Corrin McWhirter starts new job with Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Corrin McWhirter, a familiar name in the Springfield arts community, is now the assistant director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault after spending the past five years as the gallery director for the Springfield Art Association. “My training and background is in the visual arts, but I also have a background in management and…
Bailey Felts joins Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes
Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C. has hired Bailey Felts as an associate attorney. Felts previously worked at the Illinois State Bar Association, where she served as an associate counsel. Prior to that, she was an assistant public defender at the Sangamon County Public Defender’s Office. Felts received her undergraduate degree from University of Illinois…
16th annual 15 Under Fifteen business awards
Do you know an outstanding small business that deserves recognition? United Community Bank and Springfield Business Journal are sponsoring the 16th annual small business awards program, 15 Under Fifteen. In October, we will recognize and honor 15 businesses with 15 or fewer employees in the Springfield area. Take a moment to submit a business you…
Building permit roundup – August 5 – August 11
By Stacie Lewis Springfield Clinic obtained a commercial remodel permit for the Springfield clinic West parking lot at 2200 W. Wabash Avenue. The project is valued at $1,200,000. Another commercial remodel permit was obtained for a non-structural demolition at the same address and that project is valued at $67,248. O’Shea Builders is the contractor for…
Amanda Long returns to City of Springfield as purchasing agent
The new purchasing agent for the City of Springfield is already a familiar name in city government. Amanda Long begins her new job on Aug. 12, which marks her return to the city after nearly two years working as the assistant director at the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Prior to that, she spent 12…
New ownership for Mel-O-Cream Donuts
Mel-O-Cream Donuts, a Springfield staple since 1932, has been sold to a new owner. Springfield resident Amanda Crossland is the principal of Sangamon Donuts, LLC and acquired the four retail locations on July 14. Crossland, who previously worked for Bunn and H.D. Smith, was the manager for consumer marketing and sales support when she left…
Hands-On Healthcare program
Memorial Medical Center will hold four sessions of its free program designed to help students and community members learn more about health care careers. The Hands-On Healthcare program meets at least monthly. The next sessions are medical imaging, 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 28; perioperative services, 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 11; medical education, 6-8 p.m. on…
Stacey Pfingsten named AIA Illinois’ executive vice president
Following a national search, Stacey Pfingsten has been named AIA Illinois’ incoming executive vice president. Pfingsten, an Illinois native, will begin her tenure in September 2019. She is replacing Mike Waldinger, who announced earlier this year he would be stepping down in October from the position he’s held for the past 18 years to take…
Building permit roundup – July 29 – August 4
By Stacie Lewis Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust obtained a commercial remodel permit for 3401 S. Freedom Drive. The contractor is Acme Enterprises, Inc. and the project is valued at $45,000. YMCA obtained a commercial permit for foundation work for the new facility at 601 N. Fourth St. O’Shea Builders is the contractor and the…
William Legge will be stepping down from Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois
William Legge, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois (BGCCIL), has announced he will be stepping aside after more than eight years leading the organization. “I’ve done what I set out to do, and now it’s time for somebody new to come in and bring some fresh energy,” Legge explained. However,…
Associated Beer Distributors expand building
The Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois will soon have a space to host its own events. Bob Myers, president of ABDI, said the association has been located at 100 W. Cook St. in Springfield since 1987, but has held board meetings and special events off-site, due to lack of space. “In the past, we’ve always…
Third time’s the charm?
