LLCC to host national motivational speaker for educators
Lincoln Land Community College invites early childhood education students, teachers, alumni and community members to a motivational professional development event on April 7, from 6-7 p.m. in the Trutter Center on the LLCC campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd., Springfield. The event, “The Four R’s: Refreshing, Reclaiming, Recharging and Renewing” will feature recognized motivational speaker, organizational development consultant and leadership coach Ty Howard, who will present on cultivating mental health and
UIS Theatre to present six performances of “Circle Mirror Transformation”
The University of Illinois Springfield Theatre Program will present six performances of “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker.Performances will take place over two weekends: April 10–12 and April 16–18 in the UIS Theatre Acting Studio, located in Room 170 of the Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA). Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 12. A post-show discussion will be held following the April 16 performance. Guests should park in Lot B West.The play is set
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Derek Cochran
Derek CochranStructural Engineer Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (217) 572-1128dcochran@cmtengr.com What products and services does your business offer? Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) is a full-service civil engineering and infrastructure consulting firm that provides a wide range of planning, design, and construction services to both public and private clients. Some key services the company offers include: Core Engineering & Consulting ServicesCivil, structural, and environmental
TRAFFIC ENFORCMENT STATISTICS
The Springfield Police Department Field Operations and Traffic Divisions are deployed every day to areas of the city that see high traffic violations and high accident incidents. Officers also focus on areas of the city that receive complaints from citizens regarding moving violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Officers conduct traffic enforcement to lower accident incidents and keep motorists as safe as possible. Officers will frequently focus on “Fatal 4” violations which includes speeding, impaired
Powered by efficiency: HSHS St. John’s Hospital first in HSHS to achieve national Energy Star certification
HSHS St. John’s Hospital has marked a milestone in energy efficiency by becoming the first hospital in Hospital Sisters Health System to earn federal Energy Star certification, a national recognition for superior energy efficiency and environmental performance. “This achievement demonstrates that innovation in health care extends beyond clinical care,” said Brian Brennan, President and CEO of HSHS St. John’s Hospital and HSHS’ Central Illinois Market. “By operating more efficiently, we’re strengthening
LLCC student Samantha Ulm named national scholarship semifinalist
Lincoln Land Community College student Samantha Ulm of Auburn has been named one of 485 semifinalists in the nation for the 2026 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, this year’s semifinalists represent 224 community colleges across 37 states. Each was chosen through an evaluation process that assesses academic ability and achievement, perseverance and leadership. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship enables recipients to complete their
Cunningham, Kahle Join Memorial Health Board of Directors
Jennifer Cunningham and Eric Kahle have joined the Memorial Health Board of Directors. Cunningham, a Decatur resident, is vice president of human resources at ADM, leading HR for ADM’s commercial businesses and the Americas. She is chair of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and also serves on the boards of Jobs for America’s Graduates and Decatur Public Schools Foundation. “DMH and Memorial Health are crucial to the health and well-being of our entire community,” she said. “It’s a
Experience the spirit of America in Simple Gifts!
