Springfield
Sunrise
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Registration is open for the 27th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois, raising funds for athlete programs. Participants can join one of 27 planned events or host their own, with a plunge at KC Lake Club in Chatham on Saturday, March 7. ABC 20
- ➤ Downtown Springfield, Inc. announced Monday that it is searching for a new executive director after a mutual separation with Carlos Ortega, and the board appointed Jay Shanle as interim director while Always On Consulting leads the search. ABC 20
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Bob’s Discount Furniture opened its new Springfield store at 3251 S. Veterans Parkway on Friday, Feb. 13 as part of a national expansion that also saw a similar opening in Champaign. The store offers everyday low pricing, free coffee, cookies, candy and ice cream, and supports local community giving programs. Capitol City Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Shinedown will headline the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 23 at the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage in Springfield. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 via Ticketmaster — prices range from $60 to $140 with a $30 pre-show party upgrade. ABC 20
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Teachers and education professionals gathered Tuesday morning in Springfield to ask Gov. Pritzker and lawmakers to release billions in funds needed for schools and public universities. They delivered a letter urging faster action to meet long-standing adequacy goals. 25 News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ IDOT began demolishing the unused CWLP bridge over I-55 at milepost 94 and advises a detour via Stevenson Drive and Sixth Street. Partial lane closures run from 7pm to 6am Sunday night to Friday morning as part of highway improvements + safety measures. FOX Illinois
- ➤ The county board approved a recommendation to place a referendum on the March 17 ballot for a one-half-percent sales tax to boost mental health services — the tax is projected to bring in about $14.7 million each year. WMAY
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The FDA updated a recall for peanut butter products distributed in 20 states, including Illinois, after tests found pieces of plastic in several private-label cups and packets; the recall (Class II) began with Ventura Foods in April 2025 and was upgraded on Feb. 12. WAND-TV
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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.
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Stained Glass Hearts Crafting
3-4 p.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Create beautiful stained glass hearts and other shapes in this fun craft program for children.
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Illinois Product Expo 2026
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Orr Building — $10 for wine tasting — Explore local flavors and indulge in wine from 14 Illinois wineries.
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Toddler Time at Lincoln Library
10:30-11:00 a.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Move, learn, and play with stories, songs, and activities tailored for toddlers and their caregivers.
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Candlebox in Concert
7-11 p.m. — Boondocks — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary Seattle rockers Candlebox live during their Can't Quit You Tour.
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 first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.
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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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