Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s not the first time this has happened: aldermen questioning the return on investment in sponsoring community events. The city council next week will be asked to approve $25,000 for Juneteenth, $25,000 for the Mother Road festival, and $12,000 for the Springfield Mile.

Ald. Shawn Gregory said it’s impossible to overstate the connection between Juneteenth and Springfield.

“Considering this is the hometown of Abraham Lincoln,” said Gregory, “I have to say that this is one of – if not the – most important holiday that we can celebrate here. It’s the only reason we can sit here together. We passed a city-paid holiday, one of the first – if not the first – city in the country” to do so.

Juneteenth is the annual observance of the anniversary of the word spreading that slavery was over.

Aldermen expect to receive figures as to the impact of the events.