The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery annual silent auction and benefit will take place both online and on-site at the gallery this year. The silent auction and benefit, featuring original works of art donated by local and regional artists, will launch online on Nov. 15 and remain live through final bidding at 7 p.m. Dec. 2. You can view the auction online.

WHAT: Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, will explore health equity, not only in definition, but also how equity looks in practice. She will also highlight the state’s health improvement plan to identify key issues and action steps to address health equity in Illinois as well as discuss the impacts of COVID-19 related to health care access, health disparities and building trust in Illinois communities.

The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery is pleased to present “Code of Complication,” an exhibition by Springfield-based artist Betsy Dollar. This exhibition will open on Thursday, Oct. 21, and will run through Thursday, Nov. 18. A reception will be held on from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at the gallery.

The University of Illinois Springfield and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) Speaker Series will discuss “Dismantling Systemic Racism through Education and Workforce Development Reform” during a Zoom virtual event from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7.

The third session in the speaker series will focus on Pillar II of the Caucus’s policy pillars, which aims to reform education and workforce development by improving early childhood through adult learning.

The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies will hold a workshop for K-12 social studies educators on “Lincoln, Antislavery, and Antiracism,” a premier of the film “Lincoln & Douglas: Touring Illinois in Turbulent Times” and the 2021 Mary and James Beaumont Endowed Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series discussion on “Lincoln and Anti-Racism” on Saturday, Oct. 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:

The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery is pleased to present “AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A BROWN BUFFALO II,” an exhibition by St. Louis-based artist José Guadalupe Garza. This exhibition will open on Thursday, Sept. 23, and will run through Thursday, Oct. 14. A reception will be held from 5:30 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30 in the gallery.

The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular Friday Night Star Parties will be held in a virtual format this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants can watch the virtual star parties on Zoom from 8-9 p.m. on Sept. 10, 17, and 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The Zoom link will be posted online.

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield will hold three virtual Lunch & Learn Series events this fall. The series is presented by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

WHEN: Noon-1 p.m. on Sept. 21, Oct. 27 and Nov. 9

WHERE: All programs will be held via Zoom Webinar

DETAILS: Tuesday, Sept. 21 - The Architecture of Place and Sound