Springfield, IL 2013 Community Profile by Tivoli Design + Media Group

Table of Contents Demographics & Important Numbers................................ 2 Careers...................................................................................... 4 Sustainability.......................................................................... 7 Education................................................................................. 8 Health Care.............................................................................14 Real Estate..............................................................................19 Community Service & Outreach........................................22 Wellness, Recreation & the Outdoors...........................24 Arts & Culture........................................................................27 A Capital Day...........................................................................30 Preferred Business Listings...............................................32 Index of display Advertisers.. ............................................33

CommunityLink.com

1 800-455-5600

production vp of production operations Amanda White director of publication design Kelly Friederich

photography Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Ed Clark Photography lead design Josh Mueller

managing editor Laura Wilcoxen

website creation & support Josh Chandler

copywriting Jayette Bolinski

director of media purchasing Diana Vaughn

photography coordinator Jay Nehrkorn

business development director of business development George Prudhomme

marketing consultant Steve Graff

director of outside sales Debbie Moss

customer service director Kathy Risley

advertising

ad research Mary Kopshever Mildred Walker

ad traffic Carol Smith ad design Mindy Brock

administrative support administrative support Kathy Hagene Carol Smith

Welcome to Springfield “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return ....” Lincoln, addressing Springfield residents upon his departure for Washington, D.C., Feb. 1861. Source: The National Park Service The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce welcomes you and is proud to introduce you to the capital city of the Land of Lincoln! Whether you’re a new resident or a visitor, we’re sure you’ll find plenty to explore and enjoy in Springfield, a progressive city offering great career options, outstanding education, high-tech health care, a strong spirit of community consciousness, family-friendly recreation, a thriving arts scene, and a history and heritage steeped in Lincoln lore. All this is offered in a metro area with a cost of living well below the national average and all the opportunities only to be found in a capital city. Please contact us with any questions as you embark on your Springfield journey.

human resources assistant Teresa Craig mailroom technician Melinda Bowlin

account support Terri Ahner

information technology publishing systems specialist Christopher Miller

executive leadership chairman and founder Craig Williams

chief financial officer Rhonda Harsy

ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and

distributed through the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com.

FOR INFORMATION Greater Springfield Chamber of

Commerce, 1011 S. Second St, Springfield, IL 62704, Telephone 217-525-1173, Fax 217-525-8768, www.gscc.org

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce 1011 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62704 217-525-1173 • www.gscc.org

Visit Greater Springfield online www.communitylink.com/springfield-illinois/

www.gscc.org

Demographics & Important Numbers

12 90

Chicago

294

To Chicago: 201 miles

67 55

74 72 1

To Indianapolis: 208 miles

On February 11, 1861, President Lincoln boarded a train at Springfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Western Depot, beginning his inaugural journey to Washington, D.C. A large crowd of well-wishers gathered to see him off. Still standing today, the depot, located at Tenth and Monroe streets in Springfield, is a National Historic Site. Source: The National Park Service

To St. Louis: 101 miles

70 50

Echoes of Lincoln

64 64 51 45

57 24

Population

Cost of Living 2011 est.

2010

2000

Sangamon County................... 199,000..................... 197,465................188,951 Springfield.............................. 117,000..................... 116,250................111,644 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

Educational Attainment 20% 19.3%

17.9%

Composite Index........................ 87.7 Grocery Items............................. 90.8 Housing...................................... 71.8 Utilities....................................... 84.8 U.S. average for all indices is 100.

Transportation............................103.1 Health Care................................100.9 Miscellaneous Goods and Services............................ 93.0

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research: Cost of LIving Index: 2012 Annual Average Data

Persons 25 and Older

18.9%

Springfield Metro

United States Sangamon County Springfield

Median Income U.S..........................................................................................................$50,502 Sangamon County...................................................................................$51,075 Springfield..............................................................................................$44,384 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

15%

Property Tax Structure 11.7% 10%

12.3%

10.6%

Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree

Graduate or Professional Degree

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

Real Estate Is Assessed at 33.3% of Market Value Basic Levy for 2009 for $100 Assessed Value

Taxing District Levy City of Springfield...................................................................................$0.9385 Lincoln Land Community College District #526........................................0.4579 Springfield Community Unit School District #186.....................................4.5398 Capital Township.......................................................................................0.1003 Sangamon County.....................................................................................0.6828 Springfield Park District.............................................................................0.3896 Springfield Recreation Department...........................................................0.0610 Springfield Metropolitan Sanitary District..................................................0.0854 Springfield Airport Authority.....................................................................0.0820 Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.................0.0707 Springfield Mass Transit District................................................................0.1051 TOTAL.....................................................................................................$7.5135 Source: Quantum Growth Partnership

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Employment by Industry

Community Facilities

6.6% 3.7% 4.1% 29.3%

5.0% 6.3% 8.2%

15.4%

9.5% 12.0%

29.3% Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 15.4% Public Administration 12.0% Retail / Wholesale 09.5% Professional, Scientific, Management, Administrative, Waste Management 08.2% Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodations, Food Service 06.3% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 05.0% Manufacturing 04.1% Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 03.7% Construction 06.6% Other Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

Amusement Facilities........................................................................................ 7 Attractions/Sites.............................................................................................. 42 Ball Parks/Diamonds....................................................................................... 58 Beaches............................................................................................................. 1 Bed & Breakfasts............................................................................................... 4 Bike/Hike Paths................................................................................................. 4 Bowling Facilities.............................................................................................. 3 Campgrounds................................................................................................... 7 Churches...............................................................................................Over 190 Comedy Clubs.................................................................................................. 1 Dog Parks.......................................................................................................... 1 Drive-Ins (Movie)............................................................................................... 1 Golf Courses................................................................................................... 14 Hotels/Motels.................................................................................................. 38 Ice Skating (Indoor)........................................................................................... 1 In-Line Skating (Outdoor).................................................................................. 3 Lakes................................................................................................................. 2 Live Theater/Entertainment............................................................................... 6 Museums......................................................................................................... 13 Off-Track Betting Parlor..................................................................................... 1 Private Clubs..................................................................................................... 2 Public Parks..................................................................................................... 58 Public Swimming Pools..................................................................................... 2 Roller Skating (Indoor)....................................................................................... 1 Shopping Centers........................................................................................... 10 Skateboarding................................................................................................... 1 Skate Park......................................................................................................... 1 Water Park......................................................................................................... 1 Zoo................................................................................................................... 1 UIS Auditorium • Muni Opera • Hoogland Center for the Arts Source: Quantum Growth Partnership

Important Phone Numbers Emergency........................................ 911

City of Springfield

Environmental Health .................... 217-535-3145 Highway Department...................... 217-535-3070 Jury Instructions............................. 217-747-5177 Office of Emergency Management (OEM).................... 217-747-5150 Public Defender............................. 217-753-6699 Public Health.................................. 217-535-3100 Clinic........................................... 217-535-3102 Sheriff’s Department....................... 217-753-6855 Springfield/Sangamon Regional Planning Commission.... 217-535-3110 State’s Attorney.............................. 217-753-6690 Veteran’s Assistance....................... 217-753-6680 WIC................................................ 217-535-3102 Zoning............................................ 217-753-6760

Building & Zoning ......................... 217-789-2171 Business Licensing . ....................... 217-788-8426 City Water Light & Power (CWLP) . 217-789-2116 Billing Inquiries............................ 217-789-2030 New/Change of Service............... 217-789-2030 Repair Day or Night (Electric)...... 217-789-2121 Repair Day or Night (Water)........ 217-789-2323 Clerk, City...................................... 217-789-2216 Convention & Visitors Bureau . ...... 217-789-2360 Engineer, City................................. 217-789-2260 Fire Department ............................ 217-788-8474 Lincoln Library . ............................. 217-753-4900 Mayor............................................. 217-789-2200 Sangamon County Communities Oak Ridge Cemetery . ................... 217-789-2340 Auburn........................................... 217-438-6151 Police Department ........................ 217-788-8360 Buffalo............................................ 217-364-4825 Public Works.................................. 217-789-2255 Cantrall.......................................... 217-487-7517 Chatham......................................... 217-483-2451 Sangamon County General Information Operator........ 217-753-6600 Dawson.......................................... 217-364-5975 Administrator, County..................... 217-753-6650 Divernon........................................ 217-628-9207 Animal Control .............................. 217-535-3065 Iliopolis.......................................... 217-486-2511 Clerk of the Circuit Court............... 217-753-6674 Jerome........................................... 217-546-2203 Clerk, County................................. 217-753-6700 Loami............................................. 217-624-3111 Community Resources.................... 217-535-3120 Mechanicsburg............................... 217-364-4971 County Board Office....................... 217-753-6650 New Berlin..................................... 217-488-6312 E-911 Administrative Office............ 217-753-6839 Pawnee........................................... 217-625-3221 Elections/Voters Registration.......... 217-753-6740 Pleasant Plains................................ 217-626-1024

Riverton.......................................... 217-629-9122 Rochester....................................... 217-498-7192 Sherman......................................... 217-496-2213 Southern View................................ 217-529-3352 Williamsville................................... 217-566-3331

Health Care Kindred Hospital Springfield.......... 217-528-1217 Memorial Health System................. 217-788-3497 SIU School of Medicine.................. 217-545-5880 Springfield Clinic............................ 217-528-7541 St. John’s Hospital.......................... 217-544-6464

Education CUSD = Community Unit School District Auburn CUSD #10.......................... 217-438-6164 Ball Chatham CUSD #5................... 217-483-2416 Benedictine University.................... 866-787-6053 Lincoln Land Community College... 217-786-2200 New Berlin CUSD #16....................... 2174886111 Pawnee CUSD #11......................... 217-625-2471 Pleasant Plains CUSD #8................ 217-626-1041 Riverton CUSD #14......................... 217-629-6009 Robert Morris University................. 217-793-2500 Rochester CUSD #3a...................... 217-498-6210 Springfield Public School District #186................................ 217-525-3000 St. John’s College.......................... 217-525-5628 Tri City CUSD #1............................ 217-364-4811 Williamsville CUSD #15.................. 217-566-2014

www.gscc.org

Careers F

or a new career or a chance to advance, Springfield is a great place to be. Illinois’ capital city offers a variety of public and private-sector jobs, with more than 100,000 people employed here. Health care has surpassed state government as the top employer in Sangamon County. Springfield is a regional health care center that serves more than 1.6 million people. It’s also home to the Mid-Illinois Medical District. Four of the city’s top 10 employers are in health care, which continues to be a thriving

industry here. Memorial Health System, St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine combined to employ more than 12,600 workers in 2012. Education also accounts for a significant portion of the workforce in Springfield. Springfield Public Schools, the University of Illinois at Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, and the Hope Institute for Children and Families combined employ more than 5,000 workers. Other top private employers in the city include AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Horace

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Mann, Bunn-O-Matic, Brandt, Wells Fargo, Memorial Health System, Springfield Clinic LLP, St. Johns’ Hospital, SIU School of Medicine and University of Illinois at Springfield.

