Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why protesters filled the sidewalks outside the Illinois Capitol Saturday

Spotted on the Springfield calendar: The Elegant Wedding Expo-Springfield, IL

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Monday January 5th Patch AM
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Hi there, Springfield! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why protesters filled the sidewalks outside the Illinois Capitol Saturday
  • How could this new immigration lawsuit affect Illinois courthouses?
  • When the Route 66 centennial cruise is rolling through Springfield

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 the baby light bulb say to its mom? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 49 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 52, low: 34.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 55 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Protest over Venezuela at Illinois Capitol. See the photos (sj-r.com) — Residents and activists gathered outside the Illinois Capitol in Springfield on Jan. 3 to protest the recent U.S. military strike that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Central Illinois groups organized the demonstration, with Springfield resident Linda Canter among those holding signs near the Lincoln statue and along the Capitol sidewalk.
   

2. Trump administration sues Illinois over state law limiting federal immigration actions (chronicleillinois.com) — From Springfield, state officials are gearing up to defend a new Illinois law that lets residents sue federal immigration agents for certain courthouse arrests or alleged constitutional violations. The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit arguing the measure illegally interferes with federal authority, setting up another high-profile clash between Washington and Illinois over immigration enforcement practices.
   

3. Drivers honor 100 years of famous Route 66 with cross-country trip beginning in Santa Monica (abc7.com) — Springfield will be one of the featured stops as a caravan of vintage cars celebrates 100 years of Route 66 with a nine-day drive from Santa Monica to Chicago. Drivers are invited to join portions of the route, which highlights small towns, classic motels, and mom-and-pop businesses that keep the Mother Road’s history alive.
   

4. Illinois State Police welcomes new troopers of Cadet Class 151 (timestribunenews.com) — Twenty-one new Illinois State Police troopers just graduated at the ISP Academy in Springfield, adding to more than 700 troopers hired statewide since 2019. The lateral-entry officers completed intensive academy and field training and will now patrol in seven different ISP troops across Illinois, earning about $90,000 in compensation upon graduation.
   

5. Stronger than the storm: Long Creek comes together one week after tornado (wandtv.com) — Springfield volunteers are heading to nearby Long Creek to help residents still digging out from a tornado that hit just a week ago. Local groups, the Red Cross, and churches are clearing debris, providing shelter and food, and collecting donations at Passion Community Church in Decatur as families work toward rebuilding by spring.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My husband was blowing leaves off the sidewalk in front of our house (2300 block of S 7th St.
    ) and found an Apple Watch. The date on it is Wednesday, 12/31, so I think it went dead on that date. It has a Christmassy band on it. I went into… (Nextdoor Harvard Park)
  • My 15 year old daughter is looking for babysitting opportunities for any age she is a respectable young woman and hopes to start early she knows how to do cpr and Medkit training and has a lot of experience with taking care of kids younger than her
    and she can cook and clean up well she’s kind and ready pls give her a chance I would never let her take care of other ppl kids if I didn’t trust her… (Nextdoor Northside)
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Merchandising Specialist in Springfield. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate 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 love you watts and watts!
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