Family Christian Stores announced this week it is closing its retail stores, including its Springfield location at Parkway Pointe. The company is closing all of its 240 stores across 36 states, although it’s unclear whether online sales will continue. Ron Ayers, store manager at Family Christian, 3435 Freedom Drive in Springfield, said he said he […]
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Garrison Group moving out of Centrum Building
Springfield commercial real estate firm Garrison Group Inc. is moving to a new location on south Fifth Street. Currently located in the Centrum Building at 319 E. Madison St., the company is in the process of moving to 739 S. Fifth St., which Garrison Group CEO Glen Garrison recently purchased. Garrison said his company’s furniture […]
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Springfield Clinic to open rehab facility at Sherman senior community
Springfield Clinic Rehabilitation Services is slated to open a new rehabilitation facility in March at The Villas Senior Care Community in Sherman. Rachel Gasperin, a spokesperson for Springfield Clinic, says the new Springfield Clinic at The Villas will offer more convenient care for patients in outlying communities. “Springfield Clinic has offered care to residents of […]
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Sobi Sushi to open downtown Feb. 24
A new sushi shop is opening downtown later this month, hoping to cater to the lunch crowd. Sobi Sushi will open on Feb. 24 at 420 E. Monroe St. Owner Tuyen Nguyen says she decided to open downtown because she saw a lack of restaurants in that area serving Asian fusion and sushi during lunch […]
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IAR requesting $1m in TIF for Bicentennial Plaza
Illinois Realtors is requesting $1 million in downtown TIF funds to remove a vacant bank building, enabling progress on a larger city project aimed at improving tourism. The $2.5-million IR project would facilitate the proposed Jackson Street Corridor, linking Abraham Lincoln’s home to the Illinois Capitol Complex. Illinois Realtors, based at 522 S. Fifth St. […]
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SBJ publisher Ownbey appointed to Mid-Illinois Medical District
Gov. Bruce Rauner today appointed Michelle Ownbey, associate publisher of the Springfield Business Journal, to the board of the Mid-Illinois Medical District in Springfield. “Ownbey’s economic experience will be influential in her new role,” said a statement from Rauner’s office announcing the appointment. The Mid-Illinois Medical District sits on the north end of Springfield’s downtown […]
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State budget grand bargain “still alive” despite setback
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois lawmakers are drawing closer to a “grand bargain” on the state budget crisis, despite the defeat today of one bill in the bargain package. Three of the 13 bills in the package passed the Illinois Senate today, while a fourth was defeated. However, the defeated bill may be reconsidered, and the […]
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From attorney to orchestras – Ken Lam’s journey back to his first love
By Patrick Yeagle Growing up in Hong Kong, Ken Lam was exposed to music at a young age. It’s common there for children to learn how to play many instruments, which Lam partly attributes to Hong Kong’s limited space. “We aren’t terribly good at sports,” he said with a laugh. Lam would go on to […]
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Illinois surrounded by ‘right to work’ states as Missouri adopts controversial policy
By Monica Stabile Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation on Monday making Missouri the 28th right-to-work state, ending mandatory union membership and fees for workers. With Missouri the latest state to adopt a right-to-work zone, Illinois is now surrounded by right-to-work neighbors. However, a surprising voice in the Illinois business community says Illinois doesn’t need […]
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Langfelder will consider more cuts, but urges caution
Springfield mayor Jim Langfelder says he’s willing to consider further cuts to the city’s budget, but he cautions that the cuts may create other problems in the future. Langfelder spoke in response to a proposal released yesterday by seven of Springfield’s 10 aldermen to cut nearly $3.9 million from the city’s budget. The aldermen hope […]
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Aldermen propose cuts to lessen tax increase
Seven members of the Springfield City Council proposed a handful of budget cuts today, hoping to reduce Mayor Jim Langfelder’s proposed tax increase. The combined cuts would save more than $3.8 million in the current fiscal year, according to the aldermen. However, a spokeswoman for the mayor says the budget deficit can’t be filled with […]
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Illinois could see boost from Cuba trade
By Monica Stabile The Illinois agriculture industry is crossing its fingers that Congress will expand U.S. trade with Cuba. A bill to do just that is pending in the legislature, and Illinois could receive a huge boost in business opportunities if the bill becomes law. Nestor Gutierrez, a Cuban immigrant and owner of Buena Vista […]