SPRINGFIELD — A crowd of over a thousand gathered outside the Illinois state capitol on Saturday to attend the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations protesting the Trump administration.
As the demonstration began with a rendition of the National Anthem, dozens waved variety of colors from pocket-sized American flags to political banners. One man dressed in Revolution-era uniform held a large Betsy Ross flag that blew in the wind.
The demonstration featured speeches, musical artists and crowd chants, ending in a march down Capitol Ave.
Saturday’s was the third in the series of protests that began in June 2025 as a counterprotest to President Donald Trump’s D.C. birthday parade. The movement grew quickly, attracting millions in the series of nonviolent, community-based protests.
This was the biggest No Kings protest in Springfield thus far, one attendee said. It was the first time local law enforcement blocked off the street. And due to donations, organizers were able to rent food trucks and purchase bandanas for the family-friendly event.
Springfield’s protest was organized by 50501 Springfield IL, Land of Lincoln Democratic Socialists and Capitol City Illinois Indivisible. The organizers encouraged attendees to get involved in their local communities and at the Statehouse to keep the protest momentum going.
Tricia Copeland and Kathy Slater, two attendees, said they came to show people they’re not alone, echoing the sentiments of the organizers who called for support of the disenfranchised and discriminated.
“We need to show our solidarity and the fact that we do not agree with what’s going on,” Copeland said. “We all need to do something where we are, the way we can, to make a difference.”
In the growing crowd on 2nd Street, several stopped to take pictures of a woman
wearing a cardboard cutout of a bell that read “No king, it’s a USA thing.” A terrier, trotting along, wore a sign that said, “Bad DOGE.”
A toddler blew bubbles and collected candy from people sitting along the curb, who waved American Civil Liberties Union signs and chanted with the organizers.
Some said it was their first time at a No Kings event, while others had been to all three. Many said they live in or close to Springfield, but others traveled from different areas in the state.
Amber Odell, a Decatur resident, said she came to Springfield because the event was bigger.
“I’m here to protect my neighbors. I’m here to protect our country,” Odell said. “I have never been so moved by the Star-Spangled Banner in my life as I am these days. I appreciate my country more because of what we’re going through.”
Kacie Dawson, a Springfield resident, said she’s been to each protest with her two friends. The three stayed up the night before making their signs, and her husband 3D printed earrings for them that said “No kings” over a yellow crown.
Over three thousand protests were scheduled across all 50 states and internationally on March 28, mirroring the October 18 protests that saw over seven million attendees in the nation. Illinois alone had over 100 planned, from Chicago down to Carbondale.
“I think it’s important that we just keep showing up. We keep showing up and standing up for what we believe in,” Dawson said. “I feel like there’s a sense of unity when you come to these protests that you feel you know you’re not alone and you’re all standing for the same reason.”
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Lisle, IL — One of the nation’s most impactful Catholic youth gatherings, the Steubenville Joliet Youth Conference, will return to Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, from June 26–28, 2026. Hosted in partnership with the Diocese of Joliet, Franciscan University of Steubenville and Partnership for Youth, the conference will welcome thousands of high school teens for a transformative weekend of worship, dynamic speakers, and sacramental encounters.
The Steubenville Youth Conferences— held at 19 locations across North America—exist to evangelize, equip, and empower young people to become joyful disciples of Christ.
The Joliet conference is one of the region’s most anticipated summer faith events.
The Steubenville Conference Experience
Over the three day weekend, teens and their group leaders will participate in:
• Engaging keynote sessions
• Daily Mass
• Eucharistic Adoration with a full arena procession
• Men’s and women’s breakout sessions
• Opportunities for Confession throughout the weekend
• Small group discussions and fellowship
• Recharge time with games, rest, and community building
Meet the Ministry Team
This year’s conference will feature a nationally recognized lineup of Catholic speakers and ministers, including:
• Chris Stefanick – Host
• Fr. Leo Patalinghug – Priest
• Lauren Gothard – Speaker
• Lauren Wright – Speaker
• Jimmy Mitchell – Speaker
• Sonar Worship feat. Aly Aleigha – Worship Team
Meals included with registration are Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, and Saturday dinner. Lodging is not included; groups are responsible for booking their own hotel accommodations.
