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Nearly 2,000 people filled Springfield’s Nelson Center ice skating rink on Thursday, not for a hockey game or figure skating competition but for a spiritual moment.

The Illinois Mass for Life was celebrated at the rink, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield serving as celebrant and the diocese as host for the Mass. It preceded the Illinois Pro-Life Rally and March at the state Capitol.

An altar was situated at one end of the ice and congregants filled the bleachers as “a vivid reminder that wherever the Eucharist is celebrated, Christ is present — whether beneath vaulted church ceilings or arena rafters,” according to the diocese.

Many attending the Mass were students from grade school through college.

“I think it’s so beautiful because I have been to this ice rink a lot throughout my life, and we know Jesus can be everywhere, but being in a place like this and to incorporate the Lord into it, no matter where we are and no matter the circumstances, is so important and so beautiful,” said Ella Timmermann, a senior at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield.

Paprocki, a recreational hockey goalie known as the “holy goalie,” joked that he is familiar with the rink, though he usually is in net instead of behind an altar when on the ice.

Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria delivered the homily and dozens of priests from across the state joined in celebrating the liturgy. Religious sisters, including several from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Alton, also attended.

After the Mass, around 2,500 people gathered on the grounds of the state Capitol, where Paprocki again led the crowd in prayer and spoke.

“I called attention to Abraham Lincoln, who brought an end to slavery,” Paprocki said. Some “170 years ago, people thought slavery would not end, but it did, thanks be to God, and so the message here is we can also bring to end abortion.”

Millikin University head basketball coach Kramer Soderberg also spoke during the rally.

“The beauty about sports is it’s not just about one person doing a job,” Soderberg said. “It’s not just the head coach’s job. It’s just the player’s job. It’s everyone’s job. It’s the entire team’s job. You see here, we have a great team. The pro-life community is a great team, and everybody has to do their job no matter how big a role you have, how much influence you have, or how little, everybody’s role and job is important in this movement.”

This is the fourth year the rally and march opposing abortion been held in the state capital.

Angela Bauer has been a copy editor and lifestyles editor for the Journal-Courier since July 2012. The Evansville, Indiana, native grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, and interned with the Paducah Sun. Angela also was a reporter, lifestyles editor and copy editor for papers in Kentucky and Florida.

SPRINGFIELD — The union for professors at University of Illinois-Springfield and a staff union have authorized a strike, signaling that contract negotiations may have turned sour.

Two unions majorly authorized to strike: the UIS Staff Union and the UIS United Faculty.

Professors, support staff, and some students rallied on March 19 following a vote by the two unions authorizing a strike. They marched and carried signs near the student union — at times targeting their remarks towards administration that work inside the building.

"After months of no progress at the table, both unions requested the assistance of a federal mediator last fall and have participated in multiple mediated sessions," a news release read. "Still, the administration refuses to bargain seriously and is offering unacceptable salary proposals that amount to pay cuts when adjusted for inflation."

The authorization does not guarantee a strike, but it gives the leadership of the groups the ability to call a strike if they decide it is necessary.

The unions "remain ready to bargain," according to the release.

The next faculty bargaining session is set for March 23 while staff are scheduled to negotiate with the administration on March 20.

Statement from UIS

A spokesperson for the university released a statement, saying that UIS "is disappointed" that the unions voted to authorize a strike, adding that a strike is not warranted from the university's perspective.

"The University has presented proposals that represent a fair contract given the University's fiscal constraints," the statement read. "We respect our union colleagues and remain committed to working together to reach an agreement that serves the best interests of the entire university community while protecting the university’s financial wellness.”

The statement referred to UIS' website for updates on negotiations.

(This story has been updated to fix an inaccuracy.)

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.

