Calendar

The School of Politics & International Affairs (SPIA) invites you to watch the upcoming presidential debate September 10, 8 p.m. at the UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC-153) featuring Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The debate will last about 90 minutes, but feel free to join us early - we will have brief remarks and announcements from SPIA professors, followed by a discussion moderated by Dr. Matt Geras after the debate.

Don't miss out on our bingo card game - play along as we watch!

The Urbana 'Un-Debate' and 'Ask a Voter' event will explore foreign affairs.

Candidate debates rarely enlighten the electorate. Instead, Illinois Public Media, NPR Illinois, the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Columbia College, and the League of Women Voters will explore critical issues likely to motivate voting in the 2024 presidential election.

The main event will be a panel discussion open to the public about the issue of foreign affairs. Experts on the issue will lay out the facts and policies with opportunity for civil discourse with attendees with the goal of minimizing misinformation.

Panelists:

• Konstantin Sonin: John Dewey Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Expert on Russian Political and Economic Affairs
• Dick Farkas: Professor of Political Science at DePaul University. Expert on Russian and Eastern European Politics, Revolution, and Terrorism.
• Nicholas Grossman: Teaching Assistant Professor at UIUC. Expert on U.S. Foreign Policy, with a focus on Gaza and Ukraine

Moderator: Brian Mackey, Host of The 21st

More on Un-Debates

Parking & Directions:
Driving: Enter the iHotel lot on the facility’s north side off of St. Mary’s Road across from the State Farm Center. Placing 111 St. Mary’s Road into your GPS will direct to the correct lot. Parking is free. Enter the west wing doors under the overhang. You will see signage for the event.

Bus: The iHotel is serviced by three stops via CUMTD. St. Mary’s Road at iHotel, First & St. Mary’s, or First at iHotel. Fares are $1 per ride, or free for those with a university iCard, or free if riding within the UIUC campus iZone.

The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies in partnership with NPR Illinois invites you to attend the Mary and James Beaumont Endowed Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series featuring Steve Inskeep and Dr. Sarah E. Anderson speaking on the topic of Lincoln and Political Conflict.

Steve Inskeep is a cohost of NPR's Morning Edition. His search for the full story behind the news has led him to history. In his new book, "Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America," Inskeep explores how Lincoln navigated political conflict and repeatedly engaged with those who disagreed with him.

Dr. Sarah E. Anderson is a Professor and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She studies how the public and politics influences policy. Her recent book, "Rejecting Compromise: Legislators’ Fear of Primary Voters," focuses on why legislators reject compromise.

The Springfield 'Un-Debate' and 'Ask a Voter' event will explore reproductive health.

Candidate debates rarely enlighten the electorate. Instead, NPR Illinois, the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Columbia College, and the League of Women Voters will explore critical issues likely to motivate voting in the 2024 presidential election.

The main event will be a panel discussion open to the public about the issue of reproductive health. Experts on the issue will lay out the facts and policies with opportunity for civil discourse with attendees with the goal of minimizing misinformation.

Panelists:

• Robin Fretwell Wilson: Mildred Van Voorhis Jones Chair in Law, UIUC School of Law
• Careyana Brenham, MD: Professor, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Office of Graduate Medical Education
• J. Ricardo Loret de Mola, MD: Chair and Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Director of St. John's Hospital Women’s Services, Director of the SIU Fertility and IVF Center

Moderator: Sean Crawford, Managing Editor, All Things Considered/State Week, Statewide host; NPR Illinois

More on Un-Debates

Parking & Directions:

• Parking map at this link:  https://www.uis.edu/sites/default/files/2021-01/2020_MasterVisitorParking_Map.pdf. Guests should use lots G or J on either side of the Union (building 13 on the map).
• Transit Instructions: https://www.uis.edu/visit/travel-accommodations

Join the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership for its annual showcase of how it interacts with and affects policies. This year's event is moderated by NPR Illinois' Sean Crawford and will include a live version of State Week looking at the year in Illinois policy and how Illinois may be affected by the 2024 national elections. The Government Public Service Internship (GPSI) awards will also be featured.

The Chicago 'Un-Debate' and 'Ask a Voter' event will explore immigration.

Candidate debates rarely enlighten the electorate. Instead; Columbia College, NPR Illinois, the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and the League of Women Voters will explore critical issues likely to motivate voting in the 2024 presidential election.

The main event will be a panel discussion open to the public about the issue of foreign affairs. Experts on the issue will lay out the facts and policies with opportunity for civil discourse with attendees with the goal of minimizing misinformation.

Panelists:

• Adriana Cardona-Maguigad: Immigration Reporter, WBEZ Chicago
• René D. Flores : Associate Professor, The University of Chicago
• Xóchitl Bada: Associate Professor, University of Illinois Chicago
• Michelle Jacobson: Immigration Lawyer, Partner, Fragomen Global LLP

Moderator: Curtis Lawrence, Block Club Chicago

More on Un-Debates

Parking & Directions:

“Park 1” outdoor lot at 525 South Wabash (adjacent to Columbia’s campus building, 33 East Ida B. Wells). RATES: 2 hours $8, 6 hours $12, 10 hours $15. 312-922-4128.

Doors Open 11 am | Lunch 11:30 am | Program 12-1 pm

2025 will mark the 125th anniversary of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which spawned the classic 14-book series. Prolific author L. Frank Baum spent much of his life in Illinois, writing and producing children’s books and literature. He penned 41 novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. The 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.

Presenter: Mark W. Sorensen, Past President, Illinois State Historical Society

2024 marks the 19th class of high school seniors NPR Illinois will ask to share what they believe. This I Believe was started by radio journalist Edward R. Murrow in 1951 to allow anyone able to distil the guiding principles by which they lived.

This year, another culminating event will occur, details and location to be announced soon.

NPR Illinois will air the essays in their authors’ voices the last two weeks of October (at approximately 7:45 am and 4:45 pm). The audio will also be streamed at nprillinois.org. Previous essays are available on the website at nprillinois.org under the “Community Voices” tab.

The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise has partnered with NPR Illinois since the program began and provides a monetary award to the selected authors. The Illinois Times also provides support to the program by printing the essays in the weekly paper.

Doors Open 11 am | Lunch 11:30 am | Program 12-1 pm

Tracey Maras is best known for her realistic pastel paintings of the natural world around us and life interacting with it. Her paintings convey a sense of serenity and connectedness. Working with the pure pigment of pastels, her pieces convey subtle vibrancy that capture moments and sensations that instill a sense of peace.

Presenter: Tracey Maras, Award-winning Artist

Save the date for our annual celebration of you!

Venue, registration, and more posted soon!.

Doors Open 11 am | Lunch 11:30 am | Program 12-1 pm

In the summer of 1824, the Illinois General Assembly was on the brink of changing our state constitution to permit slavery outright. Though the Northwest Ordinance designated Illinois a “free territory" in 1787, proslavery sentiment in southern Illinois was strong and challenged the efforts to keep the new state of Illinois free. Dr. Caroline Kisiel, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, will present on the people and events that culminated in Illinois remaining a free state.

Presenter: Dr. Caroline Kisiel, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar