2026 Envisioning Justice Statewide Convening
Beyond the Walls: Transcending Confinement
When
May
13
–
May 14, 2026
4:00pm–5:00pm
Cost
Free.
Registration is required.
Beyond the Walls: Transcending Confinement
The Envisioning Justice Statewide Convening is an opportunity to recharge and connect with an extraordinary community of artists, humanists, and organizers working across the state to reimagine the future of our justice system.
Join us as we examine the spaces and places of confinement and their effects on individuals and communities. Together, we will examine the effects of confinement and explore how individuals navigate their constraints to liberate their mind and spirit.
This in-person gathering will feature dynamic speakers, experiential sessions, and facilitated group dialogue meant to ground Envisioning Justice partners in their work, foster connections, and exemplify the healing power of the arts and humanities in our collective action toward justice.
Together, we will celebrate, highlight, and lift the work of our partners from across the state.
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, May 13
- 4:00 p.m.: Guest Arrival (Registration and Reception)
- 5:00 p.m.: Dinner
- 5:30 p.m.: Welcome & Introductions
- 6:00 p.m.: How Hope Stood the Test of Time: A Conversation Between Renaldo Hudson and Stanley Howard
- 7:00 p.m.: Concluding Remarks
- 7:10-8:30 p.m.: DJ L O Kari
Thursday, May 14th
- 8:45 a.m.: Doors open
- 9:05 a.m.: Welcome
- 9:40-10:25 a.m.: A Grounding Exercise led by Faylita Hicks
- 10:25-10:35 a.m.: The Nelson Mandela Act
- Presenter: Brian Beals, Restore Justice and Mud Theater
- 10:35-10:50 a.m.: Break
- 10:50-11:40 a.m.: Space, Place, Time, and Reentry Under Registry and Banishment Laws
- Presenters: Terrance Chism, Benjamin Head, Lavert Kidd, James Orr, and Laurie Jo Reynolds
- 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m.: Small Group Discussions
- 12:10-1:10 p.m.: Lunch
- 1:10-1:15 p.m.: Welcome Back
- 1:15-2:30 p.m.: Finding Joy in Justice: A Multicultural Drum Circle for Reflection, Solidarity and Connection
- 2:30-2:45 p.m.: Break
- 2:45-4 p.m.: Breakouts
- Drumming for Wellness & Self-Care - led by Rahul Sharma
- Tea Project Performance - presented by Amber Ginsburg and Aaron Hughes
- Liberation Through Story - Sandra Garcia and Kevin Amaro of Illinois Workers in Action
- Locked Achievements: Poetry, Incarceration, and Freedom - led by Elgin Bokari Smith
- 4:00-4:10 p.m.: Transition
- 4:10-4:40 p.m.: Share-outs
- 4:40-5:00 p.m.: Close Out
- 5:00-6:30 p.m.: Dinner
More About...
Transportation and Lodging
Shuttles
Shuttles will depart the Crowne Plaza Springfield and the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton, at the times listed below. Please meet in the hotel lobby a few minutes prior to departure.
Guests staying at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton, may also choose to walk five minutes to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Note: Breakfast will be served at the hotel only. Please plan for breakfast before taking the shuttle or walking to the convening. A travel stipend will be given to all attendees outside the Springfield area.
Wednesday, 5/13 Afternoon (to the convening):
Shuttle #1
- 3:30 p.m.: Departure: Crowne Plaza Springfield
- 3:45 p.m.: Departure: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 3:55 p.m.: Arrival: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Shuttle #2
- 4:15 p.m.: Departure: Crowne Plaza Springfield
- 4:30 p.m.: Departure: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 4:40 p.m.: Arrival: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Wednesday, 5/13 Evening (from the convening):
- 8:30 p.m.: Departure: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- 8:35 p.m.: Arrival: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 8:55 p.m.: Arrival: Crowne Plaza Springfield
Thursday, 5/14 Morning (to the convening):
Shuttle #1
- 8:20 a.m.: Departure: Crowne Plaza Springfield
- 8:35 a.m.: Departure: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 8:45 a.m.: Arrival: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Shuttle #2
- 9:00 a.m.: Departure: Crowne Plaza Springfield
- 9:15 a.m.: Departure: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 9:25 a.m.: Arrival: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Thursday, 5/14 Evening (from the convening):
- 6:30 p.m.: Departure: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- 6:35 p.m.: Arrival: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
6:55 p.m.: Arrival: Crowne Plaza Springfield
LODGING
Attendees staying at the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton (701 E Adams St) and Crowne Plaza Springfield (3000 S Dirksen Pkwy) have received emails confirming their reservations. As a reminder, check-in is at 4:00 p.m. and check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
Guests checking out on Thursday, May 14, will need to do so before arriving at the convening, and there will be a designated space to store your belongings during the day.
