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
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Tiffany Bauman
Tiffany BaumanBilling CoordinatorHanson Professional Services Inc. 217-747-9225tbauman@hanson-inc.comWhat products and services does your business offer? Mission: We look out for you, meeting your challenges with responsiveness and ingenuity. Innovative engineering for a better planet is our focus.Services: As a full-service consulting firm, we provide you with a wide range of engineering, planning and allied services. Passion drives performance. At Hanson, our excitement for what we do enhances the
Harris Family Band Anniversary!
HARRIS FAMILY BAND 60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!60 Years from The Little Big Shots in 1966 to the Harris Family Band 2026Come join them on Sunday, July 26, 2026 starting at 1:00pm at the Firefighters Lake Club to celebrate 60 years of performing together. The celebration is 1:00pm-5:00pm with food to purchase, ice cold beer, cocktails and a chance to meet the Harris Family and of course Great Music! Hipbone Sam (Kevin) will be the Master of Ceremonies for this once in a lifetime event. The Harris family holds
UIS Performing Arts Center Announces KC and the Sunshine Band and Candace Bushnell
FRIENDS Members Receive Exclusive Early Access Beginning Tomorrow; Public On Sale Friday, July 24 The UIS Performing Arts Center is excited to announce the addition of two exciting events to its 2026-2027 season. Legendary hitmakers KC and the Sunshine Band and bestselling author and creator of Sex and the City, Candace Bushnell, will both make stops in Springfield as part of the upcoming season. Tickets will be available to FRIENDS of UIS Performing Arts Center members beginning Wednesday, July 22,
UIS ecologist's new book offers a playbook for restoring the planet
Amy McEuen, professor of biology at the University of Illinois Springfield College of Health, Science and Technology, has published a book offering down-to-earth tips on how everyone can help address global environmental crises ranging from climate change to biodiversity loss.“I think when students or non-scientists hear the words climate change, it is easy to throw our hands up and just give up,” McEuen said. “What I don’t think most people realize is we have the opportunity every day to engage in
WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT SET FOR W WASHINGTON STREET
Beginning Wednesday, July 22, east-bound traffic on W. Washington Street will be restricted between Amos and Lincoln Streets and north-bound Amos Street will be restricted between Monroe and W. Washington Streets for a water main replacement project along W. Washington Street. Work is expected to take multiple weeks. The lanes will reopen after surface pavement repairs are complete. The work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled for the next dry weather day in the event of rain. Motorists should
American Heart Association Recognizes Decatur Memorial Hospital, Springfield Memorial Hospital for Stroke Care
Two Memorial Health hospitals have received national recognition for high-quality stroke care. The American Heart Association recognized both Decatur Memorial Hospital and Springfield Memorial Hospital with the Get with the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus award. The award is presented annually to hospitals that have proven their ability to comply with the AHA’s research-based quality measures and get life-saving treatment to patients quickly. “These honors prove that our stroke teams are equipped to provide
INB Expands Tax Services with Acquisition of TPH Strategies
Springfield, IL – July 2026 INB is pleased to announce the acquisition of TPH Strategies, a Springfield-based tax firm, further expanding the bank’s ability to provide comprehensive financial services to clients throughout Central Illinois. Previously known as Tax Partner Holdings, the firm was founded more than 40 years ago by the late Don Fuener. Manny Mikaelson acquired the practice in January 2023 and rebranded it as TPH Strategies, continuing its long-standing tradition of personalized tax and
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
Bloome celebrates 20 years with Hanson
Lee Bloome, P.E., Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s chief water/wastewater engineer, recently celebrated 20 years of service with the firm. Bloome, who joined Hanson in 2006, designs water and wastewater infrastructure, such as water distribution systems, sanitary lift stations and water booster pump stations, stormwater treatment and detention, elevated storage tanks and stormwater collection systems. He also is experienced in water and wastewater treatment, keeping up to date on emerging regulations
UIS Performing Arts Center Announces New Season of Intimate Studio Theatre Experiences Featuring Sensory-Friendly Performances, Date Night Series, Play Date Series, and a Ground Floor Production
UIS Performing Arts Center is excited to announce the return of its local intimate Studio Theatre programming, featuring sensory-friendly performances, the popular Date Night Series, a new Play Date Series created for young audiences and their caregivers, and the return of A Ground Floor Production in collaboration with the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. Designed to create meaningful connections between artists and audiences, these performances offer unique opportunities to experience
Kidzeum's 8th Birthday Brings Free Family Fun to Downtown Springfield Presented by Horace Mann
Eight years ago, Kidzeum of Health and Science opened its doors with a mission to inspire healthier lives through learning and play. On Saturday, July 18, the museum is inviting the entire community to celebrate that milestone with a free, family-friendly birthday festival presented by Horace Mann. In honor of Kidzeum's eighth birthday and the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66, admission to the museum will be free all day as activities spill beyond the museum and into the heart of downtown
Springfield to Host All American Girls Baseball League Panel in Support of New Local Exhibit
Visit Springfield’s History Comes Alive program and the Sangamon Valley Collection at Lincoln Library are partnering to present a special panel discussion celebrating the legacy of the All‑American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and the women who shaped it. The event supports the Sangamon Valley Collection’s new exhibit, “100 Years of Women's Baseball and Softball in Sangamon County: 1875-1975”, now on display at the Sangamon County Building through November 2nd. Featured panelists include
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Jordan Stott
