Women of Influence recipients honored at event
Each year, Springfield Business Journal partners with Security Bank to recognize women from the public and private sectors who have made outstanding contributions to the local community. The recipients are selected from nominations submitted by community members throughout the year. On Tuesday, May 20, Security Bank hosted a reception at Island Bay Yacht Club for…
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase launches 5th Street Gem
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase says she’s putting her money where her mouth is and launching her own business, 5th Street Gem, in a newly renovated building downtown after years of encouraging other entrepreneurs to invest in the area. “I have a true passion for our downtown, and not just because I represent part of…
Renovations underway for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop
Renovations have begun on a downtown building that is slated to become a coffee shop, bakery and wine bar. Plans for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop were initially announced last fall, but co-owner Ashley Rickenbach said the scale of renovations needed to turn the former hair salon at 225 S. Sixth St. into a space with…
IHDA funds projects in Springfield, Jacksonville
The Illinois Housing Development Authority has announced the conditional award of more than $50 million in state and federal funding to spur the development of permanent supportive housing throughout Illinois. Of the seven statewide projects slated to receive funding, one is in Springfield and one is in Jacksonville. Bluestem Housing Partners and Envision Unlimited received…
Lawmakers seek to reverse Illinois law penalizing companies that boycott Israel
A growing number of state lawmakers are moving to repeal a 2015 Illinois law penalizing companies that boycott Israel to protest its policies toward Palestinians. Amid concerns about Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, lawmakers in Springfield supporting human rights for Palestinians have increasingly signed on to legislation opposing the decade-old anti-boycott law. But so far,…
Building permits – May 12 to May 18
Chad E. and Jennifer Ann Clem received a commercial permit for 4905 Rodger St. Contractor is Chad E. and Jennifer A. Clem and the project is valued at $65,000. Sunsail Properties LLC received a commercial permit for 3411 Hedley Road. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services and the project is valued at $2 million. Legends Entertainment…
Charlie White joins First Women’s Bank
Charlie White has joined First Women’s Bank as a senior vice president business development officer. The bank, which will celebrate four years in business in July, describes itself as “the nation’s only bank with a strategic focus on supporting the women’s economy and closing the gender lending gap.” White spent nearly seven years as a…
Field of dreams
Things are progressing quite nicely with Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, according to all the principals involved. After years of uncertainty over its viability, a 180,000-square-foot dome is slated to be inflated in the latter part of June, with sports activities expected to start in October. The grand opening of the park’s primary money-making…
Former Sangamo Club property still on the market
It’s been a little over a year since PNC Bank foreclosed on the former Sangamo Club and so far, there have been no takers to repurpose the downtown property, despite significant price reductions since it was first listed for sale. The 28,000-square-foot building at 227 E. Adams St. was initially listed by Hurwitz Enterprises in…
UCB to acquire Midland Community Bank
United Community Bancorp, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Midland Community Bank based in Kincaid, Illinois. Midland Community Bank is a full-service community bank established in 1968 with two locations in the Christian County communities of Kincaid and Taylorville, with $66.9 million in assets as of March 31. “Midland is an excellent and…
Urban farming in Jacksonville
Juan Caballero plants seeds a little differently than most people. “I use my finger to make a hole in the potted soil and that way I can judge how deep the seed will go,” Caballero said. “When I’m in the potting room sometimes I would rather have the light off than on, but it depends…
Building permits – May 5 to May 11
HSHS St. John’s Hospital received a commercial remodel permit for 800 E. Carpenter St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $653,129. Springfield Southern Baptist Church received a commercial permit for 201 North Grand Ave. W. Springfield Southern Baptist Church is the contractor and the project is valued at $242,000. Carriage House…
Hinshaw adds health care partner to Springfield practice
Katie Anderson has joined the health care practice group in the Springfield office of Hinshaw & Culbertson. Previously with Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, she brings significant in-house experience at a hospital and regional health system, in addition to private law practice. “Katie adds significant knowledge of the inner workings and business considerations for health…
