ReGeneration

Bill Crook, known for his pen-and-ink drawings, received the "Good Neighbor - Individual" award at the ICON annual dinner this week, acknowledging his many artistic contributions to the community.

He and his wife, Wendy Allen, will hold a holiday art open house from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at their home at 1821 Cherry Road. Bill will have 2026 calendars for sale, along with prints of the 50th anniversary cover he did for Illinois Times.

Both Illinois Times and NPR Illinois are celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year, in the midst of both challenge and opportunity for public radio and local media.

Join Illinois Times owner Fletcher Farrar and NPR Illinois general manager Randy Eccles at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts for a Citizens Club panel, moderated by Bernie Schoenburg, to discuss the plans, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

https://community.illinoistimes.com/springfield/citizens-club-of-springfield-illinois-times-and-npr-illinois-at-50-years/Event?oid=20799701

Drop off non-perishable food items and hygiene products at 2800 Montvale Drive from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 22, help keep the areas' 35 micropantries stocked. Cash and check donations to Central Illinois Food Bank will also be accepted.

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the historic Ursuline Campus - a treasured Springfield landmark featuring three iconic buildings rich in history and architecture - at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Each structure is in a unique state of restoration, preservation and adaptive reuse, offering a rare glimpse into the past and the exciting future of this beloved campus.

Admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum will be free on Wednesday, Nov. 19, the 162nd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.

An original edition is on display for a limited time as part of the new exhibit "Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation."

ALPLM historians will host free Q&A sessions exploring the history and lasting impact of the Gettysburg Address at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Area audiences have the chance to catch a new musical about a small group of World War I heroes.

The Hello Girls is an uplifting and exciting history lesson that chronicles the journey of five courageous women who served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines of France in 1918.

Springfield Theatre Centre’s The Hello Girls - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture Area audiences have the chance to catch a new (for Springfield) musical about a small group of World War I heroes, and this writer hopes you take it. The Hello Girls is an uplifting and exciting history lesson that chronicles the journey of five courageous women who served as bilingual telephone op...

Residents of Sangamon Towers are speaking out about health and safety concerns, with some claiming that management has done little to protect them or address ongoing issues:

Seniors struggle at Sangamon Towers - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture Early on a Friday morning in late August, a group of Springfield seniors sat around a table outside Sangamon Towers, the apartment building they call home. It was a cool morning, out of the norm for the month’s heavy heat, and some wore light jackets.  “Everybody in this building should be able...

Need help with renewing your driver's license, getting a Real ID, vehicle registration or license plate stickers?

Take advantage of the Mobile DMV that will be at Lincoln Library from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.

The Grace Food Pantry Benefit Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Springfield will feature inspirational live music.

The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations to help support the work of Grace Food Pantry.

The Route 66 International Film Festival, featuring 27 short and feature-length films in various categories from seven countries, will take place Nov. 7-8 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

An awards ceremony will be held Saturday night. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Route 66 International Film Festival Route 66 International Film Festival This event, in its 24th year, will feature 27 short and feature-length films in various categories from seven countries. An awards ceremony will be held Saturday night. Trophies will be awarded for judges' choices in various categories including Best of Fest. Foo...

Enjoy a free, guided tour of the historic Ursuline Campus - a treasured Springfield landmark featuring three iconic buildings rich in history and architecture - at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Each structure is in a unique state of restoration, preservation and adaptive reuse, offering a rare glimpse into the past and the exciting future of this beloved campus.

Experience the voices of Illinois’ greatest poets brought to life on stage. "The Sangamon River Poets: Masters, Lindsay, and Sandburg," a play by Dennis Camp, returns to the stage 44 years after its world premiere at the Sangamon Auditorium.

See it Nov. 8-9 at the New Salem Visitors Center. Purchase tickets here:

Sangamon River Poets Poetry of The Sangamon Date & Time: Saturday, November 8, 2025 – 7:00 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025 – 3:00 PM Location: New Salem Visitors Center – Indoor Theater 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, IL Event Summary: Experience the voices of Illinois’ greatest poets brought to life on stage. Th...