When you think of a family business, McDonald’s probably isn’t what comes to mind. But for Steve and Karen Jeffers, they’ve built their careers and their families on more than four decades of working for McDonald’s. “We met when we were 15 years old, when we both worked at the McDonald’s on Jefferson Street,” said […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
Fact or Fiction: Whats really happening at Legacy Pointe?
By Michelle Ownbey Several weeks ago, new signs at Legacy Pointe appeared announcing 2019 openings for The Outlets at Springfield and Springhill Suites by Marriott. On March 19, Fox Run Restaurant & Lounge shared photos of the signs on Facebook and said, “Getting some new neighbors soon.” The images are now widely circulating on social […]
The Goddard School is opening a Springfield location
By Michelle Ownbey The Goddard School, a private preschool with nearly 500 locations nationwide, will be opening a location in Springfield later this year. Located in 37 different states, Goddard School serves 65,000 children ages six weeks through six years old. Barbara Burrows, the local franchisee, has operated the Goddard School in Edwardsville for the […]
Blue Cross Blue Shield is moving back into previous location
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is expanding its office space in Springfield. A representative for the company confirmed today (Jan. 17) that they are finalizing a lease for approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of space at 3200 Robbins Road to accommodate about 200 employees. BCBSIL previously leased space at the […]
2018 Best Places to Work recipients announced
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Springfield Business Journal and United Community Bank have announced the recipients of the 2018 “Best Places to Work.” Midwest Family Broadcasting, Resource One and Staab Funeral Home are being honored with awards this year, and Lincoln Land Community College and Orthopedic Center of Illinois, both prior recipients, are receiving awards in the […]
Former Atlantis Pools building sold
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Atlantis Pools, based out of Alton, Illinois, closed their Springfield location in December 2016, citing poor sales in the local market. The freestanding building at 3014 Montvale Dr. has been vacant since, and was listed for sale for nearly a year at $299,000. Kyle Killebrew, a broker with The Real Estate Group, […]
Athens Bancorp, Inc., NBP Financial Services consolidate holding companies, banks
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY The board of directors of Athens Bancorp, Inc., parent company of the Athens State Bank, and the board of directors of NBP Financial Services, parent company of the National Bank of Petersburg, have announced that the parties have signed a letter of intent outlining the terms of a consolidation of the two […]
Central Illinois Builders of AGC names 2018 officers and Board directors
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Steve Halverson from Halverson Construction in Springfield has been elected president of Central Illinois Builders of AGC for 2018. Mike Sunley of O’Shea Builders, who is serving as secretary/treasurer, is the other officer from Springfield. Mike Landgrebe of Landgrebe Interior Construction and Steve Povse of Kerber, Eck & Braeckel, LLP were both […]
Sarah Beuning hired as general counsel at ICASA
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Sarah Beuning has been hired as general counsel at Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). Since 2006, she had served as general counsel and director of human resources for Tom Lange Company, Inc. in Springfield. “I got to the point where I was ready for a new challenge and wanted to do […]
Passavant Area Hospital expands women’s health care services
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Passavant Area Hospital has expanded women’s health care services offered on the hospital’s campus with the opening of a renovated facility dedicated to women’s health. The Passavant Women’s Health Center, which opened Jan. 2, allows women in the Jacksonville area greater access to obstetric and gynecologic care, including care related to high-risk […]
Roger Huebner promoted with Central Illinois Builders
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY On Jan. 1, Roger Huebner became the new executive vice president of Central Illinois Builders (CIB), an association dedicated to improving professional standards in the construction industry. Huebner is responsible for the overall operation of CIB, labor relations and membership services. Huebner has worked for CIB since February 2016 as director of […]
Mallory OBrien promoted at Resource One
BY MICHELLE OWNBEY Mallory O’Brien, who has been employed at Resource One for four years as a designer, has been promoted to Project Manager. O’Brien has a degree in interior design from Maryville University in St. Louis and previously worked for KSID Interiors and Distinctive Designs before accepting a position at Resource One in January […]

