An average of 25,000 to 27,000 cars drive on Wabash Avenue through Jerome each day, making that stretch of road one of the busiest in the Springfield area. The commercial and retail corridor appears bustling. But side roads and underground utility lines that are undersized and deteriorating, as well an almost total lack of sidewalks […]
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Springfield Chamber announces Small Business Award winners
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted the 40th Annual Small Business Awards on June 24 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. The event recognized outstanding community entrepreneurs in the following four categories: Not-for-Profit Director of the Year, New & Emerging Business Owner of the Year, Small Business Owner of the Year and Lifetime […]
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State budget includes $4.5 million for Capitol Airport
Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, has secured $4.5 million in capital project funding for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in the state of Illinois’ 2026 budget that was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last week. These funds are dedicated for airport capital improvements including aircraft maintenance and flight training facility development. Over the past decade, the Springfield […]
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Pritzker signs $55.1B state budget reliant on $700M of new taxes
Gov. JB Pritzker signed Illinois’ fiscal year 2026 budget into law Monday, taking shots at President Donald Trump’s budget management to defend hard choices state lawmakers were forced to make this year. The $55.1 billion spending plan set to take effect July 1 is the largest in state history and is supported by $55.3 billion […]
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Armory renovation plans detailed
The nearly $500 million effort to improve the Capitol Complex, including a major renovation of the long-vacant Illinois State Armory, continues to take shape in downtown Springfield. State officials presented updates about the project at a Citizens Club of Springfield gathering May 24, sharing details on completed segments, current construction efforts and secrets found. The […]
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A plan to save downtown
Four development groups have told Sangamon County officials they may be interested in building a 200- to 300-bed hotel on a county-owned parking lot along South Ninth Street and collaborating with the county to double the size of the BOS Center. County officials declined to reveal names of the groups that expressed interest through responses […]
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Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the General Assembly May 31 and has been sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature. The bill, known as the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, would put new regulations and […]
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Two Springfield attorneys have law licenses suspended
A Springfield lawyer faces a two-year suspension of her law license after a state commission cited her recently for unethical conduct during her time employed by the Illinois Attorney General and the city of Springfield. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, or ARDC, investigates complaints against lawyers and makes recommendations to the Illinois Supreme […]
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Public meeting for Third Street Corridor redevelopment project
The city of Springfield will host an open house from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at the Dana-Thomas House to share plans for the proposed Third Street Corridor through Springfield. This project is planned to be developed following the relocation of the Third Street railroad tracks to the 10th Street rail corridor. Explore the latest […]
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From blight to benefit
What Jacksonville needs most is a few more good homes, and that’s the aim of a new development in the center of the city that will turn dilapidated properties into new single family residences and brownstone-type condominiums. A partnership has been formed between local developer Rabbi Rob Thomas, his wife Lauren Thomas, and Springfield-based commercial […]
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Addressing the shortage of affordable homes
U.S. Rep Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, a Democratic congresswoman from Washington, have reintroduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to support the financing and development of affordable housing locally and nationwide. LaHood told SBJ, “Just weeks ago we reintroduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act using the same language (as the […]
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Woodside/Iron Bridge Road project begins
A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 12 marking the start of a significant project at Woodside and Iron Bridge roads – a major infrastructure investment aimed at reducing traffic congestion and enhancing travel safety in this part of Sangamon County. The $53.3 million project, awarded to Freesen, a division of UCM, Inc., began in mid-April […]