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Thursday, March 20th, 2025

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Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of March.

COMMUNITY NEWS

  • Made Wright Inc.—organizing its second annual free prom dress giveaway—will help middle and high school girls attend prom on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Illinois Education Association building at 3440 Liberty Dr. in Springfield; the event will also offer a budgeting session, hair and makeup tips, and prom safety talks with a female firefighter and police officer while accepting dress donations until noon.  Capitol City Now

CRIME NEWS

  • Sangamon and Menard County Crime Stoppers worked with the Springfield Police Department on March 3 around 9 p.m. to investigate a car theft from a parked vehicle at Pizza Hut at 1861 Sangamon Ave in Springfield.  WCIA

EDUCATION NEWS

  • Lincoln Land Community College will host the annual Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 10 Science Fair this upcoming Saturday in Cass Gym on the Springfield campus from noon to 2 p.m. The public is invited to view projects in various STEM fields as students in grades 7-12 compete, with the awards ceremony scheduled at 2 p.m.  WMAY

ENVIRONMENT NEWS

  • The Illinois Commerce Commission encouraged residents to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems during national Fix-a-Leak Week as reported on March 18. Officials noted that leaks waste about 1 trillion gallons of water each year — enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic swimming pools — and advised checking water meters to spot a leak.  WMAY

GOVERNMENT NEWS

  • Motorcyclist advocates gathered outside Municipal Center West ahead of a tense City Council session on March 18 to demand more accountability after a September 5 crash injured two riders when retired Sergeant Michael Egan failed to stop for oncoming traffic—four responding officers received only light discipline. Community speakers and council members said the actions showed a double standard in police conduct and called for further reforms.  WNNS
  • Assistant Chief Joe Behl of the Springfield Police Department graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia—an elite program that trains officers in leadership and communication. He is among a rare group in law enforcement to complete this prestigious academy.  ABC 20
  • A Senate committee cleared legislation on Tuesday that would ban cell phones and other wireless devices during class time in public schools—exempting school-issued devices and uses needed for emergencies or individual education plans. Sen. Christina Castro—who sponsored the bill—said school boards must have the new rules in place by the 2026-27 school year and can adopt stricter measures if they choose.  25 News
  • The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Capital Development Board announced an $8M allocation today to improve Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, which attracted over 374,000 visitors last year. The funds will repair 23 log village buildings and update the outdoor theater—adding to nearly $3M in work already completed or underway.  WYMG
  • Sangamon County officials oppose a proposed Illinois bill that would change local Township Code roles—County Treasurer Joe Aiello and County Clerk Don Gray warned it may raise taxes by about $700,000. They plan to speak at tomorrow’s House committee hearing—seeking to defend the current efficient local government model.  ABC 20

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • Central Illinois RV & Camping Show 2025

    The Central Illinois RV & Camping Show will take place over three days, showcasing various RVs and camping gear at the Bank of Springfield Center.

    Fri, 3/21/25

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  • Midwest Toy and Comic Fest

    The Midwest Toy and Comic Fest features over 100 vendor booths, food trucks, celebrity guests, a silent charity auction, and various contests and panels.

    Sat, 3/22/25

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  • Financial Fundamentals Workshop

    This workshop focuses on mastering essential financial concepts, enhancing cash flow management, and making informed decisions for sustainable business growth and profitability.

    Tue, 3/25/25

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  • Fundamentals of Crafting a Business Plan

    This workshop offers insights on creating a strategic business plan that includes goal-setting, marketing strategies, and financial planning for long-term success.

    Wed, 3/26/25

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  • Murder Mystery Dinner Show - The Dinner Detective in Springfield, IL

    Enjoy an interactive comedy murder mystery dinner experience while attempting to solve a hilarious crime at Maldaner's Restaurant.

    Sat, 3/29/25

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  • On-Site Tour at Trustwell Living

    9 AM - 7 PM | Trustwell Living of Springfield | Free entry | Explore a welcoming community featuring top-notch dining and engaging activities for seniors.

    Sun, 3/30/25

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  • Brain Aging Conference - Community Day

    10 AM – 4 PM — Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center — Free entry — Gain essential insights on caring for those with memory loss from expert medical professionals.

    Thu, 4/3/25

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  • Spring Lawn & Garden Sale

    9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Illinois State Fair Campground — Free entry — Explore local vendors offering plants, flowers, garden supplies, and more.

    Sat, 4/5/25

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  • The Snow Queen Performance

    2 PM – 2 PM — Sacred Heart-Griffin High School — Costumes optional — Delight in a magical retelling of a classic fairytale featuring talented local youth dancers.

    Sat, 4/12/25

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  • On-Screen Presence Mastery Workshop

    6:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free — Enhance your video production skills to captivate audiences and grow your business.

    Tue, 4/15/25

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REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

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No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.

~ Les Brown

About 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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