Register Today!
• Registration deadline: May 5, 2026
• Group registration only (individual participants must register as part of a group)
• A $50 non refundable deposit per ticket is required within two weeks of registration
• All participant names must be submitted by May 26, 2026
• Priests and bishops attend free of charge when registered with a group
Registration, pricing details, and additional resources are available at: https:// partnershipforyouth.org/steubenville-joliet/
About Steubenville Youth Conferences
Steubenville Youth Conferences are an outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville, serving tens of thousands of teens each summer across the United States and Canada. Their mission is to help young people encounter the love of Jesus Christ and deepen their commitment to the Catholic faith.
Media Contacts: Partnership for Youth
• Email: info@partnershipforyouth.org
• Website: https://partnershipforyouth.org
Diocese of Joliet
• Email: communications@dioceseofjoliet.org
• Website: https://diojoliet.org
Steubenville Youth Conferences are an outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville, serving tens of thousands of teens each summer across the United States and Canada.
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Social isolation and loneliness can have a notably adverse effect on a person’s overall health. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 12 percent of older individuals experience loneliness, which can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health, quality of life, and even their life expectancy.
Seniors have much to gain when they take successful steps to avoid social isolation. Seniors who are concerned about the prospect of social isolation or loneliness or those already experiencing such feelings can try these strategies to build their social networks in retirement.
• Reconnect with old friends. It’s easy for adults to lose touch with old friends. By the time many adults reach middle age, professional and personal obligations can leave little time for a thriving social life. Successful professionals may be preoccupied with work projects, and while parents may be juggling their own hectic schedules with their children’s obligations. Come retirement, much of those responsibilities have ended, making this a perfect time to reconnect with old friends who also might have extra free time on their hands. Reach out through social media, text message or even a phone call, and let the situation unfold organically from there.
• Take advantage of community offerings. Many communities sponsor events for seniors, like bus trips to local museums or stadiums, in an effort to encourage seniors to get out of the house. Retirees can take
advantage of these opportunities, which tend to attract like-minded individuals with the same interests. A bus trip to a theater production will attract fellow arts lovers, and shared interests are a solid foundation for friendship.
• Start a local club or group. Starting a local club based on a particular activity is another great way for seniors to build a social network in retirement. Take to social media and express your interest in starting a local book club or walking group. Like community-sponsored bus trips, clubs and groups tend to attract like-minded individuals, providing a built-in pathway to friendship.
• Reconnect with your faith. Houses of worship also offer a great way to meet locals and build relationships based on a shared identity. Faithbased communities provide a sense of belonging that can help retirees overcome social isolation and
liness.
• Open yourself to new experiences. Trying something new is another great way to make new friends. Many local agencies like parks departments or community recreation offices offer seniors in-person workshops covering a wide range of activities. These offerings are a great way to discover a new pastime and meet new people along the way.
Social isolation and loneliness poses a significant threat to millions of seniors. But there are many ways
An ever-changing employment landscape is compelling many adults to go back to school. According to a February 2026 report from the American College of Education®, roughly one in three adults who chose to return to school within the previous two years did so out of concerns related to automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Education is an undeniable asset when confronting an uncertain job market. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that workers with a bachelor’s degree have an employment rate that is roughly 7 percentage points higher than the rate for workers who have some college education but did not earn a bachelor’s degree. In an era when so many adults fear automation and AI, that 7 percentage point disparity seems even more significant.
Adults planning to return to school may find such a return exciting but also a little bit intimidating. But adults need not be intimidated, and some might even find they enjoy
school more as adults than they did when navigating academia years earlier. As adults prepare to return to the classroom, keeping a few things in mind can ease their concerns and lay a foundation for success.
