Center News

The Papers of Abraham Lincoln-Update

Leading up to the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration in February, the Papers staff provided news organizations with historical information on Lincoln and gave invited presentations throughout Illinois . The staff has been involved in several television programs and documentaries on Lincoln , acting as on-air historical consultants. [more]

Author: Nicole Harbour

Published Date: April 15, 2009

WUIS awarded two journalism honors in Illinois AP competition

WUIS 91.9, the public radio affiliate based at the University of Illinois at Springfield campus, received two journalism awards in the latest competition sponsored by the Illinois Associated Press. The news station was honored with second place awards in the categories of Best Investigative Report and Best Documentary. [more]

Author: Courtney Westlake

Published Date: March 5, 2009

Illinois Issues’ election issue hits newsstands

With the November presidential, congressional, and legislative elections just around the corner, Illinois Issues magazine’s staff has been hard at work writing and producing their election issue, which looks at the prospect of an Obama or McCain presidency from a local perspective, as well as cover local government races. [more]

Author: Nicole Harbour

Published Date: October 8, 2008

UIS panel discussion honors Constitution Day and freedom of the press

On Sept. 17, 2008, University of Illinois Springfield faculty, staff and students took time to reflect on one of the critical issues of the First Amendment during a panel discussion of "Freedom of the Press in 2008." Co-sponsored by the Center for State Policy and Leadership and the ECCE Speakers Series, the discussion, marking U.S. Constitution Day, was held in the lobby of the Public Affairs Center on the Springfield campus.[more]

Author: Nicole Harbour

Published Date: October 8, 2008

UIS Certified Public Manager training program receives national accreditation

The Certified Public Manager Program of Illinois, a professional development program offered through the Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, has received accreditation from the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. [more]

Author: Donna McCracken

Published Date: September 29, 2008

WUIS and Illinois Issues produce program on autism

Public Radio WUIS 91.9 and Illinois Issues magazine are joining together to present a special Illinois Edition focusing on autism. The program will air Friday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday, September 27, at 6:30 a.m. Amanda Vinicky, WUIS Statehouse reporter, and Bethany Jaeger, Illinois Issues Statehouse bureau chief, produced the program, which takes a look at the progressive and unique life challenges that autistic children and their parents face. [more]

Author: Donna McCracken

Published Date: September 24, 2008

Kim Hayden receives fifth annual CAPE Award at UIS

Kim Hayden, director of the Office of Graduate Intern Programs at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is the recipient of the fifth annual Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award at UIS. The award was presented at a reception held April 15 in the Public Affairs Center restaurant on campus. [more]

Author: Donna McCracken, 217/206-6716, dmccr1@uis.edu

Published Date: April 16, 2008

Redfield is editor of new book on democratic institutions

Kent Redfield, professor of political studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is the editor of Democratic Renewal: A Call to Action from America's Heartland, published last month by the Midwest Democracy Network. [more]

Published Date: February 28, 2008

UIS Center Publications releases 3rd edition of Mostly Good

Center Publications at the University of Illinois at Springfield has released the third edition of The Illinois Governors: Mostly Good and Competent, a collection of biographies of the state's 40 governors. Published Date: February 25, 2008

WUIS launches music series in downtown Springfield

Public Radio WUIS, the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival, and Samuel Adams/Samuel Adams Lite are joining together to present the inaugural season of Bedrock 66 Live!, featuring live local performances of roots, bluegrass, blues, and rock music by lesser known, yet critically acclaimed national artists. The nine-part series will begin in April. [more]

Published Date: February 4, 2008

UIS Innocence Project work pays off for Herb Whitlock

On January 8 Herbert Whitlock is expected to walk out of an Edgar County courtroom a free man after spending over 20 years in prison for a murder many believe he did not commit. Prosecutors on Friday filed a motion to dismiss his case. [more]

Published Date: January 7, 2008

Award-winning journalist will head Illinois Issues magazine

A 30-year veteran of the newspaper business has been named executive editor of Illinois Issues magazine published at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Dana Heupel, reporter and Statehouse editor for GateHouse NewsService/Copley News Service since 1997, will succeed Peggy Boyer Long, who will retire on December 31. [more]

Published Date: December 18, 2007

WUIS listeners pledge record amount in fall membership drive

Listeners of public radio WUIS-WIPA pledged more than $142,000 in support during the station's fall membership drive that ended at 9 a.m. on October 19. More than 1,200 listeners made pledges during the nine-day drive. [more]

Published Date: October 19, 2007

Shimkus announces grant to WUIS

WASHINGTON, DC-- Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) is pleased to announce federal funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce to the University of Illinois at Springfield for infrastructure improvements to WUIS. Through the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, WUIS will be receiving $137,512.

