Winter Farmers Market will take place on April 25
The Winter Farmers Market scheduled for April is still on — to provide access to locally produced, nutritious food products — but with many changes to ensure patrons and vendors comply with national, state and local social distancing restrictions. Illinois Farmers Markets have been deemed an essential business by the State of Illinois during the…
First Illinois business sues insurer over ‘business disruption’ claim
Chicago tavern sues insurer over ‘business disruption’ claim Lawsuit illustrates how COVID-19 could be devastating for insurance industry By Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com A Chicago tavern that has been closed since March 16 due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Illinois filed a lawsuit this week against an insurance company for refusing to pay…
Hearts for Healthcare Workers
Ace Sign Company and Primo Designs have teamed up to raise money for the Memorial Medical Center Foundation and the HSHS St. John’s Foundation. By visiting heartsforhealthcare.com you can purchase Hearts for Healthcare Workers yard signs and t-shirts to join the movement that is benefiting the local COVID-19 response efforts. “Health care workers throughout our…
Express Talks – Celebrity Edition to be held virtually on April 22
The Greater Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Express Employment Professionals to offer Express Talks – Celebrity Edition (formerly the Refresh Leadership Simulcast), to be held virtually on Wednesday, April 22 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. CEOs, business owners and leaders are encouraged to attend. Simon Sinek, the award-winning author of leadership books, The…
Josh Sabo hired as coordinator for Heartland Continuum of Care
New full-time position will provide direct support to agencies serving unhoused residents across Sangamon County The Heartland Continuum of Care (HCoC) has hired Josh Sabo as its new full-time coordinator. Sabo will be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the local system of shelters, services and housing that helps people exit homelessness in Sangamon County. “I…
LandGuys expands to new office space
One of the few businesses that hasn’t been impacted much by COVID-19 is LandGuys, a land brokerage company that specializes in farms, hunting properties and rural homes. In March, the company moved from an office on Meadowbrook Drive in Springfield to a larger office at 4331 Conestoga Dr, just before the business closures began. However,…
Another 200,000 Illinoisans file for unemployment claim
Economists forecast potential major hit on state’s economy revenues By Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com More than half a million Illinois workers have filed first-time unemployment claims in the four weeks since the COVID-19 outbreak first hit the labor market. Economists at the University of Illinois are now forecasting a major economic downturn that…
Steve Etheridge joins Hickory Point Bank
Steve Etheridge has come out of retirement and joined Hickory Point Bank to help serve local small businesses and nonprofit companies with Paycheck Protection Program loans. Etheridge was previously a co-owner of Henson Robinson Company and served as its chief financial officer for 24 years. “We are thrilled that Steve has stepped up to help…
Springfield area job opportunities
Tiger Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, & Electrical Services 1902 Vandalia St. #100 Collinsville, IL 62234 Hiring all positions for new Springfield office (coming spring 2020). Learn more during a virtual job fair on Thursday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m. Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/484079808943134/ Event Registration: https://bit.ly/tigerjob www.TrustTiger.com/career-opportunities/ Contact info for job application: holly.gill@trusttiger.com (844)…
Building permit roundup – March 30 – April 5
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between March 30 and April 5. Quattro Development, LLC obtained a commercial permit for 2401 W. Wabash Ave. J.E. Foster Building Company is the contractor and the project is valued at $1,230.
Chamber Business Relief Fund provides quick assistance to small business owners
While small business owners scramble to apply for the various loan programs and grants now being offered at the state and federal level, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is trying to help bridge the gap for those waiting for financial assistance. On March 20, the Chamber Business Relief Fund was created to assist businesses…
Yolanda Stout named branch manager of MacArthur Town and Country Bank
Town and Country Bank has hired Yolanda Stout as branch manager for the company’s MacArthur Boulevard location in Springfield. Stout comes to Town and Country Bank with over 15 years of experience in the industry, although she most recently worked as the human resource director for Brother James Court in Springfield. Since 2004, she has…
Need help navigating the assistance options for small businesses?
Now that both the state and federal government have rolled out programs to assist small businesses who have suffered economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many small business owners are trying to determine their eligibility and how to apply. The Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at Lincoln Land Community College is…
Building permit roundup – March 16 – March 29
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between March 16 and March 29. K & R Properties, Inc. obtained a commercial permit for 3501 Winchester Road. Siciliano, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $185,000. Gordon W. Gates and Peter D. Wise obtained a commercial accessory structure permit…
MacMurray College to close in May
The email below was sent to alumni on Friday, March 27, 2020: Dear Alumni, I write today to share very sad news: The Board of Trustees of MacMurray College has voted unanimously to close the college at the end of the semester in May. To view the video announcement, please visit mac.edu/closure. Although your recent gifts…
The state of higher education
By David Blanchette/photos by David Blanchette One area college is completing its best-ever academic year with record enrollment, new majors and increased facility investments. Just over a mile away another college’s board must decide if there is enough expected revenue to continue operating. This tale of two colleges is set in Jacksonville, where Illinois College,…
State, national unemployment spikes amid COVID-19 outbreak
More than 114,000 Illinoisans file new claims in one week By Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com More than 114,000 workers in Illinois filed first-time unemployment claims in the week ending March 21 as the United States saw its biggest one-week spike in recorded history, with 3.2 million workers filing for benefits. The U.S. Department…
State announces low-interest loans and grant programs to help small businesses
Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund This $60 million fund will support low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for small businesses in every industry outside of Chicago. DCEO and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are partnering with Accion, the Illinois Bankers Association and the Community Bankers Alliance of Illinois to create…
Support small businesses during COVID crisis
By Mark Grant Social distancing is a sensible response to the spreading coronavirus, but it’s taking a toll on Illinois’ small businesses. A new survey from my association, the National Federation of Independent Business, says that 76% of small businesses report being impacted by the response to COVID-19. Not surprisingly, most small businesses say sales…
Bella Boutique gets new owner
Elizabeth Eckert recently became the new owner of Bella Boutique, 2805 W. White Oaks Dr., but has been a part of the business for her entire adult life. At the age of 18, she began working at the store for the original owner, Regina Santarelli, and later helped facilitate the sale of the business by…
Perry Greene hired as general manager of Panther Creek Country Club
Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield has hired Perry Greene as the new general manager, effective March 5. For more than two decades, Greene worked at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, first as the golf course superintendent and more recently as the general manager. However, the owner’s death in 2010 marked a turning…
From AmeriCorps intern to CEO
Photos by Sierra Smithers Springfield native Tiffany Mathis recently became the CEO and executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois (BGCCIL). Her passion and dedication are unmistakable. “I really love that I was able to work somewhere you can just be all in,” she said. Mathis was originally introduced to BGCCIL…
Telling time and tales of history
By Dennis Thread How many times a day do you check the time? Under the influence of mobile phones, clocks are mere decorations and watches seemingly irrelevant. After all, the time is always there, insistently peaking at us from the top of our screens. But something strange has happened in the era of smart watches.…
Wes Barr’s legacy lives on
By Lana Shovlin/Photos by Terry Farmer When I recently met with Sherry Barr in a secluded corner of a local coffee shop, the first thing both of us commented on was how strange it was that we couldn’t shake one another’s hand. We briefly spoke about how surreal life feels at this bizarre time.…
Chamber Business Relief Fund launched
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) has created the Chamber Business Relief Fund to provide timely and meaningful financial resources to businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. GSCC has seeded the fund with $15,000, and members of its board of directors have contributed more than $10,000 in less than 24 hours to establish…
