Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Purple Coalition, a newly formed civic group focused on bridging political divides and fostering community dialogue, held its inaugural listening session Monday evening at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield.

Dozens of community members gathered in the church’s community hall to share concerns, hopes, and ideas for improving civic engagement and restoring trust across political lines. The event marked the coalition’s first public step toward building a grassroots movement centered on respectful conversation and collaborative problem-solving.

“We’re here to listen—not to lecture,” said one of the coalition’s founding members Ken Pacha during opening remarks. “This is about creating space for people who may not agree on everything, but who care deeply about their community and want to be part of something constructive.”
Facilitators guided conversations with open-ended questions, encouraging participants to speak from personal experience rather than partisan talking points.

Springfield City leader’s including Senator Doris Turner, Alderman Roy Williams Jr, Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano, Sheriff candidate Marc E. Bell, County Board candidate Miguel M Valente, as well as members of the Massey Commission, Black Lives Matter SPI, Springfield Branch NAACP Illinois, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, Land of Lincoln DSA, Food Not Bombs, and 50501 were in attendance.

The Purple Coalition plans to host a series of listening sessions across Central Illinois in the coming months, with the goal of identifying shared values and actionable priorities that can inform future civic initiatives.

Organizers say the feedback gathered will help shape the coalition’s mission and programming as it grows. This was the first session in the wake of the second-degree murder conviction of former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson; the community came together Monday evening for the powerful session. The next session is slated for November 21.