Springfield
Sunrise
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Springfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 2nd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Today at Riverton High School Fine Arts Center — a historic venue — Riverton will host its first Hall of Fame ceremony with 14 inductees including NASCAR Xfinity champ Justin Allgaier. The event starts at 6 p.m. and celebrates longtime sports and academic contributions to the community. The State Journal-Register
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Portillo's is offering a limited-time Hot & Saucy Italian Beef Sandwich with house-made beef, Giardiniera Peppers & Giardiniera Sauce on fresh Turano French bread through May 31. In Springfield, the sandwich starts at $9.79 and Perks members get $5 off their next purchase. The State Journal-Register
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Sangamon Auditorium at University of Illinois Springfield is getting a revamped look after being closed since June 2025 and will reopen in fall. The State Journal-Register
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Students from UIC College of Nursing are celebrating their graduation today in Springfield and keeping a decades-old tradition alive as they prepare for careers in health care. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ Ben Hage, formerly of Innovate Springfield and with over a decade of startup experience, is named director of the Petrick Idea Center at Illinois Wesleyan University effective June 1; the nearly 15,000 sqft facility - set next to the Ames School of Art and Design - will open in fall. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ Ten seniors from Glenwood made their college commitments last Friday morning, marking the final signing day of the school year— their decisions span sports and academic programs across several institutions. WMAY
- ➤ Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by offering free admission to school staff Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm with school ID required. Springfield Ski & Boat Club is hosting a touch-a-truck event Saturday from 11am to 2pm with food, drinks and animal shelter support. ABC 20
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ LifeStar Ambulance Service may exit Springfield by May 25 due to unresolved documentation issues, which could force the remaining providers to adjust coverage; city officials remain cautiously optimistic as current response times average 10 to 12 minutes. Capitol City Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Rock for Mental Health concert will take place on Sunday, May 3 at Boondocks in Springfield starting at 5 p.m. It will feature bands Unchained & Park and Dead Sugar while proceeds help expand counseling services for those in need. WYMG
- ➤ LifeStar Ambulance Service may exit Springfield by May 25, which could force remaining providers to boost coverage during peak hours; city officials remain optimistic about response times as LifeStar explores its options while Memorial Hospital and legal teams work on a resolution (details pending). WYMG
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Redfin data show that January–March median home sale prices in Springfield reached $193,333 in 2026, up 12.8% from last year & 37.0% above 2022, while national prices grew only 1.0% this year. WYMG
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Lincoln Land Community College baseball team held a moment of silence for sophomore catcher Michael Roberson before Friday's doubleheader at Claude Kracik Field after he died in a single-car accident near Dwight Wednesday, and a candlelight vigil is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Monday near Cass Gymnasium. The State Journal-Register
- ➤ Callie Wagner scored twice in the first half as Pleasant Plains defeated Williamsville 5-1 on Friday — clinching the Plains Invite championship and improving to a 17-0-1 record. WNNS
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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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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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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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