Springfield
Sunrise
Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 23rd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Camp I Am Me partnered with Springfield School and Springfield Fire Department to donate over 52,000 specialized fire alarms to aid deaf and hard-of-hearing families statewide — the Be Alarmed program removes high cost barriers for these essential safety devices. WYMG
- ➤ On Wednesday, the Springfield Park Board approved park bonds totaling $2,525 for maintenance and announced plans to upgrade Chamberlain and Dreamland parks. The board is seeking funding for a two-to-three-million-dollar renovation at Chamberlain Park — construction at Dreamland Park may begin by late summer. ABC 20
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Springfield schools in District 186 are projected to receive about $6,000 more from the special Sangamon County sales tax revenue this year — funds that are supporting ongoing construction and will back proposed bonds the school board plans to review next month. WYMG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hundreds of rideshare drivers gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to consider a bill that would let drivers form a union for fair pay and safe conditions. The proposal would let drivers negotiate with companies like Lyft and Uber. WMAY
- ➤ On Jan. 16, Sangamon County Animal Control passed its inspection by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and earned the highest rating — confirming the facility met all 12 evaluation categories. The Sangamon Reporter
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Mandy Eaton, CEO of Memorial Health, begins a three-year term as IHA trustee while Damond Boatwright, CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System, takes on a one-year term as board chair. Both assumed their roles on Jan. 1 and are attending the first IHA board meeting today. The State Journal-Register
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Springfield High senior Aniyah Rhinehouse led the Senators in their tournament opening win over Lanphier on Wednesday, Jan. 21. This victory marked the beginning of her final City tournament run. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ In the City Tournament on Thursday, Sacred Heart-Griffin upset Lanphier 50-41 at Bank of Springfield Center, while Springfield High defeated Southeast 69-45; SHS will face Sacred Heart-Griffin tomorrow as games continue despite an e-learning day announced. The State Journal-Register
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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
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
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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