Hometown: Chatham, IllinoisMajor: CommunicationFuture Plans: Work as a public relation specialist

The pandemic heightened food insecurity for families across Illinois.

Now, research is showing students on college campuses are also feeling the impact.

At the University of Illinois Springfield, they have a food pantry where students can come and get food at no cost.

Jill Hawkins-Wright, the director of the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at UIS, said students are tight on time and also paying for costs that come with schools like books and transportation.

The University of Illinois Springfield will honor the Class of 2020 during two special commencement ceremonies on Saturday afternoon.

Officials said this will be an opportunity for 2020 graduates to walk across the stage in their cap and gown and have their names read in front of up to eight guests. The ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the UIS Sangamon Auditorium, which is inside the Public Affairs Center Building on Ernest Hemingway Drive.

This story was published on WCIA on Sept. 16, 2021.

The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Community Health Roundtable will host a free virtual public webinar titled “Bats, monkeys and dogs, oh my!” at Noon Friday, Sept. 17 via Zoom.

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Police Department will host a public safety day for Springfield-area children. The event will include discussions on police and fire safety topics, boating safety, power line safety and railroad safety. Children of all ages are welcome to attend this event.

WHEN: 10 a.m. – Noon Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021

WHERE: SASA Soccer Complex, 4600 11th St., Springfield

DETAILS: Multiple agencies will present safety information at the event: