Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a global health medical supply and equipment recovery organization in Springfield and affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), has named Carolyn Oldenburg as the foundation director. She will begin her new role Jan. 20. As foundation director, Oldenburg will lead the strategy and implementation of all fundraising efforts for Hospital […]
Columns
Posted inMedical News
Springfield Clinic appoints new CEO
After a national search over the past six months, the Springfield Clinic board of directors has announced Rebecca Birenbaum as its new CEO, starting March 16. Birenbaum becomes the eighth CEO in the Clinic’s 86-year history. Birenbaum takes over for Jen Boyer, who was appointed acting CEO in December 2024 following Ray Williams’ retirement. Boyer will […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Jan. 4 to Jan. 11
R & L Holdings 1 Inc. received a commercial remodel permit for 1501 Bruns Lane. Contractor is Capitol Builders Inc. and the project is valued at $10,000. Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc. received a commercial accessory structure permit for 4900 International Parkway. Contractor is K. Wolhtman Construction Inc. and the project is valued at $900,000. Mike […]
Posted inComings & Goings
New restaurant under construction on South Dirksen Parkway
Long John Silver’s plans to relocate one of its Springfield restaurants, but it won’t be moving far. A new building is under construction at 3112 S. Dirksen Parkway, just down the street from the current Long John Silver’s restaurant at 2929 S. Dirksen Parkway. The existing restaurant is a freestanding building in front of the […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Baskin-Robbins to reopen, expand
If all goes according to plan, the Baskin-Robbins on MacArthur Boulevard will reopen a year after a vehicular accident that caused extensive damage to the building and forced the business to close. Melinda “Mindi” Gutmann, who owns both the Baskin-Robbins stores in Springfield, credited “divine intervention,” noting that there were several factors working against reopening […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Samuel Moore joins Community Foundation
Samuel Moore has joined the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln as an accounting and finance associate. In this role, Moore will support the Community Foundation’s financial operations and data management efforts, including accounting and recordkeeping functions that help ensure the organization’s fiscal integrity and effectiveness. “I am excited to begin my journey at […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Vistrit Choudhary joins Illinois Behavioral Workforce Center
Vistrit Choudhary has been named the director of reporting and analytics at the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center. In this role, he will be leading the agency’s data collection and analysis efforts, which will be used to inform the state’s investment into building a robust behavioral health workforce. Choudhary previously spent four years as a […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Dec. 29 to Jan. 4
629 East LLC received a commercial structure remodel permit for 631 E. Adams St. Contractor is Jason McKemie and the project is valued at $150,000. Bridge Real Estate LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3161 West White Oaks Drive. Contractor is PH Broughton & Sons and the project is valued at $130,000. Hjem Homes […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Tropical Smoothie Cafe opens
It’s a long way from the beach, but Springfield now has a Tropical Smoothie Café. The capital city location opened Dec. 27 at 2937 W. Iles Ave., backfilling the former Luca Pizza space in White Oaks Plaza. Luca Pizza was open sporadically during the first half of January 2025 before closing permanently later that […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Hall’s Harley-Davidson sold
After more than six decades in the same family, Hall’s Harley-Davidson has been sold to another central Illinois family. The location at 2301 N. Dirksen Parkway will be rebranded as Simpson’s Harley-Davidson. New owners Rhett, Trent and Linn Simpson also own Andrae’s Harley-Davidson in Urbana. “I’m still physically in the building doing things and helping […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
New leadership for Growth Corp
Growth Corp, an SBA 504 lender for small and mid-sized businesses, has announced a leadership transition effective Jan. 1. After 35 years as president, Doug Kinley will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Sara Vanhala has been appointed president. Vanhala is a nearly 20-year veteran of the organization and current chair of the […]
Posted inComings & Goings
Food vendors announced for entertainment complex
Construction on Legends Entertainment in Legacy Pointe is underway, and the five local vendors for the food court have been finalized. In June, SBJ broke the news about the planned entertainment complex, which will include an indoor/outdoor food court, a 12-lane bowling alley and an 8,000-square-foot arcade with around 100 games for kids, plus adult […]