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.

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. 

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.

Sean McCandless, Ph.D., assistant professor of public administration at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2021. The award, considered the university system’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.