Published Date: September 14, 2007

Obama and Giuliani lead in Illinois Presidential Preference Poll heading into the fall of 2007

Heading into the fall of 2007, Illinois Senator Barack Obama holds a commanding lead over New York Senator Hillary Clinton as the choice for the 2008 Democratic nomination among potential Illinois primary voters. On the Republican side, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani holds a narrower but still sizeable lead, with more candidates on his heels. These are the results of a statewide survey of randomly selected Illinois households conducted from late July through early September by the Survey Research Office of the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Published Date: September 13, 2007

WUIS Statehouse reporter Vinicky wins national award

Amanda Vinicky, Statehouse reporter for public radio WUIS 91.9FM, recently won first-place honors in the annual competition sponsored by Capitolbeat, the national organization of journalists covering state and local governments.

Published Date: August 29, 2007

Papers of Abraham Lincoln project featured in PBS program: The History Detectives

John Lupton, associate director/associate editor of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln -- a project of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and cosponsored by the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield -- will be featured in the Monday, August 27, episode of "The History Detectives" on PBS.

Published Date: August 24, 2007

WUIS is first station in Springfield to go digital

WUIS 91.9-WIPA 89.3, the local affiliate of National Public Radio at the University of Illinois at Springfield, officially launched its digital signal today in the presence of dozens of people who had donated to the effort, becoming the first radio station in Springfield to offer clearer sound and the possibility of more than one program stream.

Published Date: August 7, 2007

David Antoine receives first annual CARE Award at UIS

David Antoine, a television production coordinator in the Office of Electronic Media at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is the recipient of the first annual Chancellor's Award to Recognize Excellence in Civil Service. The award was presented at a breakfast held July 31 in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus.

Published Date: July 31, 2007

UIS Innocence Project receives IPDA Award of Excellence

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois at Springfield has received the Award of Excellence presented by the Illinois Public Defender Association. UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen and Provost Harry Berman received the award from IPDA President Stephen Richards in ceremonies held June 21 at UIS.

Published Date: June 21, 2007

UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership to present forum

Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield will present a Forum on State Government and Citizen Participation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, in conference room C/D in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The forum is open to the public, however advance registration is required.

Published Date: June 11, 2007

Public radio WUIS exceeds spring fundraiser goal

WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM, the local affiliate of National Public Radio broadcast from the University of Illinois at Springfield, recently completed its most successful fundraiser ever, raising more than $120,000 in donations from individuals and businesses throughout central and west central Illinois.

Published Date: May 8, 2007

UIS to co-sponsor Budget on the Brink conference

"Budget on the Brink," a conference examining ways that state government can ensure the availability of adequate revenues to address critical needs in education, health care, human services, and pension funding, will be presented from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 16, at the Hilton Hotel, 700 E. Adams, in downtown Springfield. The conference is free and open to the public; however advance registration is required.

Published Date: April 11, 2007

WUIS Springfield bureau chief receives Murrow Award

Kavitha Cardoza, Springfield bureau chief for public radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM, is among the regional winners in the 2007 Edward R. Murrow Award competition sponsored by the Radio-Television News Directors Association. Murrow awards recognize excellence in electronic journalism.

