Events Upcoming
New Members
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
.png)
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
.png)
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
2026 Small Business Awards Nominations Being Accepted
For Immediate ReleaseFriday, February 27, 2026Chamber seeks nominations for Small Business Awards!Nominations are now being sought for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards. The Chamber recognizes area small business owners who have demonstrated outstanding performance through innovation, growth, staying power and contributions to the community in four different categories:Not-For-Profit Director of the YearNew & Emerging Business Owner of the YearSmall Business Owner of the
Springfield-Area Author to Sign Debut Children’s Book at Chatham Event on March 21
Goodbye, Starlight—A Hand-Painted Grief Resource for Children—Now an Amazon Hot New ReleaseCHATHAM, Ill. — Jessica N. Derhake, Springfield-area author, artist, and owner of JD Haley People Strategies, will host a book signing event for her debut children’s book, Goodbye, Starlight, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Scoop du Jour in Chatham, Illinois. Admission is free and open to the public, and signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.Goodbye, Starlight is a
Springfield Police Department launches Blue Envelope Program in partnership with the Autism Hero Project.
The Springfield Police Department is proud to announce the launch of its Blue Envelope Program, joining a nationwide movement focused on helping individuals with autism and other communication differences feel safer and more confident during interactions with law enforcement. Sponsored by the Autism Hero Project, the Blue Envelope Program is designed to enhance communication and foster safer, more positive encounters between officers and individuals on the autism spectrum. The program provides an
UIS opens trading lab with Bloomberg terminals to prepare students for careers in finance and analytics
The University of Illinois Springfield College of Business and Management celebrated the opening of the Sean and Taryn Grant/Landmark Auto Trading Lab on Feb. 26 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The lab features 12 Bloomberg Terminals that support hands-on learning for UIS students pursuing careers in finance, data analytics and related fields.The terminals give students the ability to use real-time data to research markets, analyze investments, perform modeling and valuation and build data analytics skills
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
LLCC announces 2026 regional Academic Challenge winners
Approximately 140 students from nine area high schools competed in the regional Academic Challenge on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Lincoln Land Community College. Students competed as individuals and as teams (of up to 14 students) testing in their choice of two subjects — biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics and physics. The tests are written by teams of college and university faculty and designed to present a challenge to high school
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Angelyn Howe
Angelyn (Angie) HoweREALTOR, Certified Senior Professional Keller Williams Capital Realty (815) 501-9674 angelynhowe@kw.com What products and services does your business offer? Keller Williams Realty stands as the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, with approximately 700 offices and 120,000 associates spanning more than a dozen countries. The company’s reputation for excellence is built on a foundation of continuous training, mentoring, and a wealth of resources. Keller Williams
LLCC to host Engineer in the Classroom for fifth graders March 7
Area fifth grade students will demonstrate their way to “Move a Car” in an engineering competition as Lincoln Land Community College hosts the 19th annual Springfield Area Engineer in the Classroom, a Rube Goldberg Showcase, on Saturday, March 7. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the Student Union in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend. This year’s competition
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Bradley Harden will join Board of Directors
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Bradley Harden will join Board of Directors. Bradley (Brad) Harden serves as the Operations Manager for Heartland Coca-Cola. He is based out of Springfield, Illinois and has held various sales and leadership roles over the past 24 years. He has a proven history of success across Central Illinois and has built lasting relationships within the communities he has served. Brad is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and has a BS
Applications Now Open at St. John’s College of Nursing Plus New 100% Online MSN Program Launches Fall 2026
Springtime marks new beginnings, and at St. John’s College of Nursing, it also signals opportunity. Applications are now open for all nursing programs, including the launch of a new, 100% onlineMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) program beginning Fall 2026. St. John’s College of Nursing offers a full spectrum of academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on leadership and education, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Diane Mansfield will join Board of Directors
