Building Closure and Remote Operations Information for Summer 2026

Starting May 11, 2026, the UIS Public Affairs Center will temporarily close due to major plumbing work that requires a full building water shutdown. The Center for State Policy and Leadership will be operating remotely until further notice and staff will not be able to meet with walk-in visitors. If you need assistance, please email us at cspl@uis.edu or call 217-206-6576 and leave a voicemail. All voicemail messages will be delivered by email. You may also refer to our CSPL Staff Directory if you need to get in touch with a specific person.


The Center for State Policy and Leadership promotes evidence-based policy and practice in the public sector.

This Center’s mission is carried out through research that informs public decisions and understanding; internships, training programs, and applied problem solving that strengthens public leadership; and journalism that educates and engages citizens in public affairs. The Center:

  • Researches, evaluates, and helps form effective public policy,
  • Educates citizens on public affairs issues, and
  • Provides leadership and professional development programs.

The CSPL Office is currently unavailable to meet with walk-in visitors. To meet with a member of the team, please email cspl@uis.edu.

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Vision 2021 and Beyond

Learn how the Center for State Policy and Leadership has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and where The Center is headed in the future.

Have you identified a need or problem we can assist you to solve?  Do you have any feedback or ideas?  Please tell us – CSPL Survey


Capitol Connection Blog

CSPL enthusiastically joins in partnership with the College of Public Affairs and Administration (CPAA) to administer and connect with you via The Capitol Connection Blog

UIS Colonnade and Quad

Illinois Innocence Project 

University of Illinois Springfield students are helping to free the wrongfully convicted by interning and volunteering at the Illinois Innocence Project on campus.

Graduate Public Service Internship 

The Office of Graduate Intern Programs seeks experiential learning opportunities at state and local government agencies for UIS graduate students.

The Graduate Public Service Internship Program (GPSI) is ranked as one of the Illinois’ premier governmental internship programs.

The Center: News

News

drone shot of UIS campus
Jun 21, 2021
UIS PERSPECTIVES: Put your education to work with UIS’ graduate internships
The following is an excerpt from a column by the University of Illinois Springfield Director of Graduate Public Service Internship Program Sherrie Elzinga.…
Illinois State Capitol
Jun 11, 2021
UIS and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation partner to create a virtual speaker series
The University of Illinois Springfield and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) have partnered to create a focused speaker series. The…
drone shot of UIS campus
Jun 08, 2021
2021 Sangamon County Citizens Survey sent out to residents
The 2021 Sangamon County Citizens Survey has been sent out. The survey, which has been conducted every other year for the past 10 years, asks for residents…
Springfield Skyline
Jun 07, 2021
Sangamon County Citizens Survey to gauge residents’ opinions on important topics
The 2021 Sangamon County Citizens Survey will start arriving in residents’ mailboxes the week of June 7-11. The survey, which has been conducted every other…
drone shot of UIS campus
May 20, 2021
UIS webinar explores COVID-19 implications for returning to work
The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Community Health Roundtable will host a public…
Lincoln wearing mask
Mar 10, 2021
UIS to host a COVID-19 webinar on “Getting our Lives Back: The Opportunities that Lie Ahead”
The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub and UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership will host a free public COVID-19 webinar titled…
COVID Vaccine
Jan 11, 2021
UIS and Community Health Roundtable to host a webinar on the COVID-19 vaccine and immunity
The University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Hub, UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership and the Community Health Roundtable will host a free public…
drone shot of UIS campus
Mar 02, 2020
Executive Director of UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership honored for career
David Racine, executive director for UIS’ Center for State Policy and Leadership has been chosen to receive the 2020 Rail Splitter Public Service Award,…