CWLP debuts new website for better account management
By Patrick Yeagle Springfield City Water, Light and Power debuted a new website design this week, offering better security, a more user-friendly interface and cost savings for the utility. CWLP previously used an outside vendor to provide account management through its website, says spokesperson Amber Sabin. The new design integrates the formerly separate account management…
Bill would give tax credit for keeping jobs in Illinois
By Monica Stabile Legislation in the Illinois Statehouse would offer tax credits for employers to create and retain jobs in Illinois. Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria, sponsors Senate Bill 1766, The Business and Employment Development Tax Credit Act, which would grant businesses an income tax credit with the goal of expanding business and employment opportunities. To…
Stelk named executive director of Illinois Stewardship Alliance
By Patrick Yeagle The Illinois Stewardship Alliance board of directors has chosen Liz Moran Stelk as the group’s new executive director. Stelk previously served as regional organizer with the Western Organization of Resource Councils in Montana, which involved working with farmers and ranchers across seven states to address food and agricultural policy issues. “Liz’s unbridled…
City removes trees on Monroe by Lincoln Square Apartments due to worms
By Patrick Yeagle The City of Springfield Office of Public Works removed trees along Monroe Street next to Lincoln Square Apartments today. The trees were damaged from parasitic webworms and will be replaced, according to city arborist Jeffrey Reim. Eight honey locust trees were cut down by city workers due to the worm infestation and…
One-day vintage market event planned downtown
By Patrick Yeagle For Chelsea Ewald and Rebekah Lindvall of Springfield, antiques represent adventure. “We absolutely love antiques,” Lindvall said, “and the hunt to find them is half the fun.” The two friends regularly drive out of town hunting for vintage items, but they’re bringing their excitement home in June with Lavender & Laine, a…
Loukinen’s restaurant slated for fall opening near Executive Mansion
By Patrick Yeagle A new restaurant is slated to open this fall across Fourth Street from the Illinois Executive Mansion. Keith and Laurie Loukinen plan to open Loukinen’s on 4th at 517 S. Fourth St. later this year. They describe the restaurant as “casual upscale” dining made with local, seasonal ingredients. “Our vision for Loukinens’…
The Cleaning Authority seeks Springfield expansion
A nationwide cleaning service is seeking an expansion to Springfield. Based in Columbia, Maryland, The Cleaning Authority hopes to open a franchise in Springfield as part of a move into smaller cities. The only thing needed is the right person to run a franchise here. “We’ve been eyeing smaller markets for years,” said Iric Wexler,…
Hodapp to lead Springfield law office representing men in divorce cases
Springfield attorney Samantha M. Hodapp is leading a new law office representing men in divorce cases. The new office opened on March 6 as part of the St. Louis-based family law firm Cordell & Cordell, which has offices in more than 30 states. Hodapp says that being a woman representing men in court provides her…
Lake Springfield Marina sold to longtime managers
By Patrick Yeagle When Bob Gordon moved to Springfield in 1979, he realized there was something missing on Lake Springfield: a public marina. Gordon would later open Lake Springfield Marina in 1991, and now he’s turning over the helm to the next generation. Scott Tucker and Joe Prola have purchased the business after working as…
Hite joins ZG Worldwide
Ellen Hite has joined ZG Worldwide Consultants in Springfield as an executive coach and management consultant. Hite specializes in developing leadership through “neuro-management,” a technique which challenges thought patterns with the goal of improving communication and creativity. “Sometimes, the belief systems we’ve established need to be rewritten in our brains,” Hite said. “It makes a…
Stevenson to leave WTAX
By Patrick Yeagle Will Stevenson is leaving his role as news director and brand manager for Springfield radio station WTAX this month. A native of Kewanee, Stevenson says he is going “home” to WGIL in Galesburg. Stevenson started at WTAX, which is part of Capitol Radio Group, as a reporter in March 2015 and was…
Remodels up, new construction down in January
By Patrick Yeagle More people remodeled buildings in Springfield at the start of this year compared with last January, according to data from the City of Springfield. While new construction of both residential and commercial buildings fall slightly this January over the same time last year, the decline was far outpaced by the increase in…
Wellman, Oeser establish new Prudential office
