Good morning, Springfield.

The Catholic community in central Illinois will mark a major religious milestone with the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a ceremony scheduled for an upcoming date.

Officials say details on location & timing will be announced soon.

Local fuel retailers caution that prices may rise this summer if the EPA does not issue an emergency waiver for E15 gasoline soon.

Gov. Pritzker and other state leaders have urged a prompt decision to help avoid costly delays at the pump.

Lincoln Land Community College Agriculture students earned national honors at the PAS conference in Branson, MO after top state finishes secured their spots, with the Soil Specialist Team and Sheep Specialist Team winning first overall.

School board member Micah Miller said he was frustrated by receiving bond issue details just 30 minutes to an hour before the vote, which he said hurt the optics amid budget tightening.

The board also voted to lay off probationary teaching assistants, with plans to rehire them by August.

About 200 union members rallied on Wednesday, March 25 at the Capitol's east side to support a bill that would let school support staff get unemployment benefits during the summer.

Leaders, including Illinois Education Association president Karl Goeke, said the change would help workers while schools are out.

UIS Chancellor Janet L.

Gooch will host a conversation with former Congresswoman Cheri Callahan Bustos as part of the Thinkers Series on April 7 at the Student Union Ballroom. The free event starts at 5:30 p.m. & includes discussion, Q&A, and a reception with refreshments.

On Monday evening, School District 186 in Springfield voted to raise weekly rates for its after-school program SCOPE by $5 or $10 for the 2026-2027 school year, aiming to cover rising costs + keep the program in the black.

Illinois Department of Agriculture is relaunching the I-COVER Program to help local farmers plant cover crops and improve soil health.

Pre-enrollment begins April 1 — applications are accepted from April 15 to May 1, with planting seasons scheduled for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty and other advocates are pushing for the ‘APR for All’ bill to require non-bank lenders to disclose the annual percentage rate on small business loans in Springfield — a measure aimed at helping borrowers compare financing costs.

Hospital Sisters Health System was named one of Becker's Top Places to Work in Healthcare, reflecting its focus on career growth and support.

The Springfield-based system (with over 10,000 colleagues) operates 14 hospitals across the region and earned this recognition for the third consecutive year.

A Redfin report shows Springfield homes had a $195K median price in February with 7.1% and 29.1% rises from the previous month and last year.

Prices are increasing more slowly than the rapid gains of the pandemic (suggesting a market move toward normal).

Toddler Time Storytime

10:30-11:00 a.m. — Lincoln Library — Free entry — Enjoy songs, stories, and activities that foster language skills for toddlers.