Community Voices

Elnora Brooks and Calia Cole join Community Voices to share the work of R&B Live Ladies Edition and to elevate R&B in the central Illinois music scene.

Dr. Wendi El-Amin Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SIU School of Medicine explores how inclusive healthcare practices are vital to improving community health outcomes.

Dr. John Flack shares information about hypertension.

Spencer Theatre Company's production of Frankenstein runs October 10–12 and October 17–19 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

The Legacy Theatre will present the regional premier of Come From Away, September 26-28, October 1-5 and 8-12.

Springfield artist Mary Frances shares the work and history behind her exhibit about the east side's People's Bank of Springfield.

Cathy Randall of Jacksonville has lived a life full of advocacy and service.

Musician and producer Aidan McParland played bagpipes with family in Springfield, graduated Illinois, and now finds himself at a studio in Chicago and performing as Forever

The Out of the Darkness Walk is October 4 beginning at the UIS Student Union.

HistoriCorps is partnering with the Shawnee National Forest to reconstruct the historic Duck Bay Shelter, a CCC-era structure in Southern Illinois.

Patrick and Paul "Pizza" Pianezza are the creative minds behind the upcoming feature film Code 3, hitting theaters September 12.

Dr. Charlotte Warren has announced she will retire next summer.

The Springfield-based FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is working to raise awareness about the growing threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) groups.

Brandon Damm is organizing the fourth annual Rock & Run for Mental Health at Rochester Community Park Pavilion on September 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon. It will benefit Heritage Behavioral Health in Decatur, which focuses on suicide prevention. If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988.

Sarah Brewer gives insight on IWIL Women's Symposium 2025.

Rikeesha Phelon talks about her career evolution, the role of strategic communication in institutions like SIU, and how she balances innovation with clarity in health messaging.

Red Sneakers for Food Allergy Awareness Peoria Chapter shares helpful tips as children head back to school.

UIS Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Peter Wenz shares insights from decades of teaching and writing across the globe.

Jenna Dooley News Director at Northern Public Radio reflects on her time working for public media stations.

Get to know U.S. Navy Reserve Electrician's Mate Second Class Laurent Azonnadou.

Meredith Crifasi talks about her love of violin and science.

The Liturgical Arts Festival's 2025 program will be a theatrical performance with musical components.

Jacksonville Area Museum keeps Jacksonville's rich history alive through upcoming expansion.

The Hoogland Center for the Arts is excited to present the smash-hit musical Dreamgirls on August 22-24 and 29-31.

Drs. Teena and Ashish John are pediatricians based in Springfield. They spoke with Community Voices about how they met, what inspired them to pursue careers in pediatrics, and how Disney influences the compassionate care they provide to their patients. The conversation also offers a glimpse into Dr. Ashish John's musical side, including his involvement in a band.

Allison Lacher is the Director of the UIS Visual Arts Gallery and a practicing visual artist whose work blends metallic surfaces, vibrant colors and domestic objects to create emotionally charged spaces. She spoke to Community Voices about her journey to Springfield, her recent curator-in-residence position in Pittsburgh and what's in store for the UIS Visual Arts Gallery this fall. Lacher also discussed her current exhibition at the Illinois State Museum, her work with STNDRD Exhibitions and her hopes for the future of Springfield's arts community.

Community Voices talks with former NPR Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel.

From heartfelt reflections to hilarious heat-induced moments, Vanessa's send-off was equal parts emotional and entertaining.

Prairie Insulation is celebrating 20 years of operation. Fiore Belmonte and Jeremy Nihiser spoke to Community Voices about the business's growth. They shared how Prairie Insulation got its start in Springfield, how insulation technology has evolved and what it means to take a people-first approach in the trades.

Greg Peterson is a local public defender with a knack for trivia. He has been a contestant on "Teen Jeopardy," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," and "The Chase." Greg spoke with Community Voices about the behind-the-scenes world of game shows, the strategies he used to compete, and why he encourages everyone to apply. He also shared his thoughts on former "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek and legendary game show contestant James Holzhauer.

Sangamon County ROSC is a group that connects people with the resources they need to address substance use challenges and build a foundation for lasting recovery. They work to identify and reduce barriers and gaps for individuals and families, ensuring they have the support and resources necessary for success. Whitney Devine, Sangamon County ROSC Program Manager, and Austin Dambacher, Sangamon ROSC Coordinator, spoke with Community Voices about community support, the stigma people in recovery face, and their 2025 Community Survey Findings & Strategic Plan. Find more about Sangamon County ROSC here.

Jean Follin is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a long-time volunteer at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. In fact, the volunteer award at the Hoogland Center is named in her honor. She spoke to Community Voices about her love of music and theatre, and her inspiration to help others through counseling. She also reflected on her time with the Sound Celebration Chorus, a women's acapella chorus, and gave a preview of what to expect at the chorus' upcoming concert on Sept. 13.

Jaden Saunders is a local tap dancer who's been making a name for himself through his many performances in Springfield. His mother, Tiffani Saunders, is a sociologist and former professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. In this Community Voices interview we learn how Tiffani enrolled Jaden in tap at a young age as an outlet for his rambunctious energy. We also hear Jaden's plans for the future, and we discuss the roots of tap dancing and the barriers to entry for young people.

The Springfield Muni's production of Shrek the Musical runs August 1–3 and August 6–9. With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, the musical is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, incorporating elements from its sequels. The story follows the ogre Shrek on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad, in hopes of reclaiming his swamp from invading fairytale characters. Along the way, Shrek befriends Donkey and learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

Park-N-Chill is a small snack and ice cream shop located in Washington Park, run by the Klyczek family. Steve Klyczek spoke with Community Voices about how they started the business, the variety of offerings they provide, and the most rewarding aspects of being part of the community. Click here to learn more.

