When Illinois named small farmer Nathan Ryder a finalist for a federal $100,000 Local Food Infrastructure Grant, he made big plans for his farm in the southeastern tip of the state. Then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut his funding. The Ryder family farm, a 10-acre operation in Pope County that produces chicken eggs, sheep […]
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Bringing office workers back to downtown
A Springfield company is asking the city for $2.6 million in TIF revenue to help renovate the long-vacant former AT&T building downtown so the 128,000-square-foot structure can be rented as office space to house more than 300 government employees. Christopher Stone, part-owner and managing member of Springfield Partners IV LLC, the company making the TIF […]
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Hope Springs eternal for Enos Park housing project
The Springfield City Council unanimously approved a zoning change April 15 that would allow for construction of a housing complex to serve residents with physical and/or mental disabilities. The new facility, slated to be built at 849 N. Ninth St. on the eastern edge of the Enos Park neighborhood, would be an expansion of ongoing […]
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Firefighting helicopter refill pump awarded “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” in 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker announced the sixth annual winner of the “Makers Madness” contest Wednesday in Springfield. Chosen in a bracket-style competition from a field of more than 250 products, MTH Pumps’ aerial firefighting helicopter refill pump is the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.” This specific pump was designed to cut the refill time of […]
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From bedsides to the boardroom
Edgar Curtis was 17 and a junior at Lanphier High School when an aunt he was particularly close to died from cancer at 47 after a 100-day stay at Springfield Memorial Hospital. During the many visits he made during her decline, Curtis said he noticed “the kind heart and compassionate care” that his aunt received […]
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Reinvesting in downtown Springfield
“It’s in transition.” That description of the city’s central business district was often repeated during the first of a series of public meetings held by Downtown Springfield, Inc. The downtown’s current challenges are well-known: the departure of state office jobs, a devastating fire last June, vacant business fronts and the recent closure of the Wyndham […]
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Amid global tariff war, Pritzker vows to be ‘stable’ trading partner with United Kingdom
Gov. JB Pritzker vowed Tuesday that Illinois will remain a “stable” trading partner with nations around the world, despite President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs that have disrupted global markets. “Look, there are a lot of uncertainties at the moment, a lot of instability. There’s no doubt,” Pritzker said. “But this is a stable state. […]
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Springfield airport waiting on payment from state
Imagine being owed $1 million and going years without collecting. Emails are sent, with no response. Phone calls aren’t returned. Knocking on the door doesn’t do any good because no one seems to ever be in the office. As a last resort, a note demanding payment is slipped under the deadbeat’s door. But still, no […]
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Surplus to success
It’s said one person’s junk is another’s treasure. In that vein, a budget proposal before Illinois lawmakers would use $500 million to turn some of Illinois’ biggest state-owned eyesores into economic development opportunities. Abandoned, dilapidated facilities in Lincoln and Jacksonville are among five across Illinois that are targeted in the “Surplus to Success” program being […]
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Occupancy prohibited at downtown Wyndham
The city of Springfield has placarded the Wyndham City Centre, saying the downtown hotel does not meet life safety code standards due to nonworking elevators and out of service fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems. The Springfield Police Department is investigating the damage to the hotel as intentional vandalism, according to a statement issued by […]
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Nonprofits struggle to serve Springfield students
Fundraising efforts have provided a reprieve to two Springfield nonprofit organizations that operate after-school and summer-learning programs in the community. But those programs will serve fewer children this year, and there’s no guarantee that the same level of after-school and summer-learning services will be available once the donated money runs out. The Boys and Girls […]
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Illinois schools struggle with prolonged teacher shortage
From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of short-term, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide teacher shortage. The most recent survey of education leaders from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, or IARSS, shows overall shortage percentages similar to pre-pandemic levels, […]