Vanessa Ferguson

The UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership, the Institute of Government and Public Affairs and the Illinois Innovation Network are co-hosting two days of presentations, discussion and networking around policy and social innovation. Interim director of the U of I Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) David Merriman, Associate Vice President at the University of Illinois System Jeannette Tamayo, and Executive Director for the Center for State Policy and Leadership at UIS Molly Lamb spoke to Community Voices about the many offerings during the two days.To register visit: https://appserv7.admin.uillinois.edu/FormBuilderSurvey/Survey/center_for_state_policy_and_leadership/conferences/cspl_events_april2024/Survey

The Capital Area Concert band is an all-volunteer organization that provides opportunities for life-long band musicians to perform long after they've graduated from high school. The organization is celebrating 50 years and has several upcoming concerts. Band members Jan Zepp and Tom King spoke to Community Voices about the history of the organization, the music performed over the years and how others can participate in the band, too.With the exception of the April 27 concert, performances are free and open to the public. Upcoming concerts include:April 16 - 7 p.m. - concert, First United Methodist Church, SpringfieldApril 27 - 7 p.m. - UIS Concert Band concert, Sangamon Auditorium, UIS(UIS Concert band has invited CACB to be part of its concert. Tickets are available at https://uispac.com/uis-honor-band-festival-and-uis-band-concert/)April 30 - 7 p.m. - concert, Trutter Center, Lincoln Land Community CollegeJune 14 - 7 p.m., - concert, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Theatre, Springfield

Dr. Mike Yao is a Professor of Digital Media and the Director of the Institute of Communications Research at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He recently spoke on the panel for Unveiling AI Bias via a Multidisciplinary Lens organized by the UIS AI Campus Learning Community. He explained to Community Voices how AI bias is generated by humans and reflects back what it learns from inputs humans provide it. He also discusses how AI can be helpful when designed with human needs in mind.

Rhys Lovell, the artistic director at the Heartland Theatre Company in Bloomington, Ill. spoke to Community Voices about his role as guest director for "John Proctor is the Villain," a performance put on by the UIS Theatre program. Lovell talked about the play which revisits "The Crucible" and explores how some protagonists can be viewed as flawed with modern-day lenses. The play runs April 12-14 and 18-20. For more information about tickets visit: https://uispac.com/john-proctor-is-the-villain-uis-theatre/

With the shrinking media landscape, many communities are underrepresented in the media. To hear from these communities, NPR Illinois hosts an event called LISTEN. The Petersburg, Ill. community was chosen for the March LISTEN event and with the help of Broadgauge, a local restaurant and event space, NPR Illinois spoke to several area residents and learned about the joys, challenges and media usage in the community. Community Voices co-hosts Vanessa Ferguson and Randy Eccles listen back to the event recording and provide analysis of the topics discussed. LISTEN in Petersburg was funded by a grant from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

The Faith Coalition for the Common Good is a non-profit with 35 institutional members that include faith congregations, nonprofit, and union labor organizations. They come together to address the injustices of racism and poverty in Springfield and Central Illinois. The Executive Director of the Faith Coalition Tyshianna Bankhead along with Dr. Brandon Derman, Environmental Justice Taskforce Chair, spoke to Community Voices about the mission of the Faith Coalition, inequities in the community, and issues surrounding rent in the state of Illinois. They also discuss their upcoming spring Gala on April 11.

Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, educator, and author who wrote "A Sand County Almanac," which has inspired modern environmental change. Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation Buddy Huffaker and Executive Director of the Friends of The Sangamon Valley Angela Funk spoke to Community Voices about the life and legacy of Aldo Leopold, the function of the foundation, and pressing environmental challenges the world is navigating today. They also speak about an event in Springfield happening on April 12 which will celebrate Aldo Leopold.

Golden Bridges works with seniors and others who are overwhelmed with the task of downsizing or moving. The company serves Adams county and surrounding areas such as Springfield. Golden Bridges co-owner Suzanne Ellerbrock and the Springfield Liaison Terri Hempstead spoke to Community Voices about senior move management, empathy and the process they take in helping a person downsize. They also talk about repurposing and how senior move management helps the whole family.

Micah Bartlett recently received the 2024 UIS Alumni Achievement Award. He retired from the banking industry after a successful 33-year career. He was the President and CEO of Town and Country Bank before it merged with Heartland Bank. He spoke to Community Voices about the award, lessons he learned in his career, and what it was like running Town and Country Bank at the young age of 33.