New tenants are in the works for the former County Market space on South Sixth Street, which has been vacant since the grocery store chain moved out at the end of last year. A “coming soon” banner with logos for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and O’Reilly Auto Parts is now displayed on the front of the […]
Columns
Posted inPeople on the Move
Beatrice Bonner joins TRS
Beatrice Bonner is known throughout the community as the host of NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” show, but she has now taken on a new role with Teachers’ Retirement System. As of Oct. 1, she is the internal communications specialist for the state agency. “I wasn’t really looking, but the job popped up, and I decided […]
Posted inMedical News
Losing health care coverage
Dr. Janet Albers is sad that thousands of Springfield-area patients could lose Medicaid coverage and delay care because of Republican President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” Albers, a family physician, told Illinois Times that she saw many previously uninsured patients get screened for cancer and chronic health conditions, then obtain lifesaving treatment, after the […]
Posted inComings & Goings
The Levee to open downtown
The Gin Mill has closed, but owner Jason McKemie already has a new downtown venture in the works. McKemie opened Bar None in 2008 at the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets in downtown Springfield. That space later became part of Gin Mill, which opened in 2014 at 235 S. Fifth St. “We closed Gin […]
Posted inAsk an Attorney
Probate and how to avoid it
Have you attended an estate planning seminar or read promotional materials that claim you must have a living trust to avoid probate? Has a salesperson come to your home with frightening information about probate? What is probate, and how can it be avoided?Probate is the administration of a person’s estate though the courts. Probate can […]
Posted inRestaurant review
JAPAN HOUSE
Located near Sam’s Club in the former Empire Korean Steakhouse space, Japan House is yet another on Springfield’s growing list of all-you-can-eat Asian restaurants. Japan House, however, is not a buffet; instead, diners order from a menu. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant charges $16.99 for lunch and $27.99 for dinner. By my recollection, […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Making an impact today and empowering the next generation
Since 1991 the local nonprofit Asian Indian Women’s Organization has been assisting with raising funds for other nonprofit organizations. Current AIWO president Dr. Richa Pandey said she has been involved with the organization since 2016 and became a member in 2018. She served as secretary from 2021 to 2023 and then stepped into the role […]
Posted inProfessional Development
Leadership: A journey of transformation
Leader shifts: Evolving your skills for greater impactIf you’re a leader who is overwhelmed solving everyone’s problems – congratulations, you might be the bottleneck in your own organization. I recently worked with a director of operations who couldn’t resist the temptation to roll up his sleeves and “get out on the floor” to help his […]
Posted inMedical News
Dr. Jerry Kruse announces retirement from SIU School of Medicine
Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of Springfield-based Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for the past nine years, plans to retire in summer 2026. Kruse, 72, a family physician and member of the medical school’s faculty for more than 40 years, announced his retirement to the SIU Board of Trustees at its meeting Sept. […]
Posted inBuilding Permits
Building permits – Sept. 22 to Sept. 28
Hasan Basar received a commercial remodel permit for 806 Black Ave. Contractor is Hasan Bashar and the project is valued at $8,000. Springfield Memorial Hospital received a commercial remodel structure permit for 701 N. First St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $2.08 million. Mark Collebrusco received a commercial accessory structure […]
Posted inPeople on the Move
Zach Dinardo joins Memorial Health
Zach Dinardo has joined Memorial Health as chief legal officer, effective Sept. 22. Dinardo has more than 25 years of experience as a legal advisor in the health care field, most recently as deputy chief counsel and compliance officer at Springfield Clinic. Prior to that, he spent 23 years in private practice with Sorling Northrup […]
Posted inComings & Goings
UIS Innovation Center opens in Horace Mann building
The third floor of Horace Mann’s modernist glass and steel tower in downtown Springfield is now home to the University of Illinois Springfield Innovation Center, which includes the Innovate Springfield business incubator. “Our move to this strategic location will enable us to bring more people into our innovation ecosystem, including students, faculty, corporate partners, community […]