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Originally aired March 26, 2021.

The whole community benefits when more individuals and families are able to stop walking a financial tightrope and get on solid ground. Financially stable people are more likely to have access to quality health care, provide a good education for their children, and contribute to their local economies. Hear from the panel about how the organizations are helping local people keep more of the money they earned – so they can recover from the pandemic, pay for basic expenses, and save for the future.

Colleen Flinn is the owner of Nothing Fancy Supply Co. The business started when Colleen researched ways to cut waste in her own home. This led her to a Facebook page where she discussed these experiences and gave her the confidence to start sharing her favorite sustainable alternative: beeswax food wraps. Colleen talks about this and more with Community Voices' Bea Bonner. 

Originally broadcast January 27, 2021.
 The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has created a Next 10 Extra series to further discuss the ideas submitted to improve the future of Springfield. One of the most commented on areas has been downtown.  The panel talks about how to lead this revitalization.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined tens of thousands in Illinois getting vaccinated.  But it happened on the same week COVID-19 cases are back on the rise, leading some to worry about a quick re-opening of the economy.  

The Governor also signed a major economic opportunity package from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.  He also appears poised to sign a healthcare initiative to help Black and brown communities. 

We discuss that and more on this episode of State Week.

Mike Miletich, Capitol Bureau Chief for Quincy Media, joins the panel.

Many higher learning institutions, including community colleges, have seen a  drop in enrollment during the pandemic. While officials work to reverse that trend, some students say this has been an opportunity to re-think their future plans.  

And Illinois prisons began prohibiting in-person visits to slow the spread of COVID-19.  They have yet to change that policy.  

Those stories and more on this week's Statewide.

Our lineup:

Originally aired March 18, 2021.

The Future is Now: Business and Social Innovation in a Post Pandemic World 

Originally aired February 25, 2021.

As part of Black History Month, this UIS ECCE panel discussion encourages learning about the societal issues that inform and led to the formation and evolution of the Black Lives Matter Movement. 

Democrats want to repeal Ilinois' Parental Notification of Abortion Act, seven years after its enforcement began.  Abortion opponents are out in force, aiming to protect the law.

Arguments about keeping or repealing Illinois’ Parental Notification of Abortion law in some ways sound similar. Both sides say it protects rights. But whose?’ Those of teens or parents?

This year, to celebrate the chosen essayists, we produced a virtual culminating event. During the event the 10 chosen authors read their essays. A panel discussion was also held with previous chosen essayist Gabe Knott and Dr. Stacy McDermott mother of previous chosen essayist Mackenzie McDermott. 

This week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said he was optimistic that vaccine supply will allow the state to allow those 16 and older, outside of Chicago, to get their shots starting April 12.  The governor also laid out a new "bridge" phase as part of the Restore Illinois plan.  It's a step toward getting the state back to some sort of normalcy.  

A year ago this week, Illinois announced its first COVID-19 death.  Since then, more than 21-thousand  have died in the state.  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker talks with us about his view of the past year and where we are now with the pandemic.

As vaccine rates rise, many people are considering plans for a vacation.  We'll find out what the travel industry sees in the second half of 2021.  

And, we hear about the products in the running for the coolest thing made in Illinois.  Those stories and more on this episode of Statewide.

Originally aired March 4, 2021.

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln produced this Next 10 Extra panel to discuss investing in the arts to develop Springfield's economy.

State lawmakers this week will kick off the once-in-a-decade process to reshape how Illinois’ legislative and congressional maps are drawn.

Originally aired March 13, 2021.

Springfield newcomer Logan Campbell joins Community Voices to discuss his love of music and share his bass and baritone recital -- An Evening of Song: From Schubert to Verdi.

Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of Illinois’ first reported death from COVID-19. In the next 12 months, Illinois would go on to report nearly 21,000 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, while more than 1.2 million Illinoisans have been infected so far.

Originally aired March 11, 2021.Research and events of the past year have demonstrated the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the quality of life of everyone in central Illinois. As a balancing of the scales occurs and the benefits of a more just culture are understood, most organizations are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion – or DEI work. Parts of the process can be difficult or uncomfortable but are necessary and as a bonus, a more robust culture and stronger economy result. The UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Citizens Club of Springfield’s latest Public Policy Forum discusses these affects in today’s Community Voices -- Equity and Inclusion in Workforce and Economic Development.