Calendar

Peoples National Bank of Springfield was the first religious and ethnically-integrated bank in downstate Illinois. African Americans Dr. Edwin A. Lee, Sr. and E. Winfred "Doc" Helm were instrumental in founding it. Located on the east side of Springfield across from the Cook Street post office, its motto was "where people make the difference." See black and white photos from the 1970s, architectural plans, newspaper articles, telephone directory advertisements, oral histories, artifact photos, certificates, and correspondence.

Visit Grab-a-Java, 300 Chatham Road, Springfield on Tues., Dec. 2, noon to 1 p.m. and meet NPR Illinois staff.

With a $50+ donation on the spot, you'll depart with the 2025 NPR Illinois coffee mug for your collection. Credit cards, checks, and cash accepted as we work to cover the federal defunding as we wind down our 50th anniversary observance.

Live pitches on Community Voices during the hour.

Join us for a full day of celebrating Illinois History!! Presentations, lunch, and recognition of our Centennial Award winners in Illinois!

Join us for a full day of Illinois History! Presentations on Illinois History begin at 10 a.m., and continue throughout the afternoon.

Lunch begins at noon, and will include recognition of our Centennial Award winners. Businesses, municipalities and organizations that have reached 100 years or more will be honored for their achievements over the last century.

Tickets for the event are free; tickets for the luncheon are $40 for members/award recipients, and $50 for non-members. Please purchase tickets for each (i.e., a lunch ticket and a general admission ticket if attending all day, or just a lunch/just a general admission if planning to attending just part of the day)

We hope to see you at the Inn at 835 on December 3rd for a day of celebrating Illinois History!

Peoples National Bank of Springfield was the first religious and ethnically-integrated bank in downstate Illinois. African Americans Dr. Edwin A. Lee, Sr. and E. Winfred "Doc" Helm were instrumental in founding it. Located on the east side of Springfield across from the Cook Street post office, its motto was "where people make the difference." See black and white photos from the 1970s, architectural plans, newspaper articles, telephone directory advertisements, oral histories, artifact photos, certificates, and correspondence.

Chancellor Gooch will be joined by Mylas Copeland, a respected community leader and beacon in Springfield’s civic life, for an engaging conversation on the power of connection, collaboration, and community impact.

Mr. Copeland who serves on several local boards and champions a “we’re all in it together” philosophy, will share insights from his extensive experience in service and community development. Together, he and Chancellor Gooch will explore what it means to give back, build bridges across difference, and invest in the people and partnerships that strengthen our shared future.

The Chancellor’s Thinkers Series is designed to spark curiosity, stretch thinking, challenge perspectives, and foster intentional dialogue across our campus and the Springfield community.

Schedule

• 5:00–5:30 p.m. | Conversation between Chancellor Gooch & Mylas Copeland
• 5:30–6:00 p.m. | Audience Q&A
• 6:00–6:15 p.m. | Closing Reflections
• Reception with refreshments to follow the program

This event is free and open to the public.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Peoples National Bank of Springfield was the first religious and ethnically-integrated bank in downstate Illinois. African Americans Dr. Edwin A. Lee, Sr. and E. Winfred "Doc" Helm were instrumental in founding it. Located on the east side of Springfield across from the Cook Street post office, its motto was "where people make the difference." See black and white photos from the 1970s, architectural plans, newspaper articles, telephone directory advertisements, oral histories, artifact photos, certificates, and correspondence.

Enjoy the ambiance of the Dana-Thomas House holiday decorations on this special evening tour. The volunteers of the Springfield Civic Garden Club have once again prepared a stunning array of holiday decorations. Guided evening experiences (20-30 minutes) offered Thursday, December 11 and Thursday, December 18. Each evening opens with Early Bird tours beginning at 4:00 pm; the final tour begins at 7:00 pm. Reservations encouraged but not required. Please note that the courtyard is closed on Thursday evenings; the courtyard will be open for Friday evening tours, which can be reserved on Eventbrite.

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Visual Arts Gallery is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary with its annual silent auction and benefit. This annual fundraising event features a diverse collection of original art, reproductions, decorative objects and crafts donated by artists and community supporters. This year’s auction will be held both online and in person, making it easy for collectors and supporters across the region to take part.
The auction opens online Nov. 10, with bidding available through 7 p.m. on Dec. 4. Auction items will be on display at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery from Dec. 1-4 for in-person viewing. A final bidding reception will take place at the gallery from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4. All bids must be placed through the auction website.
This year marks a major milestone for the Visual Arts Gallery, established in 1975 and a cornerstone of contemporary art in Springfield for five decades. Since moving to its current location in the Health and Sciences Building in 1992, the gallery has continued to present ambitious exhibitions by emerging and established artists while providing opportunities for UIS students to engage directly with professional art practice.
As the gallery prepares for an exciting move to a new space at UIS, community participation in the silent auction is more important than ever. Proceeds directly support gallery programming, visiting artists and student exhibitions.
“This milestone is both a celebration and a moment of transition,” said Allison Lacher, director of the UIS Visual Arts Gallery. “As we look toward our move into a new space, engaging in the auction is the best way for our community to support the gallery’s future. Every bid directly sustains the artists, exhibitions and student opportunities that make our work possible.”
The UIS Visual Arts Gallery is centrally located on the UIS campus in the Health and Sciences Building, room 201 (HSB 201). Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information and future exhibitions, visit the UIS Visual Arts Gallery website.

Make A Noise Ensemble—free concert
Come see eleven UIS students along with faculty and members of the community perform experimental music! Works by composers Pauline Oliveros, Francis Schwartz, and Steve Reich will challenge your definition of music—there will even be a World Premiere composed collaboratively by all the members of the Make A Noise Ensemble!
And you will have an opportunity to make some noise along with us.
FREE! Thursday, December 4, 7 p.m. in VPA 33 (The Polly Roesch Music Room). Parking available in UIS Lot B.

Peoples National Bank of Springfield was the first religious and ethnically-integrated bank in downstate Illinois. African Americans Dr. Edwin A. Lee, Sr. and E. Winfred "Doc" Helm were instrumental in founding it. Located on the east side of Springfield across from the Cook Street post office, its motto was "where people make the difference." See black and white photos from the 1970s, architectural plans, newspaper articles, telephone directory advertisements, oral histories, artifact photos, certificates, and correspondence.