By Monica Stabile Legislation that protects employees from having to disclose their genetic testing information to employers was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Illinois Senate. An update to Illinois’ Genetic Information Privacy Act was passed this week, in direct response to controversial legislation in Congress which would allow companies to penalize workers who refuse to […]
Articles
Posted inArticles
A new vision for an old block
BY PATRICK YEAGLE Dan Senftner practically bursts with excitement when talking about Main Street Square, the public space he helped develop nearly a decade ago in Rapid City, South Dakota. “It’s been over the top – far more than we ever dreamed,” he said. Senftner is president and CEO of Destination Rapid City, a combination […]
Posted inArticles
Trane to establish offices in central Illinois
HVAC system manufacturer Trane is establishing offices in Springfield and other central Illinois cities. Mike Rolfes, Trane’s district leader for Springfield, says the move represents a change from independent agents to company-owned offices and parts centers. Trane, one of a handful of brands owned by parent company Ingersoll Rand, has long offered service in Springfield […]
Posted inArticles
Home builders protest tax on repair service
By Monica Stabile The Home Builders Association of Illinois spoke out Tuesday against service tax legislation which they say would cause a loss of more than 500 jobs and almost $8 million in state revenue. Meanwhile, the bill’s sponsor says she would change the proposal if other lawmakers would agree. The proposal being considered by […]
Posted inArticles
Bachrach closing store at White Oaks Mall after filing for bankruptcy.
Men’s clothing retailer Bachrach is closing its location at White Oaks Mall in Springfield. The closure comes as the company seeks bankruptcy restructuring. Bradley Lipman, director of planning and allocation at Bachrach, says the Springfield location employs five to 10 people and will likely be closed in about three months. Lipman said about 13 Bachrach […]
Posted inArticles
Affordable Shred expanding to records storage
Affordable Shred specializes in destroying documents. However, it will soon be able to securely store documents, as well. Based in Buffalo, Affordable Shred is expanding its services and its footprint by reusing the former Victory Hall Bingo building at 750 N. 19th St. as a secure records storage location. The company, which operates mobile shredding […]
Posted inArticles
Elston moving State Farm office after 28 years
Jeff Elston. Photo courtesy of State Farm. Jeff Elston started his career selling insurance with State Farm 28 years ago, and his office has been located at 1405 Stevenson Dr. ever since. Now, Elston is moving. His office’s new location will be the former Kloever & Son Jewelry building at 2657 S. Fifth St. Easton […]
Posted inArticles
Hunt and Shugart named partners at KEB
Starting this week, Springfield accounting firm Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP has two new partners. CPAs Danielle Hunt and Josh Shugart were announced as partners at KEB last week, effective May 1. Hunt joined the company in 2001 and has served in KEB’s Springfield and St. Louis offices. She focuses on financial institutions, nonprofits, closely-held […]
Posted inArticles
Fire and Ale sold to new owners
A popular restaurant in Sherman has been sold to new owners. Paul Evans opened Fire and Ale in 2012 at 135 Illini Blvd. in Sherman. For Evans, it was a longtime goal to start a restaurant from the ground up. “I started bartending after college,” he said, “so the bar and restaurant business was always […]
Posted inArticles
Illinois considers entrepreneur ‘learner’s permit’
By Monica Stabile Legislation to provide financial incentives for first-time business owners was approved Wednesday by the Illinois Senate. Dubbed the “Entrepreneur Learner’s Permit,” the pilot program hopes to boost small business growth by reimbursing some licensing and permit costs to first-time business owners. Entrepreneurs who qualify for the program include new information services, biotechnology and […]
Posted inArticles
West Lake Animal Hospital prepares to build new clinic
West Lake Animal Hospital in Springfield is preparing to build a new clinic. The veterinarian office obtained a building permit last week to begin construction its new 5,200-square-foot facility to be located at 3220 Horizon Drive. It is currently located at 125 West Lake Dr. Custom Structures Inc. is the general contractor on the project. […]
Posted inArticles
GenHkids relocates from downtown
GenHkids is moving to a new location after vacating its downtown office. The group, which focuses on encouraging healthy lifestyles for children, was located at 305 S. Fourth St. until the week of April 14, when movers packed up the office. Effective, May 1, the group’s new location will be 3171 Greenhead Dr.