Published Date: March 30, 2007

Illinois Issues publishes annual Roster of State Government Officials

The annual Roster of State Government Officials published by Illinois Issues magazine has been completely updated for 2007 and is now available. Published Date: March 29, 2007

UIS hosts two events for Earth Week

Activities at the University of Illinois at Springfield observing Earth Week 2007 (April 16-20) will focus on two presentations: a talk by environmental activist Winona LaDuke and a panel discussion of the state's renewable energy sources. Both events will take place on the UIS campus and are free and open to the public. Published Date: March 21, 2007

WUIS Crawford recognized in IAP broadcast excellence contest

Sean Crawford, Statehouse bureau chief for public radio WUIS/WIPA, received a second place award in the recent Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association Journalism Excellence Contest. Published Date: March 16, 2007

UIS to host presentation by officer who investigated Steidl case

Michale Callahan, the Illinois State Police officer whose investigation into the case of Randy Steidl led to a lawsuit against state police officials, will speak on "Demoted for Pursuing the Truth" beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, March 19, in University Hall room 2034, on campus at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Published Date: March 9, 2007

20/20 to air segment on exoneration of Julie Rea Harper

ABC-TV will devote a portion of its March 9 edition of 20/20 to the exoneration of Julie Rea Harper, who in a July 2006 retrial was found not guilty of murdering her son. The University of Illinois at Springfield's Downstate Illinois Innocence Project was involved in Rea Harper's case and worked to develop significant evidence presented during her second trial.

Published Date: March 7, 2007

WUIS bureau chief recognized in national competition

Kavitha Cardoza, Springfield bureau chief for public radio WUIS 91.9 FM, has received a Special Citation in the prestigious 2006 National Awards for Education Reporting competition sponsored by the Education Writers Association.

Published Date: March 7, 2007

WUIS series honors 12 women who changed Springfield

A dozen women who changed their community for the better will be recognized in "Skirting Convention: 12 Women Who Changed Springfield," a new oral history series produced by public radio WUIS 91.9 FM. Underwritten by a $10,000 grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the series will begin March 8, International Women's Day.

Published Date: March 6, 2007

UIS to host lectures on environmental health

The Institute for Legal and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Illinois Environmental Health Association will host two public lectures examining issues in environmental health on March 6 and 7...The topic of first lecture, on Tuesday, March 6, will be "Environmental Health: The Invisible Guardians in Every Community." The featured speaker will be Nelson Fabian, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association...The subject of the lecture on Wednesday, March 7, will be "Lessons Learned the Hard Way: After 9/11" presented by Francesca Lyman, a freelance environmental reporter and contributor to MSNBC.

Published Date: February 19, 2007

New WUIS series showcases African heritage in classical music

"African Heritage in Classical Music" is the topic of a new four-part series aired Fridays at 11 a.m. and Mondays at 8 p.m. throughout February on public radio WUIS 91.9-WIPA 89.3. The program is made possible with support from the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield and New Mission Church of God.

Published Date: February 5, 2007

UIS to offer Certified Public Manager training

The Certified Public Manager Program of Illinois (CPMPI), a nationally recognized professional development program, will be offered beginning in March through the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Although the program is designed specifically for public-sector managers, enrollment is open to anyone. Advance registration is required.

Published Date: February 5, 2007

WUIS to host third Young Musicians' Concert Competition

Public Radio WUIS 91.9-WIPA 89.3 will host a concert showcasing some of central Illinois' best young classical musicians at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 2, at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh Street, in Springfield. Both the performance and the reception and award presentation immediately following are free and open to the public.

Published Date: January 25, 2007

WUIS to air students' essays about their beliefs

Ten local high school students will go into the studio at public radio station WUIS-WIPA this week to record original essays of their personal beliefs. Winners of the station's This I Believe essay contest for Sangamon County students, the essays will be broadcast weekdays on 91.9-89.3 FM at 7:55 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. between January 29 and February 9.

Published Date: January 22, 2007

Entries open for WUIS Young Musicians Concert Contest

Young classical musicians in area elementary and high schools are invited to enter the third annual Young Musicians Concert Contest sponsored by Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM -WIPA 89.3FM.

Published Date: December 7, 2006

UIS Innocence Project to host presentation on wrongful conviction

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois at Springfield will host a presentation by Peter Neufeld, co-founder of the National Innocence Project, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Published Date: November 8, 2006

WUIS-WIPA membership campaign sets record pledge levels

Nearly 1,000 listeners of public radio WUIS 91.9 FM-WIPA 89.3 FM participated in the station's recently concluded membership drive, pledging more than $117,000 in support this fall.