Quantum Growth Partnership To bolster job growth and retention, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce in 2006 launched the Quantum Growth Partnership — Q5 for short. Through the partnership, public, private and nonprofit employers have joined to help Sangamon County grow by

Echoes of Lincoln The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are within the only remaining building in Springfield in which Abraham Lincoln maintained a law office. Lincoln practiced law in the building from 1843 to about 1852. In 1978 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the Central Springfield Historic District. Located at Sixth and Adams streets, it’s open for tours seasonally. Source: Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

focusing on job creation, attracting workers and making capital investments. Among Springfield’s industry strengths as identified by Q5 are financial and professional services, tourism, health care, and truck and rail freight transportation. During its first five years, Q5 had numerous successes: • Coordinated efforts with the city, county, medical district, local businesses, neighborhoods, and the historic downtown area to secure the 10th Street corridor for rail relocation. • Worked at attracting, expanding and retaining over 1,800 jobs in Springfield and Sangamon County. • Worked with The Springfield Project to attract nearly $1.7 million in federal funds for East Springfield Redevelopment, resulting in construction of new homes and the acquisition of area properties. • Worked with local, state and federal officials to secure a $3 million appropriation for a new airport road entrance for the 183rd Air Wing. • Successfully completed Project Innovation I, II and III, Sangamon County’s first entrepreneurial competition. • Coordinated workforce development efforts, including the Central Illinois Nursing Initiative, which expanded the capacity to train nurses in Sangamon County. • Initiated the Economic Gardening Program, where growing local businesses identify and prioritize sales leads and business opportunities, refine their core strategies and business model, and use social media to connect with customers and create buzz about their products and services.

www.gscc.org

Top Employers — Sangamon County Public & Private Blue Cross/Blue Shield Brandt Bunn-O-Matic

The Five Q5 Key Strategies

City of Springfield

1. Economic Diversification • Shovel-ready office and industrial sites that meet market demand • A city-friendly solution for rail relocation • Job growth in our key sectors • More support for local entrepreneurs 2. Workforce Sustainability • Higher ed offerings aligned with the needs of our growth sectors • Direct partnerships between local businesses and K-12 education • Promote our region to young talented workers through the Young Springfield Professionals Network 3. Community Impact • Reduced downtown vacancies • Redeveloped distressed neighborhoods

Horace Mann Illinois National Guard Memorial Health System SIU School of Medicine Springfield Clinic, LLP Springfield School District #186 St. John’s Hospital State of Illinois University of Illinois at Springfield Source: City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, November 2012

The Q5 council started its second five-year cycle in 2012, focusing on long-term prosperity and vitality through economic diversification, workforce sustainability, community impact, diversity development and transformational leadership.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

• Sound, competitive development policy to promote economic growth • Improved aesthetics in our community’s major corridors • Tourism collaborations that strengthen our appeal to visitors • A buy-local challenge that brings more business to local companies 4. Diversity Development • Increased business opportunity and quality residential offerings in East Springfield • Business mentoring and micro-loans for minority entrepreneurs • More minority leaders on regional boards and commissions 5. Transformational Leadership • Established Q5 Strategic Leadership Council as a change-agent for Sangamon County • Focused the know-how and commitment of our best private and public-sector minds on our biggest problems and key opportunities

Sustainability

pringfield is a leader in promoting sustainability and green living, offering curbside recycling for residents, community gardens, bike racks and paths throughout the city, buses that run on green fuel, three farmers markets, and chefs who cook with locally grown food. Landscaping, pocket parks and green pathways dot city blocks throughout downtown Springfield, and more than 20 Lincoln pennythemed bicycle racks were installed downtown in 2012 to encourage bicycling as a green alternative to driving. Downtown Springfield Inc. is working to attract more residents to the city’s core, where they have easy access to culture, shopping, dining and more. The organization is focused on refurbishing buildings that once would have been offices into residences.

Echoes of Lincoln

Laying the groundwork for the establishment of a national parks system, Lincoln set aside California’s spectacular Yosemite Valley and its Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias as a public trust, marking the first time land was conserved specifically for public enjoyment. Source: The National Park Service

“We want to take some of the empty space and buildings that have not been used in several years to develop some housing,” said DSI director Victoria Ringer, noting that there are many reasons why downtown living lends to green living. “If you work down here or in the capitol complex, you can walk to work. People are thinking that way more from a sustainability standpoint with fuel prices and things,” Ringer said. “And I think young professionals really like the fact you can grab something to eat, grab a drink, walk back home. And if you’re going to do something fun, this is where you need to be.” Downtown Springfield also hosts a popular farmers market two days a week, May through October, that draws 1,500 to 3,000 people each day. The city has two other farmers markets — one on the city’s east side and one at the Illinois State Fairgrounds — all resulting in heightened interest in buying locally grown and organic food. Many Springfield chefs use food from the markets at their restaurants. Some have developed year-round relationships with the growers. “They have been familiarized with these folks that they buy from them even in the off season. You bring in that whole local viewpoint, which is a huge sustainability factor of not having something shipped in and the fossil fuel it takes it to get here,” Ringer said. The Illinois Department of Agriculture hosts a community garden at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, a tradition since 2009. For $20,

residents who wish to have a garden but don’t have space at home can rent a 12-foot-by-12-foot plot to grow their own fruits, vegetables and flowers. The program has been a success, said garden coordinator Mike Rahe. In addition to learning about gardening and getting fresh produce, residents benefit from physical exercise, camaraderie and the aesthetic beauty of the gardens. Growing locally also conserves resources, he said. “Much of the cost of food comes from the transportation and processing of the food before it reaches its final destination for consumption. Locally grown food can be harvested at the peak of freshness,” Rahe said. “Gardening also encourages recycling of garden plant materials, grass clippings, leaves and even livestock manure into composting for future use in the garden, reducing their disposal into landfills.” The Springfield Mass Transit District has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint, too. Twenty-eight of its 56 buses use compressed natural gas, an alternative fuel that cuts down on the district’s use of diesel. Other buses use soy diesel and ethanol-based fuel. All 56 of the district’s buses have bike racks, each of which can hold two bicycles for riders. The district estimates hauling about 10,000 bikes a year for riders. Springfield also has free curbside recycling for residents through their waste haulers. Paper, plastic, metal and glass all are accepted. There is also a 24-hour drop-off recycling facility in the city.

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Education Springfield Public Schools www.sps186.org

Springfield Public Schools comprises students from diverse backgrounds and outstanding teachers dedicated to educating the city’s youth, whether it’s in the halls of the city’s International Baccalaureate school or during afterschool programs that focus on math and science. About 15,000 students in preschool through 12th grade attend Springfield Public Schools. The district has 22 elementary schools, seven middle schools and three high schools, as well as several alternative and online schools, nestled throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Innovative and Excellent

Iles School Iles School for academically gifted students in first through eighth grades has received local, statewide and national attention for its programs, test scores and innovative approaches to learning. Iles is an International Baccalaureate-accredited school — the only such accredited school in downstate Illinois. The school offers a rigorous and global approach to learning. Students study Mandarin Chinese and explore subjects broken into units of rigorous, inquiry-based learning that encourage empathy, research, risk-taking and exploring one’s role as a global citizen. Iles has received the Illinois State Board of Education’s Academic Excellence Award every year since 2004. It also routinely makes the Chicago Sun-Times’ list of “Top 50 Schools in Illinois.” Lincoln Magnet School Springfield’s Lincoln Magnet School, which admits students in grades six through eight on a lottery basis, is a top-performing school with a technology-centered approach to learning. The school’s 330 students are provided Apple laptop computers, which are integrated into the

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

daily curriculum. Lincoln Magnet is a perennial winner of the Apple Distinguished School Award, which recognizes schools that are leaders in incorporating technology in the classroom. Lincoln Magnet has a lengthy student wait list because of its innovative approach to learning. It has numerous partnerships with businesses and organizations, such as the Smithsonian Institute, the Illinois Math and Science Academy, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra. Blue Ribbon Winners Lincoln Magnet and Springfield’s Vachel Lindsay Elementary schools have been honored with National Blue Ribbon awards, which are based on overall academic excellence or success in closing achievement gaps, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Technology in Action All of Springfield Public School’s buildings are wireless equipped, and iPads and laptop computers are used in classrooms throughout the district. Fast Facts

• The district has two balanced-calendar, or year-round, schools — Graham and Southern View elementary schools. • The district offers before- and after-school care for students through its SCOPE program. • Many schools throughout the district offer Illinois Math and Science Academy-based programs. • About 50 teachers in Springfield Public Schools are National Board Certified by the highly regarded National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Early Childhood Education Building Blocks Preschool, Inc. 770 Apple Orchard Road....... 217-528-8028 805 Chatham Road................. 217-698-8877 Program is based around sensory readiness; uses a teamwork environment so children socialize and learn to work with others. Kids Castle Learning Center 3131 Pleasant Run.................. 217-872-6602 www.pleasant.kidscastlelearningcenter.com A range of programs and schedules for infants, toddlers, preschoolers or before- and after-school, featuring an award-winning, interactive curriculum. Silverleaf Children’s Academy 2715 S. Fourth St.................... 217-679-2029 475 S. Koke Mill Road............ 217-546-5232 207 S. Walnut, Rochester....... 217-498-9008 www.silverleafchildrensacademy.com Provides a highly academic curriculum that includes Spanish, sign language and a literacy program to promote early reading.

