From UACT President Sheila Stocks-Smith: As the city’s education liaison, I provided advice and counsel to the mayor and municipal leaders on educational priorities; developed and supported partnerships between city departments, schools and community groups; represented the mayor’s office on national,... More
Local Features
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Housing advocates, renters struggle to stay ahead of a rising tide of evictions
February 19, 2022For much of the pandemic, evictions court was not busy, due to dual state and federal bans on evictions to curb homelessness as COVID spread. But in the two months since’ Illinois’ moratorium on evictions expired, Room 6C has filled... More
Site of deadly Springfield shooting could become business innovation hub
February 19, 2022The Springfield Project is hoping to help grow and build businesses benefiting the entire community. More specifically, officials want to acquire a vacant building located on 1100 South Grand Ave. It was formerly a beauty supply store. More
$1.4 million in state funding coming to Springfield Mass Transit District
February 19, 2022The Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center will be located between Ninth and 11th streets and is projected to cost $86 million overall. The center will bring SMTD buses, Amtrak, intercity buses, paratransit vehicles and taxis together in one location. More
Black leaders outline solutions for economic inequity
September 5, 2021Black residents of Springfield face income disparity that is greater than any other metro area in the U.S., according to an investigation on segregation conducted by Governing magazine and published in January 2019. Springfield is also among the most segregated third of... More
Springfield hopes creative signs encourage drivers to slow down in high volume areas
September 5, 2021Sgt. Jeff Royer is going to creative lengths to get Springfield drivers to slow down. Even if it means getting a little corny. More
City approves one-year homeless shelter strategy
September 5, 2021The Springfield City Council passed a one-year plan to convert the former Salvation Army facility at 221 N. 11th Street, now the site of a tent city, into an overflow homeless shelter. The compromise came after talk last month of... More
Plans Take Shape For New Business Hub In Springfield’s South Town
June 13, 2021Despite the handful of businesses near the intersection of South Grand Avenue East and 11th Street – restaurants, a beauty supply store, a furniture shop – the sidewalks are mostly empty on an average weekday afternoon. Dominic Watson imagines a... More
Can Central Illinois Be Silicon Valley of Electric Vehicles?
June 13, 2021U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Thursday said that Central Illinois has the opportunity to become the electric vehicle “Silicon Valley of the 21st Century” because of investments that are being made in the region. More
Central Illinois cities get big bucks to support housing, fight homelessness
June 13, 2021The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program provides annual grants to states and local units of government to develop housing projects in low-income urban communities. More
Not all views expressed in articles on the UAct website necessarily reflect the opinions of the organization.