A moving documentary about black mothers and families on the south side of Chicago, fighting to survive and thrive after losing their children to gun violence
Panel discussion to follow with Dr. Ruby Mendenhall, Sontae Massey, and Quonie Barney, moderated by Margaritta Fultz.
Monday, June 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
UIS Student Union North Ballroom
2251 Richard Wright Dr, Springfield, IL
Light refreshments to follow.
A new analysis from the University of Illinois Springfield Center for State Policy and Leadership, originally published by NPR Illinois, explores Illinois residents’ opinions on the potential relocation of the Chicago Bears and the use of publ
The content is available for historical records and is not accessible. You can request an accessible version by contacting the Center for State Policy and Leadership at cspl@uis.edu .
Each year the Center publishes an annual report to disseminate information on past projects and publications, as well as identify those clients that support the center. The contents of these reports have been made available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files.
The content is available for historical records and is not accessible. You can request an accessible version by contacting the Center for State Policy and Leadership at cspl@uis.edu .
The Center for State Policy & Leadership and the Office of Graduate Intern Programs are excited to celebrate our Graduate Public Service Interns and DPA Fellows from the Class of 2026! Please join us for the GPSI & DPA Fellow Graduation Breakfast on April 22 as we honor the graduates' accomplishments and wish them well in their future endeavors.
WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield invites the public to a virtual lunch-hour webinar, “Before the Ballots are Cast: Previewing Key 2026 Primary Races.” A panel of experts will discuss some of the most notable primary contests unfolding across the United States this spring and summer. The conversation will explore the candidates, issues and political forces shaping these races, with time for audience questions about what is at stake before the ballots are cast.
WHEN: Noon Feb. 24
Join the UIS Center for State Policy & Leadership and the School of Politics & International Affairs for a lunchtime webinar on Tuesday, February 24th!
We are excited to introduce one of our newest employees, Elizabeth Wake! Elizabeth joined NPR Illinois in September 2025. In the role of Sponsorship Account Executive, she develops relationships with area businesses, foundations, and individuals to secure sponsorships and acknowledgement (ad) revenue that supports the public journalism mission of NPR Illinois.
We are pleased to spotlight Kate McKenzie for her dedication and work with NPR Illinois and UIS. Kate has worked in the Division of Advancement since late 2019, where she did marketing and communication work before becoming the Development Director for NPR Illinois in 2022. In this role, Kate is responsible for development strategy and implementation. Her work involves building relationships with supporters to encourage giving through philanthropy and gift planning.
We are excited to spotlight Beverly Bunch for her dedication, hard work, and expertise in her role at UIS. Beverly joined the University in 2001. In addition to her position as a professor in the School of Public Management and Policy, she holds a one-third appointment in CSPL. She has worked on projects such as a program evaluation of a certification program for the Free School Lunch program, a book on Community Action (anti-poverty) local leaders, and a series of projects on state budgeting with the Volcker Alliance. Beverly holds a Ph.D.