Events

Upcoming Events

ACS IL Heartland March Member Social

We invite you to join us for a relaxed, informal Member Social. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow ACS members, share ideas, and enjoy some coffee together.

Where: Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 Southwest Water St, Peoria

When: Friday, March 27, 4-6 P.M.

An invitation from the Illinois-Iowa ACS Section:

Dr. Andy Axup will host the Section's annual Chemistry Trivia at St. Ambrose University on April 8 (time TBD). Mark your calendars to attend in person or online!

Thanks to last year's LS-MEET Grant, we are hosting this event in a hybrid format. Local groups can gather at Monmouth College or the University of Dubuque, or you may join virtually via Zoom. The link will be sent out in advance of the event.

More information will be shared as the date approaches.

Past Events

📢 Free Events for Chemists and Science Professionals

The ACS Illinois Heartland Local Section would like to share two upcoming free events that may be of interest to those working at the interface of chemistry, biotechnology, and agricultural technology:

AgTech Connect – February 18, 2026

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), AgTech Connect brings together innovators and researchers in agricultural technology. Register here: https://greaterpeoriaedc.org/event/greater-peoria-agtech-connect-february-18-2026/

2026 iFAB Biomanufacturing Summit – March 11, 2026

This summit focuses on biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, highlighting applications of chemistry in biotechnology and translating research into real-world products. The event offers excellent opportunities for networking with leaders in chemical and biochemical manufacturing. Register here: https://ifabtechhub.org/event/2026-ifab-biomanufacturing-summit/

Member Social Coffee Chat

We invite you to join us for a relaxed, informal Member Social Coffee Chat. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow ACS members, share ideas, and enjoy some coffee together.

Where: Café Santa Rosa, 1327 E Kelly Ave, Peoria Heights

When: Saturday, February 28, 10:00 AM to Noon

Industrial Chemistry Through the Lens of Black Excellence

Industrial Chemistry Through the Lens of Black Excellence, a Gallery Walk Presentation showcasing the contributions of Black scientists across industries.

Where: Crispin 220, Illinois College, 1101 W College Ave, Jacksonville, IL

When: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026, 9–10 AM

Lawrence Lecture Featuring Dr. Joseph Francisco

The Bradley University Mund-Lagowski Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is honored to host Dr. Joseph Francisco, former President of the American Chemical Society, as the Lawrence Lecturer on February 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Dr. Francisco is an internationally recognized scholar whose research focuses on atmospheric chemistry.

In addition to the evening Lawrence Lecture, Dr. Francisco will present a Departmental Seminar at noon on the same day titled Water in the Atmosphere: The Molecule that Changes Everything.

You are invited to attend one or both events.

End of the Year Social

The IL Heartland ACS section concluded a busy year with a celebratory dinner. Members braved the bitter cold on Friday, December 5, and gathered at Obed and Isaac’s in downtown Peoria, enjoyed conversation, and got to know each other.

The restaurant offered us a tour of their brewery, where they produce the beer consumed by the restaurant patrons. It was a haven for us, the curious chemists!

We appreciated members who drove from Bloomington to attend this casual social event. The success of this social gathering encouraged us to make it an annual event. The year has been quite eventful, and we have had many successful programs. This event was the cherry on top!

Have a great Holiday Season, and may the New Year bring you success and good health!

Chemistry Across Sections: IL Heartland & IL-IA Host Joint Seminar with Dr. Michael Appell

On November 6, 2025, the Illinois Heartland and Illinois-Iowa sections of the American Chemical Society hosted their first joint event at Knox College.

We were excited to feature our own member, Dr. Michael Appell, ACS Fellow and expert in Medicinal Chemistry, as the speaker. With more than 20 years of experience using analytical sciences, nanotechnology, AI, and quantum-based cheminformatics, Dr. Appell shared cutting-edge approaches to food, water, and energy security.

His presentation, From Bonds to Billions: Securing the Food, Energy, and Water with Chemistry, highlighted innovations for detecting and controlling mycotoxins, which impact food safety, waste, and global sustainability. He also discussed solutions such as selective filtration membranes and novel adsorbents to keep water clean and safe.

A special thank you to Knox College for hosting us and giving attendees a tour of their NMR exhibit. Guests also enjoyed snacks and explored the impressive whale skeleton in the Umbeck Science and Math Center.

ACS National Chemistry Week Program-in-a-Box

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM CST (Pre-show beginning at 5:45 PM CST), Illinois College, Dunham Auditorium - Crispin 220

2025 NCW Illustrated Poem Contest

The Hidden Life of Spices

2025-ncw-poem-contest-flyer.pdf

Bradley Chemistry Club Demo Crew's Outreach at Oktoberfest at the Peoria Riverfront on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Seminar

Agriculturally-Based Nanoencapsulation Systems

Dr. Kervin Evans

Please join us for the upcoming seminar titled 'Agriculturally-Based Nanoencapsulation Systems' by Dr. Kervin Evans. The seminar will be held on Thursday, July 24th, at 5:00 p.m. at Bradley University (Neumiller Hall, Room 145 in Bradley Hall).

Dr. Kervin Evans has been researching encapsulation systems for the past 25+ years. Encapsulation systems are a method of surrounding materials to promote, protect, and/or deliver the material under conditions usually unfavorable to the material. Encapsulation systems can be used to model cellular function to understand lipid and/or protein functions, for delivering treatment for diseases to reducing insolubility in water, or for protecting bioactive molecules from degradation. Dr. Evans will touch on some aspects from his research during his tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service facility here in Peoria, IL.

Members Social

June 3, 2025 @ 4-5 PM

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery

You are invited to join us for a members social on Tuesday, June 3rd at Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery in Peoria, from 4-5 pm. Get to know the other members and happenings across Central Illinois.

Kellehers address: 619 Southwest Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602

Hope to see you there! Thanks!

Social get-together, Bloomington, Tuesday, May 13, 2025

We will be celebrating our Teacher of the Year, Megan Sprague, and enjoying an evening of connection and camaraderie.

Details:

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

3010 East Empire Street, Bloomington, IL 61704

Please RSVP to Hind Abi-akar, Chair of the ACS IL Hearland Section, by Saturday, May 10. The Section will be pleased to provide appetizers for attending members. Please note that any additional expenses will be the responsibility of individual members. We hope you can join us for an evening of celebration and great company.

2025 Awards Banquet and Poster Session - April 29, 2025, The Warehouse on State, 5-8 pm

2025 CCEW Illustrated Poem Contest

Hot Topic, Cool Chemistry!

2025-ccew-poem-contest-flyer IL Heartland.pdf

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Approaches to Combat Climate Change: Science and Governance
Featuring Dr. Wil Burns
Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 PM
Westlake 116, Bradley University

Dr. Wil Burns is Associate Director of the Environmental Policy & Culture Program at Northwestern University, and Founding Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University in Washington, DC. He is the former President of the Association of Environment Studies & Sciences and Chair of the International Environmental Law Section of the International Law Association.
This free event is hosted by the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) and is open to everyone. Feel free to share it with colleagues or students who might be interested.