Illinois

Comedy show, beer school and more: 5 things to do in Springfield this weekend

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2024

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.

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Illinois

Illinois retailers prepare for possible SNAP disruption Nov. 1

Published

3 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

Illinois retailers prepare for possible SNAP disruption Nov. 1

Abreanna Blose
| Reporter assisted by AI

The suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to the federal government shutdown could impact nearly 1.9 million Illinois residents, according to a community announcement.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) is working to ensure consumers are prepared for the planned suspension, which is set to begin at midnight on Nov. 1. The suspension was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. It means that SNAP recipients will not receive new deposits unless Congress reaches an agreement to end the shutdown. However, recipients will still be able to use any remaining benefits from October.

The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program will not be affected, and recipients can continue to redeem their benefits as usual.

Retailers are expecting confusion at check-out counters and are coordinating closely with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office, the Illinois Department of Human Services and organizations like the Greater Chicago Food Depository to share important information and updates, according to the announcement.

IRMA has compiled resources for SNAP recipients and retailers, including how to locate local meal programs and food distribution centers, on its website.

This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@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.

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Illinois

LIVE: Gov. Pritzker declares agricultural trade crisis in Illinois in new executive order

Published

22 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Press Room

LIVE: Gov. Pritzker declares agricultural trade crisis in Illinois in new executive order

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor Pritzker signed an executive order declaring an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois on Wednesday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“This order directs our state agencies to take immediate action, promoting domestic markets for agricultural commodities and expanding health resources for our rural communities,” Pritzker said.

Before the scheduled signing, Pritzker visited the Curtin Family Farm in Taylorville, Illinois.

His office said he joined farmers to discuss how Trump tariffs are impacting the Illinois farming community.

The executive order signing was expected to gin at 10:30 a.m.

READ ALSO | Pritzker creates ‘Illinois Accountability Commission’ in executive order amid federal deployments

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Illinois

Illinois, 25 other states sue Trump administration over SNAP halt

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2025

Press Room

Illinois, 25 other states sue Trump administration over SNAP halt

ILLINOIS – Illinois has joined 25 other states in suing the Trump administration over its decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement.

What we know:

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday that he joined a coalition of 26 attorneys general and governors in filing the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins. The suit accuses the agency of unlawfully suspending SNAP, which helps more than 40 million Americans buy food.

While the federal government funds and sets the monthly allotment for SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering the program.

On Oct. 10, the USDA warned state SNAP agencies that if the shutdown continued, it would not have sufficient funds to pay full November benefits.

Two weeks later, on Oct. 24, the agency notified states that SNAP benefits would be suspended beginning Nov. 1, according to Raoul.

The lawsuit argues that the USDA’s claim of insufficient funds is false, noting the agency has access to billions in SNAP-specific contingency funds. It also claims the USDA has used emergency funds to support other programs during the shutdown but “has refused to fund SNAP.”

According to the filing, the suspension of benefits is “contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.” The coalition also argues the USDA lacks authority to halt SNAP payments because Congress has already appropriated funding for the program.

The full lawsuit can be viewed below.

What’s next:

Raoul said he and other attorneys general plan to seek a temporary restraining order requiring the court to immediately restore SNAP benefits.

The lawsuit was also joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Governors from Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania also signed on to the complaint.

The Source: The information in this article was provided by the Illinois Attorney General.

IllinoisNewsDonald J. TrumpFood and Drink

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