Springfield Business Journal announces staff additions

James Bengfort is the new associate publisher for Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times, effective June 20.

He served in a similar capacity with Illinois Times when he previously lived in Springfield from 2012-2015. Most recently, he has been associate publisher for Oklahoma Gazette, a weekly alternative newspaper in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In addition to his responsibilities for the two publications, Bengfort will also be overseeing special events and ticketing services.

Bengfort says, “I’m excited to return to Springfield.  Both Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal have a strong presence in this market and have built up a great reputation over the years.”

Niko Robledo is a summer editorial intern for Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times. He is a journalism

major at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) and his love of journalism and photography drove him to work as editor of photography last year at The Lamp, a student publication at LLCC. During the 2018-19 school year he will be taking on the role of editor at The Lamp.

Robledo says, “I am inspired by journalists such as Hunter S. Thompson and Ernest Hemingway. Thompson’s “Hells Angels” was a turning point in choosing my career path.”  He hopes to use this opportunity to develop his own writing style and voice within the Springfield community.