Happy weekend, Springfield! In today’s edition: Hybrid airplane pilot program, evening tours at the Old State Capitol, digital tickets at the Illinois State Fair, and more.

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Events expand for history lovers: Springfield’s Dana-Thomas House and Old State Capitol will offer later hours this winter, with evening tours, game and date nights Wed-Fri, plus Saturday Civil War programs by IDNR — get all the details.

Rethinking intrastate air travel: Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is the only Illinois applicant for a hybrid airplane pilot program that could add multiple daily Springfield to Chicago flights with landings at designated sites — get details on the proposal.

Infrastructure upgrades take shape: The final phase of Springfield’s rail relocation begins this month with a new underpass at Carpenter and 10th, North Grand serving stadium access, and 19th Street tracks shifting north — see what’s planned and where.

Sports park expands event options: Springfield City Council approved a new Class P liquor license category for the Scheels Sports Complex last week, allowing beer, wine and liquor sales during set hours, pending vendor applications — see what’s allowed and next.

Modern entry experience ahead: The Illinois State Fair will move to digital tickets for 2026 after a 2025 trial, with downloads or mobile wallets, while some special passes still require photo ID — see what’s changing and when.

Regional economy gets a lift: International crane maker REEL USA Corp. will open a Springfield plant and make it its U.S. headquarters, bringing more than 100 jobs over time across assembly and professional roles. Leaders say the company chose our central location and an available building, with no taxpayer incentives involved See why Springfield was chosen.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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👖 Denim Trade-in Days @ The Wardrobe Boutique | Monday (1/19) at 10:00 AM – Bring 3 or more pairs of 90% cotton denim, get up to $30 in vouchers, and let Blue Jeans Go Green turn your retired blues into insulation, pet bed fluff, and packaging. Better than letting them haunt the chair, and you get closet space.

🌱 “Soil and Soul” Program @ Lincoln Library | Tuesday (1/20) at 5:30 PM – Trade your streaming queue for a free screening and chat at Lincoln Library about the Sangamon River Valley’s farm roots. Rich Saal, SJ-R photo guy and award-winning documentarian, shares Soil and Soul, ten farmers’ grit, traditions, and deep ties to the land.

🏐 Great Lakes Valley Conference – Women’s Volleyball Championship @ Williamsville High School | Wednesday (1/21) – Williamsville’s gym is hosting the Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship, all the high-stakes serves, digs, and drama without airport security. Park yourself on the bleachers, grab popcorn, cheer like you mean it, and call it cardio, community, and a win.

🎸 Not Petty @ Obed & Isaac’s The Cidery | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:00 PM – Not Petty is making their Cidery debut with two full sets of Tom Petty, plus a quick palate-cleansing middle set that’s not Petty. Expect the hits, the deep cuts, and cider you can actually finish, no earplugs required. Bring your chorus voice.

🎨 Paint Night: Cold Mt Moon @ The Tap Room | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:30 PM – Take a break from the grind and roll into a chill paint night with Ashley Blake at The Tap Room. You’ll recreate the serene Cold Mountain Moon, sip something easy, and pretend your high school art teacher was wrong. No experience, just good vibes.

🐱 Chapter Chats with Cats @ The Cats’ Pyjamas Cat Café | Thursday (1/22) at 6:00 PM – Think your book club could use less small talk and more purrs? Head to the cat café after hours for a lively, regular-admission bookish hang hosted by Mother of Cats, Samantha Enz, with thoughtful discussion, cozy laps, and whiskered side-eye. RSVP recommended, walk-ins if space.

🛷 2026 Klondike Derby @ Boy Scout Camp Illinek | Friday (1/23) at 5:30 PM – Finally, Minecraft gets some fresh air. The Klondike Derby at Camp Illinek turns pixels into pine needles as Scouts brave the cold, tackle challenges, and build for real, no respawns. Pack the cocoa, sign up your Scout, and register at scoutingevent.com/144-97144.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Springfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 23°F – Low: 11°F – Precip: 14%

A chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as 5. West northwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as 0. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 28°F – Low: 8°F – Precip: 5%

Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. West wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Most popular house this week

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