The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) announced the launch of Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service to connect small businesses of 250 employees or fewer with consultants who will help them evaluate and address workplace safety and health issues related to COVID-19. The consultants will create a plan for small businesses that promotes […]
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Businesses help parents with remote learning
By Holly Whisler Springfield business MB Heating & Cooling realized that many of their employees were facing a dilemma: go to work, or stay home with kids who are learning remotely. General manager Doug Gholson explained that last spring, the company had a plumber and an installer who could not work a full week because […]
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Adrienne Hood has been named the new general manager of White Oaks Mall
Simon has named Adrienne Hood as the new general manager for White Oaks Mall. Taking the helm of the largest enclosed shopping center in central Illinois, Hood brings to White Oaks Mall several years of experience in mixed-use and commercial property management, most recently serving as general manager for The Shops at Chestnut Hill in […]
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Family Video closing all but one Springfield location
Family Video has notified employees that all Springfield locations will be closing this month, with the exception of the store at 1802 North Grand Ave. The locations at 1614 S. MacArthur, 2919 S. Sixth St. and 3201 W. Iles are slated to close on Sept. 19. Family Video is the last video rental chain in […]
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Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau launches its new SPI 7 in 7 competition
As businesses in the Springfield area continue to cope with ripple effects of the pandemic, including declines in tourism, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a new program to encourage people to patronize businesses in the community. The SPI 7 in 7 competition consists of seven categories with seven activities each that can […]
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State of the City
The annual State of the City event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., sponsored by the Commercial Real Estate Network of Capital Area REALTORS and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Jim Langfelder will review the accomplishments and challenges of the past year, outline priorities for the upcoming months […]
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Haley Fitzgerald joins Security Bank
Security Bank has hired Haley Fitzgerald as a consumer and mortgage lender. She will be working at the main branch, 510 E. Monroe in downtown Springfield. Fitzgerald is a Springfield native who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in business administration from Illinois State University. She is also a graduate of the Sangamon CEO program. […]
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Scooter’s Lawn Care acquired Lawn Perks
Scooter’s Lawn Care, a full-spectrum lawn and landscaping company, has acquired Lawn Perks, effective Sept. 1. Lawn Perks, based in Chatham, also provides both residential and commercial services. Jacob Godar, owner of Scooter’s Lawn Care, headquartered at 3805 N. Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, said the acquisition will allow the company to do “even more of […]
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A Q&A with Dr. W.G. Robinson-McNeese
By Lana Shovlin Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese has been a soldier and a student, a pastor and a physician. He grew up in East St. Louis and tried college after graduating high school, but ultimately joined the military and was sent to Vietnam. At the age of 30, he returned to college and then graduated from […]
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Hospitals cope with ripple effects from COVID – Few patients, but many changes for the health care industry
By David Blanchette The one constant for the health care industry has been change during the ongoing COVID pandemic, and Springfield hospitals are striving to stay one step ahead of the microscopic menace and the unprecedented disruption it has wrought to one of the area’s biggest and most vital industries. “We’ve had to change every […]
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Ask an attorney – COVID concerns at work
Q. Can I refuse to go to work because of COVID-19? A. Most employees are “at will” employees, which means that you could be fired for not showing up. This is true whether you are considered an essential worker or not. As always, the best approach is to explain your reasoning and try to work […]
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Healthy meals made easy
By Carey Smith Meal delivery systems were growing in popularity even before the pandemic, and with many more people eating primarily at home, this business niche is flourishing. National names such as Blue Apron or HelloFresh may have entered our local consciousness, but Springfield has been home to meal preparation and delivery systems for at […]