Articles

For Tonia Morrell, the U.S. mail is a lifeline. But the 51-year-old disabled woman living on Springfield’s north side is finding that lifeline is becoming frayed. For the past three months, her Social Security check has arrived several days late. “I’ve called down there to the post office and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for my […]

Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe remains on track to be fully operational by spring 2025 on Springfield’s south side despite recent questions from City Council members about the way public money will flow to the project and the viability of private financing scheduled that will cover half of the total $67 million in costs. […]

A German renewable energy company plans to file applications with Montgomery and Macoupin county officials early in 2024 for approval to construct the first phase of a multi-county, $450 million wind farm development known as Grand Prairie Energy Park. UKA Group’s North American Affiliate, based in Stuart, Florida, would build about 60 wind turbines in […]

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is overruling the decision of Rochester’s village president to deny a liquor license to a business owner who had recently evicted his son. Village President Joe Suerdieck said Nov. 27 he hasn’t decided yet whether to appeal the commission’s ruling. He declined to speak further on the matter. “I don’t […]

A tourism improvement district that would finance a $100 million expansion of Springfield’s downtown convention center cleared a major hurdle recently, with the proposed district – and a future surcharge on room rates – receiving majority support from the city’s hotels. “It’s a big step,” said state Rep. Mike Coffey, R-Springfield, a downtown restaurant owner […]

As Illinois faces shortages of health care practitioners and mental health professionals, the state agency in charge of licensing for those and more than 100 other industries has struggled to keep up. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has failed to meet its goals to speed up both initial licensing and renewals in […]

A lack of affordable day care options is contributing to a workforce shortage in the Springfield area, contends Kayla Edwards, managing partner of Express Employment Professionals. “I don’t use the word ‘crisis’ lightly. But we are in a crisis right now when it comes to finding enough people to fill positions,” she said. Her firm, […]

A third fine in fewer than two years for Illinois’ largest health insurance company proves that stronger regulations are needed to prevent insurers from promoting “ghost networks” of providers, state Rep. Sue Scherer says. “The fines are not solving the problem,” Scherer, D-Decatur, said in response to the Illinois Department of Insurance’s $231,900 fine announced […]

Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s downtown business incubator, is partnering with the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC) to create a professional mentorship matching program for high school students in the Sangamon CEO program. The students will be paired with innovative leaders to work on student-driven business startup ideas. “We hope that these […]