Elizabeth “Jean” Patrick, 68, of Mechanicsburg, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Springfield, IL. She was born on March 21, 1957, in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Millard James “Jim” Hardwick and Betty Lou Lewis. On January 4, 2002, she married Jack L. Patrick in Taylorville and he survives. Jean was a self-employed nail technician for 45 years. She took great pride in helping her clients feel confident and cared for and would always lend an ear to anyone who needed to talk. Jean found joy in the simple pleasures in life, especially spending time outdoors tending to her garden and horseback riding. Jean was known for her generous spirit and willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Her family meant the world to her, and she cherished the times spent together. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother who will be remembered for her warm presence and kind heart. Surviving is her husband: Jack Patrick of Mechanicsburg, IL; children: Kenneth (Nikki) Elliott of Paducah, KY; Katie Elliott of Riverton, IL; William Scott Crist of Springfield, IL; Kyle (Nicole) Patrick of Taylorville, IL; Ashley (Aaron) Peel of Kincaid, IL; Stephanie Unthank of Rochester, IL; grandchildren: Tyler Elliott (Mary Burke); Kyleigh Patrick; Hannah McCune; Hunter Peel; Matthew McCune; Tynlee Peel; Addison Patrick; Kyla Patrick; Elizabeth McCune; Johnny McCune; Kelsie Wooldridge; and Glen Stewart; great-grandbaby: Kadence Elliott; her mother: Betty Lewis; as well as her two sisters: Susan Hardwick; and Shawana “Sissy” Hardwick. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Hardwick, and her brother, Jim Lee Hardwick. Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and Jean’s family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at South Tower Community Church in Dawson, IL. Sutton Memorial Home is entrusted with arrangements.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Seventh grader Aleisha Jurgens has autism. She said she has been dealing with bullying at Washington Middle School. Last week, verbal abuse escalated when a student attacked her.

Aleisha was on a bus ride home on March 3 when another student stood over her and began punching her multiple times.

Aleisha said the taunts and harassment are tearing her down.

"[They'd say things like] You're ugly. You don't know nothing. You shouldn't be here. You should be at a special-ed school. And more like mean words," Aleisha said.

When her father, Scott, saw the video, he said his heart dropped.

"She's scared. She's afraid that when that girl comes back to school, it's going to happen again. She's afraid that other kids are going to keep picking on her, and the bully just doesn't stop," Scott said.

Research says victims of bullying are nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims. Scott is afraid of what could happen if the bullying continues.

"They come home, talking about how they don't want to live. They just, they want to die. And I'm like, no, you can't. I'm afraid I'm going to lose one of my kids to suicide because of this bullying," Scott said.

Scott addressed the school board March 9 about the issues during a 186 district meeting.

"It's getting ridiculous. These kids should be able to go to school. They have the right to go to school. They have the right to be safe. The right to their education. We need to do better by these children," Scott said.

Aleisha is asking students to remember that kindness goes a long way.

"Be kind to the other kids. Not bullying. Not yelling at people. Not arguing. Helping people out," Aleisha said.

In a statement, District 186 said the incident has been addressed, but they cannot release disciplinary details due to federal student privacy laws. Scott encourages families to check in with their kids about bullying.

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Springfield, Illinois – Strong winds developing late Thursday across central Illinois could bring gusts up to 50 mph, prompting a Wind Advisory through Friday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a deep low pressure system moving from the Upper Midwest toward the Great Lakes will strengthen south winds across the region tonight before shifting northwest by Friday evening.

Forecasters say wind gusts will commonly reach 35 to 50 mph, with some areas experiencing stronger bursts. The strongest winds are expected from late Thursday evening through Friday afternoon, with the advisory scheduled to remain in effect until 4 p.m. Friday.

Forecast maps from the weather service show higher gust potential across parts of eastern Illinois, where winds could briefly reach 55 to 60 mph near the Kankakee area. Communities including Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, and Springfield are expected to see peak gusts mostly in the 40 to 50 mph range.

Meteorologists warn the gusty conditions may impact travel, particularly for high-profile vehicles such as trucks, vans, and buses traveling on open roadways or north-south routes. Drivers may experience sudden crosswinds as the system moves through the region.

Residents are also encouraged to secure loose outdoor items, including patio furniture, trash cans, and trampolines, which could be blown around by stronger gusts.

While widespread damage is not expected, isolated tree limb damage and scattered power outages are possible if stronger gusts develop.

The wind advisory covers much of central Illinois, including areas near Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, and Danville.

For commuters and students traveling Friday morning, the strongest winds may coincide with the early daytime hours.

Officials encourage residents to continue monitoring updates from the National Weather Service as the system moves across the region.

This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook and support local independent news. Have a tip? Message us.