Good morning, Springfield.

Three Springfield firefighters were honored for rescuing a woman from a burning apartment in March—awards were presented by the Fire Department and the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association to Driver Engineer Devin Gilman, Firefighter Pete Miller, and Firefighter Nick Saccaro; Captain John Cicci was recognized for leading the crew.

The Route 66 Mother Road Festival starts today with cars cruising from Capital City Shopping Center toward downtown at 6:15 p.m. and rock at the Isringhausen Stage from 8 to 10.

Saturday has a farmers market, dog contest and live music, followed by a 5K race Sunday morning.

Construction began today on an expansion of the county Public Health building in Springfield.

The renovation will add 6,000 sqft and new space for three groups (Veterans Commission, Lincoln Land Workforce Alliance and Illinois Department of Employment Security) at a cost of about $16 to $17M, and it is expected to finish by early 2028.

The Sangamon County Mental Health Board named Tatyana Gardner as its first executive director on Wednesday, Sept.

23 to lead mental health programs after a sales tax increase funded the board, and she brings five years of experience from the Springfield Urban League & a strong community connection.

Aisha Jackson + Mayor Misty Buscher joined a Sept.

24 Rail Safety Week event at the Sangamon County Complex as Springfield moves to replace 25 at-grade crossings on the Tenth Street corridor, boosting safety as train volumes rise to 81 per day by 2030.

The Los Angeles Queens claimed the title in the Women’s Professional Baseball League after beating the San Francisco Firebells 2-0 at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield Tuesday night — pitcher Ayami Sato threw the league’s first complete game.