Join us for a luminous evening of American sounds, as three landmark works trace a journey from reflection to exuberance to expansive hope. George Walker’s Lyric for Strings opens the program with its unmistakable emotional clarity—an intimate, deeply human meditation that grows from quiet sorrow into a glowing, resonant warmth. Its directness and sincerity set the stage for a night centered on music that speaks to the heart. Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No. 1 follows with a burst of energy and
LAKE SPRINGFIELD BOAT LICENSES ON SALE
City Water, Light and Power is announcing that online and mail-in registration for watercraft registration is now open for the 2026 Lake Springfield boating season. Renewal notices for boats and crafts registered in the 2025 season have been mailed and must be returned by June 30. Applicants can register and pay online or print and fill out the application form on the CWLP website, https://cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/Boating.aspx. Boat licenses are also available during regular business
UIS plans engineering technology degree as programs evolve to meet demand
The University of Illinois Springfield is planning to launch a new engineering technology degree beginning in fall 2027, pending all necessary approvals. The move comes as UIS refocuses parts of its academic portfolio to better align programs with student interest and workforce demand.The proposed Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology was developed by the UIS College of Health, Science and Technology. The program has passed internal university governance and will go before the University of
EP!C’S 15TH ANNUAL BON APPÈTIT TO HOST CELEBRITY CHEF LEAH COHEN
For 15 years, a local non-profit has been bringing big-name chefs to Peoria in the name of charity. From MasterChef’s to Chopped Judges and Royal chefs to Top Chef stars, this year’s event won’t disappoint. This Thursday, March 19, 2026, EP!C -- Empowering People Inspiring Capabilities - will host their 15th AnnualBon Appétit with help from Chef Jonathan Scrivner and the team at the Par-A-Dice. Voted as the area’s Best Local Event from the Journal Star Community’s Choice awards, this culinary evening
UIS announces 2026 class of Promising Prairie Stars
The University of Illinois Springfield has released the names of the 2026 class of the Promising Prairie Star Recognition Program. This program, established by the Young Alumni Committee, honors outstanding graduates under the age of 40 or those who have graduated within the previous five years. The honorees are selected for their emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their chosen career or life's work. “This program serves as an inspiration to our alumni and future graduates,” said
Before You Design Anything: Branding Basics Every Springfield Startup Should Know
Building brand recognition takes 5–7 impressions, and 90% of consumers expect a consistent experience across every platform they use. For new business owners in Springfield — whether you're launching near the Statehouse, opening a retail shop downtown, or starting a healthcare practice — that math means your brand needs to work hard from the first interaction. Getting the foundation right early makes marketing, hiring, and pricing easier to build on.What Branding Actually Means Branding is not your logo.
Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members
Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board MembersSPRINGFIELD, IL – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has elected four new members to join its board of directors in 2026.Jim Reed is executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), previously served as director of government relations for the Illinois Education Association, and has held senior legislative roles with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Citizen Action/Illinois. At ICCTA, Reed has led
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Travis Blaney
Travis BlaneySenior Contributor, Sales & Marketing Leader Two Men and a Truck ® (309) 270-6116travis.blaney@twomen.com What products and services does your business offer? We provide full-service residential and business moving, including local and long-distance relocations, professional packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, furniture assembly, Junk Removal, and packing supplies for DIY moves. In late spring 2026, we will expand our commercial services to include secure storage as well as
HICKORY POINT BANK ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF KIRSTEN TAYLOR, AS MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR
Hickory Point Bank announced that Kirsten Taylor has been named Mortgage Loan Originator for the Springfield area. “We are excited to welcome Kirsten to our Springfield team,” said Jeff Raes, Hickory Point Bank Executive Vice President. “The addition of Kirsten Taylor strengthens our successful lending team and enhances our ability to deliver personalized guidance and dependable solutions for home owners across the region.” Ms. Taylor is located at Hickory Point Bank, 3131 West Wabash Ave, Springfield,
UIS students win Outstanding Large Delegation award at the Model Illinois Government simulation
University of Illinois Springfield students earned the Outstanding Large Delegation award at the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation, held March 5-8 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. It marks the seventh time in the past 13 years that UIS has received the honor.UIS students competed against peers from 17 colleges and universities from across Illinois and beyond, including schools from Indiana and Michigan. The simulation allows participants to serve as legislators, staffers, lobbyists,
