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Great-grandson of civil rights icon Ida B. Wells to speak at Juneteenth event
WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies, in partnership with Juneteenth Inc. and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will host Dan Duster, the great-grandson of American civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield DETAILS: The event, titled “Leading WELLS: Lessons in Courage and Leadership from Ida B. Wells,” will highlight Wells’
HYDRANT FLUSHING PLANNED FOR VAL-E-VUE & YOUNGSTON HILLS
The Springfield Fire Department, in coordination with City Water, Light and Power, will be flushing and testing hydrants for operations and efficiency in Val-E-Vue and Youngston Hills subdivision in the weeks ahead. Val-E-Vue is planned for June 17 and Youngston Hills is planned for July 7 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. As a reminder, other testing around the city is scheduled to be continue through July 31. Annual testing is essential to ensure fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire
Sangamon County Fair Returns June 11–15, 2025: A Family Tradition for 75 Years
The 75th Sangamon County Fair is set to take place from Wednesday, June 11, through Sunday, June 15, at the fairgrounds in New Berlin. This year’s fair highlights the legacy of this long-standing event, including youth livestock shows throughout the week, and youth and adult exhibits ranging from the arts to culinary to horticulture. In response to sellout crowds for grandstand events in the past several years, additional seating has been added to accommodate more visitors. Grandstand
Patriot Award Recognizes Outstanding Support from Memorial Health for National Guard and Reserve Members
Anne Murphy, manager in the Clinical Informatics Department at Memorial Health (MH), received a Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an office established in 1972 under the Department of Defense. The award is given to a supervisor or manager who makes a special effort to support a working National Guard or Reserve member with flexible scheduling, time off before and after deployment, care for families, and if necessary, leaves of absence. Tamera
Mayor Buscher Announces Leadership Transition
Mayor Misty Buscher has announced a leadership transition within her administration. Mike Disco will be departing from his role as Chief of Staff. “I want to thank Mike Disco for his service and contributions to the City of Springfield,” said Mayor Buscher. “I appreciate his efforts on behalf of our residents and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.” This transition reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to aligning leadership with its vision for the future of Springfield. Further
Event Canceled - UIS News: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Hulu series host Nikole Hannah-Jone
Due to a scheduling conflict, Nikole Hannah-Jones has informed the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies that she is canceling her June 17 appearance.
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD HOLDS PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY FOR NEW FIRE AND POLICE LEADERSHIP
On Monday, June 2, the City of Springfield hosted a special promotional ceremony at the Firefighters Lake Club to recognize new leadership within the Springfield Fire and Police Departments. Assistant Fire Chief Nicholas Zummo was officially promoted to Fire Chief, succeeding Chief Edward Canny, who retired in May after years of dedicated service. Captain Julie Plunk was promoted to the position of Assistant Fire Chief, making history as the highest-ranking female officer in department history. In
Dougherty Named May Colleague of the Month for System Resources at Memorial Health
Katy Dougherty, an early childhood teacher with Memorial Child Care, is the Memorial Health System Resources Colleague of the Month for May. A grateful parent undergoing chemotherapy treatments nominated Dougherty for the award, citing her compassion and attention to the family’s needs. During the children’s Halloween parade, Dougherty brought the child out to the parent (who was isolating in the car) to say hello and include the parent in the festivities. In another instance, Dougherty created an
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Hulu series host Nikole Hannah-Jones to speak at Juneteenth event
WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies, in partnership with Juneteenth Inc. and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will host a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, host and executive producer of the Hulu docuseries “The 1619 Project,” as part of its Juneteenth Lecture Series. WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield DETAILS:
Dodson Named May Colleague of the Month for Springfield Memorial Hospital
