Insuring Satisfaction by Byron Lewis

Over the past fifteen years, Springfield's car insurance industry has seen many agencies
come and go. But one north side agency has not only survived, it has thrived.

The agency is called ALF insurance and its owned by Springfield native, Peggy Reynolds.

Reynolds believes that the automotive decor helps to set the right tone with her customers.

Reynolds said, "Usually its men, and they would say, The man that owns this, must really like
car stuff."

Once the agency's receptionist, Reynolds is now the owner. But she tries to remain grounded.

"I don't think of if that way, to me its just a job, just like anyone else. I mean I have more to
worry about, but its not like I pull into the parking lot and think oh I own this. In fact, I don't
tell anyone that I own it, " said Reynolds. 

Although, some in the industry, wonder what ALF's secret recipe is, Reynolds believes that the
secret is not a secret at all.

Reynolds explained, "I would say because we have good customer service, we really try to follow
up with phone calls. And we try to help people, we try to send them elsewhere if we can't help
them, or if it time for them to move on. I think its customer service. "

Despite competition from other agencies, ALF insurance will continue to focus on one
thing, satisfying the customer. 

Child Protection Training Academy

Victoria Veech

There were cameras in every room at the Little House on the University of Illinois campus last Thursday as training began for Child Protection Services workers from across the state.  This gave workers some idea of what to expect when going into a home with suspected abuse.   The next day they followed with a simulation in the courtroom.  There was a retired judge and State’s Attorneys in the simulation and workers were put on the stand as witnesses just as they would on the job.  This gave them experience with proper testimony.  

Director of the Child Protection Training Academy said, “Due to suspected abuse and neglect and then we have to work with our prosecutors and our states attorneys to determine whether children should come into care, stay in the homes or if criminal charges should be filed if there is indeed child abuse or neglect occurring.”

The Child Protection Training Academy at UIS is only one of 2 in the nation.

Student Union Update

Student Union Update

Sarah Bond

The University of Illinois-Springfield campus has some obvious updates that are taking place.  The new UIS Student Union is taking shape at a rapid pace with the hard work of over one thousand architects, engineers, construction workers, students and faculty. UIS students are excited for the unveiling and have high expectations for what the student union will hold which is expected to be completed in late January 2018. Construction will continue into the winter months with the completion of the rubber membrane roof, roof insulation, and the Densglass sheathing to protect the structure over the winter. The project has a big price tag costing almost twenty two million dollars. UIS student Jack Coombes shares his thoughts on the campus’s new addition. “ Well I’m excited for the student union to be built because it’s going to bring a lot more people on to campus and into the Springfield community and that’s what we want here at UIS because it’s a small campus alone but I think it has potential to be a huge school which is exciting for the future and I can’t wait to be alumni and come back and visit this place when its massive.”

Student Debt
Michael Biondo

The closing of ITT Technical Institute forced students to seek education elsewhere. Some of these students chose to attend Lincoln Land Community College for a cheaper alternative. The most difficult part about the schools closing is that many of the students collected debt from attending the "for profit" institution.

Women's Volleyball vs Quincy
Jack Coombes




The UIS Women's Volleyball team played against Quincy on saturday, the girls were looking to improve on their already great start to the season. Heading into their first conference games the team was 5-3. which is just two wins short of already eclipsing their record from last season. The team is relying on their returners to bring leadership and experience to the team this year, a long with new freshmen who are eager to get their collegiate careers off to the best possible start. After the weekend the girls unfortunately lost but are looking to get back on track this weekend away at Bellarmine and University of Southern Indiana.

UIS is still funding their student's map grants.

With an ongoing budget crisis in Illinois, The University of Illinois spring will continue fund student’s Map grants. Chancellor Koch continues to say, “Providing Students with an exceptional and affordable college experience remains a top priority at UIS.”

This comes off the helms of Governor Rauner and other political leaders cutting a Temporary deal to continue to fund Schools and Universities so they could open this fall. The Scary thing about this is that this is “Temporary”. That means they could easily change their ruling because this is a temporarily fix the long-standing issue.