Springfield Christian School 2850 Cider Mill Lane • 217-698-1933 • www.springfieldchristianschool.org SCS is committed to an instructional model based on differentiated instruction. Students are evaluated to assess their exact level of readiness for math, reading and language. Instructors create the best learning environment for each student, whether it’s small group instruction within the classroom, instruction from a teacher outside the classroom, or technology-based individual learning opportunities. Students are re-evaluated periodically throughout the year to measure growth and the effectiveness of the learning environment.

Private & Specialty Schools Blessed Sacrament School 748 W. Laurel St..................... 217-522-7534 www.bssbruins.org K-8 elementary school of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois offering quality, Catholic education. Calvary Academy 1730 W. Jefferson St.............. 217-546-5987 www.caspringfield.org Christian school for junior kindergarten through 12th grade, committed to the furtherance of Christ and focused on the individual’s spiritual, physical and academic needs. Capital Area Career Center 2201 Toronto Road................. 217-529-5431 www.capital.tec.il.us Offering junior and senior high school students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills needed to move on to college and to enter the workforce, taught by instructors who are experts in their fields. Cathedral Grade School 815 S. Sixth St........................ 217-523-2652 www.cathedralschoolil.org A Christ-centered program of academics, fine arts, technology and service-learning Christ the King School 1920 Barberry Drive............... 217-546-2159 www.ctkcougars.com Catholic Pre-K through eighth grade school serving 400 students. Little Flower Catholic School 900 Stevenson Drive.............. 217-529-4511 www.little-flower.org Preschool age 3 through eighth grade Catholic education in a faithcentered environment. Lutheran High School 3500 W. Washington St.......... 217-546-6363 www.spiluhi.org Lutheran High School is a college preparatory school offering academic excellence in a Christian setting, with over 30 extracurricular clubs and activities. Sacred Heart-Griffin High School 1200 W. Washington St.......... 217-787-9732 www.shg.org Coeducational Catholic college-preparatory school sponsored by the Dominican Sisters, with over 30 extracurricular clubs and 19 boys’ and girls’ athletic teams. St. Agnes Catholic School 251 N. Amos Ave................... 217-793-1370 www.stagnescatholicschool.org Dedicated to providing an excellent preschool through eighth grade education in the Catholic tradition. ST. Aloysius School 2125 N. 21st St....................... 217-544-4553 www.saintaloysius.org St. Aloysius School is a preschool, Pre-K and K-8 Catholic elementary school with approximately 200 students.

www.gscc.org

Echoes of Lincoln Lincoln once wrote of himself: “… the aggregate of all his schooling did not amount to one year—He never was in a College or Academy as a student; and never inside of a College or Academy building till since [sic] he had a law license—What he has in the way of education he has picked up—After he was twenty– three, and had separated from his father, he studied English grammar, imperfectly of course, but so as to speak and write as well as he now did [Lincoln’s strikethrough] does.” Source: The Library of Congress: Lincoln’s Autobiographical Notes, June 1860

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine www.siumed.edu

Higher Education in Springfield Benedictine University at Springfield www.ben.edu/springfield/

Benedictine University is a Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1929 by the Ursuline sisters, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Springfield. The Springfield campus is a branch of Lisle-based Benedictine University. After merging with Springfield College in Illinois, Benedictine in 2009 began offering a four-year degree program in a variety of studies, including business, fine arts, science and humanities. The university, which sits on 25 acres just north of Springfield’s downtown, offers small class sizes and courses for traditional students and working adults. Students can choose from 17 undergraduate majors, four graduate majors and one doctoral program. A complement to Springfield’s growth in the health care industry, Benedictine offers bachelor’s degrees in health science and biology and a pre-nursing concentration for students. Most recently, the university began offering new health care programs, including pre-chiropractic and a doctor of chiropractic, pre-pharmacy, and prevascular sonography — all in conjunction with regional partner institutions. Lincoln Land Community College www.llcc.edu

Lincoln Land Community College got its foothold in the Springfield region in 1967. About 850 students registered for the college’s first classes, which numbered just over 200. Today Lincoln Land enrolls more than 8,000 students during spring and fall semesters. Students can earn associate degrees and certificates in a variety of academic departments, including arts and

humanities, health professions, social services, business and technology, mathematics and science, and workforce development. Lincoln Land offers day, evening and weekend classes at its campus in Springfield, as well as online courses for students. In January 2012 the college opened its new 80,000-square-foot Workforce Careers Center, a state-of-the-art facility in which students receive technical and workforce training in agriculture mechanics; automotive technology; auto body repair; construction trades; culinary arts; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; mechatronics; renewable energies; welding; and truck driving. Lincoln Land’s community-education courses are remarkably popular. In particular, hundreds of community members take advantage every year of cooking and baking courses offered in the college’s Culinary Institute inside the Workforce Careers Center. Robert Morris University www.robertmorris.edu/springfield/

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine was established in 1970 to assist the people of central and southern Illinois to meet health care needs. SIU is internationally recognized for its innovative teaching and testing techniques. There are 72 students in each of four classes (with the first year at SIU’s campus in Carbondale). SIU has approximately 314 resident physicians training in 16 medical specialty areas. It awards master’s and doctoral degrees in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry and molecular biology. Other degrees are a master’s of science in physician assistant studies, a combined MD-JD degree and a combined MD-MPH degree. SIU has more than 250 teaching physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery. The School of Medicine, its outpatient clinics SIU HealthCare, and its teaching hospitals, Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital, make Springfield an expanding academic medical center with considerable clinical, educational and research expertise. It has 25 building locations in Springfield. SIU is a national leader in the percentage of graduates who enter primary care. Nearly 800 SIU graduates are now practicing in Illinois. St. John’s College www.stjohnscollegespringfield.edu

St. John’s College is a Catholic accredited special-focus institution of higher education that offers nursing degrees. The college was founded by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in 1886 and is the only ministry of the Hospital Sisters with

Robert Morris University provides professional, career-focused instruction. The university, an independent, not-for-profit institution with locations throughout Illinois, has had a Springfield campus since 1988. Robert Morris offers associate, baccalaureate and graduate-degree programs. Students can earn master’s degrees in business administration, information systems and management; bachelor’s degrees in business administration, graphic design, computer studies and professional students; and associate degrees in applied science. The university’s Springfield campus offers programs in applied health science, architectural technology, business administration, graphic design, law office administration, management and paralegal. The campus, on the city’s west side, features a computer center, fitness center, a library and the Lopata Resource Center.

www.gscc.org

a mission of providing higher education and awarding academic degrees. It is part of the larger St. John’s Hospital System but has a separate board of directors. St. John’s offers a nursing program and a wide range of clinical experiences for students who have completed the prerequisite liberal arts and science courses at other colleges or universities. It is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. The college also offers continuing education for the area’s nursing professionals. University of Illinois at Springfield www.uis.edu

UIS is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois. About 5,000 students enroll each year seeking a U of I degree and the intimate learning environment of a private college. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and offers 11 degree programs that prepare students for careers in the public sector. Since its founding, UIS has produced thousands of leaders in government and nonprofit organizations in Illinois. UIS offers 45 degree programs, which enroll freshmen through doctoral students. More than 1,400 students learn entirely online. UIS is a major educational and cultural force in the Springfield community. It is one of the city’s top 10 employers and graduates more than 28 percent of the collegeeducated workforce residing in Springfield. U.S. News & World Report has ranked UIS the fourth-best public regional university in the Midwest for the past five years. UIS was one of only two Illinois public universities ranked among the top 100 in Kiplinger’s National Rankings of Best College Values 2012.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Regional Higher Education Blackburn College 700 College Ave., Carlinville 217-854-3231 www.blackburn.edu Illinois College 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville 217-245-3000 www.ic.edu ITT Technical Institute 2501 Wabash Ave., Springfield 217-547-5700 www.itt-tech.edu Midwest Technical Institute 2731 Farmers Market Road, Springfield 217-527-8324 www.midwesttech.edu

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Health Care

pringfield is a major medical hub for central and downstate Illinois, with three hospitals, a multi-speciality medical clinic, a public medical school, specialized health care facilities, a regional community blood center and more. The city’s growth as a regional destination for health care was fostered by the state legislature’s creation of the Mid-Illinois Medical District in 2003. Since then, Springfield’s medical community has expanded its services, constructed new facilities, become a major employer and solidified its reputation as a state-of-the-art care center that invests in advanced medical technology.

Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2013; all phases are to be complete in early 2016. Memorial Medical Center, part of the regional Memorial Health System, is a 500-bed hospital with just over 4,000 employees. More than 700 doctors are on the hospital’s medical staff. It is Springfield’s largest private employer. Memorial’s specialized medical services include the Stroke Center, the Regional Cancer Center, the Regional Burn Center, Heart and

Memorial Medical Center www.memorialmedical.com

Memorial Medical Center, in the heart of Springfield’s medical district, is poised for a major, historic expansion as part of its mission of providing for the region’s health care needs. The project, called “Advancing Care by Design,” includes construction of 114 new, private patient rooms; six new operating rooms; renovation of the hospital’s perioperative and surgery services; construction of the Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation; renovation of the main entrance and lobby; and upgrading the facility’s energy plant. The plan includes building a 112,000-square-foot addition to serve intermediate-care, orthopedic and cardiology patients.

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Vascular Services, Family Maternity Suites, Neuroscience Services, Urology Services, and Orthopaedic Services. The hospital also has two da Vinci advanced robotic surgical systems to perform minimally invasive surgeries, including hysterectomies; prostatectomies; gynecological procedures; partial kidney removals; colon resections; ear, nose and throat surgeries; and more. Numerous surgeons are credentialed to perform robotic surgery at Memorial.

