🌱 Patch AM: How will the Capitol’s $350M facelift change your next Springfield visit?

Hey hey Springfield! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will the Capitol’s $350M facelift change your next Springfield visit?
• How Springfield police ended a tense New Year’s Eve standoff
• Which Springfield spots made WAND’s must-see “Around the 217” tour?

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 35 and low of 24 degrees.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 38, low: 22.
• Sunday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 38 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. $350M Illinois Capitol renovation nears completion following weather delays (chicagotribune.com) — In Springfield, the $350 million renovation of the Illinois Capitol’s north wing is finally entering its last stretch after weather and structural surprises pushed work behind schedule. Residents and visitors can expect a new secure visitor entrance, improved accessibility, an underground conference center and parking garage, and restored historic elements, all aimed at modernizing the 19th-century building while keeping costs under control.
   

2. New Year's Eve standoff resolved, two arrested for weapon offenses (newschannel20.com) — Springfield police resolved a New Year’s Eve standoff on the 2000 block of E. Edwards Street, arresting two people and seizing weapons after a search warrant. Officers responded to a weapons call, surrounded the home, and had everyone out within an hour before clearing the scene early New Year’s morning.
   

3. Around the 217: WAND's year in local stories (wandtv.com) — Central Illinois’ Around the 217 series spent quality time in Springfield, spotlighting Darcy’s Pint, the Springfield Clock Shop, and the Illinois State Museum alongside other regional gems. The show highlighted local history, food, family attractions, and small businesses that many Springfield residents may recognize or want to explore.
   

4. Looking ahead: What Illinois lawmakers could address in 2026 (wandtv.com) — From Springfield, state lawmakers are gearing up for a 2026 session that could reshape energy policy, criminal record sealing, school cell phone rules, and home insurance rates across Illinois. Proposals include a massive battery storage buildout, automatic sealing of some nonviolent felony records, tighter oversight of insurance hikes, and possible classroom phone restrictions, all still being debated for cost and impact.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday January 3

• Freeze Fest
  Illinois State Museum , 502 S Spring St , Springfield
  10:00 am

Sunday January 4

• Member Drop-In Obedience & Rally Practice
  Capitol Canine Training Club , 209 E Walnut St , Chatham
  5:00 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Ribbon Cutting
  The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce , 501 E Capitol Ave A , Springfield
  4:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• Family Movie Night (Doors open at 5:00) Movie 5:30
  John F Kennedy Elem School Springfield, IL 62704
  5:00 pm

Saturday January 10

• Categories: Live Music
  Buzz Bomb Brewing Co , 406 E Adams St , Springfield
  7:00 pm

Thursday January 15

• 9th Grade Preview Night
  Springfield SD 186 Springfield, IL 62704
  6:00 pm

Wednesday January 21

• Wake Up Chatham Chamber! A Breakfast Networking Event
  4491 Old Chatham Rd , Springfield
  1:30 pm

Saturday January 24

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Springfield, IL
  Maldaner's Restaurant , 222 S 6th St , Springfield
  6:00 pm

Sunday January 25

• The Elegant Wedding Expo-Springfield, IL
  Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Ctr by IHG , 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy , Springfield
  12:00 pm

Saturday February 7

• TobyMac with Crowder and Jeremy Camp
  Bank of Springfield Center , Convention Center Plaza #1 , Springfield
  1:00 pm

Tuesday February 17

• Songwriter Open Mic. Your host: Tom Irwin
  It's All About Wine , 1305 Wabash Ave , Springfield
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Springfield PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello!
  One package addressed to Mellssa Selby was deliveded in front porch of our door. If it is for you please come at pick it up. Our address is 4508… (Nextdoor Panther Creek)
• All I WANT for Christmas...
  is GRANNY to have her dog back that was "stolen from her care" while she was in the rehabilitation center! Remember when we were children we wanted… (Nextdoor Vinegar Hill)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Springfield. Apply here.
• GPAC posted a job opening for Director of Quality wanted - own the standards, drive the culture, elevate the operation in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.

Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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