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COVID-19 Triggers Stigma from Public, Behavioral Health Expert Says
Although no one is immune from the effects of COVID-19, a stigma still surrounds the virus, a behavioral health professional from central Illinois said. Stigma is discrimination based on fear, lack of knowledge or a need to blame others, explained Amber Olson, director of behavioral therapy services for Memorial Behavioral Health. “Fear often creates a stigma around an illness and the people who are affected,” Olson said. “Because COVID-19 is so new, and so much about it is unknown, it’s unfortunately
Traffic Light Repairs at Dirksen & Sangamon Planned
On Tuesday, August 18th, traffic signals at the intersection of N. Dirksen Parkway and Sangamon Avenue will be on a flash as a four-way stop and turn lanes will be restricted with other thru lanes reduced to accommodate City Water, Light and Power’s repairs to the overhead traffic signal.During work, no right turns onto Dirksen Parkway will be permitted from west-bound Sangamon Avenue. Left turns from south-bound Dirksen Parkway onto Sangamon Avenue towards the highway will be limited. Thru lanes on
DSI’S Momentum on Main Street Launching New Weekly Online Shopping Experience
Virtual “Cash Mobs” Give People an Opportunity to “Visit” a Store and Shop Via ComputerDowntown Springfield Inc. and its Momentum on Main Street committee are launching a series of online shopping experiences, or Virtual “Cash Mobs,” where local shoppers can visit downtown retail shops and purchase featured items simply by joining us on Facebook Live. The Virtual Cash Mobs will take place on DSI’s Facebook page @DowntownSpringfieldInc every Thursday at noon, starting August 20th, hosted by DSI staff and
Three LLCC students awarded national Phi Theta Kappa scholarships
Lincoln Land Community College students Nicole Erwin-Gaynor of Taylorville, Jennifer Haggerty of Chandlerville and Isis Thompson of Springfield are among 207 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to be named 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars and will each receive $1,000 scholarships. “We are proud to have three recipients of this prestigious award in one year,” said Dr. Claire Gordon, LLCC professor of communication and Phi Theta Kappa coordinator. “Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society that not only
South Sixth Street to Reduce for Water Work
Beginning Thursday, August 13th, lanes on S. Sixth Street will be reduced to one between Princeton and Cornell Avenues to accommodate water main relocation and a valve rebuild. This work is in conjunction with the railroad underpass work in this area. All lanes will reopen after road surface repairs are complete.Motorists should plan to take alternative routes and should slow down and be aware of construction and repair crews and equipment in and near roadways. This work is weather dependent and will be
Healthcare Organizations Remind Visitors: Masks Required at Hospitals, Clinics
Local healthcare organizations on Friday emphasized that anyone visiting a hospital or clinic must wear a mask at all times, saying that the public’s compliance is critical to reduce the community spread of COVID-19. All visitors must wear masks for the entire duration of their visit, including at all times while in a patient’s room. Visitors who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter or will be asked to leave the facility if they do not comply. “We realize there are times when it is
Community Grants Program Open Now Through September 7
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln is now accepting proposals for its Community Grants Program. The deadline for this grant cycle is September 7, 2020. The Community Grants Program is the local unrestricted grantmaking program at the Community Foundation. Nonprofits are invited to apply for up to $5,000 for any charitable focus, including requests for general operating funds, in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and/or Sangamon County, Illinois. Applicants will be
LLCC Foundation announces new scholarships
The Lincoln Land Community College Foundation recently announced new scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year. More than 230 scholarships were awarded to students totaling over $366,000. The new LLCC scholarships include the Judith L. and Donald T. Anderson Scholarship for students in the agriculture program, Kevin Cory Scholarship for past and present members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in any field of study, Lorie Anne McDonald Scholarship for students who are education majors, Miss
LLCC welcomes assistant vice president of business relations
Josh Collins, from Springfield, has joined Lincoln Land Community College as assistant vice president of business relations. He began his new duties Aug. 3. Collins previously served as interim CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and the director of business and community development at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He is a certified economic developer through the International Economic Development Council. “We are so pleased that Josh Collins has joined LLCC. He has
UIS awarded a state grant to increase the number of paid internship opportunities for students
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Office of Engaged Learning has been awarded a nearly $45,000 Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program grant to increase the number of paid internship opportunities available to students completing academic internships through the UIS Internships and Prior Learning Program.The grant will provide matching funds for approximately 40 paid internship opportunities. Students will receive a wage of $12/hour for their work. Students can work a total of 100-300 hours per
