Springfield
Sunrise
Monday, February 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 23rd of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Sangamon County Fair Board is hosting a free appreciation event on March 28 at the fairgrounds in New Berlin with live music by Neon Rodeo plus a taco bar, prizes, and a food drive for local pantries. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ Dusty, a 1-year-old pit mix with a cheerful personality, is available for adoption or foster at the Animal Protective League (1001 Taintor Road) in Springfield, with visits accepted every day from noon to 5 p.m. Capitol City Now
- ➤ Lola (a 2-year-old tortie with a calm, gentle nature) is searching for her forever home at the Animal Protective League; the shelter welcomes visitors every day from noon to 5 p.m. at 1001 Taintor Road. WYMG
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ State Sen. Mike Simmons announced that a two-year medical debt relief program in Springfield has wiped out over $1B in debt for more than 500,000 residents. Eligible families will be notified by mail if they qualify. Capitol City Now
- ➤ Brad Robinson, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Memorial Health, said that while age and family history raise heart disease risk, residents can control factors such as smoking, poor diet, and inactivity by aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly (focusing on low-saturated fat foods). WYMG
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Lola is a calm 2-year-old tortie looking for a forever home at the Animal Protective League. Visit the shelter (1001 Taintor Road) every day from noon to 5 p.m. to meet this gentle cat. Capitol City Now
- ➤ Decorah is a charming getaway featuring rugged bluffs, trout streams, and Norwegian heritage at sites like the Vesterheim Museum; the drive from Springfield takes about 4.5 hours along I-72, I-39, and US-52, offering a scenic ride from farmland to bluff country. The Sangamon Reporter
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Illinois Springfield men's basketball won 82-77 over Upper Iowa on Saturday at TRAC, with head coach Matt Brock earning his 100th win as senior Tye Banks scored a game-high 23 points. The victory improved their record to 17-9 as they prepared for the final week of GLVC play. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ Springfield Road Runners Club announced the 2025 Runners of the Year on Feb. 22 when three female and three male distance runners were recognized from local cross country meets, and each winner’s school received a monetary gift (reviews based on performances around Springfield). WMAY
- ➤ Illinois Springfield women’s basketball lost 76-70 to Upper Iowa at TRAC on Saturday, with graduate guard Kennedy Osterman scoring 20 points & leading on Senior Day. UIS now sits at 12-14 and will play William Jewell and Rockhurst in its final regular-season week. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ Illinois Springfield baseball won 19-10 on Saturday in their home opener against Missouri-St. Louis after overcoming an early deficit - the Prairie Stars improved to a 7-3 record and will head to West Virginia next week for the Atlantic Region Crossover against Lake Erie, Walsh and Salem. University of Illinois Springfield
- ➤ Local residents can vote until Friday, Feb. 27 to choose the boys basketball team most likely to reach the state finals — a key part of this year’s playoffs that highlights our community’s sports pride. The State Journal-Register
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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.
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Chunky Blanket Making Class with Jayme
2:30-5:30 p.m. — B's Creative Studio — $75.00 — Learn the art of hand knitting as you create your own cozy chunky blanket while making new friends.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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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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