In addition, Memorial also has three ExpressCare facilities in Sangamon County — on Koke Mill Road, North Dirksen Parkway and South Sixth Street — to assist patients with urgent care needs.

St. John’s Hospital

Echoes of Lincoln

www.st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital, founded in 1875 by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, prides itself on delivering “inspired care” to patients. St. John’s employs more than 3,200, including nearly 700 doctors, podiatrists and dentists. More than 15,000 surgical procedures are performed there each year. The hospital features the Prairie Heart Institute, St. John’s Children’s Hospital, the Cancer Institute, AthletiCare, the Regional Wound Care Center and more. It also has a new Neurosciences Institute for the care and recovery of stroke patients. St. John’s Hospital continues to expand and adapt to patient needs. In 2012 it continued its renovation of four floors of the patient tower. The new patient rooms, designed with input of staff and former patients, are private and include a sleeper bed for a patient guest. The hospital is also constructing a new Surgical Services Center with 16 suites that will combine surgical and support services in one location. The basement of the new building will include a central sterile processing area for the entire hospital. St. John’s Hospital is one of Springfield’s largest private employers. In 2012 and 2013 it was selected as one of the city’s three “Best Places to Work,” based on nominations to a local business journal. The hospital also was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best regional hospitals in 2011–12, and Truven Health Analytics named Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s one of the nation’s 50 “Top Cardiovascular Hospitals.”

Lincoln was an avid outdoorsman and walker, as well as an accomplished wrestler. A fellow New Salem, Illinois, resident and contemporary, Bill Green, said of Lincoln, “He can outrun, outlift, outwrestle and throw down any man in Sangamon County.” There are many accounts of Lincoln’s match with wrestler and tough guy Jack Armstrong. According to one eyewitness account, Lincoln grabbed Armstrong and “shook him like a rag.” The New Salem State Historic Site, about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, is a reconstruction of the village where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. Among sites visitors can tour is the Denton Offutt Store, site of the Lincoln-Armstrong match. Sources: Politifact; Carl Sandburg: Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years; New Salem State Historic Site

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Springfield Clinic www.springfieldclinic.com

Springfield Clinic is a progressive, physicianled multi-specialty medical group devoted to providing the highest quality health care to its patients. With more than 375 physicians and mid-level providers, Springfield Clinic serves a population of nearly 1 million patients. As one of the largest private, multi-specialty medical clinics in Illinois,

it employs more than 2,000 clinical and administrative staff members. During its nearly 75-year history, Springfield Clinic has demonstrated an innovative approach to health care delivery in many ways, particularly by developing modern facilities, incorporating state-of-the-art medical equipment, recruiting well-trained physicians and adding groundbreaking new clinical services â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as its robust daVinci robotic surgery program.

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Springfield Clinic physicians practice in more than 80 medical specialties and sub-specialties â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from allergy to vascular surgery and everything in between. Springfield Clinic also provides a variety of patient-focused and ancillary services, such as lab, radiology, audiology, behavioral health, Pain Clinic, physical therapy, the Breast Health Center, the Sleep Disorders Center and others. In 2011, Springfield Clinic launched myHealth@SC, a tool for patients to access their

personal health information. That same year, Springfield Clinic launched the area’s first health care app, “mySpringfieldClinic,” for the iPhone and iPad. Springfield Clinic has an active social media presence. Anyone can connect with it through its social media outlets, including its award-winning Facebook page, Twitter or Pinterest, or can visit its YouTube channel to view the latest health and wellness videos.

Kindred Hospital www.kindredillinois.com

Kindred Hospital is a relative newcomer to Springfield’s medical community, opening to patients in the fall of 2010. The 50-bed hospital specializes in providing aggressive, specialized care to patients who have complicated medical conditions and require extended hospital stays. Before Kindred, local long-term hospital patients had to go to Peoria, Chicago or St. Louis. Kindred’s doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff provide an interdisciplinary approach to treating patients. They are experienced in pulmonary care, including ventilator management and weaning, complex wound care, rehabilitation, dialysis, IV antibiotic therapy, and pain management.

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Real Estate

uth Ann Ayers, a local real estate agent who grew up in rural Springfield, has watched the city grow and change over the years. She’s come to the conclusion that not only is it a great place to work and raise a family, it’s also a great place to retire. “I’m always a little surprised that people leave Springfield,” she said. “I think for the average retiree, Springfield is a really excellent place because we have these great doctors and medical facilities and we’re so central to two great big cities — Chicago and St. Louis — and you can get around any place. We’re affordable, we’ve got great facilities and we’re centrally located.” Springfield has something to offer everyone when it comes to real estate — historic mansions, modern single-family homes, lakefront condominiums, urban lofts, rural living and more. The median sale price in Springfield is about $113,000, which translates into about $70 per square foot. That typically gets homeowners three bedrooms, two bathrooms and usually a garage. The same house in the Chicagoland area would cost significantly more, and a monthly house payment in Springfield is often the same as a monthly rent payment, Ayers noted.

“I think that makes home ownership here in Springfield really attractive,” she said. As varied as its selection of real estate are the distinctive neighborhoods and living styles that pepper the capital city, each with its own personality and feel.

Downtown A variety of residents — young adults, state employees, students and retirees — have made their home in downtown Springfield. The area’s vibrant retail scene, its proximity to fine dining and culture, and its central location to amenities such as supermarkets and other services make it an attractive home base for many. Downtown real estate features urban loft living and the Lincoln Square apartment complex, among other residences. Within walking distance are the State Capitol complex, a variety of historic and cultural sites, the public library, and the Amtrak station.

Temporary & Executive Housing Springfield has a generous number of temporary housing options for people relocating to the capital city. The Lincoln Towers, the St. Nicholas Hotel and Lincoln Square, all downtown and centrally located, offer shortterm housing options. Lincoln Towers, for example, offers apartments that are already furnished, making things a little easier on new residents who are strapped for time or who are unable to move into their permanent homes right away. Springfield also has numerous apartment complexes that offer short-term or one-year leases.

Historic Neighborhoods Springfield features numerous established neighborhoods with historic homes filled with character and charm. The Washington Park, Old Aristocracy Hill, Leland Grove and Hawthorne Place neighborhoods are among those areas. The Washington Park neighborhood includes more than 600 residences, many of them stately old homes, surrounding the city’s oldest and largest park, which was established in 1901 and is home to the Illini Country Club. The historic Hawthorne Place neighborhood, in south-central Springfield, was established in 1902 and is lined with stately four-square homes, spacious front porches and mature trees.

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Lake Springfield Hundreds of homes and townhouses sit on 57 miles of shoreline along the edge of Springfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4,200-acre municipally owned lake. The lake is a draw for fishing, boating and other water sports and recreation. Numerous private lake clubs, public parks and the Lake Springfield Marina also dot the shoreline. Lake-area properties are close to Interstate 55, the University of Illinois at Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden, the Henson Robinson Zoo, the Springfield Muni Opera and the Lincoln Greens Golf Course.

Golf Course Communities Springfield is home to several golf course communities, including Panther Creek and Piper Glen, both on the southwest side of the city.

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The Panther Creek subdivision features spacious, modern homes on large lots. The average sale price of a Panther Creek home is more than $300,000, according to local real estate figures. Residents have the option of becoming members of the Panther Creek Country Club, a private club featuring a Hale Irwin-designed championship 18-hole golf course. The clubhouse has dining venues, a heated swimming pool and a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wading pool, and tennis courts. The Piper Glen subdivision, established in 1995, features upscale homes, villas and duplexes, as well as swimming pools, tennis court, basketball court, playground and an active neighborhood association. The development also has office buildings and restaurants nearby. The Piper Glen Golf Club, awarded 4.5 stars by Golf Digest, anchors the subdivision, with its fullservice pro shop and banquet facilities.

Echoes of Lincoln

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site is cared for by the National Park Service and includes not only the house Lincoln and his family lived in for 15 years (1844â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1861), but also the restored four-block 19th-century neighborhood surrounding it, complete with gaslights and a wooden walkway. The site is restricted to pedestrian access; the Visitor Center, located at 426 South Seventh Street in Springfield, has parking. Sources: National Park Service

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Community Service & Outreach Worship Diverse spiritual opportunities are abundant in Springfield, where residents can choose from dozens of churches, synagogues and a mosque that offer a variety of faiths, worship styles, congregational and community support, programs, and activities. Springfield is home to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, which serves nearly 23,000 Catholics and more than 8,700 families in the capital city. Other Christian-based faiths represented in Springfield include Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian, Episcopal, Apostolic, Pentecostal, Unitarian and numerous non-denominational churches, while parochial schools include Lutheran High School, Concordia Lutheran School, Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Springfield Christian School and Calvary Academy. Springfield also has a robust Jewish community, with two temples — Temple B’rith Sholom,

Reform Congregation, and Temple Israel, Conservative Congregation — a combined community religious school, and an active Hadassah chamber and a B’nai B’rith lodge. The Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, founded in 1981, offers a masjid, or mosque, and a community center for Muslims in the capital city. About 250 families worship at the masjid.