Lauren Williams is a policy analyst, baker, and she recently appeared as Maria in Springfield Theatre Centre's production of “The Sound of Music.” She spoke to Community Voices about her passion for public service, and her adventures singing with the Springfield Choral Society, including a memorable Sound of Music tour in Austria.

Community Voices addresses the recent cuts to CPB funding.

Zac Chase is an educator whose career spans from classrooms to the U.S. Department of Education. A Springfield native, Chase is also the co-host of Academic Distinctions, a podcast that brings insightful discussions on a wide range of topics in education. He spoke to Community Voices about his early experiences growing up in Springfield and writing for the State Journal-Register, and how those moments shaped his path into education. He also shared insights from his time at the U.S. Department of Education and explained challenges American schools face post-pandemic.

The Pelvic Wellness Center opened in October 2024 to support both women and men's pelvic health. The center offers specialized treatment for pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Mary Hitt, Director of the Pelvic Wellness Center at SIU Medicine, and Kaylie Caswell, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Sexuality Counselor at SIU Medicine, spoke with Community Voices about common reasons people visit the center, as well as topics related to pelvic health and sexual health counseling and education. They emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations around sexual health and discussed how social media has influenced public perceptions of traditionally "taboo" topics. For more information about the Pelvic Wellness Center, click here.Listener discretion is advised.

The Springfield Area Arts Council is hosting the second annual Shakespeare in the Park on July 25 and July 26. This free, family-friendly event brings live theatre to Enos Park in Springfield, featuring performances by the Starling Shakespeare Company, a migratory theatre company. Springfield Area Arts Council Executive Director Bella Szabo and Starling Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director and Cofounder Jessie Lillis spoke with Community Voices about the Starling Shakespeare Company and the two plays being performed this year: The Comedy of Errors and Hamlet. Click here to find more information.

Historian Tim Good discusses major lynching's that happened in the Mississippi River Region.

The upcoming United Way of Central Illinois events will focus on identifying priority areas for funding in the upcoming 2026–2029 Grant Cycle.

The 1908 Race Riot is a dark moment in Springfield's history, yet many grew up not knowing about the tragedy that set back Black businesses and families for many years to come. President of the Springfield Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Ken Page spoke to Community Voices about the riot and how its legacy continues today. He also shared his experience growing up in Selma, Ala. during the civil rights movement and how it led him to the ACLU.

The Legacy Theatre's production of Grease runs June 27–29, July 9–13, July 16–20, and July 23–27. The musical, with music, lyrics, and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, follows the summer romance of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski as they unexpectedly reunite at Rydell High. Alongside their friends, they navigate teenage love, peer pressure, and identity in 1950s America. The story takes place at the fictional Rydell High School in northwest Chicago. Director Scott Richardson and Colum Goebelbecker, who portrays Kenickie, spoke with Community Voices about the show's iconic characters, timeless music, and how the production addresses some of the criticism the musical has faced in modern times. Find tickets and details here.

Co-host Vanessa Ferguson welcomed back Heather Burton from Illinois Women in Leadership (IWIL) to spotlight the 2025 Athena Award nominees. With the nomination period closed, IWIL has selected ten women who exemplify the award's core values of leadership, community service and professional excellence. Burton shared each nominee's inspiring contributions. The recipient will be announced at Erin's Pavilion on July 17. For information about attending the event visit: https://www.iwil.biz/athena-award

Melody Hulett, a former warden with the Illinois Department of Corrections, is now the co-founder and CEO of Pure Haven Family Resource Center, alongside her husband, Porter Hulett. Together, they provide Christian counseling, extensive programming, and workshops for at-risk individuals.

Camp Butler National Cemetery is a place to remembers soldiers of more than a century ago and honor the veterans of today. Christopher Webster is the assistant director at Camp Butler National Cemetery, and Commander Gael Kent is with the Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. They spoke to Community Voices about the rich history of Camp Butler – from its origins as a Civil War prisoner of war camp to its present-day role as a solemn resting place for thousands of veterans.

Mike Griffin and Bob Cox are members of the Capital Area Woodworkers Guild, an organization that provides camaraderie and tricks of the trade for local woodworkers. They spoke to Community Voices about the organization, which recently began a new project of building urns for the cremains of unclaimed veterans at Camp Butler National Cemetery.For more information visit: www.cawspi.org

The Springfield Muni's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame runs June 20–22 and June 25–28. The musical features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It is adapted from Walt Disney Animation Studios' 1996 film, which was itself based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. The story follows Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, as he struggles for acceptance and love while protecting the kind-hearted Romani woman Esmeralda from the cruelty of Judge Claude Frollo. Director Kevin Kulavic and Liyah Orielle, who plays Esmeralda, spoke to Community Voices about why the show was chosen, its characters, and the relatable themes it explores. Find tickets and details here.

Curtis Sanders is a children's book author and the new Financial Literacy Program Coordinator at the UIS Career Center. He spoke with Community Voices about his passion for teaching financial literacy and how he's helping students at UIS navigate budgeting, debt, and saving. Curtis also writes children's books based on his family. His latest, Spring City Stories: Oliver's Emotional Odyssey, helps kids understand and express their feelings through colorful illustrations and storytelling.

Mark Reinhart is an author, musician, and film historian from Columbus, Ohio. He spoke with Community Voices about his lifelong interest in Abraham Lincoln and how Lincoln has been portrayed in over 250 film and television productions.