Diane Mansfield, AIA, NCARB is the Healthcare Practice leader with Farnsworth Group, a national professional architecture and engineering firm, leading strategic planning and growth, financial performance, and design excellence in the healthcare market. She has over 20 years of experience as an architect and master planner located in their Springfield, IL office. She is a passionate advocate for quality community-based healthcare and has broad experience with hospitals and medical groups in the region
.png)
LLCU DONATES $50,000 TO KICK-OFF PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY CENTER FOR LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) made a donation of $50,000 to the Empowerment Opportunity Center on Thursday to officially kick-off a new partnership for a local Scholarship Program. The donation of $50,000 from LLCU will be combined with a $20,000 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) previously awarded to Empowerment Opportunity Center to be able to offer $70,000 in local scholarship dollars to qualified applicants in 2026. The Scholarship Program is designed to provide educational financial
Fish Fry & Live Music
FISH FRY AND LIVE MUSICLenten 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) Feb 27, March 3, 13, 20 & 27, April 3 (Good Friday). Live Music Line-up: Feb 27 - Joel Honey Mar 6 - After School Special Mar 13 - Not Petty Mar 20 - Harris Trio Mar 27 - Larry Watson Apr 3 -
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Dr. Doug Carlson will join Board of Directors
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Dr. Doug Carlson will join Board of Directors. Douglas Carlson, M.D. is currently the Chair of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Pediatrics Department. He completed his medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, and residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Prior to coming to SIU and HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in 2014, Dr. Carlson was with
Sangamon County Fair Board Hosting Free Community Appreciation Event March 28
The Sangamon County Fair Board invites sponsors, volunteers and community members to a special evening of appreciation at 6 p.m. March 28 at the Sangamon County Fairgrounds. This free event is a “thank you” to the many individuals, businesses and families who make the Sangamon County Fair a success year after year. Guests can enjoy a fun-filled evening featuring:Live entertainment at 8 p.m. by Neon Rodeo—a 90s country tribute bandComplimentary taco and nacho bar while supplies lastDrinks available for
Chamber Seeking Workforce Development Coordinator
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Workforce Development Coordinator to design and deliver impactful programs that connect people to careers and employers to talent. This role plays a key part in strengthening our regional workforce by building pathways for youth, veterans, second-chance populations, and individuals pursuing careers in skilled trades.This position blends program management, community engagement, and partnership development. The ideal candidate is organized,
Hope Announces Upcoming Casino-Themed Fundraiser
Hope, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, is hosting its second casino themed fundraiser on Saturday, March 7th at the LRS Hangar. Black Tie and Blackjack — A Night of Hope will bring together community leaders and supporters for a refined evening benefiting Hope communities. Guests will step into a sophisticated casino-inspired atmosphere featuring a variety of classic games. In addition to gaming, attendees can participate in a curated Whiskey & Wine Wall, try their luck
CWLP Customers Can Go Steady With Level Payment Plan
City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) reminds residential customers that its Level Payment Plan offers a simple way to set up a predictable monthly bill payment. The plan allows customers to pay the same amount each month for electric, water, and sewer service, making household budgeting easier year-round. A typical CWLP residential customer sees seasonal changes in electric and water usage, with higher bills during summer cooling months. Rather than paying for actual usage each billing
Springfield Fire Department Announces Promotion of Captain Jake Maxedon Following Retirement of Division Chief Todd Taylor
The Springfield Fire Department has announced the promotion of Captain Jake Maxedon to Division Chief of Fire Safety and Fire Marshal, effective March 7, 2026, following the retirement of Division Chief Todd Taylor after nearly 25 years of dedicated service. Division Chief Maxedon brings 28 years of fire service experience to the role, including 18 years with the Springfield Fire Department. He holds a degree in Fire Science from Pikes Peak State College and has completed extensive specialized training,
Beauman earns project management certification
Jacob Beauman, PMP, a project administrator at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield headquarters, recently earned the project management professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. Beauman, who joined Hanson in 2024, assists project managers in all areas of the project process, including planning, startup, execution, monitoring and closeout, as well as the financial aspects, such as invoicing, budget reports and accounts receivable tracking. The Project Management
The Springfield Area Arts Council Announces Poetry Out Loud Central Illinois Regional Contest Winners
