Springfield
Sunrise
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 21st of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Kayla Miller and Erica Romines from the Community Child Care Connection discussed the upcoming RatTucky Derby, an event featuring six rodent races and one championship set to run ahead of the Kentucky Derby. The event will boost connections among local childcare providers in Springfield. WYMG
- ➤ More than 40 Sangamon County volunteers, businesses and organizations were honored at the 19th annual Good as Gold Ceremony held April 20 at UIS Student Union. Awards recognized volunteer service, student leadership, staff contributions and community impact (the event began in 2008). University of Illinois Springfield
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Park police responded Friday night at Comer Cox Park after receiving 911 calls about kids carrying spray-painted toy guns, citing four minors (ages 12–14) for multiple violations while community advocates urged parents and youth to act to prevent future incidents. FOX Illinois
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Today, aldermen may approve a $75,000 study for History across the Tracks, a plan to create a self-guided tour of historic Black sites on the east side, including Ambidexter Heritage Institute and Lincoln Colored Home — the proposal would also support improvements at Clay’s Popeye’s B-B-Q and Boyd’s New Generation. Capitol City Now
- ➤ The Lincoln Library celebrates National Library Week with events including today’s national right to Read Day and a bookmobile outreach reaching assisted living centers. Lana Shovlin explains that the week highlights the library’s role in ensuring community access to diverse books. WYMG
- ➤ Volunteers at Lincoln’s New Salem — a historic site in Petersburg — will present a Black Hawk War militia encampment from April 24 to April 26. The event includes period drills, black powder firing, flag ceremonies, and an 1830s church service on April 26. The State Journal-Register
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The University of Illinois Springfield will launch a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology (fall 2027 pending final approvals) to equip students for fields like automation and manufacturing, offering flexible in-person, online and blended formats. The Sangamon Reporter
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Changes in federal requirements mean up to 150,000 households risk losing SNAP benefits starting May 1 if they do not submit needed documentation; advocates rallied in Springfield on April 14 as state senators consider bills to help families affected by the new law. Capitol News Illinois
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ SHG pitcher Will Coady struck out 11 as the Cyclones beat Rochester 8-1 at Comstock Field on Monday, Apr. 20. The senior improved his record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.45 in a nonconference game. The State Journal-Register
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Highland Cow Paint Night with Ashley Blake
2-4 p.m. — Harvest Market — No cost info provided — Unleash creativity as you paint a quirky Highland Cow masterpiece under expert guidance.
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No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
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Reveal the authorAbout 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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