Marie Dodson, a patient care technician at Springfield Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for May. Dodson emphasizes the safety and comfort of patients and always leaves a positive impression. She is also appreciated by colleagues for her willingness to stay late and help when the situation requires extra assistance. “Marie goes the extra mile to make sure her patients are comfortable the entire time she is on shift and before she leaves,” wrote the nominator. “Her
LeadershipDNA Celebrates Launch with Ribbon Cutting Event
LeadershipDNA Celebrates Launch with Ribbon Cutting Event Springfield, IL — 30 May 2025 — LeadershipDNA, a new local business dedicated to empowering individuals and teams through leadership development, coaching, and training, is excited to announce its official launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted in partnership with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held on Friday, 13 June 2025 between 4-7pm at Saputo’s in Springfield. The community is invited to join founders
Infant Sleep Sacks Given to New Parents at Memorial Health Hospitals to Promote Safe Sleep
SPRINGFIELD – Parents of babies born at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital and Springfield Memorial Hospital will be given free infant sleep sacks as part of a Safe Sleep initiative in conjunction with the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative. “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a leading cause of death in infants under one year of age in Illinois, which is why this initiative is so important,” said Kaitlyn Lynn, RNC-MNN, a nursery clinical coordinator at Springfield Memorial
LLCC instructor Derek Matlock honored
SPRINGFIELD — Derek Matlock of Pawnee, instructor of heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVACR) at Lincoln Land Community College’s Workforce Institute, was recently recognized as a recipient of a 2025 NISOD Excellence Award. The honor was awarded at NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence held May 24-27 in Austin, Texas. The distinction recognizes Matlock’s outstanding contributions to Lincoln Land Community College and his unwavering commitment to
Davis joins Hanson as government market development lead
Daryl Davis, vice president and government market development lead, recently joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. Working from Little Rock, Arkansas, he will play a key role in expanding Hanson’s presence in the federal government sector, using his extensive experience to serve clients more effectively. Davis previously worked for 20 years for an architecture, engineering and building services firm in Little Rock, most recently as principal – director of business and as a board member. He dedicated
New LLCC solar array delivering major energy savings and environmental benefits
SPRINGFIELD – Lincoln Land Community College has completed installation of its newest solar array behind the Child Development Center at 5090 Shepherd Road in Springfield. The state-of-the-art ground-mounted system is now fully operational and generating renewable energy for the center. Funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN), the solar array is projected to offset 100% of the LLCC Child Development Center’s electrical consumption and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 72
TechGuard Security Powers Statewide K–12 Cybersecurity Initiative in Ohio
S.H.I.E.L.D.® Awareness Platform Chosen to Train Staff in Over 900 Ohio School DistrictsBy empowering educators with knowledge, we help secure not just networks—but entire learning environments”— Carla Stone ST. LOUIS, IL, UNITED STATES, May 28, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TechGuard Security is proud to announce that its S.H.I.E.L.D.® Cybersecurity Awareness Training Platform has been selected as the foundation for a statewide initiative to enhance cybersecurity readiness across Ohio’s K–12 education
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight - Alexis Haven
Alexis HavenDevelopment DirectorThe Animal Protective League of Springfield and Sangamon County (217)544-PETS (7387) ahaven@apl-shelter.orgWhat products and services does your business offer? The Animal Protective League (APL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is the regional leader in ending pet overpopulation by providing affordable spay/neuter services to our community and finding loving homes for healthy, adoptable animals. Since the opening of our low-cost, high-quality
SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT TO HOST RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR KIWANIS PARK REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Springfield, IL – The Springfield Park District is excited to announce the official ribbon cutting for the newly redeveloped Kiwanis Park, a transformative community project that brings state-of-the-art recreational amenities and expanded accessibility to one of Springfield’s beloved green spaces. The ribbon cutting will celebrate the completion of a comprehensive park renovation featuring a large, community-sized accessible playground, an 8-foot-wide looped multi-use path network throughout the park, an
Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s Sips & Sounds summer concert series kicks off on June 25 & June 26, 2025!
