Expansion of the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit could allow construction of tens of thousands more affordable housing units in Illinois. The latest domestic policy plan signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will increase available funding by 12% for a key tax credit used by developers to offset a portion of construction costs. It […]
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Budzinski hosts Springfield forum on postal service problems
Local mail service is in crisis, and it will likely get worse if the federal government follows through with a proposal to move a Springfield letter distribution center to St. Louis, contended a group that gathered Monday in a public forum at Lincoln Land Community College. The meeting, led by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, […]
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Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase solar panels. The move sent shockwaves through the industry nationwide, pulling key incentives for major projects and residential rooftop solar alike. But in Illinois, members of the industry say state […]
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Higher hotel taxes won’t bring more visitors
From Route 66 nostalgia and Abraham Lincoln sites to a vibrant dining scene and a new sports park that is poised to make our city a regional destination, Springfield has a lot to offer visitors. Yet, what should be our crown jewel – our beautiful and historic downtown – has become stagnant in recent years […]
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Minority Business Institute coming soon
The city of Springfield is developing a new program to provide training and resource education to minority business owners and nonprofit leaders. Plans for the new Springfield Minority Business Institute were recently announced by Office of Community Relations Director Ethan Posey. The institute intends to serve Black and other racial or ethnic minority, female and […]
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Friday Night Live in downtown Springfield
Downtown Springfield is the place to go on four Friday nights this summer to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and family fun at local businesses. Friday Night Live is a collaboration among downtown businesses and community supporters to bring people downtown and experience all those local businesses have to offer. It was born from a grassroots […]
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Springfield City Council passes amended TIF ordinances
The Springfield City Council passed two ordinances amending existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts last night, putting an end to a weeklong debate. The ordinances each passed 9-1, with Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson as the dissenting vote in both cases. The two TIFs, which have existed for years in the Madison Park Place and […]
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Innovate Springfield moving to Horace Mann building
University of Illinois Springfield has pivoted from plans to open its new “Innovation Center” in a three-story building downtown and now will rent space for the center three blocks east, on half of the third floor inside Horace Mann Educators Corp.’s headquarters. A rental contract, finalized between UIS and Horace Mann in recent days, will […]
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From learning skills to getting a job
SkillsUSA, a national nonprofit trade organization, is expanding its presence in Illinois thanks to a recent $2 million state budget reauthorization for trades programs. It allows the organization to further bridge the gap between high school education and skilled trade employment. This increase in state funding for programs like the Illinois Works Program and other […]
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Country Market supporting family-owned producers since 1967
Liz Havens remembers being 5 years old and standing on a milk crate to check out customers at her family’s produce business in Springfield. Now, more than four decades later, some of those same customers are regulars at Country Market, the family-owned grocery store Havens and her brother own and operate on Wabash Avenue. The […]
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A new way to experience culture
The Culture Experience was founded two years ago by the mother-daughter duo of Alice Ivy- Wilson and Haley Williams as an initiative that invites you to connect with others and embark on a journey that demystifies cultural experiences. Earlier this year, TCE entered into a residency contract with the Pasfield House in Springfield, a historic […]
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Q&A with Monica Zanetti
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Monica Zanetti moved to Springfield six years ago and quickly made a name for herself in the community. After initially being one of five artists exhibiting at Wild Rose, she bought the downtown art studio and retail shop and now provides space for more than 30 […]