Published Date: October 26, 2006

WUIS classical music host wins Humanities Service Award from IHC

Karl Scroggin, music director and on-air host for public radio WUIS 91.9 FM at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is among the 75 recipients of the 2006 Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award presented by the Illinois Humanities Council.

Published Date: October 20, 2006

Bill Miller Public Affairs Reporting Hall of Fame established at UIS

Kathleen Best, the assistant managing editor at The Sun in Baltimore, and Bill Lambrecht, Washington bureau chief for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, are the charter inductees into The Bill Miller Public Affairs Reporting Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Published Date: October 16, 2006

Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series at UIS features noted authors

Dr. Mark A. Noll and Dr. Ronald C. White, Jr. will be the speakers at the University of Illinois at Springfield?s 2006 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series, beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS. The theme of this year?s program is "Lincoln and America?s Faith."

Published Date: October 10, 2006

WUIS to air Halloween specials, plus two new series

Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM will broadcast two special programs on Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31.

Published Date: October 5, 2006

WUIS to air live program on the future of deaf education and culture

Public radio 91.9 WUIS (Springfield) - 89.3 WIPA (Pittsfield) will carry a special two-hour broadcast of NPR?s Talk of the Nation, focusing on the future of deaf education and culture, on Thursday, October 12. Area residents can join the conversation online at 1 p.m. CDT. Hearing-impaired individuals will have the opportunity to follow and participate in the discussion in real-time through live captioning at www.NPR.org.

Published Date: October 4, 2006

UIS faculty member joins Campaign Finance Institute Board of Trustees

Ronald Michaelson, visiting assistant professor of Political Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, is one of three experts on state campaign finance recently elected to the Board of Trustees of the Campaign Finance Institute, a non-partisan, non-profit institute affiliated with The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Published Date: September 28, 2006

UIS faculty member inducted into Lincoln League of Journalists

Charles N. Wheeler III, director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, has been inducted into the Lincoln League of Journalists of the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association. The honor was announced September 21 at the IAPEA annual awards banquet, held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.

Published Date: September 26, 2006

UIS professor takes top honors in national competition

Charles N. Wheeler III, associate professor and director of the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, recently received top honors for magazine commentary/news analysis in the annual competition sponsored by Capitolbeat, a national organization of journalists covering state and local governments. This is the third year in a row that Wheeler has won a first-place award in the contest.

Published Date: September 19, 2006

Public radio WUIS will host tour of Italy

Public radio WUIS 91.9 FM will host the station's first-ever Passports Tour, a weeklong trip to Italy, May 16 - 23, 2007. Music Director Karl Scroggin will lead the group to stops in Florence, Tuscany, and Rome.

Published Date: September 12, 2006

UIS professor honored as founding editor of national journal

Christopher Mooney, professor of Political Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, was recently recognized for his work as founding editor of the State Politics & Policy Quarterly with a reception in his honor. The reception, part of the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association held in Philadelphia, was hosted by APSA's Public Policy and Policy Studies Organization sections.

Published Date: September 8, 2006

UIS Downstate Illinois Innocence Project plays role in acquittal of Julie Rea-Harper

Despite the not guilty verdict in the retrial of Julie Rea-Harper, the Downstate Innocence Project housed at the University of Illinois at Springfield points to her case as another example of a flawed criminal justice system in Illinois. The Innocence Project has provided significant investigative assistance to Rea-Harper and her legal team for the past several years.

Published Date: July 26, 2006

Sangamon Valley Roots Revival Radio Hour debuts on WUIS

"The Sangamon Valley Roots Revival Radio Hour," a new locally produced music program, will premiere on Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM in July.

Published Date: June 28, 2006

Fourth UIS Public Policy Summit to examine politics and religion

"Politics and Religion: Conflict and Coexistence at Home and Abroad" is the topic of the fourth annual Public Policy Summit, to be held Tuesday, June 20, at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The event is sponsored by UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership and is open to the public.

