News

Back to School Food Drive August 25

Our long-time partner, Hickory Point Bank, is once again holding an event for Central Illinois Foodbank to raise awareness of the issue of hunger and to pull the community together and support our kids as they go back to school. So here’s the opportunity – something simple and something you can do individually or as a group.   Just bring a box (or as many as you or your car can hold) of low-sugar, whole grain cereal, oatmeal or cereal bars to Hickory Point Bank on August 25 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

TRAFFIC LIGHT REPLACEMENT PLANNED FOR DIRKSEN & NORTHFIELD THURSDAY

On Thursday, August 18th, beginning around 6 a.m., lanes on north-bound Dirksen Parkway will be reduced at the intersection with Northfield Drive and east-bound turns onto Northfield Drive will be restricted to accommodate replacement of an overhead traffic signal. Repair work is estimated to be complete by 3 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, this work will be rescheduled. Motorists should plan to take alternative routes to avoid delays and should slow down and drive with caution around this work

Hospital Foundation Awards Over $755,000 to Health-Related Projects

The Springfield Memorial Foundation has awarded more than $755,000 to help fund health-related projects in the community and support Memorial Health initiatives. “It’s a record-breaking total for the foundation’s grant program,” said Melissa Hansen Schmadeke, executive director of the Springfield Memorial Foundation. Awards ranged from $1,600 to $250,000 and will go to support 33 projects at SIU School of Medicine, Springfield Public Schools, Illinois College, Girls on the Run of Central Illinois, Compass

O’Malley Joins Memorial Care on Koke Mill

Dr. Madelyn O’Malley has started practicing family medicine with Memorial Care on Koke Mill. O’Malley completed her residency in family medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she attended medical school, graduating in 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree of science in health administration from Indiana University in 2014. “I was born and raised in Springfield, and I stayed here for medical school and for residency,” said O’Malley. “I’m thrilled I can now provide medical care

Springfield Memorial Hospital Opens Renovated Maternity Suites

Springfield Memorial Hospital has completed renovations to its Family Maternity Suites. The $3.87 million project involved 23,464 square feet of space on the nonprofit hospital’s seventh floor. The renovations included 10 labor rooms, nine postpartum rooms and two obstetric emergency spaces, as well as a newborn procedure room, a well newborn nursery and a special care newborn nursery. On average, about 1,000 babies are delivered at Springfield Memorial Hospital each year, according to Kathryn Patrick,

LLCC welcomes new vice president and two deans

Lincoln Land Community College welcomed a new vice president and two new deans this summer.   Kelli Sinclair joined LLCC Aug. 1 as vice president of student services. “Kelli has more than 20 years of proven leadership experience in community college student affairs and enrollment management.” said Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president of LLCC. “We welcome her expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to student success.”   Sinclair previously served as executive dean for student success and retention at

Art Association hosts one third of new exhibition

Reception tonight, August 11! Please join the Springfield Art Association tonight at 5:00 PM. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served throughout the evening.  The SAA is proud to be a part of Making Our History: Artists Render Lincoln’s Legacies, an innovative physical and digital art exhibit funded by the University of Illinois Presidential Initiative: Expanding the Impact of the Arts and Humanities. Presented in conjunction with the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, the UIS Visual Arts Gallery,

Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight: Taylor Stevens

Taylor StevensClient Care ManagerSYNERGY HomeCare (217) 303-8555taylorstevens@synergyhomecare.com  What products and services does your business offer? We offer specified care plans for geriatric and disabled individuals wherever they may happen to call home.  This can range from transportation for appointments and outings to 24/7 round the clock hands on personal care.  What is one thing you'd like for people to know about your business? We are 24/7 and will never miss a shift.  We will always help

Still time to register for fall 2022 classes at LLCC

Extended registration hours announced for week of Aug. 15  There is still time to register for fall 2022 classes at Lincoln Land Community College. The fall semester begins Aug. 20.   During the week of Aug. 15, LLCC Student Services, Bookstore and LLCC-Taylorville will be open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 20, Student Services will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The LLCC Bookstore will be open on Saturdays, Aug. 13, 20 and 27, from 9 a.m. to 1

Bites is Back: Popular Bites on the Boulevard Festival Returns September 15

Bites on the Boulevard is back and better than ever. The Fall 2022 edition of this popular food truck and vendor festival will be held on Thursday, September 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the parking lots of District 23 Boutique and Egradoozy on South Grand Avenue West. State Street between South Grand Avenue and Conkling will also be closed to accommodate food trucks and festival participants.   “It started out as a more of a neighborhood event and it still has that familiar, friendly vibe, but now we have

LLCC and UIS Enhance Transfer Admission Agreement

Officials of Lincoln Land Community College and University of Illinois Springfield signed an agreement today enhancing their partnership to ensure a smooth transition for LLCC students to complete bachelor’s degrees at UIS. The agreement also allows UIS students to utilize reverse transfer credits to complete associate degrees.   The transfer admission guarantee agreement enhances advising and coordination of course selection. LLCC graduates transferring to UIS would be admitted as juniors and have the

