Mike Wennmacher

Less than 24 hours after receiving its first reading at the Springfield City Council, the City of Springfield and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday plans for a new Downtown Park and Venue Space on the Y-Block. The final vote on the transfer of the property from the City of Springfield to the IDNR is expected on July 21st. The new project will feature native landscapes, a natural limestone amphitheater, shade and a play area for children.

The renovations at the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center are now complete and the venue is ready to announce the shows coming to the Sangamon Auditorium as part of their Broadway series. The series will begin with Jersey Boys on October 2nd and continue on through Shucked on May 11th 2027. Along the way there will be an add-on performance of Hadestown on October 24th as well as Mystic Pizza on January 26th and the Simon and Garfunkel Story on March 6th.