Published Date: June 1, 2006

UIS names new director of Center for State Policy and Leadership

The University of Illinois at Springfield has announced the appointment of Dr. Anthony P. Halter as executive director of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at UIS, following approval by the U of I Board of Trustees today.

Published Date: May 12, 2006

WUIS to air two weekly arts programs plus new documentary series

Starting in April, Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM will add two programs geared toward people with an appreciation of art and artists to its weekly line-up. In May the station will broadcast an eight-part documentary on the history of Asian-American immigration.

Published Date: April 3, 2006

UIS to host noted Earth Day speaker

Ecologist/author/cancer survivor Dr. Sandra Steingraber will speak at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Wednesday, April 19, in observance of Earth Day. Dr. Steingraber's presentation, "Contaminated without Consent: How Chemical Pollutants in Air, Food, and Water Violate Human Rights," will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS.

Published Date: March 31, 2006

University public affairs magazine logs onto the blogosphere

Illinois Issues? Statehouse Bureau Chief Bethany Carson launched the magazine?s first online journal in time to track the scheduled end of the spring legislative session. Carson?s Web log can be read at http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com.

Published Date: March 31, 2006

WUIS' Crawford wins IAP award for investigative reporting

WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief Sean Crawford was among the top winners in the Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association 2005 Journalism Excellence Contest. Crawford took second place in the Best Investigative Series, Downstate Radio Division, for his report titled ?Trucking Money.?

Published Date: March 17, 2006

What Works? topic of second Closing the Achievement Gap forum

?What Works?? is the subject of the second forum in the Education Policy Series Closing the Achievement Gap to be held 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 23, at the University of Illinois at Springfield...Keynote speaker is Dr. Sam Redding, director of the national Center on Innovation and Improvement in Lincoln, Illinois, whose topic is ?Closing Gaps: An Optimistic View.?

Published Date: March 16, 2006

Leading scholar on women and gender to speak at UIS

A leading scholar on global perspectives about women and gender will speak at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Wednesday, March 8, in celebration of International Women?s Day. Dr. Zakia Salime will present ?Feminization of Islamist Women and the Power of Women?s Rights? at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS.

Published Date: February 28, 2006

New Almanac of Illinois Politics is available

The Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield announces the publication of the Almanac of Illinois Politics - 2006.

Published Date: February 28, 2006

Governor's Budget Address carried live on WUIS

Public Radio WUIS 91.9 FM will broadcast Governor Rod Blagojevich?s annual Budget Address before a joint session of the Illinois general assembly live, in its entirety, beginning at noon on Wednesday, February 15(2006).

Published Date: February 8, 2006

Vinicky rejoins WUIS Statehouse Bureau

Amanda Vinicky, most recently of Iowa City, Iowa, will rejoin Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM ?WIPA 89.3FM as a reporter for the WUIS Statehouse Bureau and the Illinois Public Radio news network in February.

Published Date: January 25, 2006

Public Radio WUIS to air a month of diverse specials

Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM will present a variety of special programs in the next four weeks, ranging from the evolution/creationism controversy to country music to speeches that changed the world.

Published Date: January 23, 2006

UIS program will examine pensions and the state budget

"Pensions and the State Budget" will be the topic of discussion at a program to be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 6, at the Sangamo Club, 227 East Adams St., Springfield. The program is part of the Luncheon Series on Public Policy, Governance, and Administration co-sponsored by the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Institute of Government and Public Affairs of the University of Illinois.

Published Date: January 20, 2006

Illinois Issues publishes 10th annual arts issue

Illinois Issues welcomes the season with its own holiday tradition. This December marks the 10th year the magazine has published an annual arts issue.

Published Date: December 19, 2005

WUIS receives gift in support of new studio facilities

Public radio WUIS 91.9 FM has received a pledge from long-time listeners and members Michelle and Guerry Suggs of Springfield that will serve as the major component in funding a new performing arts studio for the station.

Published Date: December 12, 2005

Center hosts the 2005 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series

The Center and Phillip Shaw Paludan, Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair of Lincoln Studies at UIS, hosted the 2005 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series at UIS. The series began on October 13 with Professor Allen C. Guelzo speaking on ?Lincoln?s Declaration of Economic Independence.? Michael F. Holt spoke on October 20 on ?Lincoln?s Whigs: Expanding Economic Opportunities.? The series concluded with Professor Gabor S. Boritt speaking on ?Lincoln and the Right to Rise? on October 26.