Springfield financial advisors Michael Oeser and Brandon Wellman are establishing a new office of Prudential Financial. The new office, which opens March 15, will be the second Prudential office in Springfield. Wellman says he and Oeser merged their individual practices a few years ago. “We’ve grown to a size where it makes sense to move…
Buffalo Wings & Rings expanding to Springfield
By Patrick Yeagle A sports restaurant franchise based in Cincinnati is expanding to Springfield. Buffalo Wings & Rings, which has restaurants in 13 states, expects to open its first Springfield location within two years. Philip Schram, part owner and chief development officer of Buffalo Wings & Rings, describes the restaurant as “a better experience.” He…
White Oaks Mall loses hhgregg to closure
By Patrick Yeagle Electronics retailer hhgregg announced on Feb. 2 the closure of 88 stores across the country, including the store at White Oaks Mall in Springfield. Accompanied by the closure of three distribution facilities, the move is part of hhgregg’s “turnaround efforts” as it struggles with profitability. “We are strategically exiting markets and stores…
Hanson names Hollahan internal legal counsel
Hanson Professional Services Inc. announced on Tuesday that Dennis Hollahan has been named internal legal counsel. The announcement marks the first time that the Springfield engineering firm has appointed an in-house attorney. Hollahan joined Hanson in 2008. He previous served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a helicopter pilot during Operation Desert…
Free Press Coffee House opens on Toronto Road, plans MacArthur spot
By Patrick Yeagle It all started with a hotel. Jonas and Jane Ann Petty were living in Pittsfield in 2008 when they opened the William Watson Hotel, named after the town’s first settler who established the Mansion House hotel in the same building in 1838. That venture spawned the Free Press Coffee House, then another…
More than a workplace – Systemax earns corporate culture nod
By Patrick Yeagle | Photos by John Muchow About seven years ago, one of Brett Jackson’s employees left his Springfield-based company for a large employer. Jackson realized Systemax, a marketing and supply firm, couldn’t compete with the largest companies on pay and benefits, but he knew he could offer something even more valuable. It was…
Rauner halts grand bargain in Senate
By Monica Stabile Gov. Bruce Rauner intervened in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday to stop a “grand bargain” on the state budget, prompting frustration among Senate President John Cullerton, his fellow Democratic senators and even Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno. Without Republican support for the grand bargain, chances of the package passing the Illinois Senate…
Editorial: Republicans must answer questions on ACA replacement
By Roberta Codemo, Freelance Contributor Congress was in recess this past week, and congressmen returned to their home districts to face angry constituents who are worried about what is happening in Washington with regard to the Affordable Care Act at a time when support for it has never been higher. In town hall meetings and…
A passion for food and laughter – Remembering Brown Hitt
By Patrick Yeagle He served three presidents, catered three gubernatorial inaugurations and met entertainers ranging from Ted Nugent to the Stone Temple Pilots. He’s credited with serving more than one million meals in his lifetime, but more than any of that, Brown Hitt was most proud of his family. “He loved being a dad, a…
Bill would force presidential candidates to submit tax returns to state elections board
By Monica Stabile New legislation in Illinois would require candidates for the president of the United States to file federal income tax returns with the state. The bill comes as Republicans in Congress vote down a Democrat-backed resolution that would have formally requested President Donald Trump to release his tax returns. It’s one of a…
The trouble with trash
By Patrick Yeagle In some Springfield neighborhoods, trash is a common sight. Old couches, broken appliances and shredded bags of household refuse sometimes litter alleyways and vacant lots, attracting vermin and reducing property values. Last year, the City of Springfield reached a deal with waste haulers to address the problem. While neighborhood advocates say the…
Workers’ comp bill introduced
By Monica Stabile A mix of business groups, trial lawyers and health care advocates are fighting over new legislation attempting to change the Illinois workers’ compensation system. The proposal, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, would impose a four-year freeze on wages for permanent partial disability, cap disability benefits and limit physical therapy visits,…
Kennedy to challenge Rauner in 2018