Volunteer Springfield offers a diverse selection of volunteer opportunities for community-minded residents who wish to share their time and talents to help others. The city has numerous social service organizations that help families, children, seniors and the homeless. There is also an abundance of volunteer opportunities with service organizations, animal-welfare and environmental groups, historic sites, and more. Following are just a few organizations in need of volunteer assistance in Springfield. Children

• Big Brothers Big Sisters — One-on-one mentoring of children ages 5 to 14. www.bbbscapitalregion.org

• Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery — Care for children, birth through 6, of parents experiencing crisis situations. www.miniobeirne.org • Asbury Children’s Supper Hour — Evening meals and activities for children. www.childrenssupperhour.org • Girls on the Run — Educates and empowers pre-teen girls to make healthy decisions and develop positive self images. www.gotrcentralillinois.org • Rutledge Youth Foundation — Counseling, advocacy, living arrangements and foster care for children 8 to 21. www.rutledgeyouthfoundation.com Families

• Central Illinois Foodbank — Collects donated food and groceries to distribute to charitable agencies serving the needy, the sick or children. www.centralilfoodbank.org • Habitat for Humanity — Partners with families to provide them with affordable homes at no profit to the organization; homes are financed with no-interest mortgages. www.habitatesangamon.com. • YMCA — Two Springfield locations offering programs for youth, families and the community. www.springfieldymca.org • Springfield Urban League — Programs for African-Americans, underprivileged residents and others. www.springfieldul.org • Catholic Charities — Assistance to families, children and low-income residents. www.cc.dio.org • Family Service Center — Programs, services and a stable environment for children and families. www.service2families.com Seniors

• Senior Services of Central Illinois — Nonmedical services and programs for senior citizens. www.ssoci.org/html/volunteer.html • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) — Recruits and assigns volunteers who are at least 55 years old with various nonprofit and government agencies in the area. www.ssoci.org/rsvp

Echoes of Lincoln The Lincoln Family Pew: Housed in the First Presbyterian Church, Seventh Street. The Lincolns attended services in the 1850s at the previous sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church (no longer standing) and purchased the pew for their use for $50. The Lincoln pew occupies a place of honor in the narthex, where it is embellished with flags and a silver marker. Source: Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Homelessness

• Inner City Mission — Homeless shelter. www.innercitymission.net • MERCY Communities — Transitional living and support services for the homeless. www.mercycommunities.org • Salvation Army — Emergency shelter and other services for the homeless and poor. www.tsaspringfield.org • St. John’s Breadline — Year-round meals for the poor. www.cc.dio.org/programs.htm • Helping Hands of Springfield — Homeless shelter and other services for the poor. www.helpinghandsofspringfield.org • Contact Ministries — Central information and referral point for social services in Springfield. www.contactministries.net

UIS Diversity Center The Diversity Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield strives to foster support for students and help them understand their differences through educational, cultural and social activities. Its goal is to eliminate division, intolerance and stereotyping. The center hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, including heritage month events, regular “Day of Dialogue” discussions, diversity awareness programs, trainings, workshops, guest speakers and more. For more information, visit www.uis.edu/diversitycenter.

Health Care

• Memorial Medical Center — Volunteers used for various hospital programs. www.memorialmedical.com • St. John’s Samaritans — Volunteers assist with various hospital programs. www.st-johns.org/stjohns/Volunteer.aspx • Ronald McDonald House — Provides a home away from home for families with hospitalized children. www.rmhc.org • Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach — Distributes health care equipment and supplies to developing countries. www.mission-outreach.org Animals

• Animal Protective League — Care for stray, injured or abused cats and dogs. www.apl-shelter.org • Adams Wildlife Sanctuary — 30-acre urban sanctuary with trails. www.illinoisaudubon.org

A sampling of organizations

• Springfield Phoenix Center — The Phoenix Center opened in 2001 as a safe space for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) youth to meet. www.springfieldpride.org • Young Springfield Professionals Network (YSPN) — YSPN provides unique opportunities to network with your peers through various social, community service and networking events. www.ypspringfield.org

• Illinois Environmental Council — The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund engages in education and outreach and provides a forum for environmentalists. http://ilenviro.org • Lincoln Memorial Garden — Living memorial to Abraham Lincoln. www.lmgnc.org

History

• Lincoln’s Tomb — Final resting place of President Abraham Lincoln. www.lincolntomb.org • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum — Museum and research library dedicated to the life of President Abraham Lincoln. www.alplm.org/volunteer.html • Dana Thomas House — Frank Lloyd Wright early Prairie-style home in Springfield. www.dana-thomas.org • Illinois State Museum — State museum dedicated to Illinois’ natural history, anthropology and art. www.museum.state.il.us

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Wellness, Recreation & the Outdoors

The “Run Where Lincoln Walked” Presidential Half Marathon welcomes hundreds of runners from across the country and the world to Springfield. The 2014 running will mark the event’s 50th year.

pringfield has a large selection of recreational facilities, indoor and outdoor, that appeal to residents looking not only for fun and relaxation, but for effective paths to fitness.

Springfield Park District The city’s extensive park system is overseen by the Springfield Park District and is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. Thirty-eight parks dot Springfield’s neighborhoods, which means there’s an excellent chance a park is within walking or bicycling distance of any given location. Along with a variety of parks offering open spaces, sports fields, tennis, swimming, playgrounds, disc golf, skateboarding and other family-friendly fun are historic sites and parks with unique features that deserve special attention. Washington Park, on the city’s near-west side, is the city’s oldest, built in 1901. Some of the city’s most stately older homes surround the park. The 150-acre space, with its mature trees and rolling terrain, is on the National Register of

Historic Places. The Washington Park Botanical Gardens are a popular stop for visitors, and the park also features the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, a 132-foot-tall free-standing open tower containing 67 cast bronze bells that can be played from a keyboard inside the instrument. “Bike and Hike Days” take place on Sundays, when vehicles are prohibited in Washington Park and visitors are free to use its paved roadways at their leisure. The 88-acre Lincoln Park, on the city’s north end, was established in 1905, making it another of the city’s historic parks. Oak Ridge and Calvary cemeteries are nearby, as are the Illinois State Fairgrounds and Benedictine University. Among its many amenities, Lincoln Park features the Nelson Center, an indoor and outdoor recreation facility that includes an outdoor public swimming pool, two indoor ice rinks, rooms for special events, a concession area and restrooms. The Nelson Center is home to the Springfield Junior Blues, a member of the North American Hockey League. In addition, the park is home to the popular Fun Shop, an interactive early

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education program that invites parents and children to play together. On the city’s far west side is Centennial Park, established in 1997. With 190 open acres, the park’s most visible feature is a manmade, 100-foot-tall sledding hill. The park also has the city’s only outdoor skate park. And on Springfield’s far south side is its newest park, Southwind Park, which was designed with an eye toward accessibility and sustainability. Erin’s Pavilion, a community facility at the park, is a Platinum LEED-certified building. The park also has wetlands, a wind turbine, solar panels and a geothermal system. It exceeds Americans with Disabilities Ace accessibility requirements. Robin Roberts Stadium, also owned by the park district, is home to the Springfield Sliders, a popular Prospect League baseball team that has been playing in Springfield since 2008. The season generally runs late May through early August and attracts thousands of fans. Families flock every year to Henson Robinson Zoo near Lake Springfield. The zoo opened in

1970 and features more than 90 species of animals native to Australia, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. It hosts a variety of events for families and children throughout the year.

Trails Springfield has four trail systems that are popular with walkers, runners, bicyclists, rollerbladers, strollers, wheelchairs, cross-country skiers and others. The trails are open the entire year from sunrise to sunset and prohibit any motorized vehicles or horses. The Sangamon Valley Trail is a 5.5-mile, mostly shaded trail on the city’s far west side. It connects Stuart Park on the northwest side to Centennial Park on the southwest side. The trail has scenic bridges over Illinois 97, Washington Street and Old Jacksonville Road, as well as a bridge over the valley between Illinois 97 and Washington Street. Officials have plans to extend the trail north to Athens and south to Girard. The Wabash Trail, at 3 miles long, follows an old railroad bed from near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Wabash Avenue on the southwest side to Robbins Road on the west side. Trail users travel through a variety of residential and commercial areas of Springfield, and two parks sit near the trail, both of which can be used to access the trail. At 8.3 miles, the Interurban Trail is the city’s longest and connects to the Wabash Trail. The Interurban heads south under Interstate 72 on the city’s south side and leads into Chatham. The scenic trail passes through open farmland and scattered housing. Lost Bridge Trail, on Springfield’s east side, is 5 miles long, stretching from the trail head in the parking lot of the Illinois Department of Transportation on Dirksen Parkway east to Rochester. The trail winds around a lake on IDOT’s property, goes under Interstate 55 and continues east on an abandoned railroad bed. The popular trail, which is mostly shaded and scenic, is used by bicyclists, walkers, runners and others.

Lake Springfield Lake Springfield is a popular destination for those who enjoy water recreation. The 4,200-acre man-made reservoir with 57 miles of shoreline attracts 600,000 visitors every year. Canoes, motorboats, pontoons, rowboats, sailboats and jet skis are allowed on the lake, which is also a popular site for fishing tournaments, triathlons and sailboat regattas. About 15 sport fish species can be caught from Lake Springfield, and fishing is permitted from boats and the shoreline. Swimming and wading is allowed in designated areas. Eight parks with picnic tables, pavilions and playground surround the lake, and numerous private lake clubs dot the shoreline. Lake Springfield Marina offers a place for boat storage, as well as boat and watercraft sales, rentals, storage and service.

Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center Near Lake Springfield is Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, a 100-acre nature site that is popular with families, birdwatchers, photographers, artists, hikers, school children and nature enthusiasts. The area features landscape that Abraham Lincoln would have been familiar with during his time in the Midwest, including plants native to the three states in which he lived — Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana. The memorial garden features six miles of trails, footbridges, a pond, eight stone council rings and dozens of wood benches inscribed with quotes attributed to Lincoln. The garden hosts a variety of public events throughout the year, including maple tree-tapping demonstrations in the winter, tree and wildflower sales in the spring, summer camps for youth, and its Indian Summer Festival in the fall.