Breakfast will be provided at both hotels and is not available at the convening.
If you have any questions about lodging, please email Elise Pakiela at events@ilhumanities.org and Marsha LaRocca and Lyn Young at simplydetailed1@gmail.com.
NOTES:
- When checking into the hotel, you will need to present a credit card for incidentals.
- Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and Check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
- For attendees paying for their own rooms, please budget approximately $200 per night for lodging.
- Breakfast will be served at the hotel only.
Parking and Directions
Parking
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Street Parking: Limited street parking is available around the campus.
- Parking Garage: The parking garage for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is located on the corner of Sixth and Madison Streets, with entry on Sixth.
President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton
- The hotel does not have its own parking, but there is an adjacent parking garage operated by the Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center located on the West side of the Bank of Springfield Center with entrances on 7th Street and Washington Street. Parking is $7 per day.
Crowne Plaza Springfield
- The hotel offers complimentary daily self-parking onsite, and there is car parking available.
Directions
Springfield is accessible via Amtrak from Illinois in Chicago, Bloomington-Normal, Carlinville, and Alton, and from Missouri in St. Louis. Get driving directions to the hotel here and to the venue here.
Additionally, the venue’s website lists driving directions coming from various parts of the state. Please note that many downtown streets use the one-way street system.
Accessibility
Hotel
There are no steps at the entrance, the elevator, the ballroom, the bar, or the restrooms. All of these areas are fully wheelchair accessible. There are two accessible restrooms conveniently located on the main floor. The restaurant offers flexible seating and the lobby is fully accessible. The entire main level of the parking garage, which is 20 ft away from the building, is comprised of accessible spaces.
Convening Venue
Accessibility information can be found on the venue’s website.
If you require accommodations to participate in this event fully, please contact Elise Pakiela at events@ilhumanities.org at least 72 hours before the event.
About the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is the heart of the Lincoln legacy. Dive into the life and legacy of one of America's most iconic leaders. Explore exhibits, lectures, and exclusive interviews to uncover the remarkable story of Abraham Lincoln.
Follow @LincolnMuseum: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Conn's Catering & Events
Conn's Catering & Events is part of Conn's Hospitality Group, Inc., which began with Roy Conn and his family restaurant in Palmyra, Illinois. Conn's Hospitality Group, Inc. now includes Court, Karen, Casey & Adam Conn, who have grown the family business to include Inn at 835, Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery (Springfield & Peoria), 7th Street Cidery, Wm. Van's Coffeehouse, Elkhart Hill Farm & Vineyard, and Elkhart Station. Each business is located in a different historic home or building in either downtown Springfield, Peoria, or Elkhart, Illinois, that has been lovingly and carefully restored by the Conn family. Learn more at connshg.com.
About Envisioning Justice
Since 2017, Envisioning Justice has created free public arts and humanities programs in partnership with communities and people affected by the carceral system and provided grant funding for individuals, nonprofits, and collectives. Together, we foster conversation and empower diverse perspectives to gain statewide momentum toward ending mass incarceration.
Registration is full. If you have any questions, please contact us at ejustice@ilhumanities.org. Thank you.
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787 Fax
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Illinois Humanities respects the privacy of its audiences and will at no time sell or distribute personal information to any party not directly affiliated with Illinois Humanities and its programs.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
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