Take a sip while enjoying the LIVE sounds of classical and popular music by Illinois Symphony Orchestra musicians. It's our hip happy hour concert series, Sips & Sounds. From breweries and restaurants to coffee houses and wineries, we guarantee our music will mix with your favorite sips! Mark your calendars and join us for this FREE summer concert series. Sips & Sounds Summer 2025Wednesday, June 25, 2025 @ 6:00 PMCasa Real Cantina & Grill | 1121 Lincolnshire Bl, Springfield, ILThursday, June 26, 2025 @
LLCC to host Campus Visit Day June 24
SPRINGFIELD — Prospective students interested in starting or restarting college, training for a hands-on career or adding new skills are invited to visit Lincoln Land Community College for Campus Visit Day on Tuesday, June 24, 5:30-8 p.m. The free event will be held at LLCC’s Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd. “Discover more at LLCC — from our many programs of study to our personalized services that help students succeed. Join us at our Campus Visit Day to find out why LLCC is a smart choice for
HSHS Medical Group Welcomes Carmen Blomquist, APRN, FNP-BC, to Occupational Health
HSHS Medical Group welcomes Carmen Blomquist, APRN, FNP-BC, to HSHSMedical Group Occupational Health and Wellness in Springfield. Blomquist brings more than 17 years of nursing experience and a strong focus on workplace health and safety. A board-certified family nurse practitioner and Illinois native, she provides care centered on injury prevention, employee wellness and regulatory compliance. Blomquist offers services such as Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exams, employee health
SOLAR GROWING IN CWLP ENERGY PORTFOLIO
This month the Springfield City Council approved City Water, Light and Power’s (CWLP’s) proposal for a 25-year, solar contract for 25 MW of energy and capacity. The contract with Sangamon Solar LLC, is in conjunction with a new 100 MW, 750-acre solar installation to be built in Sangamon County south of Chatham. The project, expected to start construction in 2026 and begin operation in 2028, will equate to a number of local construction and maintenance jobs.“Adding more solar resources for CWLP is a goal
LLCC honors 2025 Distinguished Service Awards recipients
SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College honored 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners, employees with service anniversaries and retirees at the LLCC Employee Recognition Ceremony May 15. The college presented five Distinguished Service Awards to individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership and service to the college community, promote a student-focused environment and exhibit a strong commitment to the college’s core values. Distinguished Service Award recipients: Chatham: Administrative –
Hanson promotes nine to new officer positions
Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s board of directors recently elected nine employees to new officer positions. Vice presidents, advancing from assistant vice president: • Andy Canopy, P.E., PLS, PSM, senior project manager, Peoria, Illinois, office • Matt Heyen, P.E., power operations lead, Springfield, Illinois, headquarters Assistant vice presidents: • Darrel Berry, corporate communications manager, Springfield headquarters • Cindy Bushur-Hallam, senior project manager, Springfield
CEFCU PRESENTS GAMEDAY AT THE MEMORIAL HEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY LRS
Springfield — May 20, 2025 — As the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS marks its 10th anniversary, the tournament is excited to bring back a fan-favorite youth event: GAMEDAY, presented by CEFCU. This special event will take place on Tuesday, June 24th, during tournament week. Aimed at juniors ages 8–18, GAMEDAY returns for its seventh year, made possible by the continued support of local sponsor CEFCU. The program is free of charge, but participants must register in advance and is limited to 50
Retired military general joins Hanson’s board as outside director
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Retired Maj. Gen. Rich Neely has been elected to serve as an external advisory member on the board of directors for Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s holding company. Neely was announced as the new board member for Hanson Group Inc. to fill the vacancy left by Thomas Lamont, whose service as an external advisory member ended. Neely was the 40th adjutant general of the state of Illinois and the director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. He was the commander for the
Bekoin celebrates 10 years at Hanson
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mandy Bekoin, content writer and editor, recently celebrated 10 years of service with Hanson Professional Services Inc. Bekoin, who joined the firm in 2015, works at the company’s Springfield headquarters. She updates and writes database entries for project information and employee resumes, maintains and creates content for Hanson’s website and assists the company with other writing and editing. Bekoin received an associate degree from Springfield College in 1996 and a bachelor’s
SPRINGFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREFIGHTERS ADVANCE FROM TRAINING ACADEMY
Springfield, IL—On Thursday, May 15th, 2025, Springfield Fire Department Chief Ed Canny had the honor of swearing in fourteen new firefighters at the Springfield Firefighter’s Lake Club. The fourteen firefighters graduated from the Springfield Fire Department’s Training Academy. The academy training includes, Emergency Medical Training, Basic Operations of Firefighting, and Advanced Emergency Medical Training. These firefighters are currently assigned to the Springfield Fire Operation Division and will
CITY & CWLP TO MARK LAKE SPRINGFIELD 90th ANNIVERSARY
On Monday, June 2, the City of Springfield and City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) are hosting a 90th Birthday Party for Lake Springfield at Center Park near the Beach House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event includes music from Jason McKenzie, bags games, Fire, Police & CWLP vehicles for youth to explore, birthday cake, food trucks (food available for purchase) and lots of fun. The public is encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to sit on and any bags games or other outdoor games to play in the
SMH Volunteer Recognized with UIS Good as Gold Award
SPRINGFIELD – Longtime volunteer Ed McDowall was recognized with a Heart of Gold award at the UIS Good as Gold ceremony held April 21 at the university. “Ed has donated more than 2,000 hours in his role as a Eucharistic Minister for Springfield Memorial Hospital,” said Ginny Evans, director of hospitality for Memorial Health. “He has been instrumental in maintaining spiritual support for our Catholic patients, and his commitment to this ministry extends well beyond delivering the sacrament. He also brings
Community Foundation Awards Nearly $240,000 in Scholarships, Including Student of the Year
SPRINGFIELD – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln announced 102 scholarship awards and scholarship renewals for 2025 totaling nearly $240,000. These scholarships were made possible through charitable funds established at the Community Foundation by more than 43 individuals, families and organizations. This year’s awards bring the cumulative scholarship distributions from the Community Foundation to more than $2.5 million over the past 21 years. A highlight of the scholarship program is the
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight - Ty Coleman
Ty ColemanInsurance ConsultantTROXELL (217) 321-3178tcoleman@troxellins.com What products and services does your business offer? Troxell is a full-service independent insurance agency offering customized solutions for commercial insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, and risk management. We work with businesses of all sizes, with a strong focus on mid-sized companies in the Springfield area, to protect what matters most. Whether it's general liability, workers' compensation, property
LLCC offering free Media Makers Camps
SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College is offering free Media Makers Camps for high school students and recent graduates June 2-July 24 in which students can get an introductory, inside-look at the field of 21st-century graphic design, also known as integrated media design. The camps will be held at LLCC-Medical District, 130 W. Mason St., Springfield. Each camp is four days with morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1-4 p.m.) options. Registration is available at www.llcc.edu/media-makers.
CWLP Lead Service Line Replacement Work Continues
Springfield, Illinois –City Water, Light and Power’s lead service line replacement work is well underway in 2025. Thanks to a $2.9 million in Federal monies provided through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP) State Revolving Fund (SRF) in 2024, around 400 homes in Census Tracts 16 and 23 within Wards 2 and 3 low income areas where CWLP has identified a high density of lead service lines will have lines replaced. Work began in March and is expected to be
Westside Market Brings a New Farmers Market to Springfield’s West Side!
Springfield, IL – A brand-new community market is launching on the west side of Springfield, and it’s already creating major buzz! The Westside Market will take place one Sunday of every month—kicking off June 8th and continuing through October, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Papo’s Café Strip Mall. Think farmers market on the westside featuring fresh produce, handmade goods, delicious food, kids corner activities, live music, local wine and one-of-a-kind vendors. What began as a vision from local entrepreneur
FIFTH STREET TO DETOUR FOR WATER WORK
Beginning Monday, May 12th, N. Fifth Street will be closed between Eastman and North Grand Avenues for City Water, Light and Power’s repairs to a damaged water service line in the 1200 block. A detour route will be posted at Eastman Avenue for area motorists. Impacted lanes will remain closed until road surface repairs are complete.Motorists should plan for alternative routes, always slow down, and be aware of crews and equipment in work zones.
