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

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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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Early voting begins for some Illinois counties; DuPage County delayed to next week

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Early voting begins for some Illinois counties; DuPage County delayed to next week


Some polls opened up for early voting on Thursday, with less than six weeks to go until primary day in Illinois.

The actual date of the primary election in Illinois is March 17. But if work, school, doctor’s appointments, or other responsibilities prevent one from casting a ballot that day, early voting is an alternative.

MORE: Early voting dates, locations for Chicago and surrounding counties

DuPage County was to open up the polls at five locations beginning at 8 a.m. However, “due to unresolved candidate objections currently pending before the Appellate Court,” the start of early voting and vote by mail has been delayed for “early next week.” 

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The McHenry County Election Center, at 410 S. Eastwood Dr. in Woodstock, will fire up its machines for residents of that county at 8:30 a.m. 

Also at 8:30 a.m., the Will County Clerk’s office, at 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet, and the Kankakee County Clerk’s office, at 189 E. Court St. in Kankakee, begin early voting.

Ballots can be cast at the Lake County Courthouse, at 18 N. County St. in Waukegan, starting at 9 a.m.

Primaries do not always see the best voter turnout, but this election includes some key races that will affect politics across the entire state. Voters will determine who runs on the Democratic and Republican tickets for Illinois governor, and the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) is also up for grabs.

A total of 14 Democratic candidates are running for the nomination for Durbin’s seat, and eight on the Republican side.

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Early voting is not yet open for Chicago and suburban Cook County residents.

Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 12, for city residents. The downtown supersite has moved to a new location at 137 S. State St.

Suburban Cook County early voting doesn’t start until March 2. Click here to look up the early voting site near you. 

For those who prefer to vote by mail, the United States Postal Service now says it cannot guarantee that ballots will be postmarked the same day they are sent. This means ballots mailed on the primary day of March 17 may not count for this election.

USPS suggests returning vote-by-mail ballots by March 10 to be safe.

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Building management gave consent for immigration raid at South Shore apartment complex: Court docs

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Building management gave consent for immigration raid at South Shore apartment complex: Court docs


CHICAGO (WLS) — New details are being revealed about an immigration raid at a South Shore apartment complex last year.

Newly filed court documents for someone detained in the raid reveal the building’s owner or manager gave verbal and written consent for the raid on Sept. 30 at 75th and South Shore Drive.

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

New court documents also showed officers were responding to a tip of migrants living in the building.

Last month, the state of Illinois launched an investigation into the raid and whether the landlord or building management may have tipped off the Department of Homeland Security.

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READ MORE | Landlord accused of housing discrimination in South Shore immigration raid amid state investigation

The owner and manager of the building have not responded to ABC7’s requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security claims two members of a Venezuelan gang were arrested in the raid.

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Illinois state bill would authorize pilot program for self-driving cars in Chicago

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Illinois state bill would authorize pilot program for self-driving cars in Chicago



Self-driving cars could soon be making their debut in Chicago.

Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Illinois) has introduced a bill that would authorize autonomous vehicle pilot programs in several counties.

The bill would authorize an autonomous vehicle pilot program in several counties, including Cook County, and downstate Sangamon County — which includes Springfield.

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If the pilot program is successful, the Illinois Department of Transportation could legalize self-driving cars statewide within three years.

The bill comes as self-driving car operator Waymo tries to gain a foothold in Illinois, according to published reports.

The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law.

Previous attempts to legalize self-driving cars in Illinois have gone nowhere.

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