Illinois

New building owner addresses backlash over mural in downtown Springfield

Published

4 months ago

March 4, 2026

New building owner addresses backlash over mural in downtown Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A long-standing mural honoring Robert E. Smith on the side of a building at Campbell and Walnut has been covered up, prompting community backlash against the building’s new owner.

David Pere, owner of FMTM LLC, purchased the building in downtown Springfield and said he intended it to reflect his business, which focuses on helping veterans with financial strategies and goals. Covering the mural was part of that plan.

Pere said he was out of town in Tennessee when painting began and learned about the community reaction through messages on his phone.

“I’m like, I was in Tennessee running an event. I didn’t even know he’d started painting until I got a bunch of really nasty messages on my phone,” Pere said. “And I go, oh, look, that’s our building getting painted. I guess he started.”

Pere said he did not anticipate the response. “You know, we didn’t. I didn’t know how much of an impact this was going to make,” he said.

Jesse Tyler, co-owner of SGFCO, said he wanted the mural to stay and expressed concern about the lack of safeguards for publicly recognized works of art.

“To paint over that is to say, like, could be interpreted as saying that his work is no longer relevant or that his story is no longer relevant. I don’t think that’s true,” Tyler said. “Robert’s artwork needs to be part of downtown for as long as we can maintain that memory and maintain that legacy.”

Tyler said the community had hoped protections would be in place for the mural. “Maybe we didn’t have those protections that we hope there would be, that maybe the sort of legacy and awareness of Robert’s work that we hope there would be wasn’t there,” he said.

The City of Springfield posted online, acknowledging the artwork held deep meaning for many residents. Because the building is privately owned, however, Pere is within his rights to make changes to its exterior.

Pere said he hopes to help relocate the mural to a more permanent location. “We want to help migrate that mural to a wall where it could be more permanent,” he said. “I’d love to help them find a space for it. I’d love to help. I’d love to see the city get involved to the point where that space could be a permanent space where it’s actually maintained because it is obvious now that it is very important to the city of Springfield.”

Pere is already working with an artist on a new mural for the side of the building, intended to represent veterans. That mural is expected to begin going up at the end of the month.

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Illinois

Illinois Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 28, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 28, 2026

The Illinois Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick-3 numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 3-8-6, Fireball: 8

Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 7

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 0-0-8-3, Fireball: 4

Evening: 9-7-1-8, Fireball: 0

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning LuckyDay Lotto numbers from June 28 drawing

Midday: 04-06-15-16-40

Evening: 05-33-38-43-45

Check LuckyDay Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes up to $600: Claim at an Illinois Lottery retailer, a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim. By mail, send the required documentation to: Illinois Lottery Claims Department, P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, IL.
Prizes from $601 to $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center, by mail, or via an e-Claim.
Prizes over $10,000: Claim at a Claim Center or by mail.
Appointments Required: Schedule an appointment for in-person claims.
Documentation: Bring a photo ID and Social Security number proof.

When are the Illinois Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky Day Lotto (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky Day Lotto (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto: 9:22 p.m. CT on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:40 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:22 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Illinois editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Illinois

Four people hospitalized after Joliet police chase ends in crash: officials

Published

19 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

Four people hospitalized after Joliet police chase ends in crash: officials

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — Four people were hospitalized after a south suburban police chase ended in a crash early Sunday morning, police said.

Joliet police said an officer saw a Cadillac CTS traveling southbound on Raynor Avenue without its headlights or taillights on just before 2 a.m.

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The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop when the Cadillac’s driver, a 21-year-old Joliet man, turned westbound onto Black Road, but he immediately sped away, police said. The officer stopped before reaching Black Road and Midland Avenue due to safety concerns.

Police said the officer and witnesses then saw the Cadillac’s driver run a red light at Black Road and Larkin Avenue, where he collided with a Chevrolet Cruze, which was heading northbound on Larkin on a green light. The crash caused the Cadillac to leave the roadway, strike a utility pole, and overturn in a nearby grassy area.

The Cadillac’s driver, the only person in that vehicle, was extricated and transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. He was later flown to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

Police said the Chevrolet’s driver, a 23-year-old Chicago man, and two passengers, both men, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The roadway was closed for several hours while investigators reconstructed the crash scene.

Joliet police are investigating and asked anyone with video footage or information to call them at 815-724-3010.

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Illinois

Southern Illinois Airport Authority celebrates 76 years with ‘Big Bang Birthday Bash’

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2026

Press Room

Southern Illinois Airport Authority celebrates 76 years with ‘Big Bang Birthday Bash’

CARBONDALE, Ill. (HEARTLAND NEWS) – Aviation enthusiasts, families, and community members soared into a night of celebration as the Southern Illinois Airport Authority marked a major milestone.

The Southern Illinois Airport Authority (SIAA) hosted its Big Bang Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This celebrating 76 years of aviation history with food, games, community fun and a massive fireworks display.

The festivities began at 6 p.m. at the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, with fireworks lighting up the night sky after dark.

For more than seven decades, the Southern Illinois Airport has served as a gateway to the region, helping connect Southern Illinois residents to destinations near and far while supporting education, business, and aviation training opportunities.

Organizers invited the public to help celebrate the airport’s 76th birthday with an evening designed for all ages.

Whether guests were longtime aviation fans or simply looking for a fun summer outing, the event promised plenty of runway-worthy entertainment.

The highlight of the evening was a large fireworks display expected to illuminate the skies above the airport after sunset.

Attendees were encouraged to arrive early, set up lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities before the fireworks take flight.

The show will provided a fitting finale to an evening celebrating the airport’s legacy and future.

Visitors also enjoyed food and drink specials from St. Nick’s Restaurant, helping keep guests fueled throughout the celebration.

Games and family-friendly activities were also planned, entertaining children and adults alike.

The birthday bash served as both a celebration of aviation and a thank-you to the community that has supported the airport throughout its history.

Officials say the event offerd a chance to reflect on the airport’s contributions to Southern Illinois while bringing residents together for an evening of summertime fun.

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