CWLP Announces East-Bound Cook to Detour for Water Work
Beginning Monday, August 3rd, east-bound Cook Street traffic will be detoured at 14th Street to accommodate work by City Water, Light and Power to replace lead water service lines in the 1400 and 1600 blocks of East Cook Street. Work will progress to the east with the detour moving to 17th Street as work is completed in each block. This project will be rescheduled or delayed in the event of inclement weather. All traffic lanes will reopen once road surface repairs are complete. Motorists should plan to
Record number of Illinois higher education professors and K-12 teachers take UIS class on teaching online
The University of Illinois Springfield ION Professional eLearning Program’s Overview of Online Instruction course has seen a large jump in enrollment, as more Illinois higher education professors and K-12 teachers are wanting to learn how to better teach online during the COVID-19 pandemic.Course enrollment jumped from 793 students in 2019 to 1,819 students so far in 2020. Just recently, 1,153 students completed the course during the April to July term.“We’re glad that educators are turning to UIS to learn
TODD GREEN & GREEN FAMILY ACQUIRES NAPLES JET CENTER
The Green Family of Central Illinois has acquired Naples Florida Jet Center, located at 377 Citation Point, Naples, Florida. Naples Jet Center (NJC) is described as a concierge service for aircraft owners. NJC offers private jet charter, hanger accommodations, and they are the only provider of jet maintenance in Naples. They service all types of jets, from Gulf Streams to Citations. With more than 100,000 square feet of storage, NJC offers both short term aircraft storage and annual stays. Aircraft
True Believe Opening Reception to be held August 1
“Ask any diehard comics fan and they will tell you “True Believers” is how Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee was known for addressing the Marvel faithful . . . The “Belief” being in Lee’s shared ideal that a hero lies within us all.” If you have dreamed of being a Super Hero or of creating a Super Hero, this exhibition is for you. The heroes on display in the M.G. Nelson Family Gallery at the Springfield Art Association are all the results of the Comic Drawing classes that are taught by Will Norris here at the
Memorial Health System’s Hospitals to Give Away Colon Cancer Test Kits
Seventy-three-year-old John Werries put off getting a baseline colonoscopy for years, even declining the simple colorectal cancer screening kits his wife offered to obtain for him during the screening kit giveaway events presented annually by Passavant Area Hospital.At his wife, Ruthie’s, insistence John finally relented and completed a colorectal cancer screening kit, which Ruthie picked up for him at a screening kit giveaway event in 2019. His test came back positive for blood in the stool. Ruthie
CWLP announces Utility Bill Assistance Available
City Water, Light and Power is seeing an increase in customers with past due balances so the utility is working to help those customers in hardship. CWLP’s Customer Service office is encouraging its customers to set up a payment plan and utilize new local financial assistance resources to help bring account balances current to avoid falling behind. CWLP Customers can request assistance for payment plans and any other assistance by phone at 217.789.2030 or e-mail, cwlp.customer@cwlp.com. Additional federal
LLCC offering select in-person services for fall registration
Lincoln Land Community College is offering select in-person services at its main campus and Outreach Centers for students interested in registering for fall classes. “If you would rather connect in-person, we are making our services available by appointment, and several are also available on a walk-in basis,” explains Dr. Lesley Frederick, LLCC vice president, student services. “If you prefer to connect from home, we are still offering remote assistance for all services at all locations.” Appointments
UIS to offer a free public webinar on “Reopening Springfield education during the COVID-19 pandemic”
As part of the Springfield Innovation Hub, the University of Illinois Springfield and the Community Health Roundtable will offer a free public webinar on “Reopening Springfield education during the COVID-19 pandemic.”The webinar will take place from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and will be moderated by Molly Lamb, executive director of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership, who will also provide an update on Illinois COVID-19 guidelines.The COVID-19 pandemic continues and is intensifying in some
Springfield Zoological Society Named 2020 Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation Chip In Fore Charity $20,000 Grant Winner
The Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation (OCIF) today announced that the Springfield Zoological Society was selected to receive $20,000 as the beneficiary for the 17th Annual OCIF Open: Chip in fore Charity. The new proposed “OCI Africa Asia Interactive Education Area” at the Henson Robinson Zoo will be funded through proceeds from the OCIF annual golf outing scheduled for September 21st at Illini Country Club. “We are very excited to support the Springfield Zoological Society to create a new