Golf Springfield offers several places to enjoy a round on the links. These Chamber-member courses are the best places to start. • Brookhills Golf Club (5350 Old Jacksonville Road): This nine-hole, par-31 course offers a variety of extras, including cart and club rental, practice greens and a driving range, and professional coaching. 217-787-8415; www.brookhillsgolf.com • Long Bridge Golf Course (1055 Camp Sangamo Road): Play nine or 18 holes on this public, par-72 course, praised for a layout that makes golfers exercise their mind as well as their muscles. Patrons can also brush up their skills at the driving range and enjoy a varied menu at the bar and grill. 217-744-8311; www.longbridgegc.com • The Oaks Golf Course (851 Dave Stockton Drive): The 18-hole course features over 6,000 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. Rolling greens are surrounded by mature trees for a round that’s both

Echoes of Lincoln In 1831 Abraham Lincoln became the nation’s first multisport athlete by accepting the challenge to run, wrestle and fight an opponent. Source: Carl Sandburg: Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years

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challenging and scenic. Lessons for golfers at all skill levels are available. 217-528-6600; www.theoaksgolfcourse.com • Panther Creek Country Club (3001 Panther Creek Drive): Panther Creek is a country club offering 18 holes of championship golf on a par-72 course designed by Hale Irwin. A fully staffed pro shop overlooks the practice facility and driving range. Panther Creek is a full-service club offering swimming pools, tennis courts, and a gorgeous event venue with a 3,600-square-foot ballroom and a clubhouse with landscaped outdoor patio. 217-546-4431; www.panthercreekcc.com • Piper Glen Golf Club (7112 Piper Glen Drive): One of Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Under $50,” 18-hole, par-72 Piper Glen has been praised for a layout with dramatic elevation changes, eye-catching prairie grass plantings and large, undulating greens. In addition to award-winning play, Piper Glen offers professional instruction and beautiful venues for special events. 217-483-6537; www.piperglen.com

Springfield YMCA springfieldymca.org

Two YMCA branches serve the Springfield area, both featuring health and wellness centers, pools, free-weights, full-size gyms, and child care. No one is turned away for inability to pay. The Y offers programs for children, families and adults, from art club to water fitness and everything in between. The organization’s youth sports programs include soccer, flag football, martial arts, swimming and gymnastics, and summer camps for kids are offered. Sports and recreation leagues provide adults an opportunity to stay active and involved. The Y is also active in adapted physical education for the special-needs community, with many activities and sports for those with mental or physical disabilities.

Illinois State Fair The community agricultural fair is a beloved celebration in the U.S., and it’s carried on in grand style in Illinois with not just one, but two annual state fairs, with the first being held in August at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. In addition to the traditional animal, craft and vehicle exhibitions; rides; games; and races — and fantastic food — the Illinois State Fair in Springfield presents performances by international music stars as well as free shows throughout the grounds. For more information on this annual fun favorite, visit www.agr.state.il.us/isf/index.php.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Arts & Culture

xperience the sights, sounds and sensations of Springfield! Rich in Lincoln lore and offering a full range of arts and heritage, Springfield is a destination with more to discover around every corner.

Historic Sites Dana Thomas House 301 E. Lawrence Ave. 217-782-6776 • www.dana-thomas.org

This historical treasure in Springfield’s downtown was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902 for socialite Susan Lawrence Dana. The carefully restored, 12,000-squarefoot house contains a large collection of sitespecific, original Wright art glass and furniture and 35 rooms on 16 varying levels.

Edwards Place 700 N. Fourth St. 217-523-2631 www.springfieldart.org/edwards-place

Home to the Springfield Art Association, historic Edwards Place has ties to President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary. The Lincolns moved in the same professional and social circles as Benjamin and Helen Edwards, who lived in the Italianate mansion. The Lincolns would have been frequent guests at Edwards Place, as were prominent residents and politicians such as Stephen Douglas. Visitors are welcome to tour the home and its formal receiving parlor, music room, family dining room and second-floor bedrooms. On display is the authentic “Lincoln courting couch,” from the parlor of the home where the Lincolns were married.

Elijah Iles House

of events throughout the year, but hours are seasonal; call ahead for tour information.

628 S. Seventh St. 217-492-5929 • http://ileshouse.org/

Museums

Springfield’s oldest house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1837, the Greek Revival-style home was home to Iles, sometimes called the “Father of Springfield,” who came to the city in 1821 and built its first store. President Abraham Lincoln and noted poet Vachel Lindsay were visitors at the home.

Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon Washington Park 217-546-3853 • www.carillon-rees.org

Washington Park is home to a 132-foot-tall carillon, a free-standing musical instrument. Inside the open tower is a set of chromatically tuned bells played from a keyboard in the carillonneur’s cabin. The Thomas Reese Memorial Carillon features 67 cast bronze bells weighing a total of 82,753 pounds. Carillonneurs from all over the world visit Springfield every June to play during a weeklong festival. There are also free concerts on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the summer.

Vachel Lindsay Home 603 S. Fifth St. 217-524-0901 • www.vachellindsay.org

Vachel Lindsay (1879–1931) was an internationally known poet and artist. Best known for The Congo (1914) and Collected Poems (1938), Lindsay was born in and lived in the family home on the corner of Fifth and Edwards streets, just south of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion. The two-story frame house was built in the 1840s by Henry Dresser, who also sold Abraham Lincoln his home nearby. On the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark, it hosts a variety

Springfield is also home to several smaller specialty museums. Please visit the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau website (www.visit-springfieldillinois. com) for a full list and details.

Air Combat Museum 835 S. Airport Road 217-522-2181 www.aircombatmuseum.org

This military aviation museum is located inside a hangar at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. It features a collection of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia, including a Beechcraft AT-11 used to train World War II bombardiers, a P-51 Mustang, a Vought F4U-5 Corsair, a 1930s Fleet Model 9 biplane, and a Soko G-21 Galeb, which was the first Yugoslavian jet.

Illinois State Museum 502 S. Spring St. 217-782-7386 • www.museum.state.il.us

The Illinois State Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the state’s natural, cultural and artistic history. Visitors from far and wide have enjoyed the museum’s popular “People of the Past,” life-size dioramas depicting the state’s rich Native American heritage; its “At Home in the Heartland” exhibit of the stories of real people who lived in Illinois; and its “Changes: Dynamic Illinois Environments” area that invites visitors to learn about how the state’s climate and environment have changed over millions of years. The museum’s galleries host a variety of exhibitions, including quilts and other folk art. The museum also features a children’s play area and a gift shop.

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Echoes of Lincoln

Lincoln Home National Historic Site Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Lincoln Home National Historic Site 413 S. Eighth St. 217-391-3221 • www.nps.gov/liho

President Abraham Lincoln owned only one home in his lifetime, and it’s part of a national historic site operated by the National Park Service. Lincoln purchased the house, at the corner of Eighth and Jackson streets, in the spring of 1844. He departed Springfield in 1861 after being elected president. Park rangers guide tours of the home, which are free, although a tour ticket is required to enter.

Lincoln-Herndon Law Office Sixth and Adams streets 217-785-7289

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices are within the only remaining building in which Abraham Lincoln maintained an office. Lincoln practiced law in the building from 1843 until about 1852. The first-floor visitor center includes exhibits about Lincoln’s legal career and life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit and an audiovisual theater, as well as a room interpreted as an 1840s post office. On the second floor visitors will find rooms representing those used by the federal court, and the third floor has a common room and three lawyers’ offices.

“Bicentennial Bison” by John Kearney Springfield Arts Association Sculpture Garden

Lincoln Tomb

CVB’s Here I Have Lived Tour

Oak Ridge Cemetery 1500 Monument Ave. 217-782-2717 • www.lincolntomb.org

800-545-7300 www.visit-springfieldillinois.com

The tomb of President Abraham Lincoln; his wife, Mary; and three of their four sons is open to visitors year-round. The monument sits on a 12-acre lot in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery. It features a 117-foot-tall obelisk on a rectangular base, and the marble interior of the monument has a rotunda, burial room and connecting corridors. Statues depicting various stages of Lincoln’s life sit in niches along the corridor. The cemetery’s public receiving vault, which was the scene of Lincoln’s funeral, is located at the base of a hill north of the tomb.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum 212 N. Sixth St. • www.alplm.org 217-782-5764 (museum) 217-558-8844 (library)

Visitors can immerse themselves in the 16th president’s life when they visit the world-class Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex in downtown Springfield. The complex, which opened in 2005, is one of the most-visited presidential centers in the country, with 3 million visitors having passed through its doors by 2012. In addition to exhibiting rare and treasured Lincoln-related artifacts, the museum has life-size exhibits of Lincoln’s boyhood home, areas of the White House, and the presidential box at Ford’s Theater; two special-effects theater shows, “Lincoln’s Eyes” and “Ghosts of the Library”; lifelike figures; a children’s play area; and much more. The presidential library, across the street from the museum, is open to the public for research.

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

View more than 40 outdoor interpretive exhibits throughout downtown Springfield to experience Springfield as Abraham Lincoln knew it. Each exhibit is intended to capture a moment in time about Lincoln and how he was affected by the people, places and events he encountered in his hometown. Each story is accompanied by graphics or photographs and a medallion symbolic of that particular story. Visitors are encouraged to collect rubbings of each medallion. Some of the exhibits’ themes include “Lincoln’s Carriage Maker,” “Animal Problems,” “Lincoln’s House,” “The Lincoln Boys in 1854,” “Mary Lincoln’s Wedding Ring,” “Political Rallies and Parades,” and “Lincoln’s Springfield.”

Great Western Depot Tenth and Monroe streets 217-544-8695 www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/ lincoln-depot.htm

Early on the morning of February 11, 1861, Abraham Lincoln went to the Great Western Railroad depot to begin his inaugural journey to Washington D.C. The depot welcomes visitors to explore exhibits highlighting Lincoln’s life and times, his inaugural journey, and his farewell address to the people of Springfield.

