Good morning, Springfield.

Early Monday morning, police and deputies responded at 1:00 a.m. near West Lenox and Glenwood Avenues and found 19-year-old Camren White, who was taken to a hospital but died—an investigation is ongoing.

The Illinois Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers that the Tuesday, April 15th deadline is coming for filing 2024 state individual income tax returns.

The agency began processing returns on January 27th and eligible taxpayers can use the free IRS Direct File program to transfer federal information to MyTax Illinois—error-free returns should yield a refund by direct deposit in about four weeks.

The USPS is changing its service standards to help customers while saying some mail and package deliveries may be slower.

Phase one began on April 1 and phase two will begin on July 1, with 75 percent of first-class mail to come at the same pace—14 percent delivered faster and 11 percent slower.

On Tuesday, the Illinois House passed bills to protect trafficking victims and sexual assault survivors by ending the 25-year prosecution limit and stopping copays for tests—while also approving bills to ban harmful chemicals in cosmetics and let schools choose dual language programs. The bills passed with wide support and now move forward for further review.

The USPS is changing its mail delivery standards in Illinois to improve efficiency while admitting some packages may arrive later.

Phase one started on April 1st and phase two will begin on July 1st.

The Illinois House passed HB 2978 with a 91-7 vote to extend parental leave for families when a baby is in a NICU, giving 10 extra days for small employers and 20 for larger ones.

State Rep. Laura Faver Dias said the change is key because many pre-term babies needed longer NICU care, and she noted one of her children stayed in the unit for 89 days (a detail from 2022).

On Tuesday, Southeast unveiled a $13.3 million overhaul of Spartan Field to mark a new chapter in school athletics.

The upgrades include a new football field and track—locker rooms, a press box, a video scoreboard, and concessions—and form part of a larger district plan.

Earlier this week, the Prairie Stars played in men’s golf and a softball doubleheader that was rescheduled due to weather, with alumni joining home games.

They will next compete on April 10 and 11 in men’s golf at the Blueboy Invite—on April 11 and 13 in baseball and on April 12 in tennis and soccer as they continue a busy spring season.

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.

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.

Crafting a Business Plan for Success

11 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Gain expert guidance on creating a solid business plan covering all essential aspects for your venture's success.

Building A Website Presence

6:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Learn essential tips for creating or improving your online presence.

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Erin's Pavilion — Check website for ticket prices — Experience a magical candlelight tribute to the timeless music of Coldplay performed by the Listeso String Quartet.

LinkedIn for Entrepreneurs: Get Your Brand Out There

10 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free — Discover how to use LinkedIn to enhance your business networking and marketing efforts.

Starting Your Own Business

9:30 a.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Gain essential knowledge and confidence to launch your business with planning, setup, and financing tips.

Lawn Mower Clinic

Get your lawn mower ready for the season! The Springfield Jaycees will service push mowers that are in working condition (Must be able to start prior to servicing and we will start it with you at pick up) for $65.

Financing Your Business: Loans, Capital, And Financial Visibility

12:30 p.m. — SCORE Springfield Illinois — Free entry — Explore funding options and strategies to secure capital for sustainable business growth.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Concert

7:30 PM - 12:30 AM — UIS Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of classical music featuring Ravel and Shostakovich performed by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.