Illinois
Comedy show, beer school and more: 5 things to do in Springfield this weekend
Despite cold temperatures on Wednesday, Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who earlier this month forecasted warm weather, was right about missing his shadow as Springfielders have another warm weekend on tap.
If internet surfing for weekend plans is coming up short, the State Journal-Register has you covered with these five events.
More: These are Illinois’ best companies to work for in the US, according to Forbes
Some Kinda Comedy Show
Looking for a night out with a date but struggle to make them laugh? Been there.
Hosted by The Gin Mill & Lounge on S. 5th St., host Richard Bailey is welcoming residents to a Friday night of laughs and entertainment with ‘Some Kind of Comedy Show’.
Featuring comedians Joe Blanco of Peoria and Springfield performer Jadey, the night will feature two special guests from down south in St. Louis with Doug Morris and Ellie Kirchhoefer.
The audience can sit back and enjoy dry humor and dry wine from show start at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. close, all for just $8 a ticket at the door.
Walking Group at Lincoln Park
This is for all the ladies who want to work out but don’t have anyone to go with. The group Illinois Women in Leadership is bringing the opportunity to get some exercise with company one step at a time.
On Saturday, the group is having a public walking group around Lincoln Park. Walkers can meet at 8 a.m. at the Funshop at the park, before getting some fresh air and great conversations with other women in the community.
Founded in July of 2004, Illinois Women in Leadership promotes professionalism and develops members’ management and leadership abilities through education, mentoring, networking, participation, encouragement and support.
Beer School 101
Beer isn’t just a pastime at Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery, it’s a research subject – an extensive research subject.
Luckily for Springfielders, this college course into the buzzed brew has no tuition fees attached. Class starts this Saturday at exactly 10 a.m. so don’t be late and prepare to park 10 minutes prior behind the building. Tardiness may be tolerated but forgetting your binder (or drinking glass) will reflect on the test at the end.
Students will tour around the brewing facility to get an idea of what goes into beer making. Showcasing different styles and techniques that are involved in the brewing process, all in a real operating setting. Through the brief introduction to brew creation, the final exam will be a breeze to pass for astute students—sampling some of the microbrewery’s own blends.
All students for the class must be over 21, wear clothes toed shoes and acknowledge they are visiting a work environment with wet surfaces. Tuition is free, but a limited spot for the class must be reserved online at Obed and Isaac’s website or Eventbrite page.
Crochet for Beginners with B’s Creative Studio
Ever been interested in learning a new craft? With B’s Creative Studio located at 1305 Wabash Ave., the threads have no limit.
This Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., join artist Ash to learn basic crocheting methods you can take home. Any artist 10 years or older can attend the event and learn how to make a granny square, which is a simple square fabric made by crocheting circles from the center outward. Granny Squares typically take under an hour to complete, but time ranges by experience.
Tickets are $35 per person and can be found online at B’s Creative Studio’s website and Eventbrite page.
Guided Tour of the Dana-Thomas House
When was the last time you experienced your architectural heritage? That is the question the Illinois Department of State Historic Sites asks Springfielders to take a Sunday morning to remember the historical importance of their streets.
Guided tours of the Dana-Thomas house are available to the public free of charge most days of the week and for any architecture nerd, the Dana-Thomas house is a must-see since photography isn’t permitted inside the building.
Part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, the Dana-Thomas house was designed in 1902 by Frank Lloyd Wright for Susan Lawrence Dana, a socialite living in Springfield. The building designed by Wright contains the largest collection of site-specific, original Wright art glass and furniture. The home has 35 rooms in the 12,000 square feet of living space which includes 3 main levels and 16 varying levels in all, according to the Dana-Thomas House.
Reservations can be made online at dana-thomas.org.
Illinois
Illinois’ best pork tenderloin sandwich is in central Illinois
Fulgenzi’s Pizza & Pasta voted best pizza in Springfield | Video
The winner of The State Journal-Register’s online poll had more than 7,600 votes, garnering 44% of the total votes.
Illinois’ passion for hand‑breaded pork tenderloins hit a new milestone as Buford’s Pub in Sadorus, about 80 miles east of Springfield, claimed the top spot in the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s inaugural Breaded Pork Tenderloin Draft, according to a community announcement.
The competition, created for October Pork Month, highlighted restaurants that serve true hand‑breaded tenderloins year‑round. Public voting narrowed the nominees to a top 20 and then a top five, and a judging panel taste‑tested the finalists to determine the winners, according to the announcement.
