The Cambridge Dictionary defines a prodigy as “someone with a very great ability that usually shows itself when that person is a young child.” Whether Chatham resident Navtej Bhatti is one might be open to interpretation, but let’s do a brief roll call of what Bhatti has accomplished to this point as a 16-year-old preparing […]
Articles
Federal housing credit expansion could increase affordable rental units in Illinois
Expansion of the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit could allow construction of tens of thousands more affordable housing units in Illinois. The latest domestic policy plan signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will increase available funding by 12% for a key tax credit used by developers to offset a portion of construction costs. It […]
Budzinski hosts Springfield forum on postal service problems
Local mail service is in crisis, and it will likely get worse if the federal government follows through with a proposal to move a Springfield letter distribution center to St. Louis, contended a group that gathered Monday in a public forum at Lincoln Land Community College. The meeting, led by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, […]
Chamber Job Fair to be held Tuesday, Aug. 26
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s fall job fair will feature dozens of employers ready to hire qualified candidates. A list of the participating employers can be found on the event calendar for The Chamber at www.gscc.org. Whether you’re looking to advance within your current industry or start a new career, there are plenty of […]
Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase solar panels. The move sent shockwaves through the industry nationwide, pulling key incentives for major projects and residential rooftop solar alike. But in Illinois, members of the industry say state […]
Applications open for the 2025 Isringhausen DRIVE Grant
Isringhausen Imports and Downtown Springfield, Inc. have opened applications for the 2025 Isringhausen DRIVE Grant, a $20,000 cash grant presented yearly to individuals looking to kick start or expand a business in downtown Springfield. Now in its fourth year, the Isringhausen DRIVE Grant is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the growth of small businesses […]
Ava Carpenter-McPike recognized with 2025 Athena Award
Ava Carpenter-McPike has been chosen as the recipient of the 2025 Athena Award, sponsored by Illinois Women in Leadership. IWIL held an awards ceremony at Erin’s Pavilion in Southwind Park on July 17 to recognize the 10 nominees for this year’s award and announce the recipient. Carpenter-McPike is a senior probation officer with Sangamon County […]
Higher hotel taxes won’t bring more visitors
From Route 66 nostalgia and Abraham Lincoln sites to a vibrant dining scene and a new sports park that is poised to make our city a regional destination, Springfield has a lot to offer visitors. Yet, what should be our crown jewel – our beautiful and historic downtown – has become stagnant in recent years […]
Minority Business Institute coming soon
The city of Springfield is developing a new program to provide training and resource education to minority business owners and nonprofit leaders. Plans for the new Springfield Minority Business Institute were recently announced by Office of Community Relations Director Ethan Posey. The institute intends to serve Black and other racial or ethnic minority, female and […]
Friday Night Live in downtown Springfield
Downtown Springfield is the place to go on four Friday nights this summer to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and family fun at local businesses. Friday Night Live is a collaboration among downtown businesses and community supporters to bring people downtown and experience all those local businesses have to offer. It was born from a grassroots […]
Springfield City Council passes amended TIF ordinances
The Springfield City Council passed two ordinances amending existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts last night, putting an end to a weeklong debate. The ordinances each passed 9-1, with Ward 7 Ald. Brad Carlson as the dissenting vote in both cases. The two TIFs, which have existed for years in the Madison Park Place and […]
Innovate Springfield moving to Horace Mann building
University of Illinois Springfield has pivoted from plans to open its new “Innovation Center” in a three-story building downtown and now will rent space for the center three blocks east, on half of the third floor inside Horace Mann Educators Corp.’s headquarters. A rental contract, finalized between UIS and Horace Mann in recent days, will […]

