Good morning, Springfield.

Ken Pacha is reviving WQNA after six years off-air and says it will broadcast on 95.7 FM in March from a new studio at the Myers Building + fundraising is $15,000 short.

The Illinois Lottery jackpot has surged to $1.25 billion ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing, and a winning ticket sold Monday at Springfield Hy-Vee at 2115 S.

MacArthur Blvd won $200,000 + its Power Play boost.

The Sangamon County Board voted to place a referendum on the March 17 ballot that will ask voters to create a county mental-health board to coordinate crisis response, psychiatric care and community support funded by a 0.50% sales-tax increase.

For Christmas, many Illinois offices and services will have special hours.

Banks, state offices, and post offices will be closed while some stores and delivery carriers run on limited schedules (check local details) on Dec. 25.

Springfield will install EV charging stations as the Office of Public Utilities will soon begin installing Level 2 chargers using state funds; the City Council set a rate of 26 cents per kilowatt (subject to change with use).

Illinois Department of Public Health reaffirmed its recommendation that all newborns get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth today to protect them from serious disease.

The guidance is backed by decades of research + scientific consensus on its safety and effectiveness.

Illinois residents can now sign up for health plans through Get Covered Illinois, with enrollment open until Dec.

31 for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2026, and until Jan. 15 for plans beginning Feb. 1. Officials say the extension gives extra time to compare options + access free enrollment support amid rising costs.

A recent study found that Illinois saw about 110 pregnancy-related deaths per year between 2021 and 2022, with Black women facing greater risk from preventable complications (substance use, blood clots, bleeding, COVID-19).

Governor Pritzker and the state Department of Public Health launched the Birth Equity Blueprint to improve care.

At HSHS St John's Hospital, the NICU team is sharing holiday cheer with families staying in the unit by donating ornaments, crocheting Santa hats, and offering extra cuddle time for newborns.

This effort is making the holiday season a bit brighter for those in need of extra care.

UIS Athletics celebrated 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership by highlighting the 2018 Prairie Stars softball team's 40-19 record, GLVC title win, and regional crown with key wins over Missouri-St. (players earned All-American honors), and will resume the series Monday, Jan.

5 after a holiday break.

IHSA member schools approved 12 amendments Tuesday morning that expand football playoffs to 48 teams per class and allow teams to start regular season games earlier for the 2026 season (with the no-contact period now beginning the week of July 4), a change aimed at easing scheduling challenges.

UIS Softball announced its 2026 spring schedule with 10 dome games in February at Scheels Sports Park and conference play beginning March 15 at the UIS Softball Complex.

Coach Shannon Guthrie said the schedule—featuring road games and tournaments in Branson, Chattanooga, and Roosevelt—will prepare the team for a postseason run.

Dual Piano Christmas

7 p.m. — Hoogland Center For The Arts — Ticketed event — Experience an evening of holiday favorites and comedic improvisation on dual pianos.

Town Snowman Paint Night With Ashley Blake

1-3 p.m. — Harvest Market — Supplies included — Unleash your creativity while painting a winter wonderland masterpiece inspired by Snowman Town.

New Year’s Eve Celebration with Lick Creek

7-8:30 p.m. — Boondocks — Ticket required — Celebrate New Year’s Eve with live country rock music from Lick Creek in Springfield.

Kindergarten Open House at Our Savior's Lutheran School

6-7 p.m. — Our Savior's Lutheran School — Free entry — Discover how your child will thrive in a faith-centered educational community.