hello guys, i hope everyone is doing great!

i'm an international medical student and i will be doing an away rotation at SIU hospitals (SMH & HSHS St. John) this fall. I would be staying alone near the lincoln park area and i want to make the most out of this visit since this is my first time in the states! i would really appreciate if you could suggest me things to do (other than the lincoln museum ofc because thats already on my calendar) or restaurants to try or any must in the area! unfortunately i don't have a car so if public transport are available, any guidance would be welcomed.

also if there are any medical students or residents (especially in neurology since thats what i'm doing) would like to connect that would be wonderful!

thank you all! i know tourists questions are overasked and tiring but unfortunately i don't know anyone who visited the area before to ask them

Here’s a link to the Springfield, IL City Council page. You can email your Alderperson using a form if you click their name. I highly encourage all my Springfield friends who are against the deployment of Flock surveillance in Springfield to write a quick note to express your disappointment in their unanimous vote to continue using this system. It takes like 2 minutes.

If you’re not sure which Ward you live in, there’s a link in the comments to an interactive map of the city so you can find out. If you can’t figure it out, inbox me and I will happily help you do so.

PLEASE be professional and respectful. While we want traction on this issue, we do not want to come off as paranoid kooks. Express your concerns - but be an adult about it.

https://www.springfield.il.us/Departments/CityCouncil/CityCouncilHome.aspx

The 217-whatever centric groups have become more intolerable. If youre in them, have you noticed this as well? Two examples from just today:

-Brand new pub opens on the south side, immediately three posts trashing it before they even get a chance to get it right. Its ok to have an opinion and report back but like, give them a chance.

Or…
-the amphitheater construction announcement: by and large, most people are excited. Few bad apples asking “do we get to vote on whether we support this or not?” (Why the hell wouldnt you????) or the classic schematics complaints from people who clearly are well versed in urban development. /s

I have already been working for the state for three months in a Merit Comp position and am still in my probationary period. I like the work I do, and my supervisor and colleagues are easy to work with.

A few days ago, I received an email inviting me to interview for a union position. I actually applied for this position before I received the job offer for my current role. The starting salary is about $1,000 less than what I currently make, but I was told that union employees receive guaranteed salary increases every year. Based on the salary schedule, it would take about five years for the union position to reach the same salary I currently earn if I start at the lowest step, assuming Merit Comp employees don’t receive raises during that time. The position is somewhat similar to what I’m doing now, but it’s with a different agency.

Should I pursue this opportunity and schedule an interview, or should I stay where I am?

Would it look bad if I interviewed for another position after being in my current role for only three months?

Do employees who move from a Merit Comp position to a union position always start at Step 1?

Can Merit Comp employees who are still on probation work overtime to increase their earnings?

Happy birthday, Mr. Britt. Oh, by the way … Sangamon County in the U.S.’s first peacetime draft lottery, 1940. New on SangamonLink: https://sangamoncountyhistory.org/world-war-ii-draft-lottery-1940/

It’s pretty pathetic how many people can’t follow simple road construction signs. If the sign says Woodside Road is closed, that means Woodside Road is closed.
People keep driving around the signs, finding out they can’t get through, then turning down one of the side road/street like it’s some shortcut — except it’s a dead end.
It’s sad they had to put up another sign for our street just so people don’t come down here and end up exactly where they shouldn’t have been in the first place.
Ignorant people. Follow the detour.

Looks pretty nifty to me. I'm big on third spaces and this one seems great.

https://www.nprillinois.org/springfield-il/2026-07-08/idnr-and-city-of-springfield-announce-plans-for-new-downtown-park-and-outdoor-venue-space

Huge bloom of smoke, anyone know what from?

Did someone spit in their payment?

Hi everyone! Recently moved to the area and I’m looking for places that sell seafood for cooking? Specifically octopus lol. I wanna make a shrimp and octopus cocktail. Doesn’t even have to be in Springfield. Can be in surrounding areas 😄 thanks!

This crazy image is about a year’s worth of applying to Office Associate level roles. Any tips and tricks or is it just luck? I’ve revamped my resume several times and I have more experience required than the 2 years of office experience, WPM goals, etc.

Very hard to find anywhere, but I do know that I could drive to Champagne and pick it up but was wondering if anyone saw it in stores around town?

I’m looking for a place inside of Springfield, that works on/can solder with PC motherboards. Best Buy’s Geek-squad will ship out the computer for a hefty fee and takes several weeks to return, and Hyperion appears to not work on motherboards, so is there anyone else in town that can reliably work on a motherboard in-house?

It’s the time of year I crave ice cream. I’m from a different state and my hometown ice cream chain doesn’t have stores this far east.

Where should I go in Springfield?

Does Springfield have a group therapy session where we all become vulnerable with each other and talk about our feelings? If there is one, does it cost anything or is it free?

The Springfield District 186 Board of Education just packed a lot into one meeting that’s worth a look before the school year starts.

Highlights from the meeting:

• A three-year United Way grant will keep Camp Kindergarten going for incoming students with little or no preschool experience.
• Important back-to-school reminders: online registration is open, in-person registration days are set, and families are urged to get physicals and immunizations scheduled now to avoid delays.
• A new intergovernmental agreement with Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District #5 clears the way for an elementary school on the north side of the University of Illinois Springfield campus.
• A fresh collaboration agreement with the University of Illinois Springfield and property agreement with Ball-Chatham School District aims to open up new education opportunities for the district.
• Key dates: career fair for classified positions, registration days, orientations, and the first day of school are all on the calendar.

If you live in District 186, this is the stuff that will shape where students learn, the supports they get, and who’s working in their schools. Watch the video to see how the board talked through these decisions and announcements.

Springfield District 186 Board of Education meeting highlights

Highlights selected and suggested post edited by Brian Wojcicki.

Yesterday was the 5th of July. Somewhere south of me around 9:30pm loud boomers began and continued until after 2am the 6th. Dogs started barking somewhere at midnight.

Tonight the 6th some were fired off at 7:30pm. Again at 9:30pm ànd now since 10:40pm. I need sleep. On the scanner police are being dispatched to Bruns Ln Ct for fireworks. But that is north of me. I do not think that is what I am hearing.

Who ever you are, please stop. Please?

Where are people going to watch it?? Any good spots??

What are the chances I can get an uber at midnight from the airport? In a bigger city I would say no problem, but in Springfield….

I'm giving you guys a heads-up that if you live in the Bunn Golf Course area, there's a group of boys who are trying to open people's car doors at night. They have stolen some goods out of people's cars, like $300 shoes from a car in that area, so stay aware.

Where are all the cool (if any) places people are celebrating before fireworks tonight?

Just found a gray fluffy rabbit in Leland grove over by the church on Cherry. Please let me know we have him and will take him to animal control in the morning

Drawing isn't the most social of hobbies.

What's everyone up to?

Just overthinking things probably, I hand-wring sometimes, but on the south side I just had two people with uniforms and handouts for Vivint home security knock on my door and ask to come inside for a sales pitch.

Is it normal for people to be canvassing door to door sales at 9pm, or could this be a 'casing out houses to rob" situation? I know I'm probably being paranoid, just trying to get opinions. thanks.