• You’re not alone. As the ACE report indicates, many adults are going back to school. Knowing there will be others your age and with similar life experiences should calm concerns and make the classroom less intimidating. In fact, data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 74 percent of students have at least one nontraditional characteristic, a notable statistic that should eliminate adult students’ fears that they don’t belong.
• Recognize you’re brining a unique and insightful perspective. When returning to school, many adults bring a unique perspective that their younger classmates cannot provide. Having navigated professional and personal challenges, which may include raising a family, adult students challenge the status quo, which can
contribute to more engaging and more nuanced classroom discussions. When viewed through that lens, it’s hard to dispute that adult students are assets.
• Prepare for change. It’s vital that adult students recognize academia has changed. But change should be embraced and not seen as a hurdle or deterrent. Many schools now use
Physical fitness is one of the keys to a long and healthy life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that routine physical activity helps people maintain a healthy weight, reduces a person’s risk for chronic health problems like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and strengthens bones and muscles, which can help aging adults overcome age-related reductions in muscle mass and strength and reduce their risk for falls. People have much to gain from incorporating exercise into their daily routines. But many adults are not reaping those rewards, and studies indicate sedentary lifestyles are on the rise. A 2024 study published in the journal The Lancet Global Health noted that 31 percent of the world’s adult population was physically inactive in 2022, which marked a 5 percent increase since 2010. And a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United Health Foundation found that roughly one in five adults get no physical activity beyond their regular job.
The Heart Foundation notes lack of time is often cited as an excuse for not exercising, and that’s a legitimate hurdle for many professionals. Indeed, a 2026 report from Monster indicated that 73 per-
cent of workers report regularly working more than 40 hours per week and 47 percent cite employer expectations or company culture as their top reasons for overworking. While professionals in such situations may find it challenging to overcome a lack of time to exercise, the following strategies may be just what people need to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
• Drive less. Driving is undoubtedly convenient, particularly for people who feel they’re continuously pressed for time.
But leaving the car behind and walking or cycling to run local errands is a sim-
ple and enjoyable way to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Parents can walk children to the bus stop or their school in lieu of driving. Adults also can try walking to a local coffee shop near their home or office in lieu of driving to get their morning cup of Joe.
• Break up workouts. WHO guidelines recommend adults between the ages of 18 and 64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week. The WHO also recommends
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e-books instead of traditional print books, which may require some adjustment for adult students. And applications that might not have been around the last time adults were in a classroom may be the standard now.
Using e-books and new applications may require a learning curve, but educators, many of whom also had to adapt to the growing emphasis on
tech over the last couple of decades, recognize adult students will need time to adjust, and many are more than willing to afford that time and offer advice on how to adjust.
• Prepare to enjoy education more this time around. Many adults who return to school report enjoying academia more the second time around. Some who have tried college before
Dawn Dee Georgkas-Newrall, age 68, a resident of Beloit, WI and formerly of Plainfield, IL, passed away on Feb. 24, 2026, after a long, difficult battle against health issues. She was born April 11, 1957 n Joliet, IL.
Dawn is survived by her sister Christine Behling, brother Stephen (Karen) Georgakas, 8 nephews and one niece who adored their “AD”, many great nieces and nephews and life-long friend, Vicky (Lollar) Rapsin.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Daniel Newrall, parents, Alex and Daisy (Krebs) Georgakas and her sister Karen Tate.
Dawn was a graduate of Plainfield High School. She was proud of her long career as a methadone clinic nurse where she aided people struggling with addiction.
This was where her personality was able to shine! Whether through compassion, tough love or simple understanding, she helped people through some of their most difficult times and did it in a very human, caring way.
Dawn had the uncanny ability to quickly become friends with whomever she met wherever she might
be. Her people were special to her and she treated them that way.
A memorial service will be held at Overman-Jones Funeral Home in Plainfield, IL on April 11, 2026 from 10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon. Interment will be at Plainfield Township Cemetery.
For information please call 815/436-9221 or visit www.overman-jones.com