Town and Country Bank Welcomes Tim Robertson as Branch Manager of Decatur Location

Town and Country Bank is happy to announce that Tim Robertson will serve as Branch Manager for the company’s Decatur location on North Main Street. “We are thrilled to have Tim join us as the latest addition to our Branch Services team. His professional experience and history of building relationships and assisting customers achieve their financial goals will be major assets to Town and Country Bank and the Decatur community. We look forward to seeing Tim’s success and growth firsthand in his new

“Slide Down 66” on the newly designed, iconic Giant Slide at the IL State Fair

First Slide and Photo Opportunity with state and local officials10:30am, August 12 at the Giant Slide inside the Main Gate of the IL State FairgroundsGSCC Ribbon Cutting at 11:00am  The 2022 Illinois State Fair will welcome new features and attractions including a newly designed, iconic Giant Slide!  In operation at the Illinois State Fairgrounds since 1968, the Giant Slide, now owned and operated by Doug Knight plans to operate seasonally for visitors outside the 11-day state fair.  Additionally, the

LLCC and Memorial Health offering apprenticeship program beginning in August

Lincoln Land Community College and Memorial Health are partnering to offer a one-year, Department of Labor approved, paid apprenticeship program to train sterile processing technicians (SPTs).   SPTs are allied health professionals responsible for the sterilization, assembly and ordering of equipment used by physicians and nurses during medical procedures, including surgeries.   Interested individuals will first apply for admission to the 16-week central sterile service certificate program at

Illinois Rail Needs Assessment Study Final Report

Springfield Memorial Hospital Offers Support for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding for two years or more can lower a child’s risk for respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhea and ear infections as well as decrease the breastfeeding mother’s risk for Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “We already knew breastfeeding through the first year and beyond was beneficial to both mother and baby, but we have learned just how very beneficial breastfeeding can be and that has caused experts to revise their previous recommendations,” said Susan

Workforce Career Expo Wednesday, September 28

BRANDT Commits $1M to Hospital Foundation

Members of the Brandt family – founders of BRANDT, Inc., in Springfield – pledged Wednesday to reach a $1 million milestone in donations to the Springfield Memorial Foundation. The commitment will establish an endowment through the Springfield Memorial Foundation to provide health care career education grants to support the future development of the local health care workforce.“This commitment today by the Brandt family has the potential to touch thousands of lives across central Illinois,” said Ed Curtis,

Nafziger Awarded June Colleague of the Month at Memorial Health

Kari Nafziger, an application developer in the digital innovation department, is the System Resources Colleague of the Month for June at Memorial Health. Nafziger’s expertise was invaluable as Memorial Health implemented its system to help colleagues safely return to work after COVID-19 exposure or illness. “The systems and workflows Kari creates are second to none,” said Tammy Rhoades, a member of the Colleague Health department at Memorial Health, who nominated Nafziger for recognition. Nafziger, of

Eades Named Springfield Memorial’s June Colleague of the Month

Doug Eades, an electrician at Springfield Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for June.  Having served at Springfield Memorial Hospital for 35 years, Eades often mentors new co-workers, sharing his extensive knowledge of the numerous Memorial Health facilities on and off the hospital’s main campus. “A long-standing joke is that Doug is our department’s ‘legend.’ Honestly, this is not far from the truth,” said Casey Busboom, Eades’ co-worker in the engineering and projects

IDNR-CWLP Partnership To Curb Lake Springfield Deer Population Is Back

The City of Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), will again partner up to allow archery deer hunting on specific properties around Lake Springfield beginning in October. IDNR’s Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) will help the City place experienced archery deer hunters on selected sites around Lake Springfield with the goal to lower the overpopulated white-tailed deer herd in the area.    “On the 4,300 acres of marginal land

Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight: Kyle Edmiston

Kyle EdmistonFinancial AdvisorEdward Jones (217) 787-1710kyle.edmiston@edwardjones.com   What products and services does your business offer?  Edward Jones is a full service brokerage firm that offers an individualized approach to addressing your financial goals.    What is one thing you'd like for people to know about your business?  At our branch, we help people steward their wealth in ways that make sense for them.    The Ambassadors are The Chamber's membership committee.  Committee members work

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas By Chip Davis

Best Selling Christmas Artist of all Time is coming to UIS Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 15th at 7:30 PM Tickets to non-members go on sale Friday, July 29th at 10 am.  Tickets available online at UISpac.com or by phone (217) 206-6160 for $89, $79, $69, $49, $29 and $19.   Pre-sale tickets will be available to members of FRIENDS of UIS Performing Arts Center as early as Monday, July 25th, (to learn how to become a FRIEND and read about our Membership levels, visit UISpac.com/FRIENDS) all

University of Illinois Springfield presents “Making Our History: Artists Render Lincoln’s Legacies,” an innovative physical and digital art exhibit

