As the cost of housing continues to rise, Illinois realtors are pushing legislation to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to save for a down payment. Senate Bill 148 would enable Illinois residents to open a special kind of savings account that could only be used to pay eligible costs for the purchase of a single-family […]
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Trump to implement new tariffs on Illinois’ largest trading partners
As the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Director Alexis Sturm warned a House committee that uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s economic and administrative policies could affect Illinois revenue, the president announced new tariffs will take effect next week on imports from some of Illinois’ top trading partners. After initially pausing implementing 25% tariffs on […]
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New vendors coming to The Railyard
The Railyard will be reopening this spring with new management and new participants. Tim and Emily Lewis, owners of Three Twigs Co., announced Feb. 15 they had signed a lease for The Railyard, an outdoor food venue based around shipping containers. It closed for the season in September and the Lewises permanently closed Three Twigs […]
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Barndominiums are the new lifestyle trend in country living
In the spring of 2020, Morrisa and Chet Reynolds walked 20 acres of property in Chatham with the intention of building a different sort of life. Chet had been raised in an agricultural community, and the couple was starting to feel as though subdivision life just wasn’t right for them. Fast forward five years and […]
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Q&A With Kathy Nichelson
Kathy Nichelson has worked for Capital Area Realtors for the past 30 years, serving as the CEO for the last six years. She obtained her Realtor Certified Executive designation 10 years ago. Nichelson and her spouse live in rural Girard, and she has two adult sons and three young grandchildren. In her free time, she […]
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A more balanced housing market in 2025
The National Association of Realtors held its annual economic and real estate summit in December to provide a forecast of the national economy and its impact on the real estate market in 2025. It was hosted by Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research for NAR, and moderated by Jessica Lautz, deputy […]
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An aging population means more demand for active senior living
For many people approaching their senior years, active-senior housing is a better alternative to maintaining a large home and yard. A new 55-plus community is currently being built on Springfield’s west side. Westgate Patio Homes offers duplexes with garages separating units. Owner and real estate broker Kyle Killebrew said his idea to build homes for […]
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A succession plan for Floyd Imports
A succession plan has come to fruition at Floyd Imports as Andy Floyd and his father, Eric Floyd, are now running the business together. Brothers David and Eric opened the business in August 1994. David retired last year and Eric plans to transition to part-time in the coming year. Andy started working at the shop while […]
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Tiny houses project faces big hurdles
A nonprofit that wants to build tiny homes on Springfield’s southeast side faces more big hurdles after the Springfield City Council on Feb. 11 unanimously voted to withdraw a resolution to commit funding for the project’s resource center. Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory, who represents the area where the homes would be built, said he […]
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Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes
Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape. Spending and revenues would each grow by about 3% under the proposal laid out Wednesday during […]
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City Council OKs east-side housing expansion
Springfield City Council members on Feb. 18 approved $1.5 million in city funding for a 50-home addition to the Nehemiah Expansion affordable-housing project on the east side. The two 10-0 votes – to spend $1 million in federal HOME grant funds and $500,000 in property tax revenues from the Far East Tax-Increment Financing District – […]
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Jacksonville EDC launches second phase of Make My Move campaign
The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation has launched the second phase of its strategy to bring new residents to Morgan and Scott counties. The campaign, featuring new “live, work and invest” videos, digital advertising and a relocation incentive on MakeMyMove.com, places a targeted focus on recruiting an increased workforce to local businesses in the Jacksonville […]