By Monica Stabile Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation on Monday making Missouri the 28th right-to-work state, ending mandatory union membership and fees for workers. With Missouri the latest state to adopt a right-to-work zone, Illinois is now surrounded by right-to-work neighbors. However, a surprising voice in the Illinois business community says Illinois doesn’t need […]
Articles
Posted inArticles
Langfelder will consider more cuts, but urges caution
Springfield mayor Jim Langfelder says he’s willing to consider further cuts to the city’s budget, but he cautions that the cuts may create other problems in the future. Langfelder spoke in response to a proposal released yesterday by seven of Springfield’s 10 aldermen to cut nearly $3.9 million from the city’s budget. The aldermen hope […]
Posted inArticles
Aldermen propose cuts to lessen tax increase
Seven members of the Springfield City Council proposed a handful of budget cuts today, hoping to reduce Mayor Jim Langfelder’s proposed tax increase. The combined cuts would save more than $3.8 million in the current fiscal year, according to the aldermen. However, a spokeswoman for the mayor says the budget deficit can’t be filled with […]
Posted inArticles
Having a tiff about TIF
By Thomas C. Pavlik Freelance Contributor Between the surveyor’s museum, the former Methodist church downtown, the YWCA, and Enos Park, everyone seems to be in a tiff about TIF. There have been many discussions lately among the aldermen and the general public about the most appropriate use of these funds. First, a bit of history […]
Posted inArticles
Illinois could see boost from Cuba trade
By Monica Stabile The Illinois agriculture industry is crossing its fingers that Congress will expand U.S. trade with Cuba. A bill to do just that is pending in the legislature, and Illinois could receive a huge boost in business opportunities if the bill becomes law. Nestor Gutierrez, a Cuban immigrant and owner of Buena Vista […]
Posted inArticles
Changing lives, one class at a time
By Rhonda Buckhold Freelance Contributor Pivotal moments in life often present as hard decisions– to do one thing or another, which will ultimately change life as you know it. Charles Davis realized he’d had that moment when he graduated from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program in 2007 at the age […]
Posted inArticles
CVS on South Grand to close
The CVS Pharmacy on South Grand Avenue in Springfield is slated to close Feb. 25. Stephanie Cunha, public relations manager for CVS Health, says the company “made a business decision” to close the store at 611 South Grand Ave. East. She says the company’s six other locations in Springfield will remain open. “We’re currently working […]
Posted inArticles
Rauner hopeful in annual address, but budget deal elusive
By Monica Stabile Gov. Bruce Rauner says he is “deeply optimistic” about future investments in education, technology and business that he believes could generate jobs despite the state’s fiscal problems. Entering his third year in office, Rauner gave his annual State of the State address to lawmakers today, saying Illinois needs a budget to be […]
Posted inArticles
C-level shakeup at Springfield Clinic
Springfield Clinic has a new CEO, but it’s just one of several changes in the medical provider’s administrative team. The clinic’s website on Tuesday showed that Ray Williams has replaced J. Michael Maynard in the CEO role. Maynard had served as interim CEO since July 2016 and had previously served as CEO for more than […]
Posted inArticles
EPA grant freeze may affect Pillsbury Mill cleanup
A suspended program in the federal Environmental Protection Agency may affect the cleanup of a defunct industrial site on Springfield’s north side. On President Donald Trump’s first weekday in office, his administration halted a grant program inside the U.S. EPA, effectively suspending funds for a variety of programs like cleanup of polluted land. While EPA’s […]
Posted inArticles
Smashburger closes Springfield location
The Springfield location of Smashburger has closed. A spokeswoman for the company said the “underperforming” store closed on Jan. 11. “We consistently review our restaurant portfolio and make strategic decisions to better our position for the future,” said Smashburger spokeswoman Katy Michael. “Unfortunately, from time to time, we must close underperforming stores that don’t meet […]
