Good morning, Springfield.

On Aug. 27, a water main break under Monroe Street flooded The Bus Stop at the corner of Fifth and Main, forcing co-owner Zac Lowman to cancel the planned grand opening on Aug.

28 and later set up a fundraiser (5-10 p.m. Friday) to support repairs.

Springfield Area Arts Council hired Andrew Schneider as program director effective Sept.

1, and he will lead the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series while supporting local arts programs amid downtown redevelopment efforts.

With Labor Day less than a week away, Illinois set its minimum wage at $15 per hour since Jan.

1, and Chicago’s rate reached $17.05 as of July 1 + their tipped wages increase annually to meet standard rates by 2028; federal wages remain at $7.25.

A federal judge halted a commercial logging project in Shawnee National Forest near Pope County after ruling the Forest Service’s 2024 approval violated the Endangered Species Act by skipping its final biological opinion (covering a 70-acre work site home to Indiana bats).

The county board approved a 3% hotel tax hike today to fund the BoS expansion, noting that the signature hotel is not part of the project.

IDOT, ISP and local law enforcement have launched the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign to remind drivers to plan ahead during Labor Day travel; the effort runs through Sept.

8 and urges use of sober ride options if consuming alcohol or cannabis.

Illinois hospitals will lose about $3B in Medicaid revenue starting in 2028 as new federal rules limit state payments, and safety net & critical access facilities may cut staff or services, affecting roughly half the hospitals statewide.

A heat advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday in parts of central, east central, southeast, and west central Illinois as afternoon heat index values are expected to reach between 100 and 108.

Residents are advised to drink water, wear lightweight clothing, and limit strenuous outdoor activities.

Illinois health officials confirmed a measles outbreak with nine cases as of Sept.

2, 2026 (four cases came from eastern Illinois near Douglas County) and urge unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated or seek post-exposure treatment within 72 hours. They are working with local agencies to control the spread.

Jared Mees will host the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend with rounds 15 and 16 of the American flat-track series on Saturday and Sunday.

Youth competitions and other activities begin Thursday.