Black people comprise more than 14 percent of the nation’s population but only 2.3 percent of businesses are Black-owned, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau figures. The most recent American Communities Survey shows that while Black businesses make up approximately 11 percent of all businesses in Illinois, they comprise only two percent of the state’s […]
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City council passes budget
Water rates in Springfield will rise 32% beginning March 1 and another 32% a year later after contentious debate among City Council members and a 7-3 vote on Feb. 20. “We don’t have a choice,” Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer said of the increases, the first since 2011. He blamed prior city councils and prior […]
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Sam McCann pleads guilty during trial
Former state Sen. Sam McCann pleaded guilty to all nine felony charges related to misuse of campaign funds for personal benefit on Feb. 15, one day before his bench trial was expected to end and as he considered taking the stand in his defense. McCann previously said his prosecution in Springfield’s U.S. District Court was […]
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Sam McCann finally has his day in court
Sam McCann illegally spent political contributions funded by the union dues of those who saw him as a friend of working people on luxury vehicles, a recreational motor home, trips, personal debts, home mortgage payments and to boost his income. Those were the allegations contained in evidence and statements presented on Feb. 13 during the […]
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McCann trial postponed until Feb. 12
The scheduled Feb. 5 start of former Conservative Party gubernatorial candidate Sam McCann’s trial was delayed until Feb. 12 after the judge presiding in the alleged illegal campaign fund spending case learned McCann was hospitalized in St. Louis. McCann, a Macoupin County resident charged in a federal grand jury indictment three years ago, told U.S. […]
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Springfield down to two residential waste haulers
Waste Management transferred most of its residential business in Springfield to Republic Services because alleys made service to certain parts of the city inefficient, a company spokesperson said. “Our company is moving more to automation,” Lisa Disbrow, spokesperson for Waste Management of Illinois Inc., told Illinois Times on Feb. 6. WM’s increasing use of garbage trucks […]
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Explore opportunities for your future
Ever catch yourself wondering what the future holds for yourself or a loved one? Imagining the future can be a powerful drive for change. This kind of visualization can help us be positive, enhance a sense of purpose and begin to set goals. When it comes to turning these thoughts into reality, sometimes the hardest […]
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Credit card company monopolies impact small businesses
Strings are often attached in Mark Yeates’ business transactions. The owner of Dick’s Shoe Repair, 314 W. Laurel St., enjoys putting new shoestrings on pairs of Oxfords or stitching new soles onto wingtips. But one string he doesn’t like is the one credit card companies attach to every charge-card transaction that happens in his shop. […]
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Commercial real estate: the year ahead
The National Association of REALTORS® annual Real Estate Forecast Summit, The Year Ahead, predicted general contractors will continue to struggle with supply chain issues and labor shortages, while developers will be hampered by rising interest rates and insurance costs. The virtual event, held Dec. 12, 2023, highlighted aspects of the economy and how residential and […]
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Q&A With David Steckel
Where were you born and raised, and what was your first job? I was born and raised in Greenfield, which is south of Jacksonville. I grew up on a farm and did a certain amount of work there. My first actual non-farm, paying job was at a filling station in Greenfield. When did you decide […]
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Making city government more helpful to businesses
Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development will focus on data and innovation to make city government more efficient, helpful to businesses and in line with Mayor Misty Buscher’s goal of creating more good-paying jobs in the city. Those are among plans for the office under Val Yazell, who was hired back to head OPED […]
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Show me the money
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes have $10 million in ideas about how to improve Robin Roberts Stadium. But the question is: Who will pay for it? “First and foremost, it starts with the ownership group,” said Jamie Toole, an executive and an owner of the team. “Our ownership group has shown a commitment and a willingness […]