LLCC awarded Pathways Step Grant
Lincoln Land Community College was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Modern Language Association to enhance the connection between classroom learning in key humanities courses and career-ready skills. LLCC was also the only community college to receive this distinction during the current grant cycle. In the awarded project, “Thinking, Deciding and Connecting From Classroom to Career: Amplifying Humanities’ Durable Skills,” students will build important abilities such as critical thinking,
5K Run/Walk to Benefit Transplant Patients Celebrates 20th Anniversary Sept. 19
The Alan G. Birtch, MD, Transplant Services at Memorial 5K Run/Walk will take place on Sept. 19 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Southwind Park in Springfield. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. with registration at 8 a.m. Participants will meet at Hope Pavilion. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Transplant 5K, celebrating two decades of community support for transplant patients and their families. Proceeds benefit Springfield Memorial Foundation’s transplant funds, which provide assistance with lodging,
LLCC names two associate vice presidents and a dean
Lincoln Land Community College named two associate vice presidents and a dean this summer. The new leadership appointments include Dr. Joel Dykstra as associate vice president of LLCC Academic Support and Impact, Dr. Kalith Smith as associate vice president of LLCC Academic Services and Leigh Giles-Brown as dean of LLCC Health Professions. Dr. Dykstra has served the college since 2020 as dean of English and humanities and more recently as associate vice president, LLCC Academic Services. Prior to LLCC,
CITP AI Expert Adam Gurski Presents Free AI Workshop September 23 at Distillery Labs
Central Illinois Tech Partners (CITP) AI expert Adam Gurski will present the free workshop "AI Without the Hype: Practical Tools You Can Use Today" at Distillery Labs in Peoria, IL on September 23, 2026 from 12-1 pm. AI is not just for technology companies. In this accessible, demonstration-driven workshop, AI educator and software builder Adam Gurski shows how businesses, nonprofits, and everyday professionals can use AI to save time, improve marketing, organize information, create content, and reduce
UIS Performing Arts Center Announces Return of THE BOOK OF MORMON
PUBLIC ON SALE FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON, which played a record breaking run in 2023 returns to Springfield for one show only on Wednesday, February 10, 2027 at the UIS Performing Arts Center. Single tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 21 at 10 am. Tickets will be available to current Broadway Subscribers (for their same great seat) starting Tuesday, August 18 at 10 am and then FRIENDS of UIS Performing Arts Center members beginning Thursday,
The Main Street of America Documentary Coming to Springfield, Illinois September 8 at Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum
As Route 66 celebrates its centennial, Springfield will host a special screening of ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA, a new feature-length documentary celebrating the people, places and communities keeping the legendary highway’s story alive. The screening will take place September 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, 600 Toronto Road, Springfield, IL 62711. Tickets are available for purchase in advance. Directed by award-winning filmmaker John Paget, the documentary follows Route 66
Carpenter Street Road Construction to Begin August 17
Beginning on Monday, August 17th, road construction will begin on Carpenter Street between 4th Street and 7th Street. The initial phase will reduce the westbound traffic into a single lane, while both eastbound lanes will remain open. This work is to reconstruct the traffic signals at 5th and 6th street intersections as well as to provide geometric improvements as part of a safety improvement project. This work is anticipated to continue through December with variable lane closures. Motorists
LLCC’s Trutter Museum & Murray Gallery to feature “House Rules” Aug. 24-Sept. 18
The Trutter Museum & Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College will host the exhibit “House Rules” featuring sculptures, installations, games and mixed media works by Danny Houk Aug. 24-Sept. 18. The public is invited to view the exhibit weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and attend an artist discussion with light refreshments in the museum/gallery on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5-7 p.m. The museum and gallery are located on the upper level of Menard Hall on the LLCC Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd
CWLP HIRING FOR APPRENTICE INSTRUMENT ELECTRICIAN
City Water, Light and Power is now hiring for Apprentice Instrument Electrician through its Electrical Apprenticeship Program at City of Springfield. This position is part of the team that supports the critical electrical and control systems that powers the Springfield community. This apprenticeship includes on-the-job training and coursework to provide knowledge and technical information to perform the duties of the position. Take the Test to Qualify: Applicants for this position and any other CWLP
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Courtney Bouvet
Courtney BouvetBusiness Development Account ExecutiveCEFCU (309) 633-7369cbouvet@cefcu.com What products and services does your business offer? CEFCU is a full-service financial institution. We’re owned by members, not stockholders, so our earnings are returned to members through lower loan rates, fewer fees, and more benefits. We offer members affordable Home and Vehicle loans; Online and Mobile Banking; Savings options, including Health Savings Accounts; free Checking; Credit Card choices;
Firefighters Lake Club sponsoring the Chamber on Tap in August!