Jordan StottAccounting & Finance RecruiterExpress Employment Professionals (217) 528-3000jordan.stott@expresspros.com What products and services does your business offer? We provide workforce and workplace solutions for businesses and people in the Springfield area. For our workplace customers (businesses): direct-hire placements and a range of other temporary staffing solutions across most industries, HR consulting, training, development, and payroll services. For our workforce customers
New Central Illinois Tech Partners Team Member Adam Gurski is an AI Educator, Consultant & Software Buider
New Central Illinois Tech Partners Team Member Adam Gurski is an AI Educator, Consultant & Software Builder Central Illinois Tech Partners (CITP) is one of the largest multi-specialty IT services firms in Illinois. Some of CITP's services can't be found anywhere else in Downstate Illinois. Adam Gurski is based in Petersburg, Illinois. Adam teaches small businesses and civic institutions what AI can actually do — live, on their own real work — and then builds the websites, custom software, and
Registration Age Expanded for Springfield's First-Ever Safety City Camp
Registration age has been expanded for Springfield Safety City, a free, interactive summer safety camp designed for children entering first through third grade. Due to available space, the City has expanded eligibility, allowing even more young learners to participate in Springfield's first-ever Safety City program. Youth will interact with members of the Springfield Fire Department, Public Works, City Water, Light and Power and Springfield Police Department in a fun daily camp featuring hands-on
Betty Ealey named June Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health System Resources
Memorial Health has named Betty Ealey as the June Colleague of the Month for System Resources. Ealey, a specialist in Patient Access Services, has been with the organization since January 2015 and is a trusted, knowledgeable presence for both patients and colleagues. Her nominator described her as a staple of the patient access team who helps create a professional and welcoming environment for patients. Ealey combines strong interpersonal skills with experience, helping both new and established team
Broadway Returns in a Big Way as UIS Performing Arts Center Unveils 2026-2027 Broadway Series in a Refreshed Sangamon Auditorium
After more than a year of transformation, the curtain is ready to rise once again. The UIS Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce its 2026-2027 Broadway Series, marking the return of Broadway to a beautifully refreshed Sangamon Auditorium. Audiences will once again experience the excitement of live theatre in one of central Illinois' premier performance venues, now featuring enhanced comfort, accessibility, and a renewed patron experience. The upcoming Broadway Series features four outstanding
Jason Terry Named June Colleague of the Month at Springfield Memorial Hospital
Springfield Memorial Hospital (SMH) has named Jason Terry, a radiologic technologist, as June Colleague of the Month. Terry, who joined the nonprofit hospital in April 2018, is a trusted presence in the operating room. Colleagues regard him as a top OR radiology technologist whose expertise is appreciated and respected among radiology techs and other departments alike. “Jason is always mindful of Memorial Health values and does everything in his power to do right by the patient and his colleagues,” wrote
Mindful Miles Walking Challenge Logs More Than 175,000 Miles Across Five Communities
The Memorial Health Mindful Miles Walking Challenge brought together nearly 1,800 participants from Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Taylorville, who collectively logged 175,317.8 miles in support of healthy habits and mental well-being. Held across all five Memorial Health hospitals, the month-long challenge in May encouraged participants to get moving while building awareness around the connection between activity and physical and mental health. Together, walkers logged the equivalent of
THREE ENDOWED CHAIRS, ONE ENDURING LEGACY
After a night filled with ovations, endowed chair presentations and tributes to decades of service, Dr. James Waymack offered a reminder that cut through the celebration.“An endowed chair isn’t simply a recognition of past accomplishments,” he said. “It’s an investment in the future.” That pay-it-forward philosophy echoed throughout the ceremony, reflecting the deeply rooted culture at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. The June 29 investiture ceremony at the Memorial Learning
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Senior Services of Central Illinois Announces Free Dementia Care Support Through Medicare GUIDE Program
Senior Services of Central Illinois (SSCI) is pleased to offer support through the Medicare GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Program, a new initiative designed to help individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias remain safely and independently in their homes while providing valuable support to family caregivers. The GUIDE Program connects eligible Medicare beneficiaries with a dedicated care navigator who helps coordinate medical care, develop personalized care
HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois partner on Ronald McDonald House Family Room
When a child is critically ill, parents often spend days and nights at the hospital, putting their own needs aside so they can remain close to their child. To help support those families, HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois on Monday unveiled the Ronald McDonald House Family Room located near the pediatric intensive care unit. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois remodeled an existing space to bring the Ronald McDonald House Family
LLCC earns recognition from ICCTA
Lincoln Land Community College recent graduate Adalyn Blimling, of Murrayville, was recognized by the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) with the PSC/Gigi Campbell Student Trustee Excellence Award at the 2026 ICCTA Awards Banquet and Reception held June 5 in Lombard. The PSC/Gigi Campbell Student Trustee Excellence Award recognizes outstanding leadership among Illinois community college student trustees. Established in 1997 by student trustees, the award includes a $1,000 stipend to
Smarter Visual Marketing for Professional Services Using Adobe Firefly
What Is Adobe Firefly? Adobe Firefly is a generative artificial intelligence application that produces high quality images, videos, and audio clips from simple text descriptions. It operates by interpreting natural language commands and turning them into professional visual and auditory assets that can be customized for various media platforms. All files generated through its features out of beta are fully cleared for commercial use because the system was trained exclusively on licensed Adobe Stock images
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
