Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What did “Springfield Wrapped” reveal about our city’s tough 2025?

Also, don't miss The Elegant Wedding Expo-Springfield, IL on the Springfield Patch calendar

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Hello again Springfield! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What did “Springfield Wrapped” reveal about our city’s tough 2025?
  • How fast is Springfield’s multiracial student population growing this year?
  • How Springfield’s 2025 massage parlor crackdown reshaped local businesses

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Springfield.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one volcano say to the other volcano? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Cloudy most of the time, with a high of 38 and low of 31 degrees.
  • Monday: Sun and areas of high clouds, temps: high: 48, low: 39.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 55 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ‘Springfield Wrapped' — Resident recaps year to Springfield City Council (capitolcitynow.com) — A Springfield resident used a playful “Springfield Wrapped” presentation to tell the City Council that 2025 saw numerous local business closures, population decline, and worries about safety and foot traffic. She also highlighted bright spots, including cannabis tax discussions, neighborhood-focused grants, and strong civic engagement that could shape Springfield’s direction this year.
   

2. 2,422 multiracial students enrolled in Sangamon County districts in 2024-25 school year (sangamonsun.com) — Families in Springfield’s District 186 and across Sangamon County are seeing a notable rise in multiracial enrollment, with 2,422 multiracial students countywide this school year and 1,681 in Springfield alone. Multiracial students now make up 9.3% of local enrollment, as Illinois boosts K‑12 funding and county districts track shifting demographics.
   

3. Looking back on massage parlor ordinances in 2025 (newschannel20.com) — Springfield officials spent 2025 aggressively enforcing new massage parlor ordinances, closing multiple businesses that violated city code after complaints and inspections. One shop, Q2 Asian Massage, corrected issues and reopened, while ten others ultimately shut down. The story also notes similar crackdowns in nearby communities like Sangamon County, Chatham, and Southern View.
   

4. Attempted burglary suspect arrested with stolen credit cards (foxillinois.com) — Springfield police arrested a man they say is tied to an attempted home burglary on Yale Boulevard and a same-day vehicle and purse theft linked by surveillance footage and clothing. Officers reportedly found multiple stolen credit and debit cards on him, and he’s now in Sangamon County Jail facing several felony charges, with a court date set for February 2.
   

5. Hounds Drop First Contest of 2026 (uindy.edu) — Illinois Springfield’s women’s basketball team thrilled the home crowd by erasing a 20-point deficit to beat UIndy 60–50 in Springfield. The Prairie Stars used a massive 38–3 run across the second half to seize control, then held off a late Greyhounds push. Turnovers and clutch scoring swung the game decisively toward the home side.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello neighbors.
    Just wanted to make everyone aware of and if anyone can ID this person please lmk. Yesterday at around 4:30 5:00 pm my driveway camera, (I live on… (Nextdoor Grand Central)
  • So my daughter Lara just posted on here about this guy that was on their their property yesterday attempting to steal stuff.
    So here's the same guy on my porch early this morning. I caught him on my ring doorbell. Stealing things off of my porch. Seems pretty bold and broad… (Nextdoor Grand Central)
  • Two Men And A Truck posted a job opening for Mover / Laborer in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Hayes Gibson Property Services posted a job opening for Housekeeper - Hickory Glen 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 lava you.
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