Grant Franklin Earns Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Educational Designation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.TownandCountryBank.com Springfield, IL (7/20/2020) – Grant Franklin of Town and Country Bank has earned the designation of Housing Credit Certified Professional™ (HCCP) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and NAHB Multifamily. Franklin is one of a select group of industry professionals nationwide who have attained the HCCP certification. The HCCP is a professional certification program that sets
UIS Good as Gold awards honor more than 50 local volunteers, businesses and organizations
The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield and the United Way of Central Illinois honored more than 50 Sangamon County volunteers and businesses during the virtual 12th annual Good as Gold Ceremony. The winners were announced in a video released Monday on the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center’s website.The Good as Gold Ceremony was started in 2008 to honor people, businesses and organizations who freely give their time and talents to make Sangamon County a better place to
LLCC cuts online fees in half for fall
Lincoln Land Community College has reduced the online class fee by half for the fall 2020 semester. “Cutting the online fee by 50% can save students hundreds of dollars in these uncertain financial times,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., LLCC president. “As always, we will provide our students with a quality, affordable education this fall.” Hundreds of additional online classes have been added to the fall schedule. Students taking online classes will pay LLCC’s low tuition and fees plus the
Closures Planned for Triathlons at Lake Springfield
The Lindsay Bridge boat docks and parking area at Lake Springfield will be closed to the public beginning Thursday, July 23rd at 11:59 p.m. through Saturday, July 25 at approximately 4 p.m. to accommodate triathlon races scheduled. Center Park, North Park and the Sailboat Launch will be closed on Thursday, July 23rd at 11:59 p.m. through Saturday, July 25 until 4 p.m. The Lindsay Boat Licensing station will reopen to boat traffic around 10 a.m. on Sunday.During the running and biking legs of the race on
Town and Country Bank’s Grant Franklin Earns Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Educational Designation
Grant Franklin of Town and Country Bank has earned the designation of Housing Credit Certified Professional™ (HCCP) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and NAHB Multifamily. Franklin is one of a select group of industry professionals nationwide who have attained the HCCP certification. The HCCP is a professional certification program that sets competency standards for housing credit professionals involved in developing, investing in, allocating and managing housing credit properties.
Edwards Family Memorial Scholarship established at LLCC
An endowed scholarship has been established at Lincoln Land Community College as a memorial to Frank and Cinda Edwards. The Edwards Family Memorial Scholarship is funded by contributions made by family and friends. It is designated for a Chatham Glenwood High School graduate enrolled full-time in LLCC’s associate degree nursing program. Frank and Cinda Edwards, Glenwood High School alums, were known for their community service. Cinda, an LLCC nursing alum, was a member of the LLCC Board of
United Way of Central Illinois Announces 2020-2021 Community Fund Investments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2020SPRINGFIELD – United Way of Central Illinois’ Board of Directors is pleased to announce the results of the 2020 Community Fund investment process. The Board of Directors unanimously approved $1,159,415 in local investment to programs addressing basic needs, education, financial stability and health in our community. Kate Ward, Board Chair, said “This year was especially challenging for the Vision Council volunteers. Not only was it a big year due to all issue areas
Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center Wins “Best Of” Award from Meetings Today
Springfield, IL, July 16, 2020 – The Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center announced today that the property was recently named among the “Best Of” by Meetings Today Magazine for the second consecutive year. Each year Meetings Today has its readers who hold events globally, determine the best hotels and resorts for meetings and events in North America. The properties are judged on the quality of meeting space, guest rooms, services and amenities, food and beverage, tech and bandwidth support,
ZG Worldwide has available PPE supplies
While the demand for some types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) continues to exceed the supply, ZG Worldwide associates Quinn Place, CPA and Carl Gold, MD of Health Best International are able to source a variety of PPE to meet this demand. They have been providing supplies to the front lines all over the US. These high quality products are priced at or below many other suppliers. They benefit by having direct from the manufacturer relationships, which enables them to provide prompt delivery of small
Capitol Radio Group and J. Hansen Heating & Cooling team up to help with Cooling the Capitol this Summer
Summer in Central Illinois is the best time of year for many of us. But for the elderly and disadvantaged, the long hot, humid summer can be brutal. This summer, J Hansen Heating and Cooling, Noonan True Value, Two Men and a Truck and Capitol Radio Group are again teaming up to help with Cooling the Capital. Listeners can stop by either of the Noonan True Value locations and pick up a fan to donate. They have fans specifically for Cooling the Capital. Simply purchase the fan and leave it at Noonan True
