🌱 Patch AM: Springfield’s first LEGO convention is coming—will you snag tickets?

Hi Springfield! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Springfield's first LEGO convention is coming—will you snag tickets?
• Which Springfield Green dealerships are likely to get the Kunes name?
• What could Doris Turner's new medical district role mean for downtown?

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 84 and low of 60 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and delightful, temps: high: 84, low: 59.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 85 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Springfield to Have Its First Ever LEGO Convention (newschannel20.com) — Springfield will host its first-ever LEGO convention when the Springfield Brick Convention comes to the Illinois State Fairgrounds October 10–11, 2026. With pro LEGO artists, themed build zones, and massive displays, organizers expect tickets to sell out, so local fans are encouraged to grab the $14.99 passes early online.
   

2. Kunes Auto Group buying Green Family dealerships in Springfield (sj-r.com) — A major shift is coming to Springfield's auto market as Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group moves to buy multiple Green Family dealership locations tied to newly formed Springfield-area LLCs. The long-established Green brand, which has invested heavily in its Wabash Avenue Toyota site, may soon see several stores rebranded under the Kunes name, affecting local employees and car shoppers alike.
   

3. Doris Turner joins Mid-Illinois Medical District (illinoistimes.com) — State Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield has joined the Mid-Illinois Medical District commission, positioning her to influence efforts to expand the district and spur downtown development. Her stalled legislation would reshape the commission, extend the district south toward Springfield Clinic, and tie medical growth to new housing and economic opportunities around the Capitol and healthcare corridor.
   

4. Springfield church donates 34,000 pounds of food to Central Illinois Foodbank (wcia.com) — Springfield families facing food insecurity are getting a big boost as a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donates 34,000 pounds of food to the Central Illinois Food Bank. The delivery is part of a nationwide initiative, with another truckload already planned for Springfield next month to keep support flowing.
   

5. Sangamon Co. animal shelter pays it forward to another shelter 600 miles away (wcia.com) — Springfield's Animal Protective League is still caring for pets and offering adoptions, spay/neuter, and low-cost vaccine clinics after an EF-1 tornado destroyed its shelter in June. With animals now housed across local partners and foster homes, staff even traveled 600 miles to help another shelter, and leaders say monetary donations are the best way residents can support rebuilding.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 5
• Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival →
  Inn At 835 Boutique Hotel, 835 S 2nd St, Springfield
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday September 3
• Pre-K Family Night
  Ball Elementary School , 1015 New City Rd, Chatham, IL 62629, U
  6:00 pm
Monday September 7
• Labor Day - No School
  Ball-Chatham CUSD 5 201 W. Mulberry, Chatham, IL 62629

📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 27
• Girls Varsity Golf @ Jacksonville High School
  Springfield High School 1211 N Diamond St, Jacksonville IL 62650
  4:00 pm
• Boys Freshman Football vs Collinsville High School
  Springfield High School 101 S Lewis St, Springfield Illinois 62704-1899
  4:30 pm
• Middle School Baseball @ Springfield Christian
  U S Grant Middle School 2850 Cider Mill Ln, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
  4:30 pm
• Boys JV Soccer @ Quincy Senior High School
  Springfield High School 3322 Maine St, Quincy Illinois 62301-4499
  4:30 pm
• Baseball at Bureau Valley
  John F Kennedy Elem School Bureau Valley Elementary
  4:30 pm
• JMS Open House
  Jefferson Middle School Springfield, IL 62703
  5:30 pm
• Boys Varsity Soccer @ Quincy Senior High School
  Springfield Southeast High Sch 3322 Maine St, Quincy Illinois 62301-4499
  6:00 pm
• Girls JV Volleyball @ Calvary Academy-Springfield
  Lanphier High School 1730 W Jefferson St, Springfield IL 62702
  6:00 pm
• Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Calvary Academy-Springfield
  Lanphier High School 1730 W Jefferson St, Springfield IL 62702
  7:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Anyone missing (or want 🫣) a little girl cat?
  Was waiting at my door, came right up and has been very friendly. Probably less than a year old. *Update: she's already making use of the litterbox… (Nextdoor Vinegar Hill)
• My heart and prayers go out to Dolly Partons family.
  She was and will always be one of the greatest. Rest in peace my friend (Nextdoor Dirksen Pkwy)

• Jury duty is an important responsibility, and jurors play a key role in ensuring a fair trial. Many jurors may be tempted look up information online... (X: illinoiscourts)
• We made historic, enterprise-wide changes to deliver these results. That's the mission of this FBI. (X: FBISpringfield)

• BoxLunch / Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager - Level 1 in Springfield. Apply here.
• Simplex, Inc. posted a job opening for Assembly Technician in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.

Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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