Central Illinois employers, nonprofit leaders, educators and rising professionals are invited to Live2Lead Springfield 2026, a one-day leadership experience at Erin’s Pavilion in Southwind Park on Friday, Nov. 13. Doors open at 8 a.m. for networking and the program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted locally by LeadershipDNA and powered by Maxwell Leadership, […]
Announcements
Rich Solomon receives Trailblazer Award
The Abraham Lincoln Council, Scouting America presented its prestigious Trailblazer Award to Rich Solomon, chair of the board and CEO of Solomon Colors, at a Sept. 8 dinner at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park. The Trailblazer Award was established in 2010 to honor a member of the central Illinois community who exemplifies the attributes the […]
Beer, Brats & Beginnings to highlight brewery’s connection to medical district
The closure of Reisch Brewery in 1966 ultimately helped facilitate the creation of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine a few years later, an unusual connection that will be highlighted at a Beer, Brats & Beginnings event on Thursday, Sept. 10. The Reisch Brewery opened in 1849 and for 117 years operated on the exact […]
Bistro Verde at LLCC reopens
Bistro Verde, Lincoln Land Community College’s student-led café, will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8, and will serve customers Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The café will be open as Bistro To Go, a counter service concept, from Sept. 8-Oct. 8, offering soups, salads, sandwiches, weekly student chef specials, baked goods, coffees […]
Recent graduates, new arrivals seek opportunities at semi-annual career fair
Job seekers navigated through rows of prospective employers stationed at tables with pamphlets, listings of job openings and candy at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Job Fair. Kenneth Nwume took a pause near the entrance of the fair held Aug. 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. “I’m just surveying and looking around,” he […]
Garret Moffett
Originally from Macomb, Illinois, Garret Moffett was an international tour guide for more than 20 years, having not only given tours throughout the Midwest but also Britain and Western Europe. With a never-ending love of history and a wealth of historical knowledge, Moffett used his storytelling skills and his experience as a tour guide to […]
Heather Burton wins 2026 Athena Award
Heather Burton has been chosen as the recipient of the 2026 Athena Award, sponsored by Illinois Women in Leadership. IWIL held an awards ceremony at Erin’s Pavilion in Southwind Park on July 23 to recognize the six nominees for this year’s award and announce the recipient. Heather Burton is president and Chief Executive Officer of […]
Springfield Chamber announces Small Business Award winners
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted the 41st Annual Small Business Awards on June 23 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. The event recognized outstanding community entrepreneurs in the following four categories: Not-for-Profit Director of the Year, New & Emerging Business Owner of the Year, Small Business Owner of the Year and Lifetime […]
Women for Women awards $70,000 to area nonprofits
Women for Women awarded a record-breaking $70,000 in grants to three local nonprofits during its 18th Annual Grant Reception on Wednesday, May 13, recognizing organizations addressing some of central Illinois’ most pressing challenges facing women and children. This year’s grants will support programs focused on childhood food insecurity, family support services, and care for children […]
DSI executive director to hold ‘Ask Me Anything’ event
Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI) will host an ‘Ask Me Anything’ event with its new executive director, Jay Shanle, on Thursday, April 30, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield. “My day-one commitment was to build a foundation of partnership and communication,” said Shanle. “I want to reintroduce DSI to the community, share our vision and […]
Reserve your vendor table – 6th Annual Women’s Business Showcase
Spring is the perfect time to put your business in front of new customers — and the Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois (WE-CI) Women’s Business Showcase is built to do exactly that. Join us on Thursday, April 16, at the Crowne Plaza Springfield for an annual event celebrating women-owned businesses. This is your opportunity to:• […]
AI workshops for local businesses
Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s downtown hub for business incubation and talent development, is launching a six-week artificial intelligence workshop series designed to help local businesses implement practical AI solutions. Nine local businesses are already signed up for the program, which begins Feb. 26. Participants include Itty Bitty Fashion Truck, Bloom Wine & […]