The University of Illinois Springfield is proud to announce “Making Our History: Artists Render Lincoln’s Legacies,” an innovative physical and digital art exhibit funded by the University of Illinois Presidential Initiative: Expanding the Impact of the Arts and Humanities. Presented in conjunction with the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, the UIS Visual Arts Gallery, the Springfield Art Association and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, “Making Our History” is the culmination of a yearlong virtual

‘Drive-Thru’ Events to Provide Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits

Free colorectal at-home cancer screening kits will be distributed at two drive-thru events sponsored by the Regional Cancer Partnership, which includes Memorial Health and SIU School of Medicine. The kits will be distributed from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Memorial Drive-Thru Lab, 320 E. Carpenter St., and from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter St. Participants should expect to stay in their vehicles, answer a few questions and receive their kits to

UIS public history graduate creates “Susan Lawrence Dana: A Woman of Progress” exhibit at the Sangamon Experience

Sangamon Experience at the University of Illinois Springfield presents a new exhibit, “Susan Lawrence Dana: A Woman of Progress,” opening Aug. 1, 2022, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS. The exhibit was created by recent UIS public history graduate Katie Brethorst-Stockwell. The exhibit is opening just in time for the 102nd anniversary of the definitive 36 state ratification and certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, removing gender-based prohibitions on

CWLP Customers Reporting Scam Phone Calls

City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) wants to remind its customers of the prevalence of phone scams with a number of reports coming in today. The utility’s Customer Service offices and other City offices have received inquiries from customers who have received robo-calls requesting payment to avoid immediate disconnection by CWLP. Some calls today are showing as coming in from a local CWLP Electric Department number.   Phone scams are common where those representing themselves as a utility company trying to

Ambassador of the Quarter: Courtney Bouvet

Courtney BouvetBusiness Development Account ExecutiveCEFCU (309) 633-7369cbouvet@cefcu.comIn the second quarter of 2022, Courtney Bouvet, CEFCU, earned the Ambassador of the Quarter honor.  Courtney made seven member contacts, attended three Ambassador Committee Meetings, attended 12 out of 14 ribbon cuttings, worked at two Business After Hours and one Good Morning Springfield, and submitted one member lead that joined The Chamber.  Courtney will receive a gift certificate to a Chamber member

Memorial Behavioral Health Taking Local Calls for 988 Crisis Lifeline

People struggling with suicidal thoughts or going through a mental health crisis now only need to remember three numbers to find help around the clock. The new national crisis support line launched on Saturday. Memorial Behavioral Health, which has taken calls for the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Lifeline for many years, will be taking calls for the new 988 number. The behavioral and mental health agency is one of six certified lifeline centers in Illinois. Behavioral health experts hope

CEFCU ANNOUNCED AS TOP CREDIT UNION IN ILLINOIS

CEFCU has been selected as the top Credit Union in Illinois in 2022 in a nationwide survey conducted by Forbes. This survey was based on multiple factors, including general satisfaction, interest in recommending the credit union to family and friends, trust, terms and conditions, digital services, customer service, financial advice, and branch service. Just 3.4% of credit unions across the nation made the cut for the best in state rankings. CEFCU has also been rated as the top credit union in Illinois to be

T-Mobile Offers Deals to Central Illinois Businesses

Our current economic climate, in conjunction with the coronavirus pandemic, has put extreme pressure on our business community and the organizations that support our most needy and at-risk. Very few have escaped the financial implications compounded by rising costs, workforce struggles like attracting and retaining employees, and decreased donations to non-profits. In response, T-Mobile requested market specific offers capable of making significant financial impacts, while bringing best in class

Positive Energy: Recent Paintings by Mary Ellen Strack

On Friday, July 15th, the SAA Collective Gallery will open Positive Energy, recent paintings by Mary Ellen Strack. The exhibition will be on view from July 15 through September 1, 2022.  A reception will be held Friday, July 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM with Strack giving a brief artist talk at 6:00 PM. The gallery and the reception are free and open to the public.   Mary Ellen utilizes the Japanese concept of aesthetics, Yūgen. It means a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe. It is about

Illinois Senior Olympics invites Senior Athletes, Volunteers, and Donors to participate.

The Illinois Senior Olympics, Presented by Health Alliance and administered by Senior Services of Central Illinois, are quickly approaching.  We invite all men and women ages 50 and over to participate in one or more of the many events that are offered.  The Illinois Senior Olympics is affiliated with the National Senior Games Association, and this years events serve as qualifiers for the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh, PA.  Athletes must turn 50 years of age by December 31st, 2022 to participate

ARTIST ON THE PLAZA

The Springfield Area Arts Council has produced summertime concerts downtown for over thirty years. The outdoor performance series is called Artist on the Plaza, and it features local talent. Funding this year comes from VISIT SPRINGFIELD.Every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day (June 3 – September 2) 12:00 – 1:00 P.M.On the south lawn of the Old State CapitolFree!  Family-friendly.  Accessible.  Sensory-friendly.  Shaded seating provided.  All are welcome.SCHEDULE June 3 - Tom Irwin -