Illinois Times

26/10/2025

The Jacksonville Area Museum is seeking entries for its “Building with Brick – The Art of LEGO” exhibit that will run from December 2025 through February 2026, featuring original and LEGO kit creations from all ages.

Prizes based on public voting will be awarded in five categories: Kit Build for all ages, Jacksonville 200th (to commemorate the city’s bicentennial) for all ages, Original Build ages 13 and up, Original Build ages 8 – 12, and Original Build ages 0 – 7.

This exhibit is one of the most popular events each year at the museum. The public will be encouraged to vote on their favorite builds, with $100 LEGO gift cards awarded to the top vote-getters.

To submit a build, participants can drop off their creations by Nov. 23 during normal visiting hours at the museum: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Only builds submitted by November 23 are eligible for voting. Participants will be asked to fill out a temporary loan agreement. Children must have a parents signature. Call (217) 408-1197 with any questions, or contact the museum.

26/10/2025

Sister Beth Murphy of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield explains why individual Christian believers and the societies in which we live are called to look after people who are impoverished, in contrast with much of today's popular rhetoric:

Care for the poor is both “the burning heart of the Church’s mission” and the heart of Pope Leo’s first message to the world’s Christians. The apostolic exhortation, released earlier this month, is called Dilexi Te – I have loved you – and subtitled On love for the poor. To take in its...

26/10/2025

Illinois Times Best of Springfield Party, presented by Acosta-Angeli Roofing, is coming Thursday, Oct. 30, at the BOS Center from 5-9 p.m. Get tickets and info at illinoistimestix.com.

Check out some of the food sampling being offered:

3rd Shift Kitchen (inside Floyd’s): wings, mini pizza bread and a special dessert

Nelson’s Catering; walking taco bar, white queso, chicken fajita spread and tortilla chips

Bella Milano: signature tortellini in cream sauce

Mel O Cream: a sampling of signature doughnuts

Make My Day Bakery: delectable desserts

Crave Cookies: samples for tasting and packages for sale

Hy-Vee: egg rolls, orange chicken and maple bacon Jalapeno wontons

Outback Steakhouse; Steak and chicken kabobs with sides of homemade mashed potatoes and green beans

Plus TBD offerings from The Taco Joint / Ramona Tacos + Mezcal, The Lumpia House and Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill.

Also enjoy beer, wine and spirits samplings from Republic National Distributing Company, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Springfield Beer Co., Chick Fritz Distributing (Coors and Miller) and Limerick Brewing Company.

25/10/2025

Catching a movie this weekend?

"A House of Dynamite" is a master class in suspense that examines an all-too-real doomsday scenario, while the horror film "Shelby Oaks" starts strong but ultimately disappoints.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/arts-culture/filmfestinterviews/house-of-dynamite-both-suspenseful-and-terrifying-shelby-oaks-disappoints

Plausible Dynamite a terrifying doomsday tale Timely, taut and terrifying, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite is a master class in suspense, times three. Working from a script by former journalist Noah Oppenheim, the director plays out an all-too-real doomsday scenario from a trio of different ...

25/10/2025

The Massey Commission will hold its final meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Memorial Learning Center.

This meeting will be an opportunity for the commission to review all calls to action and finalize its report. The public is invited to hear the final product of the past year of work.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1325103441893744

25/10/2025

Another use-of-force expert testified for the prosecution today in Sean Grayson's trial, which is expected to conclude Wednesday, and Sonya Massey's family and friends reacted to the proceedings so far:

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news/sean-grayson-on-trial/

24/10/2025

Enter the 5th annual Best of Springfield Party Costume Contest, sponsored by Artisan Stone Products, for a chance to win $900 in cash prizes - categories for individuals and groups.

The 2025 Best of Springfield party takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the BOS Center.

Sign up by 7 p.m. that night to enter, the contest begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at illinositimestix.com.

24/10/2025

An expert on police tactics and use of force testified today that Sean Grayson’s tactics weren’t appropriate or acceptable based on national norms for police conduct. The defense objected to parts of the testimony, telling the judge it would confuse jurors.

https://www.illinoistimes.com/news/sean-grayson-on-trial/

24/10/2025

This week's District 186 School Board meeting celebrated strong statewide music qualifications and launched fifth-grade band with added after-school and on-site options.

Leaders also roll out new visitor ID checks, badge-based emergency alerts, cardiac response teams aiming for Heart Safe status, and announced FAFSA help, HBCU outreach, SCOPE enrollment growth and a watch on federal funding.

Watch the highlight reel here:

https://www.illinoistimes.com/watch-public-meetings/schoolboarddist186/music-wins-new-safety-steps-in-schools/

24/10/2025

The inaugural Central Illinois Music Fair will be held Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Marian Banquet Hall in Riverton, honoring the late Mark Kessler of Recycled Records. Come out and enjoy a full day of crate-digging, CD hunting, cassette nostalgia and music memorabilia.

Learn more about it and all the live music around town in this week's Now Playing column:
https://www.illinoistimes.com/music/music-music/october-music-wraps-up/

24/10/2025

Sean Grayson disregarded obvious signs of a person in mental distress and needlessly escalated a situation he had been trained as a police officer to diffuse when he shot and killed Sonya Massey, a use of force expert testified at today.

Read the latest trial updates here:

Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct stemming from the July 2024 shooting death of 36-year-old Sonya Massey inside her Woodside Township home just outside Springfiel...

23/10/2025

Looking for trunk-or-treats, fall festivals and other Halloween happenings? Check out this link to all the upcoming holiday activities:

https://community.illinoistimes.com/springfield/EventSearch?eventCategory=11485695&narrowByDate=2025-10-17-to-2025-11-02&sortType=date&v=d