Springfield
Sunrise
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 22nd of January.
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ District 186 formally named Terrence Jordan — an assistant superintendent — as its next leader during Tuesday night’s meeting in Springfield, replacing retiring Jennifer Gill. The board will vote to ratify his appointment at a later date. WYMG
- ➤ Dr. Terrance Jordan, a longtime assistant superintendent, was introduced on Tuesday as District 186’s new superintendent—he will replace retiring Jennifer Gill in June pending formal board approval in the coming weeks. WMAY
- ➤ Rochester High School held a ribbon cutting on Jan. 21 for a $13.6 million addition that features five new science classrooms — a student wellness center and a secure entrance. Administrators, teachers and students celebrated the expansion to boost learning spaces. The State Journal-Register
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ UIS launches a free tax preparation service through the IRS VITA program starting Feb. 1 at University Hall (Room 4046) to help eligible local residents file federal and state returns; appointments are required and available by email or phone. University of Illinois Springfield
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Rideshare drivers rallied at the Capitol Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support a bill that lets them unionize and bargain with companies like Uber + Lyft; the legislation, which has not yet been filed, would give drivers a legal pathway to form unions. Capitol News Illinois
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Revenue announced it will accept individual income tax returns starting Monday, Jan. 26 via its free MyTax Illinois system, with a filing deadline of April 15. Taxpayers should file early and use direct deposit to get refunds faster. WYMG
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Basketball City Tournament began Wednesday at the BOS center and will run for four days, featuring Springfield high schools in basketball games and live school performances. Ticket proceeds support athletics and are expected to boost spending at local eateries and shops. ABC 20
- ➤ High school basketball tournaments began yesterday at the BOS Center and continue through Saturday — presale tickets started Tuesday and safety measures, road closures and community events like Unity Day were announced. WYMG
- ➤ The District 186 School Board honored the state champion Lincoln Magnet/Ball Charter 8th Grade Girls Basketball team on Tuesday night for winning the IESA Class 3A tournament in December. The team ended the season 18-2 — a record they built by defeating regional opponents. WYMG
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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.
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Stay & Play
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free — Enjoy engaging activities and themed stations for toddlers and children every Thursday morning in February.
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
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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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