UIS partners to offer a new free public webinar series on community health during COVID-19

As part of the Springfield Innovation Hub, the University of Illinois Springfield and the Community Health Roundtable are pleased to announce the launch of a new webinar series on community health with immediate focus on the impact of COVID-19.

The webinar will take place from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, June 19, and will be led by Bruce Sommer, UIS director of economic development and innovation, and Molly Lamb, executive director of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership.

The first case of coronavirus in Sangamon County was announced to the public at 5:30 p.m. on March 14, 2020. Six days later, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a stay-at-home order that would force non-essential businesses, schools, non-profits and government agencies to close operations placing children and adults in their home in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. The novel coronavirus has had a significant impact on our community and community health.

During the inaugural webinar, panelist will share their latest understanding of the virus and its impact on the health of our community. Participants will learn the latest trends, predictions and how healthcare systems continue to fight the disease and protect our community. Panelists will also discuss the different impacts COVID-19 has had across various populations of our society.

Presenters include Edward J. Curtis, president and CEO of Memorial Health System; Dr. Vidya Sundareshan, associate professor and co-chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at the SIU School of Medicine; and Dr. Wendi El-Amin, associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion and associate professor of family and community medicine and medical education at the SIU School of Medicine.

Participants are encouraged to register for the event at go.uis.edu/COVIDwebinar, however registration is not required. Zoom and call in connection information can be found on the registration page.

UIS to hold a virtual star party on June 27

The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program will broadcast a virtual star party live on Zoom (rain or shine) from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

The star party was originally scheduled to be held in-person at Lincoln Memorial Garden, but will instead take place in an online format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, will give tips for finding bright planets, the Summer Triangle, the Big Dipper and other bright stars and constellations in the summer evening sky and answer astronomy questions submitted live.

The link for the Zoom event will be posted at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties and @UISObservatory on Twitter. Participants are encouraged to follow the Twitter account for updates. The event will be capped at 300 connections.

The UIS Astronomy-Physics Program and the Sangamon Astronomical Society are planning an in-person Perseid Meteor Shower viewing party from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Lincoln Memorial Garden.

Please monitor the summer star parties website at go.uis.edu/summerstarparties or @UISObservatory on Twitter for possible changes due to COVID-19 or weather conditions.

For more information on summer star parties, contact John Martin at 217-206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.

UIS to host a free public COVID-19 webinar on “All IN 4U and other opportunities for small businesses”

The University of Illinois Springfield Office of Economic Development and Innovation, College of Business and Management, College of Public Affairs and Administration and Innovate Springfield will host a free public webinar on “All IN 4U and other opportunities for small businesses: Changes to paycheck protection program and local business activities.”

The webinar will be offered 12-1 p.m. Friday, June 12, and will be led by Bruce Sommer, UIS director of economic development and innovation.

Local restaurants and other retail businesses welcomed customers to their locations on May 29 under phase three of Gov. Pritzker's “Restore Illinois” plan. As restrictions are being lifted across the country, 22 states have reported increases in new coronavirus cases and many are seeing increased hospitalizations.

Ryan McCrady, president and CEO at Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, will discuss a collaborative new initiative called “All IN 4U” that was just launched aimed to unify local businesses around a pledge to ensure the health, safety and confidence of customers and employees.

Lisa Clemmons Stott, executive director at Downtown Springfield, Inc., will discuss business experiences operating under easing restrictions.

Kevin Lust, director of Illinois Small Business Development Center at Lincoln Land Community College, will discuss the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) that was signed into law on June 5. It is intended to address limits of the original plan that provide small business relief due to stay-at-home orders.

Participants are encouraged to register for the event at go.uis.edu/COVIDwebinar, however registration is not required. Zoom and call in connection information can be found on the registration page.

This webinar is part of a series aimed at providing the local community with expert information and quality resources to navigate these challenging times.