Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Springfield Sunrise.
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 17th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Luke is an almost one year old kitten at the Animal Protective League on Taintor Road in Springfield who loves chasing toys and popping bubbles and needs regular eye drops because he was born with partial eyelids. He is shy at first—he becomes very affectionate once he warms up and is looking for a forever home. WYMG
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Springfield police are asking for help to identify a man who entered Long John Silver’s at 2929 S. Dirksen Pkwy around 1 a.m. on April 6—he used a piece of concrete to break a window and caused over $900 in damage while searching the restaurant. WYMG
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Two new warehouse projects are underway in Springfield as Amazon is already constructing a fulfillment center near North Dirksen and Bissell while Frito-Lay will launch a distribution center off Chatham exit on I-55—together they will add 400 local jobs. WAND-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State lawmakers are considering a bill today to create the Office of State Public Defender that will first assess the needs of overburdened county offices — the new office will use gathered data to guide resource allocation and change how public defenders are appointed. The bill passed the House last week and now moves to the Senate, although its services will not begin for several years. Capitol City Now
- ➤ On April 15, Springfield City Council passed an amendment to revise the city’s contract with the Springfield Sangamon County Growth Alliance—this change creates a Minority Business and Community Advancement Working Council aimed at boosting economic development in underinvested areas. The vote comes after concerns that the current focus on the west side has left parts of the east side and downtown neglected. WMAY
- ➤ A bill in the Illinois General Assembly will protect NPR and PBS stations on college campuses by making it illegal for university officials to check news stories before they air and by shielding state schools from lawsuits—Senate Bill 1988 passed the Senate 36-19. The bill now moves to the House Rules Committee as lawmakers debate whether it defends free speech or risks public money. 25 News
- ➤ Residents in downtown Springfield may see a low-flying helicopter—part of a Smart Cities project using LiDAR data—from April 18th through April 21st, weather permitting. Capitol City Now
TRAVEL NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Compression packing cubes are a travel game-changer — fit twice as much, stay organized, and avoid suitcase chaos. Perfect for any trip, they keep clothes tidy, save space, and make packing and unpacking a breeze. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Springfield Sunrise.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Milkweed Giveaway
8 a.m. - 10 a.m. — Washington Park — Free — Celebrate local pollinators with a milkweed giveaway and learn about planting pollinator gardens.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Springfield Sunrise.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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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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