The Cardologist, a long-time downtown business known for its selection of socks as much as cards and gifts, is facing the prospect of having to relocate again for the third time in just over three years. Owner Doug Mayol says his landlord has given him notice that his lease will not be renewed when it…
Fulgenzi’s Trattoria transitions to catering company
Fulgenzi’s Trattoria and Catering closed its location at 214 W. Chestnut in Chatham a few months ago, but fans of the restaurant’s cuisine will soon have another option. Owner John John Fulgenzi says that while he hasn’t settled on a name, he plans to reopen at 2700 W. Lawrence Ave. in Springfield in the space…
Building permit roundup – July 22 – July 28
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between July 22 and July 28, 2019. Realty Income Illinois Properties 3, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at AMC Theater at 3141 S. Mercantile Drive to include an AMC McGuffins Restaurant. LK Construction, LLC is the contractor and the project is…
Vernessa Glover leaving HSHS
Vernessa Glover, who was recently recognized as one of Security Bank’s and Springfield Business Journal’s Women of Influence for 2019, is moving back to Atlanta, Georgia, after spending the past seven years in Springfield. Glover is currently the business manager of surgery at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, and her last day will be Aug. 2.…
Harry Schmidt joins O’Shea Builders
O’Shea Builders has hired Harry Schmidt as director of business strategies. Schmidt comes to O’Shea from Memorial Health System, where he worked for 12 years, most recently as CEO of Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville. During his career at Memorial, he was manager of information technology customer support and served as vice president of facilities…
Drew Early to become president and CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital
Drew Early, vice president of operations for Memorial Medical Center, will become the next president and CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital, pending the successful completion of its affiliation with the Springfield-based health system. The nonprofit hospital’s board of directors approved Early’s appointment at its meeting on July 23. He is expected to begin his new…
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce job fair
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting a job fair on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center from 4-6 p.m. Businesses can reserve a booth for $150 and recruit potential employees. Register here. In addition, the Chamber has a job board that members can use to connect with job seekers.…
100+ Who Care of Springfield
One fortunate local nonprofit will receive $10,000 next month, courtesy of 100+ Who Care of Springfield. The group is holding its third annual fundraising event on Thursday, Aug. 1, a grassroots effort that relies heavily on word-of-mouth and participation from community volunteers who want to lobby for a particular charity. On Aug. 1, 100 people…
LS Building Products prepares to open Springfield location
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DAVID BLANCHETTE It’s been a long, strange trip for LS Building Products, but the East Peoria-based wholesale distributor will soon open its largest facility, an 80,000-square-foot, full-service operation near the I-55 and Sangamon Avenue exit in Springfield. The LS Building Products Springfield operation will open in early August following two years…
Women working in STEM fields
BY MEREDITH HOWARD Although women earn 50.3% of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees, they account for only 29% of the science and engineering workforce, according to the National Girls Collaborative Project, which encourages girls to learn about and work in STEM fields. Despite this statistic, Springfield is home to many female business owners and…
Does incentivized relocation pay dividends?
BY ERIC WOODS For those not tied to their current living locations, a couple areas in the United States are hoping to entice people to head their way. Both Tulsa, Oklaholma, and the state of Vermont have recently established programs that will pay people to relocate. It may only be a matter of time before…
Coliseum renovations update
The Illinois State Fair begins on Aug. 8, and R.D. Lawrence Construction Co. is putting the finishing touches on the Coliseum, which has undergone extensive renovations over the past six months. Due to safety concerns brought about by the deteriorating conditions, the Coliseum has been closed since 2016, which has resulted in the loss of…
Lauren Blackburn returns to Springfield as branch manager for U.S. Bank
Lauren Blackburn is the new branch manager for the U.S. Bank located at 2501 S. Veterans Parkway in Springfield. She replaces Marianne Jackson, who retired as of July 1 after seven years in that role. “I’ve been with the bank for 19 years,” said Blackburn. “I spent 12 years at the Fifth and Adams branch…
Building permit roundup – July 15 – July 21
BY STACIE LEWIS Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between July 15 and July 21, 2019. Capital City Trust in care of Mid-America Asset Management, Inc. obtained a commercial remodel permit for interior improvements at 3143 S. Dirksen Pkwy. The project is valued at $225,000. It also obtained a commercial…
Yummy Crab to open in former Groovy Duck space
Yummy Crab will soon take the place of Groovy Duck. The restaurant at 3165 S. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, located in the Capital City Shopping Center, has been vacant since Groovy Duck closed in January 2018. The Hibachi grill and Ramen noodle bar closed after a little more than a year in business, citing internal…