Kathy Nyilas Named February Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health Ambulatory Group
Kathy Nyilas, a patient registration specialist at Memorial Care on South Sixth Street in Springfield, was recently named February Colleague of the Month for the Memorial Health Ambulatory Group. Nyilas consistently delivers outstanding patient experiences while demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational values. Her attention to detail has made a positive impact on patient care. In one instance, she identified and prevented an inaccurate order, saving a home health patient from having to redo a
Springfield Memorial Hospital Honors Abby Wubker as February Colleague of the Month
Abby Wubker, RN, was recently recognized by Springfield Memorial Hospital as the February Colleague of the Month. Wubker finds meaningful ways to bring comfort and dignity to even the most critical situations. Her approach to care exemplifies the highest standards of the nursing profession and Memorial's organizational values. "Abby consistently demonstrates extraordinary compassion, initiative and patient-centered care,” wrote one nominator. "She recently was truly a highlight of the week—and the
Fish Fry & Live Music
FISH FRY AND LIVE MUSIC Don't miss out we have four more Fridays to go!Lenten Fish Fry Every Friday Thru Lent 5pm-7:30p, with LIVE MUSIC following dinner. ALL FISH FRY EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. At the Firefighters Lake Club, 940 West Lake Shore Drive, Springfield.MENU (Carry-Out available) March 13, 20 & 27, April 3 (Good Friday). Live Music Line-up: Mar 13 - Not Petty Mar 20 - Harris Trio Mar 27 - Larry Watson Apr 3 -
Heartland Credit Union Selects Aaron Rios as New CEO
Heartland Credit Union has selected Aaron Rios to serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was placed by DDJ Myers, the well-known executive search and leadership development firm.Aaron succeeds longtime CEO Tom Lex, who’s remarkable 45 years of dedicated service helped shape Heartland Credit Union into the strong and respected financial institution it is today. Under his leadership, the credit union experienced significant growth while maintaining its commitment to member service and community
Aaron Puchbauer Named President and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital
Aaron Puchbauer has been named president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital, effective March 30. He replaces Kim Bourne, who retired in December.Puchbauer has extensive leadership experience at rural critical access hospitals, including as president and CEO of HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness management and business administration, finance and
Springfield Area Arts Council Opens Applications for 2026 City Arts Grants
The Springfield Area Arts Council (SAAC) has opened applications for the 2026 City Arts Grant, a competitive funding opportunity supporting individual visual, literary, and performing artists living in Springfield. The program awards grants of up to $3,000 to help artists create projects that engage the community and take place within Springfield city limits. Funded projects may include exhibitions, performances, readings, public art, or other creative initiatives that bring new artistic experiences to
LLCC students earn honors at Midwest Model United Nations
Lincoln Land Community College students recently competed at the 2026 Midwest Model United Nations conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, a collegiate-level, immersive, educational conference that simulates the work of the United Nations. Students from twenty-nine colleges and universities participated as delegates representing a country in the United Nations. Participating as a different country requires students to research the country to gain a better understanding of the complexities of
Turning Anxiety into Fun: HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital Hosting Teddy Bear Clinic for Kids, Stuffed Animals
Going to the hospital can be overwhelming for kids – but it doesn’t have to be. HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital is inviting area kids to get comfortable with medical settings by hosting a “teddy bear clinic” for their favorite stuffed animals in celebration of Child Life Month. Youngsters aged 2 to 12 will use play and actual medical equipment on their stuffed animals to learn how to take vital signs, try out an oxygen mask, treat injuries with stitches or staples and even apply a cast to a broken arm
Springfield Community Connection in Ward 6 with Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano
As part of the City of Springfield’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, Mayor Misty Buscher is continuing the Springfield Community Connections ward events with a new session scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, 2026. These events are designed to create more accessible and personal opportunities for residents to engage directly with City leadership. Residents are invited to meet with Mayor Buscher, their Alderperson, and senior staff from key City departments. The sessions offer one-on-one
Family Medicine Provider Darby Ely Joins HSHS Medical Group in Springfield
