Jim Timpe selected as president and CEO at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield
Jim Timpe has been selected to serve as the new president and CEO at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. Timpe comes to St. Francis from HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield where he most recently served as the director of imaging services, rehabilitation services, sleep and neuro-diagnostics. He had been in that role since…
New class, fresh connections
By Lindsey Salvatelli Calvin Pitts and his wife, Danyel, stood with their backs to the windows lining the front of South Town Construction Training Center and faced their new students. The students came to the center Dec. 17 for an orientation about the Pitts’ expectations of the incoming class and a basic rundown of the…
Jordan Powell named president and CEO of Illinois Primary Health Care Association
Five months after Jordan Powell was appointed as the Illinois Primary Health Care Association’s acting president and CEO, the board of directors selected him to permanently serve in that role. Powell is the fourth CEO in the organization’s 36-year history and the first African-American to hold that title. He previously served as IPHCA’s senior vice…
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Dec. 10 and Dec. 16, 2018.
Building permit roundup – Dec. 19 BY STACIE LEWIS Springfield Urban League, Inc. obtained a commercial remodel permit for 100 N. 11th Street. The contractor is Sutton’s, Inc. and the project is valued at $31,331. Connor Properties, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 1901 S. 15th St. GCS Services is the contractor and the…
From food to fitness
Connie DiCenso, who has developed a loyal following for her CoCo Pies, is now pursuing a new business venture in the fitness industry. She and her fiancé, Monty Burcham, have purchased the Snap Fitness franchise in Chatham. On Oct. 8, DiCenso closed Café Coco, a restaurant she had been operating at 3705 N. Dirksen in…
New restaurant coming to downtown
Downtown Springfield is getting a new restaurant, as a familiar name prepares to move into the space at 213 S. Fifth St. formerly occupied by JoJo’s Street Quisine. Taste of Jamaica, which was a regular booth in the Ethnic Village at the Illinois State Fair for many years, is now opening a year-round location. Owner…
Charitable donations and the new tax laws
BY JUSTIN MASON AND CASEY TOM The War Revenue Act of 1917 authorized the first tax deduction for charitable giving. Since that time, charitable tax deductions for giving have incentivized taxpayers to make charitable contributions to minimize their overall federal tax liability. One hundred years later, in 2017, the passage of the Tax Cuts and…
Jay Barnes and Darren Jones join First Bankers Trust
First Bankers Trust Company has added two new employees to its Springfield location. Jay Barnes was hired as senior vice president and Darren Jones as vice president of commercial lending. Both Barnes and Jones were most recently employed by West Central Bank, Barnes as community bank president since 2009 and Jones as vice president of…
Sandler Training’s 2019 Goal Setting workshop
Did you achieve your goals in 2018? What will you do differently to succeed in 2019? As you reflect on this year, are you Frustrated that you didn’t hit your goals? Worried that your relationships are not where you would like them to be? Tired of setting New Year’s resolutions that don’t last much past…
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Dec. 3 and Dec. 9, 2018.
Building permit roundup – Dec. 12 BY STACIE LEWIS Horace Mann Service Corp. obtained a commercial remodel permit for improvements at 905 E. Jefferson. The contractor is Evans Construction Co. and the project is valued at $65,000. St. John’s Hospital of Hospital Sisters obtained a commercial remodel permit for 800 E. Carpenter St. O’Shea Builders…
Manny Flores named president and CEO of SomerCor
SomerCor, a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company (CDC), has appointed Manuel (Manny) Flores as president and Chief Executive Officer. Flores takes the reins at SomerCor after serving two years as a member of the nonprofit lender’s board of directors. “Manny offers a transformative vision for SomerCor that promises to build our bench…
The Music Shoppe is moving and expanding
The shopping center on Constitution Drive, just south of Target, will be getting its first new tenant soon when The Music Shoppe relocates from its current space on Stevenson Drive in Springfield. The family-owned business is recently under new ownership as well. “I took over as of Sept. 1, and I’m the third generation,” said…
New event space open
The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space recently moved downtown, but their former space at 711 S. 5th St. in Springfield is already home to a new business venture. Kelci Kuntzi and her mother, Robin Martin, have launched Venue 1929 to offer the distinctive space for rent. “My father-in-law owns Jack Stoldt Auto Service Center,” said…
Guns and Drugs in the Workplace Chamber training
Two issues that employers are increasingly dealing with are concerns over drug use by employees as well as how to handle threats of violence or weapons in the workplace. As the opioid addiction crisis grows, employers are increasingly torn between wanting to help an employee who is struggling but minimize the risks to the company.…
Delivering Service with a Local Flare presentation
The Central Illinois Chapter of the National Customer Service Association (CIL-NCSA) will host a panel presentation on “Delivering Service with a Local Flare” on Thursday, Dec. 13. Representatives from Engrained Brewery, Sheedy Shores and the Springfield Running Center will share best practices on hiring tactics, employee retention and the promotion of a customer service culture…
Michael L. McGlasson to retire
Michael L. McGlasson, president of Bank of Springfield (BOS), has announced his plan to retire effective Dec. 31, 2018. McGlasson began his banking career in 1973 with the original Marine Bank in Springfield and later went to Illinois National Bank. By the time he joined BOS in 1997, McGlasson had nearly 25 years of banking…
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 2018.
Building permit roundup – Dec. 5 BY STACIE LEWIS New Salem Bluff, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2912 E. Ridge Ave. The contractor is Scott Canti and the project is valued at $75,000. AC Building, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for an expansion and renovations at 3200 S. Robbins Rd. Evans Construction…
Facebook’s Community Boost program
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Facebook to host a Community Boost program at the BOS Center in Springfield on Dec. 3 and 4. A series of free workshops will be held during the two day event. Topics will include: Facebook for small business, Facebook for nonprofits, digital skills education, leveling the…
Simmons Cancer Institute receives proceeds from Beautiful Bras fundraiser
On Nov. 19, BJ Grand Salon & Spa presented a check to Dr. Aziz Khan of Simmons Cancer Institute, representing a donation of $12,375 raised from the most recent Beautiful Bras fundraiser. Proceeds from the October event will be used to purchase hair loss accessories including wigs, hats, and scarves for the wig boutique at Simmons Cancer Institute,…
Sean Mulhern joins SB Financial
Sean Mulhern has joined SB Financial, a subsidiary of Security Bank, as a financial adviser. Mulhern graduated from Illinois State University earlier this year with a degree in economics and finance. “My dad is a financial adviser in Peoria, and I made up my mind my sophomore year of college that’s what I wanted to…
Central Illinois Builders of AGC has elected its 2019 officers
Central Illinois Builders of AGC recently elected its officers for 2019 at the association’s 64th annual meeting, held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. The 2019 officers are: President – Chris S. Uhlarik, The Petry-Kuhne Co., Champaign Senior Vice President – John B. Sutherland, River City Construction, LLC, East Peoria Vice President – Michael…
Laura Carmody opens Spavia
A new day spa has opened in Springfield, but the owner is already a familiar name to many in the business community. Laura Carmody was the owner of Home Instead Senior Care until she sold the business last year and then decided to pursue a new venture. Explaining how she became interested in the industry,…
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25, 2018.
Building permit roundup – Nov. 28 BY STACIE LEWIS RAM Innovations, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for work at 2940 W. Constitution Dr. The contractor is Capitol Builders and the project is valued at $250,000. Joyce E. Burkhart obtained a commercial roofing permit for 2201 W. Washington St., #23. The contractor is Sunley Roofing…
A century of crunching the numbers
BY DAVID BLANCHETTE Although figures are their business, a 100-year-old Springfield accounting firm wants customers to know that they are more than just numbers. “We provide a good service to a lot of people. I enjoy it, because it’s always something different,” said Lori Milosevich, CPA, one of three partners at Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden.…
FRANK G. “BEAVER” SCHWARTZ (Feb. 24, 1934-Oct. 19, 2018)
He was in the business of helping people BY CATHY SCHWARTZ, ED SCHWARTZ, PAULA RYAN, JEAN WEISS AND ANN SCHWARTZ Springfield lost an icon last month with the unexpected passing of Frank G. “Beaver” Schwartz, Jr. Officially, Beaver’s business was financial planning, specializing in life and disability insurance, but he always felt that he was…
#ILGIVE encourages charitable donations
BY JANET SEITZ ’Tis the season for giving, as many charities push year-end donations, which historically have provided donors with opportunities for both charitable gestures and tax deductions. Annual efforts such as #Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, help spotlight charitable causes and the spirit of giving. Forefront, Illinois’ statewide association for nonprofits and…
McCormick’s closing restaurant to focus on catering operations
The last day of operations for McCormick’s Smokehouse Restaurant, located at 2930 Plaza Drive in The Gables, will be Dec. 24, 2018. The restaurant, which includes a drive-thru and delivery service, has operated at the current location for more than 10 years. Owners Jarred and Sarah McCormick say they have plans to restructure the family-run…
Welcome Center to officially open Saturday, Nov. 24
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has partnered with the City of Springfield in providing a fresh, inviting place for guests to the city. The Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, located at the southwest corner of the Old State Capitol Plaza, has been closed since Labor Day 2014. Plans originally called for a $1 million renovation of the…
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday may not be as well known as Black Friday, or even Cyber Monday, but it continues to gain traction both nationwide and in the Springfield community. In 2010, American Express launched a Small Business Saturday campaign to encourage shoppers to patronize small, local businesses rather than the big box chains that tend…
Dan Schafer joins O’Shea Builders
O’Shea Builders has hired Dan Schafer as a project engineer. He will be based out of the Springfield office, located at 3401 Constitution Drive. A native of Springfield, Schafer most recently worked at Prairie Analytical Systems. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Illinois Springfield in 2014. Although Schafer did not begin…
Free classes to explore health care careers
Memorial Medical Center has announced its winter sessions for a program designed to help students and community members learn more about health care careers. The free program, Hands-On Healthcare, launched in September 2017 and is offered in partnership with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Hands-On HealthCare meets at least monthly. Sessions for the winter…
Read which building permits were approved by the City of Springfield between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, 2018.
Building permit roundup – Nov. 21 BY STACIE LEWIS Walmart Real Estate Business Trust obtained a commercial remodel permit for Sam’s Club at 2300 S. West White Oaks Dr. The contractor is Tri-North Builders and the project is valued at $738,642. National Retail Properties, LP obtained a commercial remodel permit for Gander Outdoors at 2371…
