by Douglas L. Whitley The Illinois corporate income tax has been under attack for some time by organized labor, social service agencies, community groups and even the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. People and organizations who favor more government spending have seized upon the mantra that corporations don’t pay “their fair share.” The […]
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Differentiation key to local business success
Case study: The Market on Koke Mill By Bruce Sommer If you ever attended one of my business classes, you heard me say: “Entrepreneurs do three things – create, deliver and capture value,” and, “There are only two strategic ways businesses compete – cost or differentiation.” A cost leadership strategy aims to take advantage of […]
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Bitcoins: How do they work?
By Thomas C. Pavlik, Jr. Although Bitcoins have been around since 2009, it is only recently that they have been all over the news. Most of us understand that Bitcoins are basically Internet cash, but beyond that there seems to be confusion and misunderstanding. Bitcoin is a digital currency. Rather than coins or paper bills, […]
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Nehemiah to build another 30 east side homes this spring
By Lavern McNeese Like Nehemiah of the Bible, Rev. Silas Johnson saw a distressing situation in his neighborhood that stirred him to action. He explained that when the biblical Nehemiah learned that the protective walls around Jerusalem had been torn down, he immediately started the rebuilding process. He got the king’s permission first and then […]
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Out of Africa aspires to spotlight local African-American artists
By Scott Faingold In early 2013, Lynn Williamson came to a disturbing realization while visiting art galleries in anticipation of a visit from her college-age artist daughter. “I would ask if there were any African-American artists represented,” she recalls, “and 100 percent of the places we went to either said ‘no’ or ‘well, there’s one […]
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Why Illinois is a great state
By Douglas L. Whitley For years Illinois citizens, especially business owners and managers, have suffered embarrassment over political corruption, higher taxes and fees, chagrin over failed government fiscal policies, frustration with anti-business rhetoric and public employee discontent. Employers have suffered anti-business initiatives by our own elected officials, while governors from other states routinely launch business-poaching […]
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Do I really need a Realtor?
By Michelle Higginbotham, associate publisher Having worked as a commercial Realtor for eight years until coming back to the Business Journal last month, I can attest to the fact that there are more resources available to property owners than ever. At one time a For Sale By Owner listing meant sticking a sign in front […]
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The state of downtown
By Mayor J. Michael Houston Mayor Houston delivered this speech Jan. 22 at the annual Downtown Springfield, Inc., banquet and the Springfield Hilton. It is edited and abridged for the Springfield Business Journal. While the city can boast of many different areas and neighborhoods, there are few as important as our downtown. Today it remains, […]
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Labor union manager Brad Schaive is not your average weekend warrior
By Roberta Codemo “We all have some perception of ourselves,” said Brad Schaive, business manager for Laborers Local 477. “This sport will test you and show you if you are who you think you are. It will test your inner constitution. You have to be prepared mentally and physically.” He was tested. “I received punishment […]
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How I got involved
By Michelle Higginbotham, associate publisher I was not born and raised in Springfield. When I first moved here it was by far the largest city I’d ever lived in, and I didn’t know anyone. I remember wondering how I would meet people and get involved since I had no friends or family living here. I […]
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The road that led me here
By Scott Faingold, associate editor As the new associate editor for the Springfield Business Journal, I am excited for the opportunity to continue providing the unique focus on local business and outreach to the business community which loyal SBJ readers have come to expect. I was born in Skokie, Ill., and first came to Springfield at […]
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An open letter to the next president and CEO of The Chamber
By Tom Fitch On Jan. 17, the board chair of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Tom Fitch, announced that the organization had parted ways with Steward Sandstrom, who had been president and CEO of the Chamber since the summer of 2012. In light of Sandstrom’s departure, the Springfield Business Journal asked the Chamber to […]