ONGOING Lilacs and Letters Through April 8. The play is set at the Armory Square Military Hospital in Washington, D.C., in 1865. Poet Walt Whitman, a hospital volunteer, sits among the sleeping wounded as he reflects on national grief and puts the finishing touches on poetry eulogizing President Abraham Lincoln. Free with museum admission. Abraham […]
Special Issues
Spring Guide 2026
Spring Guide has information on seasonal day and weekend trips, how to bring spring into your home, an expanded three-month calendar of events and more.
Explore Route 66 close to home
You may not be planning to join the crowd driving Route 66 as it turns 100 this year, but you can kick off your own celebration by tooling down the road to Litchfield. The town of 6,500 is less than an hour south of Springfield and chock-full of spots for a day or weekend trip. […]
Enjoy spring flowers sooner
March weather is reliably unpredictable. A day of blissful sunshine can turn cold and icy overnight, quashing dreams of cheerful blooms and lazy afternoons sprawled out on a picnic blanket. No matter what the weather’s mood, hopeful gardeners can bring a bit of spring into their homes by forcing certain spring flowering shrubs and trees […]
“Seam to Shining Seam” Quilt Show
More than 400 colorful quilts, along with other quilt-related items, will fill the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on March 20 and 21. The 2026 “Seam to Shining Seam” show features quilts made by Springfield-area quilters who are part of Q.U.I.L.T.S – Quilters United in Learning, Teaching and Self-Improvement. Now held every two […]
Results from the latest Job Seeker Report
To track the latest trends, The Harris Poll, on behalf of Express Employment Professionals, conducts a biannual Job Seeker Report survey tracking job market trends across a wide range of industries. The report also features training, development and skills-building opportunities developed by Express to support job seekers in their career journeys. Discover more current job […]
Myth vs. Fact: Misconceptions about the current job market
No lies about it – finding a job in this market is challenging. With AI advancements, ghost jobs, skilled workers retiring, and new generations making their mark, the workforce is changing – and so are many companies’ hiring practices. Even so, some principles still ring true when it comes to misconceptions about the job market. […]
When to step back from a leadership role
Taking a step back: Does less responsibility lead to more fulfillment? For many seasoned leaders facing burnout, the idea of stepping back into an individual-contributor role can be tempting. The memory of simpler days, when success was measured by personal output rather than team performance, and evenings were free from after-hours emails, can be alluring. […]
Researching and benchmarking a job offer
Evaluating a job offer is one of the most important decisions a job seeker can make. To determine if an offer is competitive, you should consider three key factors: industry, market demand and location, plus your level of experience. By comparing these elements, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of your true market value. Enhance your […]
LLCC launches Professional Development Institute
Lincoln Land Community College has launched its Professional Development Institute, featuring a wide range of training and continuing education opportunities designed to meet the evolving needs of employers and working professionals across central Illinois. The Professional Development Institute serves as LLCC’s central hub for workforce and professional learning – connecting employers, organizations and individuals to targeted […]
The Wedding Issue 2026
More than 40% of engagements in the U.S. occur between Thanksgiving andValentine’s Day, so this is the time of year many couples are startingto plan their weddings. We talked to area business owners involved inthe wedding industry to find out the latest trends. Couples are focusingon more personalized details and experiences to engage their guests,rather […]
This year’s wedding trends
Festive, fun or formal — this year’s weddings can be as personal as the couple’s imagination. Local experts share this year’s trends. Regan Duffy offers wedding planning and day-of coordinating. Often, brides have already made their selections by the time they hire Duffy to make sure their special day goes according to plan. So, Duffy […]