Jillian Garcia of Decatur’s Eisenhower High School won first place at the Central Illinois Regional Poetry Out Loud Contest, held February 12, 2026, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Garcia referred to her winning the championship as “an absolute dream” and said that she came to both “better understand poems and have a deeper connection to poetry.” Ace O’Malleyof Springfield Southeast High School and Emma Selhime of Pawnee High School placed second and third, respectively. The Central Illinois
NORTH GRAND AND NINTH TO REDUCE FOR WATER MAIN RELOCATION WORK
Beginning Tuesday, February 17, eastbound North Grand Avenue will be closed between 8th Street and 9th Street along with northbound 9th Street between North Grand Avenue and Reservoir Street for water main relocation work for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. This last phase of work is expected to last one week and will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.Traffic lanes will remain closed for this phase of work until surface pavement repairs are completed. Motorists should plan to take
UIS Visual Arts Gallery presents “Belly,” an exhibition by sculptor and installation artist Rita Grendze
The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery is pleased to announce “Belly,” a solo exhibition by artist Rita Grendze. The exhibition opens March 2 and runs through April 9. A public reception will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 5 at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.“Belly” features an installation constructed from grocery bags collected during the pandemic, reassembled into oversized, sagging vessels that evoke empty stomachs and
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
Busiest Weekend at SCHEELS Sports Park + Exciting New Updates!
On behalf of SCHEELS Sports Park developers, Dirk McCormick and Steve Luker, we have some exciting news to share about SCHEELS Sports Park.This past weekend was our busiest yet!&##129340;♂️820+ wrestlers&##129358; 23 softball teams&##128079;3,000+ visitors✅125 incredible volunteer helpersThe energy across the complex was incredible. Seeing families, athletes, volunteers and visitors filling the field and courts at the Springfield Clinic Dome is exactly what this park was built for, and it’s working!We’re
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Dalton Garecht
Dalton GarechtAssistant Branch ManagerINB N.A. (217) 747-8506dgarecht@inb.com What products and services does your business offer? At INB, we offer a wide variety of products for individual and business customers. With several different departments, it allows us to provide the services of large national banks, but we’re still able to develop strong customer relationships and offer the community bank feel. We strive to provide everyone with that personal connection and undivided attention. Customers
HSHS St. John’s Hospital’s Board of Directors Welcomes Brandi Borries, Dr. Joseph Conlon and Robert Mizeur
HSHS St. John’s Hospital’s Board of Directors includes local community members whose talents, experience and passion assist St. John’s leadership in meeting area health care needs. Board members volunteer their time, providing counsel and oversight on decisions that positively affect St. John’s sustainable future and advance the hospital’s Mission. St. John’s Hospital recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Brandi Borries of Shelbyville and Dr. Joseph Conlon and Robert Mizeur, both
PNC BANK EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR LEVITT AMP SPRINGFIELD MUSIC SERIES AS PRESENTING SPONSOR
Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series proudly announces expanded support by PNC Bank as Presenting Sponsor, reinforcing PNC’s commitment to enriching the cultural vibrancy of downtown Springfield. PNC’s increased sponsorship will help match 50% of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation’s newly expanded grant – securing continued funding and helping guarantee free access to live music for residents and visitors alike. With generous support from PNC Bank and the Levitt Foundation, the series will return for
Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois and Innovate Springfield expand entrepreneur support
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Small Business Development Center for Central Illinois (SBDC), hosted by the Small Business Growth Corporation, and Innovate Springfield have announced a new partnership to expand support for entrepreneurs and small businesses by opening a new SBDC office at Innovate Springfield. The new location brings together two complementary resources for business growth in central Illinois, combining the SBDC’s no-cost, confidential advising services with Innovate
Damon Priddy State Farm Welcomes Sean Sandiford to New Business Advisory Team
Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to announce that Sean Sandiford has joined the agency’s New Business Advisory Team, marking another exciting step forward in the agency’s continued growth and expansion. Sean recently relocated to Springfield from the Charleston/Mattoon area with his girlfriend Haylee, who has accepted a position with the University of Illinois Springfield. His move reflects both a personal and professional commitment to becoming an active part of
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
