By Patrick Yeagle Gov. Bruce Rauner last week vetoed a bill which would have raised the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. The bill’s sponsors vow an override vote attempt, but it likely lacks enough support to reach the required three-fifths majority. Among other provisions, Senate Bill 81 would have raised the current $8.25 […]
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Illinois renews ‘angel investment’ tax credit for tech
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois renewed a tax credit last week aimed at spurring investment in new technology companies. The previous “angel investment” tax credit expired at the end of last year, but on Aug. 24, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law renewing it through 2021. Angel investment loosely refers to individuals or groups using their […]
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Former Goodwill building to house different nonprofit – Building permit roundup
By Patrick Yeagle The former Goodwill building on North 11th Street in Springfield is slated to become the new headquarters for a different nonprofit. Capitol Reuse Center Inc. purchased the building at 815 N. 11th St. earlier this year for $15,000 and obtained a permit this week from the City of Springfield to remodel the […]
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Rauner expected to sign bill touted by immigration-business coalition
Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to sign a bill next week which is touted by a coalition of business and immigration interests. Senate Bill 31, known as the Trust Act, would prohibit arrests based solely on a person’s immigration status, among other provisions. The Illinois Business Immigration Coalition praised Rauner for saying he would sign […]
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Steven Warren joins Hanson Professional Services
Hanson Professional Services Inc. announced this week the hire of Steven Warren as land acquisition project manager. Warren fills the role vacated by Dennis Hollahan earlier this year, when Hollahan became the firm’s internal legal counsel. A licensed professional land surveyor, Warren most recently served as acting chief of the Acquisition Management Section and chief […]
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Target gets solar installation – Building permit roundup
The Springfield location of retailer Target is getting a rooftop solar installation. Located at 3445 Freedom Drive, the Target store obtained a permit from the City of Springfield on Aug. 14 to install a 420-kiloWatt solar system. EFS Energy Inc. of Springfield is the contractor for the project, valued at $649,101. Other permits approved by […]
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Bally Vaughn Apartments sold after four years vacant
A Springfield apartment complex has been sold, following four years of vacancy. Diana and David Rodriguez of Tampa, Florida, bought Bally Vaughn Apartments, 1317 W. Washington St., in July through their company Springfield Village LLC. The purchase was announced via press release by Rosemont, Illinois-based real estate firm Foresight Realty Partners LLC. The press release […]
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Springfield ranked second best for tech workers
Springfield was recently ranked second in the nation among best cities for tech workers. Financial data company Smart Asset analyzed a handful of factors to reach a conclusion in its fourth annual Best American Cities to Work in Tech study, ranking Springfield behind Columbus, Ohio. The study looked at unemployment rates for workers with bachelor’s degrees, […]
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Building permit roundup – Aug. 16, 2017
The City of Springfield recently issued the following permits: Capitol Reuse Center LLC obtained a permit for non-structural demolition at 815 N. 11th St. Mark Iversen is the contractor. The project is valued at $3,000. The City of Springfield obtained a permit for remodeling, tuck pointing and sealant work at 800 E. Monroe. The project […]
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Oak Ridge Cemetery seeks new tourism signage – Zoning board roundup
The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission is slated to consider a zoning reclassification for 101 W. North Grand Ave. to allow for new signage directing visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The request by Cooney Clan LLC and Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation would allow new signage directing people to the cemetery, Lincoln’s Tomb and the African […]
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City council to consider TIF money for flood mitigation at North Mansion Block
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield hopes to use TIF money to alleviate flooding on Jackson Street downtown, which could facilitate development of the empty North Mansion Block. The city’s economic development panel voted Tuesday to okay a request from the city to use TIF money for the project’s planning. The request now needs […]
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Express brings Clydesdales to State Fair
By Patrick Yeagle They weigh as much as a ton. Their feet are as big as dinner plates, and their shoes weigh three pounds each. A man of average height barely reaches to tops of their shoulders. They are the revered Clydesdale horses, and they’re coming to Springfield for the Illinois State Fair, thanks to […]