Korean War National Museum

Illinois Symphony Orchestra

9 Old State Capitol Plaza 888-419-5053 • www.kwnm.org

217-522-2838 • www.ilsymphony.org

Located in the heart of Springfield’s downtown, the Korean War National Museum welcomes visitors who want to learn more about the Korean War, which some call America’s “forgotten war.” Visitors will find exhibits of memorabilia, uniforms and artifacts, as well as information about events that led up to the war, battles and campaigns, and post-war commentary.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra, now in its 20th year, performs at multiple venues throughout Springfield and central Illinois, including Sangamon Auditorium at the University of Illinois at Springfield, St. Agnes Catholic Church in Springfield, and at two venues in Bloomington. The symphony also performs outdoors at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Museum of Springfield History

The Legacy Theatre

628 S. Seventh St. (inside the Elijah Iles House) www.museumofspringfieldhistory.com

101 E. Lawrence Ave. 217-528-9760 • www.atthelegacy.com

The Farrell and Ann Gay Museum of Springfield History features an exhibit of wristwatches and memorabilia from the Illinois Watch Company, which was based in Springfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum also shares space with other history groups that wish to display their collections. SIU School of Medicine Medical Museum 801 N. Rutledge St. 217-545-4261 • www.siumed.edu

The Pearson Museum, the medical museum at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, features displays of medical and scientific artifacts. Dedicated in 1980, the museum collects, preserves and interprets the history of medicine, health care, nursing, dentistry and pharmacy from throughout history, particularly in the Midwest and the Mississippi River Basin.

Performing Arts Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787 • www.hcfta.org

The downtown Hoogland Center for the Arts is an 80,000-square-foot cultural complex for performing and visual arts. The center features three major performance spaces, numerous gathering areas, art galleries and more. It is home to 16 local arts and nonprofit organizations, including the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, Springfield Ballet Company and the Springfield Theatre Centre. Thousands flock to the Hoogland each month for plays, musicals, concerts, performances, dance and music recitals, meetings, and other events.

Springfield Theatre Centre 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-0878 www.springfieldtheatrecentre.com

The Springfield Theatre Centre, based in the Hoogland Center for the Arts, offers a variety of community theater productions and educational opportunities throughout the year. The center also presents the White Rabbit Family series of productions and offers a summer arts camp that allows youth to experience first-hand what it is like to stage a live production.

The Legacy Theatre opened in July 2011 in the former Springfield Theatre Center building, offering a variety of local and national acts, plays, musicals, movie screenings, and more throughout the year.

Sangamon Auditorium University of Illinois at Springfield www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium

Sangamon Auditorium is a 2,018-seat performance venue. It has presented more than 2,000 events — about 120 each year — since opening in 1981. The only one of its kind in Springfield, the auditorium hosts dance, theater, music, comedy, opera and musicals, as well as political debates, inaugurations, graduations and more. The auditorium regularly presents Broadway shows and celebrity performances.

Springfield Ballet Company 420 S. Sixth St. 217-544-1967 www.springfieldballetco.org

The Springfield Ballet Company offers a variety of repertory programs, featuring classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, modern, tap, theatre, and character. The company presents three major performances each season, as well as several minor performances. Among its annual performances are Rockballet and The Nutcracker. The company also performs at festivals, schools, senior centers and conventions and offers lecture demonstrations at a variety of locations.

Springfield Muni Opera 815 E. Lake Drive 217-793-6864 • www.themuni.org

The Springfield Muni Opera has been delighting Springfield-area families since 1950. Volunteers at the 60-acre outdoor amphitheater near Lake Springfield present four musical theater productions during the summer months, making the Springfield Muni one of the largest selfsupporting, all-volunteer community theaters in the Midwest. About 40,000 visitors attend shows each summer. The amphitheater features an orchestra pit, more than 800 reserved seats, additional general-admission lawn seating, costume and scene shops, a professional sound system, concession building, remodeled restrooms, and a picnic area with grills.

Visual Arts Prairie Art Alliance 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787 • www.prairieart.org

The Prairie Art Alliance offers exhibit opportunities, community outreach to specialneeds groups, classes for the general public, and support and development for member artists, both men and women. The alliance has its gallery, classroom and office in the H.D. Smith Gallery of the Hoogland Center for the Arts. A second gallery is at 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, facing the Old State Capitol. Prairie Art Alliance offers a variety of adult and young adult workshops throughout the year, as well as classes for both children and adults.

Old Capitol Art Fair Downtown Springfield www.socaf.org

The Old Capitol Art Fair has drawn thousands of people to downtown Springfield every May since 1962. The juried art fair, with the Old State Capitol as a backdrop, is designed to enhance visitors’ appreciation for art in the community. It attracts more than 45,000 people yearly, including 170 artists. Visitors can view and purchase original art, such as jewelry, sculpture, photography, glassware, pottery, wood, metalwork, oils, watercolors and other media. A popular feature of the fair is a children’s tent, where youth can select and purchase works of art without parental assistance.

Springfield Art Association 700 N. Fourth St. 217-523-2631 • www.springfieldart.org

The Springfield Art Association, located at historic Edwards Place, is a visual arts organization that promotes and supports the arts in the capital city. The association offers educational classes and preserves its collections. It offers an extensive selection of classes, workshops and camps for artists of all ages; organizes tours and events at Edwards Place; manages the Michael Victor II Art Library for book loans and scholarly presentations; and hosts local and national artist exhibitions in its gallery. The Springfield Art Association also hosts festivals throughout the year, including the popular Edwards Place Fine Art Fair and the Molly Schlich Film Series.

www.gscc.org

A Capital Day

o visit to Illinois’ capital city is complete without stops at the Illinois State Capitol building, the historic Old State Capitol and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, all in downtown Springfield.

Visiting the Capitols Springfield is home to both the working Illinois State Capitol, where lawmakers and state officials meet and work throughout the year, and the Old State Capitol, the historic building at the heart of the city’s downtown, where Lincoln once worked as a lawmaker and then-Senator Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president.

Illinois State Capitol 301 S. Second St. 217-782-2099 • www.ilstatehouse.com

More than 100,000 people visit Illinois’ State Capitol every year, making it one of the city’s most-visited sites. The Capitol is the sixth building to house state government for Illinois. Inside, visitors will find offices for the legislative and executive branches of government, including offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, comptroller, secretary of state, and chambers for both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives. Architectural and artistic details abound throughout the six-story building, built over the course of 20 years beginning in 1868. The most prominent feature of the building is its zinc-covered dome. Visitors can stand in the interior rotunda and look into the stained-glass dome, which features a historic state seal. (Curiously, officials did not realize the glass

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

was there until a restoration project in the 1980s, when workers found it beneath thick layers of dirt and smoke). Beneath the glass is an eight-panel plaster frieze, or mural, painted to look bronze, which depicts scenes from Illinois history. Visitors can also view the dome from the second, third and fourth floors. On the first floor visitors will find a frequently photographed statue of a woman with open arms. The statue, Illinois Welcoming the World, was first displayed in the Illinois Building at the 1893 Columbia Exposition. The second floor is home to executive-branch offices and features the Hall of Governors, where visitors can view portraits of previous Illinois governors. The second floor also features plaster statues, painted to look bronze, of Abraham Lincoln and Stephan A. Douglas. The statues of the political rivals are placed to perpetually face each other. Visitors can find the office of the governor on the east side of the second floor. The third floor is home to the legislative branch, and there visitors can visit the chambers for the Illinois Senate and House. In the House chamber, visitors can view a portrait of Lincoln on the Republican side of the room and a portrait of Douglas on the Democratic side. Visitors may watch the legislature in action when it is in session January through May and during its two-week fall veto session. Guided tours are available by stopping at the information desk on the first floor. Group tours for 15 or more people are available by contacting the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at 217-789-2360 or 800-545-7300 or by going online to www.visit-springfieldillinois.com. Tours begin every half hour on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and they begin every hour between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends. No tours are offered between noon and 1 p.m. The building is closed Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday. A visitor center with picnic tables and restrooms can be found one block west of the Capitol. The center is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is closed weekends and holidays. NOTE: There are rules and certain restrictions for visitors to the Capitol. For more information, visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on “Departments,” then “Physical Services” and “Illinois State Capitol Tours.”

Old State Capitol Sixth and Adams streets 217-785-7960 • www.lincolnatwork.com

The Old State Capitol hosts throngs of visitors and school children throughout the year, and it is the backdrop for numerous downtown Springfield festivals, concerts and events. The building is Illinois’ fifth statehouse and the first to be located in Springfield. It was the seat of state government from 1839 until 1876 and has several associations with Lincoln. The structure was dismantled and completely rebuilt in the 1960s. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. On the first floor visitors will find a central hall and several rooms depicting government offices, two libraries, and the supreme courtroom. There is also an audiovisual theater. The second floor includes a rotunda, legislative chambers, and smaller offices and meeting rooms. The Old State Capitol sits on a spacious, landscaped lot encircled by a replica of the original 1850s ornamental iron fence.

Thirty-minute tours of the building are available, but visitors are welcome to explore it on their own if they wish, as well as to watch a 15-minute video about the building’s history. The building is fully disabled-accessible. The Old State Capitol is open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday from the day after Labor Day until April 30, and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily from May 1 through Labor Day weekend. Among the special events hosted annually at the Old State Capitol are the Abraham Lincoln Symposium in February, a Holocaust Remembrance Day in April and a Civil War encampment in June.

Visiting the Governor’s Mansion Illinois Executive Mansion 410 E. Jackson St. 217-782-6450

by Lincoln political rival Stephan A. Douglas, an antique table in the state dining room that can seat up to 30 guests, Waterford crystal chandeliers that are more than 200 years old, and furniture carved by an Illinois farmer in the 1800s that once fetched an offer of $1 million from Queen Victoria of England. The building also has a seven-room private apartment on the second floor for the governor and family members to reside in when they are in Springfield. Parts of the mansion are open for free tours between 9:30 and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tours also take place between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturdays. Visitors should go to the Fourth Street gate and press the buzzer to be admitted. Additional tour information is available by calling the mansion at 217-782-6450.

