Good morning, Springfield.

State Representative Mike Coffey and Chatham Village President Dave Kimsey will host a free community shred event on Saturday, October 4th at the Chatham Square drive-up location between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.—residents can drive through to securely dispose of sensitive documents like financial and medical records.

The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance is launching a new series of business workshops with the Springfield Project to promote local development at CAP-1908 on South Grand Avenue (the series was planned for minority entrepreneurs but is open to all).

The first session will take place this Thursday after online registration.

American Airlines will reinstate a popular early morning flight leaving Springfield at 6 a.m. on Oct.

7 for Chicago with arrival at 7:16 a.m., and additional flights will run in the afternoon and evening following an aircraft upgrade for the route.

Oktoberfest returns along the Riverfront to celebrate local tradition—organizers will announce the schedule and details soon.

The Springfield District 186 Board of Education launched an anonymous online survey on its website—open until 11:45 p.m. Sept.

27—to gather views on the qualities for the next superintendent as longtime Jennifer Gill retires after this school year. The survey results will be compiled by the Illinois Association of School Boards and shared by executive search leader Carmen Ayala at the Oct. 6 board meeting before focus groups meet later in October.

On Friday, the University of Illinois Springfield held a groundbreaking ceremony to start building a new 52000 square foot Library Commons that will include flexible study areas and a classroom for over one hundred students—42 million dollars in state funding supports the project set for completion by fall.

Monarch butterflies with bright orange wings migrate each fall from local gardens and meadows to wintering grounds in Mexico.

Local groups plant milkweed — a key food source — to help protect these insects from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Lawmakers plan to vote on a bill in October that would add a surcharge to electric bills to fund battery storage projects and relax nuclear rules—advocates say the measure may help the grid while some warn ratepayers could face extra costs.

Former Governor Jim Edgar died last week from pancreatic cancer at age 79 and his body lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda.

He was laid to rest Saturday at Central Baptist Church—downtown Springfield.

Lawmakers and energy advocates are working on a new energy reform package that would add a rate surcharge to fund battery storage projects and adjust nuclear power rules in an upcoming October session—officials say more details and discussions will follow in early October.

On Homecoming Saturday at TRAC, the Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars played a non-conference volleyball match against Maryville and lost 3-2 in five sets with Maryville winning the final set 15-12—UIS finished the Prairie Star Classic with a 6-4 record and will shift focus to GLVC play next weekend.

Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show

10 AM – 6 PM — Illinois State Fair Campground — Free Parking — Explore a dazzling array of gems, minerals, and fossils with activities for all ages.

Carve for the Carillon

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon — Free admission — Celebrate fall by carving pumpkins in a community tradition with laughter and creativity.

2025 GSDCA National Specialty Show

Event duration: Oct 17-25 — Illinois State Fairground — Entry fees vary — Celebrate the love of German Shepherds with competitions and exhibitions.