News

Midwest Mission is a Christian-based organization that provides humanitarian relief to organizations locally, nationally and internationally. The organization provides kits, resources and supplies to those in a crisis. Communications Manager Lisa Rigoni spoke to Community Voices about the peopled served by Midwest Mission as well as the volunteers, who help put resources together.

Thanks to the Illinois Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution, an exhibit titled "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" is touring through Illinois and making a stop in Jacksonville, Ill. in late 2021, and Clinton, Ill. in early 2022. Matt Meacham the Program Manager of Statewide Engagement at the Illinois Humanities spoke to Community Voices about this exhibit as well as another traveling exhibit titled "Illinois Freedom Project."

Gov. JB Pritzker and the state’s largest public employee union have deadlocked over mandatory COVID vaccines for more than 12,000 state workers in Illinois prisons and juvenile detention centers.

Architect Paul O'Shea has been involved in many aspects of Springfield life, especially planning its development. Sports, philanthropy, and church have also been important areas of Springfield life for him.

Marcus Rothenberg is a voice over artist in Springfield, Ill. Rothenberg spoke to Community Voices about how to get started in a voice over career, how to create characters and the challenges of recording audio books.

Debbie Ross is a local performer who is known for singing for noteworthy events in Springfield, including events featuring U.S. presidents and politicians. She spoke with Community Voices about how she put together her band and her advice on performing.

The Illinois Senate approved a measure to reinstate licensing for certified professional midwives, or CPMs, this week. It likely spells the end of a decades-long campaign for midwives to practice legally in the state.

There was a court ruling and more legal challenges to Illinois Democrats' effort at crafting new state legislative and congressional boundaries. Our panel discusses the latest happenings surrounding the once-a-decade redistricting process and why Republicans are likely to wind up on the short end.

Area musician and writer Amy Benton writes with Nashville friends and Springfield resources like the Springfield Area Arts Council. Look for Amy Benton on your music streaming service, around town, and at AmyBenton.com.

Illinois is considered one of the most progressive states in the nation when it comes to abortion laws. But it still requires a parent or guardian to be informed before a minor can can have the procedure. That could soon change. The issue is expected to be debated this month. And it was 150 years ago this month the Great Chicago Fire erupted in the city. But not everything was destroyed. We'll learn more about what survived, at least for a while. Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.