The state’s executive mansion is the official residence of the governor of Illinois. The red brick Italianate mansion, surrounded by manicured lawns on a landscaped lot, has been home to Illinois governors and their families since 1855, making it the oldest historic residence in Illinois and one of the three oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansions in the country. The first to use the home was Gov. Joel Matteson, followed by William Bissell, who entertained Abraham and Mary Lincoln there before they left for Washington, D.C. The 16-room home, which underwent an extensive renovation in the early 1970s, features an oval spiral staircase, libraries, bedrooms, parlors, sitting rooms and more. The mansion, decorated as it may have looked during the 19th century, has unique furniture, including a chair once owned

Echoes of Lincoln … Abraham Lincoln was a frequent visitor at the Old State Capitol while he was a lawyer and a politician. He served there during his last term in the Illinois House of Representatives, and he delivered his famous 1858 “House Divided” speech in Representatives Hall. He used the governor’s rooms as his headquarters during the 1860 presidential campaign. Following his assassination, the building was also the scene of the president’s final lying-in-state in May 1865. Source: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency

and

President Obama

Barack Obama was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, and was elected to the U.S. Senate as a member for Illinois in 2004. Speaking at the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Library on April 20, 2005, Senator Obama said, “Today we come to celebrate not a building but a man. And as that man called once upon the better angels of our nature, so is he calling still, across the ages, to summon some measure of that character, his character, in each of us, today.” On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for president on the steps of the Old State Capitol, just as Lincoln did. President Obama also used Lincoln’s Bible at both his first and second swearings-in as president.

www.gscc.org

Preferred Business Listings Addiction Treatment & Counseling Services

Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery 3050 Montvale Drive, Suite E Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 726-6611 coleen.moore@proctor.org www.addictionrecov.org Comprehensive hospital-based addiction services for adults and adolescents to treat chemical, gambling, Internet, sex, food and compulsive spending addictions, as well as chronic pain with addiction.

Arts Center Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 S. 6th Street Springfield, IL 62701..........................................(217) 523-2787 gordon@hcfta.org

Art Galleries Prairie Art Alliance Gallery and School 420 S. Sixth Street Springfield, IL 62701..........................................(217) 544-2787 management@prairieart.org www.prairieart.org Nonprofit art gallery and school represents artists in a variety of media. Decorative, functional and wearable art perfect for home, business and gifts. Classes offered for every age and skill level.

Attorneys Feldman, Wasser, Draper & Cox P.O. Box 2418 Springfield, IL 62705..........................................(217) 544-3403 www.feldman-wasser.com Feldman, Wasser, Draper & Cox provides to businesses, individuals and not-for-profit organizations a full range of legal services, in both civil and criminal matters.

Consignment - Services & Shops Flip Flops Consignment

Linen Services Denman Linen Service

1020 W. Lawrence Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 793-7283 www.facebook.com/pages/Flip-Flops-Consignment-Shop

3240 E. Clear Lake Avenue Springfield, IL 62702..........................................(217) 753-8960 www.denserv.com

We consign items for sale — men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; baby items; home decor; housewares; jewelry; shoes; purses; and more fill our racks and shelves. All brands you love at affordable prices.

Full-service provider of health care, commercial and hospitality linen. Variety of service options including processing, delivery and rental of healthcare and hospitality linen, lab coat service and mat cleaning/rental.

CEFCU

Credit Unions

Meat Packers Magro’s Processing, Inc.

5401 West Dirksen Parkway Peoria, IL 61607................................................(309) 633-3702 fax (309) 633-3632 lhahn@cefcu.com

323 W. Madison Street Auburn, IL 62615...............................................(217) 438-2880 fax (217) 438-3234 magrosprocessing@mwii.net

Environmental Consultants Ketchum & Eves, Inc. (Eves) 413 W. Capitol Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 788-8288 bill@ketchum-eves.com

Flooring & Furniture Dealers Carpet Weaver’s 2940 Constitution Drive Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 787-0600 www.carpetweaversflooring.com We are a full-service flooring provider. We can help you with design assistance, project management, installation, estimates, warranty and guarantees. Exclusive Mohawk Floorscapes dealer.

Banks

Health & Fitness

Springfield YMCA 701 S. 4th Street Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 544-9846 fax (217) 544-0004 www.springfieldymca.org The Y has two branches to serve the Springfield area. Both have fitness centers, pools, gyms and child care and offer many group classes. The Y promotes youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Hotels & Motels Candlewood Suites Illinois National Bank 322 E. Capitol Avenue Springfield, IL 62701..........................................(217) 747-5500 customerservice@illinoisnationalbank.com www.illinoisnationalbank.com We live in a fast-paced society, and INB’s combination of branch and mobile services give you on-the-go access for your personal and business banking needs. Locally owned. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

687 E. Linton Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 528-6494 lrolensbrothers@yahoo.com www.rolensbrothers.com We offer music instruction for all ages. We also have sound equipment and offer instrument, sales, rentals and repairs. We offer the best in piano, violin, voice, drums, guitar, orchestra, brass, wind, string and percussion.

Pawn Brokers - Resale Stores

3312 Robbins Road Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 753-8070 jcraig@hipadvertising.com

700 E. Adams Springfield, IL 62701..........................................(217) 527-3911

23 Cottonwood Drive Chatham, IL 62629............................................(217) 483-2528 wlaw16@comcast.net

Music Store Rolens Brother’s Music

Hair Stylists Colorific Hair Color Salon

AudioVisual - Sales, Service or Rental Premiere Audio Visual Inc.

Automobile Repair & Service Checkpoint Tire & Service

Magro’s Processing Inc. is a Type 1 state-inspected meatprocessing facility. We provide services ranging from custom slaughter/processing to wholesale and retail sales.

2501 Sunrise Drive Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 522-5100

Comfort Suites Springfield 2620 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 753-4000 todd.medert@csspringfield.com

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Monster Pawn 2324 S. MacArthur Boulevard Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 744-7296 fax (217) 744-7299 monsterpawnspringfield@gmail.com www.monsterpawn.com Recipient of the State Journal Register’s Reader’s Choice Award for pawn shops, Monster Pawn pays top dollar for your items of value, including gold, silver, electronics, tools and much, much more.

Pet Sitting Springfield Pet & Home Nanny 4030 Brookfield Drive Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 953-0526 springfieldpetandhomenanny@gmail.com

Restaurants Clay’s Popeyes Bar-B-Que 1121 S. Grand Avenue East Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 522-0386 popeyesbbq@aol.com

D’Arcy’s Pint 661 W. Stanford Avenue Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 492-8800

Westwoods Lodge Pub & Grill 2406 W. Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702..........................................(217) 698-9256 westwoodlodge@yahoo.com

Restaurants - Pizza Coz’s Pizza & Pub

Storage - Household & Commercial

Trucks - Diesel Sales & Repair

4441 Ash Grove Road Springfield, IL 62711..........................................(217) 726-7700 idgoracers4@gmail.com

Retail Stores Farm & Home Supply 3030 Wabash Avenue Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 546-6680 jlacroix@farmandhomesupply.com

Farm & Home Supply 2900 N. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62702..........................................(217) 753-3276 jlacroix@farmandhomesupply.com

Retirement Plan Administration & Consulting Quorum Consulting Group 3101 Greenhead Drive, Suite A Springfield, IL 62711..........................................(217) 793-7200

Security Systems & Monitoring ADT Security Services 682 High Point Lane East Peoria, IL 61611.........................................(217) 638-9233 kicenogle@adt.com

Schools

The Depot Storage 1215 E. Bunn Avenue Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 529-5600 Completely fenced, lighted and secure complex. Warehouse storage and distribution of 2,000 to 80,000 square feet of custom warehouse space with sprinkled, dock high and palletized services. Self Storage – 6x10 to 10x24. Boat, car and RV indoor and outdoor storage.

The Unit Storage 4827 Rodger Street Springfield, IL 62703..........................................(217) 391-3533 www.theunitstorage.com Climate-controlled self-storage units. Located in Industrial Park near I-55 & Toronto Road in Springfield. Various sizes, all with secure interior entry, digital video surveillance, easy account management online.

Central Illinois Trucks, Inc. 3440 Gatlin Drive Springfield, IL 62707..........................................(217) 544-5300 www.cittrucks.com For more than 38 years, CIT has been growing to meet the needs of our customers. Now with 13 locations across Illinois, we make it easy for you to find the best in truck sales, parts, service and body repair.

Tree Services Throop & Son Tree Service, Inc. 2294 Hazlett Road Springfield, IL 62707..........................................(217) 528-8523 tmolohon@sbcglobal.net

Surveyors Raynolds, Higginbotham & Assoc., Inc. 1025 S. Second Street Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 241-3500 johnr@johnraynolds.com

Title & Escrow Companies Illinois Real Estate Title Center, LLC 2055 W. Iles Avenue, Suite B Springfield, IL 62704..........................................(217) 787-3330 info@iltitlecenter.com www.iltitlecenter.com

Illinois College 1101 W. College Avenue Jacksonville, IL 62650........................................(217) 245-3030 admissions@ic.edu www.ic.edu

We offer residential and commercial services, including prompt issuance of lenders and owners policies for purchases, refinances and construction loans. Contact us today for complete details.

Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success.

Index of Display Advertisers Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport................. 6 Bella Milano.................................................. 4 Blessed Sacrament School........................... 9 CEFCU........................................................ 18 Celebrations Catering by County Market.................................... 12 Comfort Suites...............Outside Back Cover Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation............................ 26 Don Smith Paint Company......................... 21 The Dublin Pub.......................................... 20 First Bankers Trust Company..................... 21 Illinois workNet® Center............................. 4

Lincoln Land Community College.............. 10 Little Flower School................................... 10 Mansion View Inn & Suites......................... 23 Marine Bank............................................... 17 Memorial Physician Services...................... 15 MJ Kellner Foodservice............................. 16 Our Savior’s School.................................... 13 RE/MAX Professionals - Deb Sarsany........ 20 RE/MAX Professionals - Kari Selinger........ 16 The Real Estate Group Inc. Julie Davis Team...................................... 20 Sangamon Auditorium............................... 13 Security Bank................................................ 6

SIU HealthCare........................................... 17 Smart Choice Properties, LLC / Smart Choice Homes, LLC....................... 20 Spinner Plastics............................................ 4 Springfield Art Association........................ 29 Springfield Christian School......................... 9 Springfield Mass Transit District................ 13 St. John’s Hospital............ Inside Front Cover University of Illinois Springfield................. 10 Williamsville State Bank & Trust................... 5 WSB Investment Services Ltd...................... 5 Young’s Security Systems........................... 20