The June 19 fire that destroyed a building and impacted multiple businesses in the 400 block of East Adams Street left a hole in the downtown landscape, further challenging the area with finding ways to engage the community and grow. But with loss comes potential for renewal. A recently released master plan for rebuilding and […]
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Springfield Clinic CEO Ray Williams will retire effective Dec. 31
Springfield Clinic CEO Ray Williams will retire effective Dec. 31 after serving in that role for eight years. “Making the decision to retire was not easy, but my family must come first at this stage of life,” Williams said. “It has been an incredible honor to serve as Springfield Clinic’s CEO, working alongside such talented […]
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UIS researchers partner with SIU School of Medicine to study how cancer spreads
Scientists at University of Illinois Springfield and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine are teaming up to investigate how certain cells in the body connect and encourage the spread of cancer. The project, led by Natalya Zinkevich, UIS assistant professor of integrated sciences, and Sophia Ran, SIU professor of medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology, […]
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New laws in 2025 will affect Illinois employers
Starting in 2025, there will be quite a few new laws that will affect Illinois employers. Changes include wage transparency obligations in job postings, inclusion of family responsibilities and reproductive health decisions as protected categories under the Illinois Human Rights Act, stricter record keeping and access requirements under the Personnel Records Review Act and additional […]
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Fairlane Diner
I grew up in Cleveland, where the phrase rock ‘n’ roll was first coined. And I even went to the epic celebratory party when Cleveland was awarded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So yes, I’ve got a bit of affinity for it starting all the way back in the 1950s, which is why […]
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Critical thinking jiujitsu
In my son’s jiujitsu practice, coaches help competitors remain calm under pressure. In fact, emotional outbursts in a match result in disqualification. Once your emotions take over, you’ve lost the ability for rational problem-solving and decision-making. This is advice I’m leaning heavily into these days (takes deep breath). It seems like any conversation is just […]
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Party City closing all U.S. locations
Party City, the largest party supply store in the U.S., has announced that it will close all of its 800 locations nationwide by Feb. 28. CNN reported that corporate employees were told Dec. 20 that it would be their last day of employment and the company would begin “winding down” operations immediately. The business is […]
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Building permits – Dec. 16 – Dec. 22
Harun Samir Qattum received a commercial remodel permit for 1038 S. Pasfield St. Contractor is Aboul Raqeb Alward and the project is valued at $2,500. Concordia Village received a commercial remodel permit for 4101 W. Iles Ave. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $586,329. Illuminative Ventures LLC received a commercial remodel […]
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Big Lots to close all remaining stores
The two Springfield Big Lots stores were spared from a round of nationwide closures that took place earlier this year, but now the company has announced plans to close all of its remaining locations. A statement posted to the Big Lots website Dec. 19 read: “We have made the difficult decision to begin conducting going […]
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Springfield Clinic disrupts area health care industry
Two recently opened rooms overlooking Springfield Clinic’s main campus hold the promise of shorter waits for patients who need the blood vessels feeding their hearts examined or treated for potentially life-threatening blockages. Two miles away, a new Urgent Care Plus, scheduled to open in January near Springfield’s two acute-care hospitals, is designed to serve many […]
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Dan Cody joins Eck, Schafer and Punke
Dan Cody has joined Eck, Schafer and Punke, LLP as senior manager. The firm, headquartered in downtown Springfield, has been in business since 1994. Cody has more than 25 years’ experience in public accounting and the private sector providing audit, accounting and tax services for individuals and businesses across various industries, ranging from privately held […]
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Pritzker endorses hemp regulation bill
More than five years after Illinois began issuing permits for legal production of industrial hemp, Gov. JB Pritzker said he now favors legislation to bring the industry under tighter regulation. At a Dec. 13 news conference in Chicago, Pritzker said in the short time since both the state and federal governments legalized hemp production, a […]