Firefighters Lake Club will be sponsoring the Chamber on Tap!Come join us on Thursday, August 27 from 4:30pm-6:30pm for an evening of networking and fun! You'll get to check out the beautiful Firefighters Lake Club. Take a tour and see our large event hall that we rent for both Public events and Corporate events. An informal way to relax, enjoy a cold beverage and good food to sample while networking with other Chamber of Commerce businesses and community leaders. There will be information on how to join
Kimberly Brinkmeyer Named July Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health System Resources
Kimberly Brinkmeyer, an environmental services technician with Memorial Health System Resources, has been named July Colleague of the Month. Brinkmeyer consistently takes on additional tasks when the situation requires it, for both patients and colleagues. In one instance, she assisted with a disoriented patient and used clear communication and redirection to help ensure the patient adhered to dietary restrictions and remained safe. She also provided comfort to a family member during a rapid response,
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Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery Awarded $250,000 Grant
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery Awarded $250,000 Grant from the Justice Benjamin K. Miller Charitable FundSPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery (MOCN) is honored to announce that it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from Justice Benjamin K. Miller Charitable Fund. This transformative investment will help ensure that children and families in crisis continue to receive the support, safety, and care they need when they need it most. The grant provides flexible funding to support MOCN’s mission of
Fifth Street Renaissance Harvest for Homes Celebration
Join us for our Harvest for Homes Celebration, a fundraiser benefitting Fifth Street Renaissance! There will be heavy appetizers, a bar, dj, entertainment and dancing, a short program at 7pm, and a silent auction! Feel free to bring donations if you'd like. We'd love to see you!Tickets are $50/per person before August 15th and $60/per person after. Harvest for Homes Celebration | FSRCan't make it to the event, but you'd still like to send a donation for the cause? Please use our secure online form to
Advanced heart care expands for Springfield cardiology patients
Prairie Cardiovascular and HSHS Medical Group welcome Mostafa Vasigh, MD, an interventional and structural cardiologist, to Prairie Cardiovascular – Springfield at 619 E. Mason St. His addition helps expand access to specialized cardiology care for patients in Springfield and the surrounding communities. Dr. Vasigh cares for adults with complex cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease and structural heart disease. His work includes interventional cardiology and
Jennifer Varga Named July Colleague of the Month at Springfield Memorial Hospital
Jennifer Varga, a speech therapist in outpatient therapy services at Springfield Memorial Hospital, has been named July Colleague of the Month. Varga was recognized for stepping in to assist during an unexpected staff absence, ensuring a patient with complex needs received timely care. While on-site for an outpatient procedure, she reviewed the case, volunteered to evaluate the patient and coordinated with key care team members to avoid delays in treatment. Her actions helped ensure the patient received
Nominations Open for the 2026 Mayor's Awards for the Arts
August 3, 2026: The Springfield Area Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Springfield, is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 23rd Mayor's Awards for the Arts. Starting August 1, 2026, community members are invited to nominate an individual, organization, or business whose outstanding contributions have strengthened and enriched the arts throughout Sangamon and Menard counties, the Arts Council's service area. Presented biennially, the Mayor's Awards for the Arts recognize
5th Street Closure Scheduled for Sanitary Sewer Repairs
Beginning Tuesday, August 4, 5th Street will be closed from Monroe Street to Edwards Street to allow for sanitary sewer repairs. The closure is anticipated to remain in place Tuesday, August 4 through Tuesday, August 11, weather permitting. Detour routes will be posted to help guide motorists around the work area. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and use caution when traveling near the work zone.
