UIS Perspectives: Fundraising campaign raises money for scholarship funds, much more

Jeff Lorber, Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois Springfield and Vice-President of the U of I Foundation, shares information on the university's Reaching Stellar campaign and how donors impact all aspects of university life in the latest edition of UIS Perspectives in The State Journal-Register.

The article was published on Dec. 5, 2021.

New bill would require colleges to include emergency contraceptives in vending machines

Chips, candy, and maybe soon, contraceptives.

A new bill filed in the Illinois House aims to increase access to emergency contraceptive pills for students.

It would require at least one vending machine on public college or university campuses to offer emergency contraceptives as an option.

A spokesperson for the University of Illinois Springfield says emergency contraceptives are available there if you make an appointment with UIS Health Services.

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Meet the top returning scorers on the UIS basketball teams

Lauren Ladowski has always been a premier point guard on the University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball team.  

This year is no exception.  

The junior standout currently leads the Prairie Stars in scoring for the fourth straight season. She not only averages 16.6 points but also 5.8 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. 

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We have a co-epidemic of COVID and misinformation

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the ability of government and public health officials to effectively communicate complex COVID-19 information to a diverse public audience. At the same time, multiple other common sources of information (and misinformation) have caused confusion and mistrust of official messaging. Expert panelists discuss the roles of public health officials, mainstream and social media, and efforts to counter misinformation throughout the population.

This Community Health Roundtable aired on NPR Illinois on Dec. 13, 2021.

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UNI 101 class analyzes logos in MLK's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' | Community Voices

The University of Illinois Springfield UNI 101 class worked with the Community Voices team in the fall of 2021 to put together podcasts examining Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" from an ethos, logos and pathos perspective.

This recording aired on NPR Illinois on Nov. 23, 2021.

Listen to the recording online.

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Hiring issues continue as unemployment rate drops

A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report found 201,000 Illinoisans left their jobs in August alone.

But here in Sangamon County, the unemployment rate went from 5.9% in August to 4.9% the next month.

People working in the local job market say things have gotten much better, but we still have a long way to go.

Dr. Kenneth Kriz, a Public Administration professor at University of Illinois Springfield, says the unemployment rate doesn’t necessarily capture the whole picture.

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Literacy at the laundromat

Family Pride Laundry in Springfield has a new spin for its customers: a children's library.

The idea of turning a corner of the laundromat into a place where youngsters can read originated with Amanda Brown, a 20-year-old student at University of Illinois Springfield.

"I was just really attracted to it because I love working with kids. And I thought this would be a perfect way to be able to help the community," said Brown, who is studying elementary education and communications.

UIS men's basketball is hoping youth can make early impact

The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team starts the 2021 season Friday at the Lindenwood Tipoff Classic. The Prairie Stars are hoping to improve on their 8-12 record from last season.

Head coach Matt Brock said the Prairie Stars are excited for the return of fans.

"I'm excited about our team," Brock said. "All of our newcomers can make an impact in one way or the other. We got a lot of players that can play well. We're trying to find the right lineups and right combinations that play the best right now."

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