Announcing New Mel-O-Cream Donut Route 66 Art Installation
May 12, 2025, Springfield, IL – Mel-O-Cream donuts is excited to announce the successful award of the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant in the amount of $5,876. Grant funds will be used for the creation and installation of a giant Route 66 shield shaped donut sign. In December of 2024 Sangamon Donuts, (owner and operator of 5 Mel-O-Cream stores in Springfield, IL) applied for a grant to create a large Route 66 shield shaped donut sign in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. This
DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, BUDZINSKI ANNOUNCE FINAL SEGMENT OF SPRINGFIELD RAIL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT CAN MOVE FORWARD
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fully obligated $157,126,494 in federal funding for the final segment of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project (SRIP), allowing construction to move forward. The multi-phased project is a large-scale effort supported by local, state, and federal funding designed to alleviate rail
Memorial Health Launches Horizons Program to Support Future Healthcare Professionals
SPRINGFIELD – Memorial Health has launched the Horizons Program, a new initiative designed to support students pursuing degrees in high-demand healthcare fields through financial assistance, hands-on clinical experience and a clear path to employment after graduation. “This program is not only an opportunity for students – it’s a strategic investment in our future workforce,” said Mike Woods, Workforce Strategy & Planning Director at Memorial Health. “We’re creating a direct pipeline from education to
HSHS St. John’s Hospital celebrates National Nurses Week
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. John’s Hospital honored all nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2025, and proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Nursing Exemplar Awards. This week is a dedicated time to thank and recognize the nurses who serve in the hospital, across our system and throughout the country and world. HSHS nurses connect and serve patients each day with our core values of Respect, Care, Competence, and Joy. Nursing professionals are a valuable and instrumental part of our
How to Bring in the Right People to Push Sales and Marketing Forward
The difference between a business that scales and one that stalls often comes down to who gets invited to the table. You don’t need an empire to start thinking like a CEO, but you do need to know when to stop doing it all yourself. The myth of the self-made entrepreneur gets pretty loud in the early stages, but eventually, reality punches through the noise. The truth is, most real growth starts when you stop hiring for proximity and start hiring for impact. Stop Hiring Based on Familiarity Too many
CEFCU Manager Celebrates 50th Work Anniversary
CEFCU is recognizing Mary Ewell Turner, Record Center Manager, for reaching a major career milestone – 50 years of service with the Credit Union on May 7, 2025. Turner now holds the record for the longest tenure in CEFCU’s history. Turner joined CEFCU in 1975 as a high school co-op. She began her career in the Member Centers, working in a variety of roles including Teller, Loan Interviewer, Cashier, and preparing loan documents by hand. Over the years, she has held several positions, such as Corporate
The Damon Priddy State Farm Team is Growing!
Springfield Illinois - March 2025 - Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to announce the addition of three talented professionals - Chadd Pfeiffer, Marc Reeves and Heath Bilyeu - to it's growing team. As the agency continues to expand its footprint in the Springfield community, these new team members bring a wealth of knowledge, industry experience and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients. "This growth reflects our dedication to helping more
Damon Priddy State Farm recognized as both Best Agency & Best Agent in Springfield!
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS - November 2024 The Damon Priddy State Farm Team, a leader in providing quality insurance & financial service solutions, is proud to announce it's recent awards for Best Insurance Agency and Best Insurance Agent in Springfield by the Community Choice Awards. These prestigious honors reflect the agency's dedication to clients, community engagement and exceptional service. This is the third consecutive year that the agency has taken home both awards! The awards were presented at the
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Damon Priddy State Farm Team Rebrands ''What is Service''
This week the agency has taken part in multiple events and recognized their service team for National Customer Service Week! Nearly four years into the launch of the Damon Priddy State Farm Agency, our team is "rebranding" the customer service team and the way we "do service". "I came from a background in hospitality, managing multiple hotels and major brands along the way. Taking care of people is engrained in who I am. That hospitality training and care for detail doesn't go away. Launching the agency in