Published Date: October 27, 2005

Tom Ambrose Receives Illinois Probation and Court Services Association Exemplary Service Award

Tom Ambrose, Senior Training Coordinator in the Center?s Institute for Legal and Policy Studies, has been named recipient of the Exemplary Service Award at the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association...The Exemplary Service Award, previously designated as the Citizen Award, is presented annually to an individual in recognition of his or her dedication and commitment to furthering probation and court services.

Published Date: October 21, 2005

Institute for Legal and Policy Studies Distributes DUI Sentencing Guidelines CD to Judges and States Attorneys at Special Training Sessions across Illinois

The Institute for Legal and Policy Studies (ILAPS) has recently completed a three-year examination of the DUI statutes under a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which has resulted in the DUI Sentencing Guidelines. These Guidelines have been produced into CD-Rom, and four training sessions for Illinois Judges and States Attorneys on the DUI Sentencing Guidelines CD have now been completed.

Published Date: October 20, 2005

Shirley Madigan Receives 2005 Motorola Excellence in Public Service Award

Shirley R. Madigan, Chair of the Illinois Arts Council, was presented with the 14th Annual Motorola Excellence in Public Service Award at a luncheon on October 12 at the Chicago Hilton. The award, which is co-sponsored by Illinois Issues and NORBIC (an economic development organization in Chicago), honors a non-elected public official employed by the City of Chicago, Cook County or State of Illinois, who has had a positive impact on the well-being of citizens through extraordinary leadership, teamwork and innovation.

Published Date: October 13, 2005

Illinois Issues Holds 30th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago

Illinois Issues held a magnificent event in Chicago on September 30 to culminate its year of celebration of the 30th anniversary of publication of the magazine. The event was held at the Union League Club and included a luncheon panel moderated by former Governor Jim Edgar.

Published Date: October 1, 2005

Crawford named WUIS Statehouse bureau chief

Public Radio WUIS 91.9-WIPA 89.3 has named Sean Crawford to be the new Statehouse bureau chief for the station and the Illinois Public Radio news network. Crawford succeeds Bill Wheelhouse, who recently accepted the position of WUIS-WIPA general manager.

Published Date: September 21, 2005

Center sponsors UIS' first U.S. Constitution Day Forum

The Center sponsored UIS' first U.S. Constitution Day Forum on September 19, 2005. The topic, "Politics, the Constitution, and Supreme Court Appointments," was chosen due to the national attention focused on the U.S. Supreme Court and the nomination of Judge John Roberts for Chief Justice. The forum featured keynote speaker Martin H. Redish, Professor of Law at Northwestern University School of Law. Professor Redish discussed the role of the Supreme Court in American constitutional democracy.

Published Date: September 20, 2005

U.S. Constitution Day Forum at UIS to Focus on Supreme Court

?Politics, the Constitution, and Supreme Court Appointments? is the topic of a forum to be held at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Monday, September 19, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. The event is being presented by the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership in observance of U.S. Constitution Day.

Published Date: September 13, 2005

UIS places record number of Graduate Public Service interns

Graduate students enrolled in the University of Illinois at Springfield?s Graduate Public Service Internship program have found placements with participating state agencies in record numbers for the third year in a row.

Published Date: September 12, 2005

Sean Crawford Wins Award for Radio Journalism on WUIS/WIPA

Sean Crawford, director of network operations at WUIS/WIPA, won a 2nd place award for radio journalism at the annual conference of Capitolbeat, the Association of Captiol Reporters and Editors (ACRE). The award was presented on August 19 in Seattle for excellence in state government reporting.

Published Date: August 20, 2005

Illinois Issues Wins Awards for Magazine Journalism

Illinois Issues won three first place awards and a second place award for magazine journalism at the annual conference of Capitolbeat, the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. The awards, given last month in Seattle, recognize excellence in state government reporting.