Buford’s Pub, at 109 E. Market St. in Sadorus, won first place for its oversized tenderloin and passionate following. “It’s always good to be rewarded for hard work,” owner Jeff Buckler said in a release. “We make hundreds of tenderloins each week and to be nominated and awarded the best in Illinois is just unbelievable.”
The restaurant has become a destination for fans of the Pursuing Pork Tenderloins Facebook group, drawing visitors from around the country. Many stopped by this fall during an informal Illinois Pork Tenderloin Crawl.
Buford’s has expanded steadily since opening, adding hand-built tables, a large patio and bar, and live entertainment. Buckler said the restaurant sold nearly 10,000 tenderloins in the past year, prompting him to open a USDA-certified kitchen in Arthur dedicated to making them. “Which means we will be able to ship tenderloins all over the United States,” he said.
River’s Edge in Dixon placed second. Rounding out the top five were Old Mill in Greenville, D’Arcy’s Pint in Springfield and The Dirty Bird in Sycamore.
Winners received commemorative plaques, and Buford’s also earned an outdoor banner. Contest rules bar the first‑place winner from reentering for five years, though other finalists may return.
IPPA Board Member Kent Blunier said the contest reflects the long-standing relationship between Illinois pork farmers and the restaurants that feature their products. “We put great care into raising the animals,” Blunier said. “Events like this are a great example of how local restaurants and local farmers can support each other.”
This story was co-authored by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
Illinois
Drake men’s basketball loses at Illinois State
Drake men’s basketball dug itself a 15-point hole at halftime and lost at Illinois State 86-76 on Feb. 6.
The Bulldogs (12-13 overall, 6-8 Missouri Valley) struggled with their shooting in the loss, making just 42% from the field.
The Redbirds (16-8, 8-5) shot 50% overall and made 12-of-27 (44%) from 3-point range.
Jalen Quinn and Okku Federiko both scored 17 points to lead Drake. Quinn was 6-of-18 from the floor.
Andrew Alia led the Bulldogs with 11 rebounds.
Ty-Reek Coleman scored 19 points off the bench to lead Illinois State. Chase Walker added 18.
The Redbirds scored 13 points off turnovers; Drake converted its takeaways into just five points. Illinois had a 38-28 edge in points in the paint.
Eric Henderson’s Bulldogs have lost three in a row after a three-game winning streak in January. They play host to Valparaiso at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 9.
Illinois
What to know about the March 17 primary for Illinois comptroller
Margaret Croke, Stephanie Kifowit, Holly Kim and Karina Villa are the Democrats vying to replace outgoing incumbent Susana Mendoza as the state comptroller.
What does the Illinois comptroller do?
The Illinois comptroller is the state’s chief financial officer. The office manages the state’s fiscal accounts, records all transactions, pays bills and reviews all expenditures and contracts. The comptroller also chairs the State Employees’ Retirement System Board and sits on the Illinois State Board of Investment, helping manage pensions for state employees. The comptroller also issues financial reports about the state’s fiscal affairs. In addition to managing the state’s finances, the office regulates cemeteries and handles the fiduciary protection of cemetery funds meant for the maintenance of grave sites in Illinois.
Who is the current comptroller?
Susana Mendoza won a special election for comptroller in 2016 to serve the final two years of the late Judy Baar Topinka’s term. Mendoza earned reelection bids in 2018 and 2022. She is the highest-ranking Latina elected official in Illinois. Mendoza, 53, previously served as the Chicago city clerk and as a state representative, and she unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Chicago in 2019. She announced last summer she would not seek reelection as she considered her “next biggest challenge.”
Who are the candidates?
Three of the four candidates in the Democratic primary are state legislators: Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, and Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago. The fourth is Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim. Bryan Drew, an attorney from downstate Benton, is the lone candidate for comptroller in the Republican primary. None of the candidates received an endorsement from Mendoza.
Croke and Kifowit are more moderate Democrats. Croke boasts endorsements from House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and 30 other House Democrats, while Kifowit is backed by multiple labor unions, veterans groups, a few House Democrats and many suburban elected officials.
Kim possesses a progressive vision but has earned votes in historically conservative areas of Lake County. She has endorsements from U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, numerous local elected officials from across the state and several unions.
Villa is a progressive who has been a strong advocate for immigrants, as well as for affordable housing and lower healthcare costs. She carries endorsements from U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, outgoing U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon.
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