HSHS Medical Group welcomes Darby Ely, DNP, APRN, to HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - Springfield, located at 2901 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield. Ely provides family medicine care for patients of all ages, with a focus on preventive care, routine visits, and the management of common illnesses and chronic conditions as part of comprehensive primary care. Ely earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is board
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LLCU Annual Community Impact Report Released Highlighting Summary of Community Reinvestment Efforts in 2025
LLCU released their 2025 Community Impact Report last week at the LLCU Annual Meeting. The Community Impact Report highlights community reinvestment and volunteer efforts committed by LLCU in 2025. The report summarizes that LLCU staff volunteered 2,465 hours to local non-profit organizations and provided $367,518 in community donations to non-profit agencies throughout central Illinois. With the donations and the volunteer hours combined, over 190 local non-profit agencies were impacted by LLCU’s 2024
UIS students to spend spring break repairing homes for low-income families in Central Appalachia
A group of 10 University of Illinois Springfield students will spend their spring break making homes warmer, safer and drier in Jonesville, Virginia, as part of the Prairie Stars Service Trip. The students will depart UIS on March 8 and volunteer for one week before returning to Springfield on March 14. They will work with Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit organization that coordinates volunteers to repair and replace homes for low-income families at no cost to the homeowners. The
Damon Priddy State Farm Sponsors Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the Month of March in Partnership with United Way of Central Illinois
Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to partner with the United Way of Central Illinois and its sponsorship of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the month of March, reinforcing the agency’s continued commitment to education, literacy, and community investment. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a globally recognized literacy initiative founded by Dolly Parton that provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Each
CITP Partner Pradyot Kar Co-founds The Digital Twin Startup TwinFab.ai
Central Illinois Tech Partners (CITP), headquartered in Springfield, is a one-stop resource for meeting the region's rapidly growing technology needs. CITP offers a number of IT services more commonly found in major metropolitan areas. Our CITP Partner Pradyot Kar recently co-founded a digital twin startup (calledTwinFab.ai) focused on semiconductor fabs (semiconductor fabrication plants). A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or process that uses real-time sensor data, AI, and
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LLCU Annual Community Impact Report Released Highlighting Summary of Community Reinvestment Efforts in 2025
LLCU released their 2025 Community Impact Report last week at the LLCU Annual Meeting. The Community Impact Report highlights community reinvestment and volunteer efforts committed by LLCU in 2025. The report summarizes that LLCU staff volunteered 2,465 hours to local non-profit organizations and provided $367,518 in community donations to non-profit agencies throughout central Illinois. With the donations and the volunteer hours combined, over 190 local non-profit agencies were impacted by LLCU’s 2024
Independent Living Cottages
Cedarhurst of Springfield is proud to introduce our Independent Living Cottages! This is a place where comfort, connection and carefree living come together. Designed with both lifestyle and flexibility in mind, our community offers a vibrant environment where residents can truly enjoy each day! We will provide a daily continental breakfast to a weekly three course dinner, along with enrichment calendar, group fitness classes and wellness screenings. The opportunities are endless to stay active, engaged
Beyond the Inbox: How Direct Mail Creates High-Trust Customer Engagement
Direct mail marketing is a physical outreach strategy where businesses send printed materials such as postcards, letters, and catalogs to a targeted audience. In a world saturated with emails, ads, and notifications, direct mail creates a rare moment of focused attention. It arrives in a mailbox, gets held, opened, and often revisited. That physical presence changes how people respond.Key Takeaways Direct mail often achieves higher response rates because it feels personal and less intrusive than digital
Damon Priddy State Farm Voted Best Insurance Agency for Fourth Consecutive Year; Named Platinum Winner City-Wide
Springfield, IL — Damon Priddy State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to announce it has been voted Best Insurance Agency by Community Choice community voting for the fourth consecutive year, while also recently earning the Community Votes Platinum winner distinction for the third consecutive year in the Insurance Agency & Broker category with Springfield Community Votes, another public voting program. The Community Choice Awards recognize outstanding local
$55 Million Extraordinary Dividend Distributed to CEFCU Members
A $55 million Extraordinary Dividend was approved by CEFCU’s Board of Directors and distributed to the Credit Union’s member/owners, matching last year’s record as the largest Extraordinary Dividend in CEFCU’s history. The amount returned to members in good standing is divided between savers and borrowers, with a portion also being returned to Debit Card users. On December 2, funds were deposited to members’ Savings accounts. Over the last 25 years, CEFCU has returned nearly $600 million dollars in
