Good morning, Springfield.

Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month spotlights local support services and education efforts in Springfield throughout April.

Local nonprofits and agencies will host resource fairs and workshops to help residents learn prevention strategies and report signs of abuse.

Comedian Bert Kreischer will perform at the UIS Performing Arts Center on Dec.

12 as part of his Permission to Party World Tour. Pre-sale tickets for 2nd Act Campaign Donors start Thursday at 10 a.m. and general tickets will be available Friday on UISPac.com.

The Sangamon Experience at the University of Illinois Springfield launches the rural 'Beyond City Limits' initiative, a summer program from May through August that partners with local historical societies and teachers to digitize artifacts and create curriculum resources.

Local organizations must apply by May 15 to join the effort in preserving community history.

Comedian Bert Kreischer will perform his Permission to Party World Tour at the UIS Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec.

12 — a live event set to bring laughs to local audiences.

A FinanceBuzz report shows Illinois ranks eighth nationwide with a 21.3% effective individual tax rate based on a median income of about $65,318, while states like Oregon and Massachusetts charge even higher overall rates.

The report uses 2025 data for tax returns filed in 2026.

Tenure-track faculty at UIS are on picket lines today after contract talks failed; the union demands nearly a 3% raise this year and 6% over the next two years as the university offers a 1% increase citing fiscal constraints.

The Illinois Department of Public Health launches 30 Days of Public Health this month to boost awareness of newborn screenings, disease prevention, and food inspections.

The campaign uses digital messages to help families access reliable public health services & resources.

Downtown Springfield is seeing change as historic buildings like Vinegar Hill Mall, a nearby mansion, old Norb Andy’s, and the former AFSCME building will be auctioned or sold in coming weeks (details noted in the Illinois Times).

Owners invite ideas for new projects downtown.

Richie Snider earned his first GLVC Pitcher of the Week after pitching five shutout innings on April 6 that helped Illinois Springfield win 7 to 5 against Truman State.

The Prairie Stars now ride a three-game winning streak ahead of a 2:00 p.m. road game at UMSL today.

Mt. Pulaski defeated North Mac 10-0 on Monday, with Luke Martin pitching 5 shutout innings (one hit, one walk) and hitting a bases-clearing double that drove in three runs.

The Hilltoppers will host ALAH for their next game tomorrow.