Dr. Richa Pandey-Kochar sees approximately 30 patients a day as a nephrologist at Springfield Clinic, yet she still finds time to give back to the community she now calls home. Pandey-Kochar grew up in Mumbai, India, and describes Springfield as a “welcoming” community that gives her every opportunity to express her “whole self.” Pandey-Kochar says […]
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Helen Lea Moose
Helen Lea Moose began taking dance lessons at the age of 4, and her passion for dance was ignited. As a teenager, she knew wholeheartedly she wanted to be a professional dancer, but when it came time to prepare for college her father wanted her to “have a real job.” Being the middle daughter of […]
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Barbara Malany
Barbara “Barb” Malany is an ambassador of goodwill in all she does. She is a businesswoman, teacher, civic leader, mother and humanitarian. Barb was one of the first women in the Rotary Club of Springfield, and gives of herself in her role as a Rotarian. Rotary is a service club that provides humanitarian service, encourages […]
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DSI executive director to hold ‘Ask Me Anything’ event
Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI) will host an ‘Ask Me Anything’ event with its new executive director, Jay Shanle, on Thursday, April 30, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield. “My day-one commitment was to build a foundation of partnership and communication,” said Shanle. “I want to reintroduce DSI to the community, share our vision and […]
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Reserve your vendor table – 6th Annual Women’s Business Showcase
Spring is the perfect time to put your business in front of new customers — and the Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois (WE-CI) Women’s Business Showcase is built to do exactly that. Join us on Thursday, April 16, at the Crowne Plaza Springfield for an annual event celebrating women-owned businesses. This is your opportunity to:• […]
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The end of an era
For 116 years, St. Patrick Catholic School has been an educational cornerstone on Springfield’s east side – a small school with big ambitions for the children it has served. At the end of this school year, its classrooms will fall silent. School leaders announced this month that St. Patrick Catholic School, founded in 1910, will […]
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Women of Influence alumni spotlight – Dr. Charlotte Warren
In her third year as president of Lincoln Land Community College, Dr. Charlotte Warren was honored as one of the 2009 Women of Influence. At that time, she was preparing to grab a shovel and “dig in,” with groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled for three major construction projects. Her two decades of stable and effective leadership have […]
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Advance Illinois releases education findings
Advance Illinois has released its most recent findings about education in Illinois. “The State We’re In 2025: A Report on Public Education in Illinois” presents data that should give us pause and spur action. These findings, coupled with major federal cuts in education, pose serious challenges for school districts and their students. Advance Illinois is […]
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AI workshops for local businesses
Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s downtown hub for business incubation and talent development, is launching a six-week artificial intelligence workshop series designed to help local businesses implement practical AI solutions. Nine local businesses are already signed up for the program, which begins Feb. 26. Participants include Itty Bitty Fashion Truck, Bloom Wine & […]
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Urban League has ambitious development plans
“At a time when it’s easy to take a step back, the Urban League is stepping up.” Those were the words of Springfield Urban League President and CEO Dr. Marcus Johnson during a Dec. 2 Springfield City Council meeting. Johnson was trying to convince the alderpersons to sell eight city-owned parcels of land on Springfield’s […]
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Bill to regulate homeowners’ insurance rates could reemerge this session
Illinois lawmakers are poised to make a second attempt at passing a bill that would give state regulators more authority to control the rising cost of homeowners insurance. Gov. JB Pritzker called for the legislation last summer after Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance announced it was raising premiums in Illinois an average 27.2%, citing years of losses in […]
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The future of affordable housing
One way Illinois is promoting the development of affordable housing is by giving young entrepreneurs a boost. Fifteen up-and-coming affordable housing developers recently completed the second cohort of the Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative, or Next Gen. The program, sponsored by the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, is designed to […]