UIS selected to write historical content for 1908 Springfield race riot exhibit
The Illinois State Museum Society has awarded a team from the University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies and History Department the contract to write the historical content for a permanent exhibit on the 1908 Springfield race riot at the new Springfield Sangamon County Transportation HUB, currently under construction on Ninth Street in downtown Springfield.Sangamon County selected the Illinois State Museum, with assistance from the Illinois State Museum Society, to lead development of the
VAULT 66 PINBALL EXPANDING ITS DOWNTOWN ALL-AGES ARCADE
Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI) is excited to support Vault 66 Pinball and Dumb Records in the announcement of downtown’s newest all-ages destination. An expanded collaboration between property owner Chris Nickell and the team at Dumb Records will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting event on Saturday, Aug. 1. With one wristband, visitors can enjoy unlimited, all-you-can-play access to both the Dumb Records and Vault 66 arcades – and the latter, located at 409 E. Adams St., is doubling in size to include
Springfield Memorial Hospital Teams with SIU Medicine to Provide Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Procedure
A high-tech, minimally invasive lung cancer procedure option is available at Springfield Memorial Hospital thanks to a partnership with SIU Medicine. Robotic bronchoscopy is a state-of-the-art technology that allows biopsy to be performed on areas deep within the lungs that traditional screening methods can’t reach. A very thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided with exact precision into the lungs to collect very small samples of tissue, giving the physician more options for diagnosis while helping
Ambassador of the Quarter Wendell Zulauf, Jr.
Wendell Zulauf, Jr. Manager Sunbelt Rentals 217-528-1065 pcm389@sunbeltrentals.comIn the second quarter of 2026, Wendell Zulauf, Jr., Manager, Sunbelt Rentalsearned the Ambassador of the Quarter honor. Wendell submitted two member leads, had one member lead join The Chamber, made 7 member contacts, attended 12 ribbon cuttings, worked at three Chamber on Tap events, and attended three Ambassador committee meetings. Wendell will receive a gift card to a Chamber member business. Earning honorable
HSHS names Central Illinois Market Chief Operating Officer
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a leading Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, announced today that Paul Fergusonhas been named HSHS Central Illinois Market Chief Operating Officer. Ferguson has been serving in this role in an interim capacity since April 2026. In this role, Ferguson is responsible for operations across HSHS ministries in the Central Illinois Market. HSHS hospitals in this market include HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield; HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital,
AMERICAN PICKERS to Film in Iowa & Illinois
The American Pickers are excited to return to Illinois and Iowa! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in September 2026. AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable
Shop Ace Hardware Miracle Bucket Days to support HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital
Since 1991, Ace Hardware and its thousands of locally owned stores have partnered with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals to positively impact families in need throughout our communities by raising over $230 million. Ace Hardware makes it easy for their employees and customers to create lasting change, including how local children’s hospitals care for kids. From Aug. 7-9, the public is invited to stop by participating Ace Hardware locations and donate $5 during Miracle Bucket Days. Customers who make the
2026 Corporate Cup Challenge Golf Outing Results Announced
Below are the results of The Chamber’s 31st Annual Corporate Cup Challenge Golf Outing that was held July 16 and 17 at Piper Glen Golf Club. The team that earned first place in the Championship Flight and the Corporate Cup traveling trophy was Bank of Springfield with a score of 49. First Place in the Second Flight was Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. (won by a scorecard playoff) with a score of 63. The Chamber would like to thank all the businesses that participated by either entering a team and/or sponsoring
Damon Priddy State Farm Launches ''Red Nets Program'' to Revitalize Community Basketball Courts
Springfield, IL — Damon Priddy State Farm is proud to announce the launch of its Red Nets Program, a community-driven initiative focused on replacing worn and missing basketball nets on courts throughout the Springfield area and surrounding communities. The Red Nets Program is designed to bring new life to local courts, creating a more welcoming and engaging environment for families, kids, and athletes of all ages. By identifying courts in need and installing fresh, vibrant red nets, the initiative aims
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
