U of I Springfield makes interim police chief permanent

A 22-year veteran of the University of Illinois Springfield Police Department will continue to lead the force without an “interim” tag.

The school this week said interim police chief Ross Owens will be the next permanent chief. The move is pending approval from the U of I Board of Trustees, although those appointments typically go through without any trouble.

This story aired on WCIA on Jan. 19, 2022.

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University of Illinois tuition increasing next fall

All three schools in the University of Illinois System will see tuition hikes this fall.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted Thursday morning to increase tuition for in-state freshmen.

This is only the second tuition increase in the past eight years.

The University of Illinois Springfield will see a 1.5% tuition hike.

This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on Jan. 20, 2022.

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University of Illinois Springfield debates elimination of diversity curriculum

The University of Illinois Springfield Campus Senate introduces new resolution to eliminate its General Education curriculum focusing on issues of diversity and engaged citizenship.

For over a decade now, Engaged Citizenship Common Experience has been a core curriculum of the UIS academic experience.

The ECCE curriculum also comprises Internships and Engagement Experiences, including study abroad/study away programs.

A group of faculty members oppose the resolution and are working to defeat it.

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Tatiana Thomas: I hope to help rebuild urban communities in dire need of attention

My name is Tatiana Thomas, and I am currently a student at University of Illinois at Springfield for a master of public administration degree with a certificate in labor relations. I work for the Department of Human Services at UIS as a graduate research assistant and recently began to volunteer with the Faith Coalition for Common Good.

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'Transformational project' in Springfield's South Town neighborhood takes its first step

A major redevelopment in the South Town neighborhood took its first step Tuesday as the committee of the whole sent to the full Springfield City Council an agreement authorizing The Springfield Project to purchase a building at 11th Street and South Grand Avenue using the city's community development block grant funds.

Soccer missionaries

In the 1960s, missionaries from such foreign places as Greece and England and South America and New York City landed on Springfield's barbarian shore. They introduced to the natives a new gospel that had conquered the rest of the world – soccer. Some had been players at home, others just fans, but all loved the game and like all enthusiasts wanted everyone in their adopted home to love it too.

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University of Illinois system adds booster requirement

The University of Illinois system is the latest to require COVID booster shots to be on campus.

University President Tim Killeen announced today (Thursday) faculty, staff and students will need to get the shots when eligible.

At Springfield, in-person classes will take place, although faculty will be allowed some flexibility to request remote teaching.