In large swaths of rural Illinois, spotting a law firm is about as rare as spotting a skyscraper. These legal deserts – communities with few or no practicing attorneys – are quietly eroding access to justice for the people who call them home. In response, the Illinois State Bar Association has launched initiatives aimed at […]
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217 Taco, Nacho and Margarita Week
217 Taco, Nacho and Margarita Week continues through Sunday, May 4. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo for a whole week. Explore the amazing taco and nacho dishes area chefs have created for these seven days. Many restaurants will also offer LALO Tequila margaritas. Participating restaurants are Legacy Pointe Eatery, Curve Inn, Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet, The […]
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State of Illinois Career Fair
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Illinois Department of Public Health and Lincoln Land Community College will host a State of Illinois Career Fair from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7. Taking place on LLCC’s campus in Springfield, members of the public can learn about job opportunities at the state and connect […]
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Boutique Drive to showcase women-owned businesses
Meghan Ramirez, owner of Elodie Grace Boutique, is organizing an event meant to showcase other women-owned businesses. Abe’s Babes Boutique Drive will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, with nearly two dozen businesses participating in Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Waverly and Farmersville. “I wanted […]
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A bill to boost beer breweries
A bill currently being considered by the General Assembly is aimed at making life easier – and more profitable – for small craft beer companies throughout the state. “The majority of Illinois liquor law is pretty much from the 1930s, like Prohibition era,” said Brent Schwoerer, owner, founder and brewmaster at Springfield’s Engrained Brewing Co. […]
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Nominate a young professional for Forty Under 40
Do you know an outstanding young professional who deserves to be recognized? The July issue of Springfield Business Journal will feature 40 leaders who are under the age of 40. Nominees must reside and/or work in Sangamon or Morgan County. The selectees’ career paths, educational background and community affiliations are varied. You can expect to hear […]
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Illinois scrambles to boost locally produced farm products after Trump’s funding freeze
When Illinois named small farmer Nathan Ryder a finalist for a federal $100,000 Local Food Infrastructure Grant, he made big plans for his farm in the southeastern tip of the state. Then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut his funding. The Ryder family farm, a 10-acre operation in Pope County that produces chicken eggs, sheep […]
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Bringing office workers back to downtown
A Springfield company is asking the city for $2.6 million in TIF revenue to help renovate the long-vacant former AT&T building downtown so the 128,000-square-foot structure can be rented as office space to house more than 300 government employees. Christopher Stone, part-owner and managing member of Springfield Partners IV LLC, the company making the TIF […]
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Hope Springs eternal for Enos Park housing project
The Springfield City Council unanimously approved a zoning change April 15 that would allow for construction of a housing complex to serve residents with physical and/or mental disabilities. The new facility, slated to be built at 849 N. Ninth St. on the eastern edge of the Enos Park neighborhood, would be an expansion of ongoing […]
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Firefighting helicopter refill pump awarded “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” in 2025
Gov. JB Pritzker announced the sixth annual winner of the “Makers Madness” contest Wednesday in Springfield. Chosen in a bracket-style competition from a field of more than 250 products, MTH Pumps’ aerial firefighting helicopter refill pump is the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.” This specific pump was designed to cut the refill time of […]
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From bedsides to the boardroom
Edgar Curtis was 17 and a junior at Lanphier High School when an aunt he was particularly close to died from cancer at 47 after a 100-day stay at Springfield Memorial Hospital. During the many visits he made during her decline, Curtis said he noticed “the kind heart and compassionate care” that his aunt received […]
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Reinvesting in downtown Springfield
“It’s in transition.” That description of the city’s central business district was often repeated during the first of a series of public meetings held by Downtown Springfield, Inc. The downtown’s current challenges are well-known: the departure of state office jobs, a devastating fire last June, vacant business fronts and the recent closure of the Wyndham […]