Published Date: August 19, 2005

Bill Wheelhouse Named General Manager of WUIS/WIPA

Bill Wheelhouse, statehouse bureau chief for WUIS/WIPA Public Radio has been named general manager of the station effective August 16, 2005.

Published Date: August 16, 2005

GPSI Orientation ? Setting the Pace for Tomorrow?s Leaders Today

For the second year in a row, a record number of new GPSI interns and agency supervisors attended the GPSI New Intern Orientation held August 11, 2005 on the UIS campus. According to Kim Hayden, Director of the Office of Graduate Intern Programs, this is the largest cohort to begin the fall term in the 31 year history of the program.

Published Date: August 12, 2005

WUIS News Director Rich Bradley receives prestigious Lee award

Rich Bradley, veteran news director of WUIS-WIPA Public Radio, has been named recipient of the prestigious 2005 Leo C. Lee Award, presented by Public Radio News Directors, Inc. Presented at ceremonies held July 16 in Chicago, the award honors those who ?demonstrate a lasting commitment to public radio journalism and who exemplify the ideal, spirit, and passion of the profession.?

Published Date: July 18, 2005

Bill Wheelhouse named general manager of WUIS public radio

Bill Wheelhouse, long-time statehouse bureau chief for WUIS 91.9 ? WIPA 89.3 Public Radio, has been named general manager of the station effective August 16, pending approval of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Published Date: July 13, 2005

Society, Slavery and the Civil War Conference Held in June

The third annual Society, Slavery and the Civil War Conference, ?With Hearts on Fire: Women in the Civil War: North & South,? was held at UIS on Friday, June 17 in Brookens Auditorium. The conference was sponsored by the UIS Public Policy High School Initiatives, Professor Phillip Shaw Paludan, Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair of Lincoln Studies at UIS, UIS Speakers Bureau, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership, and Lawrence J. Smith and Sheila Stocks-Smith.

Published Date: June 20, 2005

Illinois Issues May Edition Features First Paul Simon Essayist

Political philosopher Jean Bethke Elshtain is Illinois Issues? first Paul Simon Essayist. She argues in the magazine?s May issue that we need more religion in politics. ?Without morality,? she writes, ?there would be no civil society as we have come to understand it.?

Published Date: May 2, 2005

U.S. Congressman Shimkus Led Panel Discussion about Bullying and Harassment Prevention Legislation

The Public Policies High School Initiatives Program hosted U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, at UIS on April 25 in Brookens Auditorium. Congressman Shimkus led a panel discussion about his bill, House Resolution (HR) 284, which was introduced at the 109th Congress on 1/6/05. HR 284 would ?amend the Safe and Drug- Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs.? The bill is currently co-sponsored by 24 members of Congress.

Published Date: April 25, 2005

GA Appreciation Reception Held

The Center hosted a Graduate Assistant (GA) Appreciation Reception the afternoon of April 14, 2005 to thank the GAs working in Center units for their contributions to the Center this year. Nine of the twelve graduate assistants employed in the Center and their supervisors attended the reception and spoke briefly about the projects they have been involved with this academic year.

Published Date: April 14, 2005

Hurricane Carter takes Springfield by Storm

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a former contender for the middleweight boxing championship who was wrongfully convicted in 1967 of the murders of three people in New Jersey, went on a whirlwind tour of Springfield, addressing several different audiences. Since being released from prison in 1985 by Federal District Court Judge Sarokin on a writ of habeas corpus, Carter has spent his time fighting to free innocent persons from prison who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. Carter had maintained his own innocence at trial and throughout the lengthy period of his incarceration.

Published Date: April 12, 2005

Public Policy Summit on Politics and Religion: Global and American Perspectives Held

Nearly 300 people attended the Center?s third annual public policy summit, which was held on April 11. This year?s theme was ?Politics and Religion: Global and American Perspectives.? There were two sessions at this year?s policy summit; a luncheon session and an evening session.

Published Date: April 11, 2005

GPSI Loyalty Award Presented to Illinois EPA

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency was recently recognized for its exemplary contributions to the UIS Graduate Public Service Internship Program. IEPA Deputy Director Bernard Killian accepted the GPSI Loyalty Award on behalf of Director Renee Cipriano at the Annual Intern Recognition breakfast held on April 6, 2005. The presentation marked the culmination of the 30th anniversary of the GPSI program.