By MONICA STABILE Editorial Intern Businessman Christopher Kennedy, son of the late Robert Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, is making a run for Illinois governor to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the upcoming 2018 election. Kennedy, the second challenger to announce a bid against Rauner, has never held public…
Senate races to pass budget “grand bargain”
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois could be drawing closer to a state budget, with the Illinois Senate passing several pieces of legislation collectively dubbed the “grand bargain.” Lawmakers in the Senate voted yesterday to pass parts of the legislative package, including budget appropriations, changes to state procurement practices, a gaming expansion bill and pension changes for…
Bill introduced to require paid sick days
By Monica Stabile Proposed legislation would mandate employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. The Healthy Workplace Act, sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights, would require that employees receive seven paid sick days during a 12-month period. The bill establishes findings that the majority of low-wage employees often come into work sick because…
New home decor shop to open on far west side
Rebecca Knobloch loves to decorate. Now, she’s planning to open her own home decor shop in Springfield later this year. “There just are not a ton of places to go in Springfield to get unique items,” she said. “I found that I was ordering lots of stuff online, so now I’m bringing that type of…
Springfield economy would take a hit if state workers strike
By Monica Stabile The largest union of state employees has authorized a possible strike to force Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to negotiate a contract with them. A strike isn’t certain to happen, but if it does, Springfield’s economy would likely take a hit. In a vote on Feb. 23, more than 80 percent of state…
New jobs at two Springfield companies if enterprise zone expands
By Patrick Yeagle At Solomon Colors Inc. on Springfield’s far north side, iron oxide powder is turned into a variety of vibrant dyes for concrete and other masonry products. Halfway across the city, Levi, Ray & Shoup Inc. designs and manages information technology systems. The two companies exist in completely different indstries, but they have…
Family Christian closing book stores, including Springfield location
Family Christian Stores announced this week it is closing its retail stores, including its Springfield location at Parkway Pointe. The company is closing all of its 240 stores across 36 states, although it’s unclear whether online sales will continue. Ron Ayers, store manager at Family Christian, 3435 Freedom Drive in Springfield, said he said he…
Hope for a bright future
By Patrick Yeagle Inside a nondescript brick building in Springfield’s South Town business district, a wall covered with clear acrylic instead of drywall illustrates various tools and electrical wiring standards. Between the wooden studs, next to lineman pliers and a conduit bender, are inspirational messages about leadership and discipline. Calvin Pitts built the wall as…
Garrison Group moving out of Centrum Building
Springfield commercial real estate firm Garrison Group Inc. is moving to a new location on south Fifth Street. Currently located in the Centrum Building at 319 E. Madison St., the company is in the process of moving to 739 S. Fifth St., which Garrison Group CEO Glen Garrison recently purchased. Garrison said his company’s furniture…
Springfield Clinic to open rehab facility at Sherman senior community
Springfield Clinic Rehabilitation Services is slated to open a new rehabilitation facility in March at The Villas Senior Care Community in Sherman. Rachel Gasperin, a spokesperson for Springfield Clinic, says the new Springfield Clinic at The Villas will offer more convenient care for patients in outlying communities. “Springfield Clinic has offered care to residents of…
Sobi Sushi to open downtown Feb. 24
A new sushi shop is opening downtown later this month, hoping to cater to the lunch crowd. Sobi Sushi will open on Feb. 24 at 420 E. Monroe St. Owner Tuyen Nguyen says she decided to open downtown because she saw a lack of restaurants in that area serving Asian fusion and sushi during lunch…
Becker to leave Sangamo Club
By Patrick Yeagle Emily Becker, general manager at the Sangamo Club in Springfield, is stepping down in June. Becker is relocating to Louisiana, and she says she hopes to leave the club well-positioned for the future. “I absolutely loved our membership,” Becker said, describing what she liked most about the Sangamo Club. “I loved being…
CVS on South Grand to close
The CVS Pharmacy on South Grand Avenue in Springfield is slated to close Feb. 25. Stephanie Cunha, public relations manager for CVS Health, says the company “made a business decision” to close the store at 611 South Grand Ave. East. She says the company’s six other locations in Springfield will remain open. “We’re currently working…
