Rockhurst Hawks on Thursday at TRAC, with the team struggling from beyond the arc during the game. They will host Southwest Baptist today for Faith and Family Day at TRAC — a chance to regroup after a tough loss. University of Illinois Springfield
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Kids Perler Bead Fun!
3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free event — Create your own fuse bead design or follow a template at this fun craft program for children and tweens.
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Arctic Lego Build & Play
2-3 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create adorable arctic animals or imaginative creatures with Lego kits in a fun-filled afternoon.
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PMP Exam Preparation Course
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Illinois State Fairground — Contact for pricing — Enhance your project management skills through a comprehensive 4-day workshop with certification guarantee.
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Bath Bombs and Body Scrub Workshop
3:00-4:30 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create a thoughtful Valentine gift with handmade bath bombs and coffee body scrub in a fun, messy setting.
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Super Bowl LX Celebration
5-10 p.m. — 5th Street GEM — In person — Enjoy an evening of football, snacks, and good vibes at the Super Bowl LX Party.
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Foster Parent Information Session
6-7:30 p.m. — Monical's Pizza — Free entry — Discover how you can make a difference in a child's life by exploring foster parenting in a supportive environment.
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Snow Tulips Paint Night with Ashley Blake
2-4 p.m. — Harvest Market — No cost mentioned — Enjoy a relaxed afternoon painting a winter scene of snow-covered tulips with guided instruction.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.
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Reveal the authorAbout Springfield Sunrise
Welcome to the Springfield Sunrise, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Springfield, Illinois community. If you like the Springfield Sunrise, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Springfield.
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