Published Date: April 6, 2005

A Life in Illinois Politics and Law: Sheila Simon Carries Forward the Legacy of Jeanne and Paul Simon

The Center and the UIS Women?s Center co-sponsored a presentation by Sheila Simon in honor of Women?s Heritage Month on March 28, 2005. Simon, a clinical assistant professor of law at Southern Illinois University School of Law and a current member of the Carbondale City Council, as well as a member of a local Carbondale band ?Loose Gravel,? spoke to an audience of approximately 175.

Published Date: March 29, 2005

Survey Research Office Conducted Poll on Judicial Selection and Election

On March 29, 2005, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) issued a press release summarizing the results from a recent public opinion poll on issues relating to judicial selection and election, conducted by the Survey Research Office of the Center. The Poll was jointly commissioned by the ICPR and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Published Date: March 29, 2005

First Year GPSI Students Participate in Legislative Shadowing Program

From February 28 to March 11, 2005, twenty-one first year GPSI interns experienced the Illinois legislative process from behind the scenes. For over 20 years the UIS Office of Graduate Intern Programs and the Illinois General Assembly have collaborated in providing a two week legislative job shadowing experience. The Legislative Shadowing Program is designed to give first year GPSI interns a chance to spend two weeks with a legislator. In some cases this may be an intern who is matched with a legislator from their home district.

Published Date: March 21, 2005

Public Policy High Schools Staff Present at Connections Conference

Peggy Dunn, director, Public Policy High School Initiatives, and Alanna Sablotny, graduate assistant, participated as presenters at the 2005 Connections Conference, sponsored by Illinois State University, in St. Charles, Illinois on March 9 - 10, 2005. The title of their presentation was "Public Policymaking in the Illinois Classroom."

Published Date: March 10, 2005

Institute for Legal and Policy Studies partners with the Office of Electronic Media to Create Videotapes Used for Probation Training

The Office of Electronic Media (OEM) worked with the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies (ILAPS) at UIS, as well as their funder, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), in creating videotapes used for training probation officers to be agents of change.

Published Date: March 1, 2005

GEAR UP Receives SBC Foundation Technology Grants for $100,000

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) partnership, housed within the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies, recently received two technology grants from the SBC Foundation totaling $100,000 to help promote college readiness for low-income students.

Published Date: February 1, 2005

SBC Foundation presents $136,000 in technology grants to UIS

SBC Foundation has awarded grants totaling almost $136,000 to the University of Illinois at Springfield and partner organizations to fund technology programs for GEAR UP and the university?s Online Mathematics Teacher Certification.

Published Date: February 1, 2005

Sharron LaFollette elected chair of EHAC

Sharron LaFollette, Associate Professor, Environmental Studies, with a joint appointment in the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies has been elected chair of the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC). EHAC accredits undergraduate and graduate programs of environmental health throughout the country.

Published Date: January 31, 2005

Constitutional Scholar Visits UIS

A faculty luncheon dialogue with Dr. Louis Fisher of the Congressional Research Service was organized and hosted by the Center on January 18, 2005. Fisher is a leading Constitutional scholar and one of the nation's foremost experts on separation of powers and presidential war power.

Published Date: January 18, 2005

Institute for Legal and Policy Studies developing DVDs for probation officer training

The Institute for Legal and Policy Studies has been working with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in the design and development of DVDs which will be used for training Probation Officers who work with sex offenders. The project involves working with the staff and the facilities of the Office of Electronic Media on campus to develop a projected 20 DVDs which will help to provide mandatory training for sex offender officers.

Published Date: January 10, 2005

Nancy Ford Appointed Interim Director of the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies

Nancy L. Ford, J.D., Professor of Legal Studies, with a joint appointment in the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies, has been appointed interim director of the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies effective January 1, 2005. Ford holds a J.D. from Temple University School of Law and a B.A. in English and Education from Indiana University. She is licensed to practice law and has practiced in Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Published Date: January 1, 2005


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