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🌱 Patch AM: Why Springfield’s job growth is rising alongside higher unemployment

Spotted on the Springfield calendar: Paint with Ashley Blake "Town Snowman" Paint Night

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Coffee in hand, Springfield? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Springfield’s job growth is rising alongside higher unemployment
  • Which Springfield elementary schools are getting free after-school programs back?
  • How would a new sales tax reshape mental health care here?

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Springfield, IL and 2 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Periods of sun; much colder, with a high of 32 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Saturday: Sun and areas of high clouds, temps: high: 46, low: 23.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Jobs, unemployment both up in Springfield area in September (wdbr.com) — Springfield’s job market has grown for 23 straight months, but unemployment in the metro area still ticked up to 4.3% in September, with the city itself at 4.7%. State officials say federal tariffs and a recent shutdown complicated the picture, even as sectors like information, retail, health care, and government added local jobs across Sangamon and Menard counties.
   

2. Boys & Girls Clubs reopen three after-school sites in Springfield (foxillinois.com) — Families with students at Black Hawk, Dubois, and Ridgely Elementary in Springfield can soon enroll in free Boys & Girls Clubs after-school programs reopening January 12, funded by District 186. The sites will provide academic support, enrichment activities, healthy snacks, and social-emotional learning, offering much-needed stability and care for working families. Registration forms are available through each school office.
   

3. Sangamon County to vote on mental health board funding in March 2026 (foxillinois.com) — Sangamon County leaders in Springfield have placed a March 2026 referendum on the ballot to create and fund a countywide Mental Health Board through a 0.5% sales tax increase. Essentials like vehicles, qualifying food, and medicines would be exempt, while new funding would bolster crisis response, homelessness services, jail-based care, and access to treatment that many Springfield-area residents currently lack.
   

4. Sangamon County Sheriff's Office spreads holiday cheer at Laketown School (foxillinois.com) — About 30 students at Springfield’s Laketown School received early Christmas gifts thanks to Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies and local business donations. The growing program focuses on building positive relationships between law enforcement and kids, with students submitting wishlists and staff helping organize the effort. This year, deputies were able to provide presents for more children than last year.
   

5. IL law will improve due process for people with revoked, denied FOID cards (wandtv.com) — Reported from Springfield, a new Illinois law starting Jan. 1 will give people with revoked or denied FOID cards a clearer, faster path to appeal. Lawmakers in Springfield created an expedited review process and new transparency rules, while Republicans still argue broader gun laws infringe on Second Amendment rights.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • IS THIS ANYONES BABY???
    Super friendly and scared !!!!!! Neutered boy!!! He seems so lost and scared! Please claim him! He is right at the Springfield Fire Station #3 on… (Nextdoor Yates / Poole)
  • Part 4 of the Christmas story I'm working on for Pups.
    The story should start to pick up here soon. I wanted to introduce the characters and get the scene sets up. #comicstrip #comicstrips #dogs #puppy (Nextdoor Grandview Ave/Wolfe St)
  • Williamsville improves to 6-1 with a big home win over Tri-City on Wednesday. First half highlights from the Bullets vs Tornadoes here: www... (X: Channel1450com)
  • We hosted some students from Western Illinois University last week to discuss what FBI Springfield does in the local area, some cases, and some job... (X: FBISpringfield)
  • Two Men And A Truck posted a job opening for Mover / Laborer 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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