Memorial Health names Drew Early as COO
Memorial Health has named Drew Early as its Chief Operating Officer, a newly created position that reflects the health system’s continued evolution. Early, who currently serves as CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital, will assume responsibilities as COO while continuing to lead DMH until a new CEO is appointed. In this new role, he will partner…
Potbelly opening May 13 on Springfield’s west side
Potbelly is opening a location on the west side of Springfield on May 13, which has been in the works for nearly three years. Rob Wilbern, a certified public accountant who also owned Robert’s Automotive and several other businesses in Springfield, announced in 2022 he had signed a franchise agreement with the parent company for…
Hello Thailand to open in Springfield
China Express closed last month after more than two decades, but a new restaurant is already in the works to take its place on Toronto Road. Hello Thailand has signed a lease for the space at 1213 Toronto Road, located in a shopping center next to Pier 55 Lounge. “We just got the key from…
Major solar development opens in Sangamon County
Sangamon County is now home to the largest solar power development east of the Mississippi River. On April 30, Swift Current Energy, a Boston-based firm, held a ribbon-cutting at its Auburn office for the Double Black Diamond solar farm. The collection of solar panels was erected on more than 4,000 acres in western Sangamon County…
New HSHS Central Illinois Market President and CEO
Hospital Sisters Health System has named Brian Brennan HSHS Central Illinois Market President and CEO. In addition to his market role, Brennan will also serve as the president and CEO of HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He will join HSHS on May 27. In this role, Brennen will oversee strategic and financial operations at…
Harvest Kitchen + Bar expands hours, offerings
Harvest Kitchen + Bar held a soft opening in February, but the restaurant in Prairie Crossing has now expanded its menu and operating hours. “We’ve added a new dinner menu, which is completely different from the first menu we had focused on breakfast and lunch,” said Odette Yobal, who co-owns the business with her mother,…
Prelude Kids Center opens in Petersburg
A new nature-based child care facility has opened in Petersburg. Located on 25 acres of woods and rolling prairie, owner Heather Brooks-Yuceta said she was inspired to open Prelude Kids Center, 417 Centre Drive, after she and her husband spent several years living and working in Sofia, Bulgaria. “Our then-18-month-old daughter was in a preschool that…
Women Of Influence 2025
For 22 years, Springfield Business Journal has partnered with Security Bank for the annual Women of Influence program, which honors local women for their contributions to the Springfield area community. Selected by their peers through submitted nominations, all have made important contributions to the community at large. We hope you enjoy reading the profiles of…
Growing justice where it’s gone dry
In large swaths of rural Illinois, spotting a law firm is about as rare as spotting a skyscraper. These legal deserts – communities with few or no practicing attorneys – are quietly eroding access to justice for the people who call them home. In response, the Illinois State Bar Association has launched initiatives aimed at…
Plan for a successful succession plan
Every business needs a succession plan. If you are a business owner, you will cease to own and control your business at some point, due to death, disability, sale, gift or liability reasons. If you plan in advance, you may be able to control whether or not your departure is successful. Your succession plan may…
Ratish Kumar accepts 2025 Humanitarian of the Year award
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach biomedical engineer receives national award for global health work Ratish Kumar, a biomedical engineer at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, accepted the TechNation 2025 Humanitarian of the Year award at the annual MDExpo in Temecula, California, on April 16. Kumar was selected for the honor from nominees throughout the United States in…
Pass the baton: Be a mentor worth following
My son signed up for track and field recently. Not to brag, but back in my day I anchored a state-qualifying, school-record-breaking 4×400-meter relay team. As my son lined up for his first attempt at the same race, I got to thinking about what it means to pass the baton. In today’s fast-paced and increasingly…
The Lumpia House
The Lumpia House brings the vibrant flavors of Filipino street food to the heart of the Midwest. It’s quickly made a name for itself in the local dining scene and both novice and seasoned diners will find it delightful. The Lumpia House started out as a food truck. But its growing popularity led to the…
Good as Gold
University of Illinois Springfield’s annual Good as Gold Ceremony spotlights local volunteers and nonprofit organizations. The event is a collaboration among the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center, the Junior League of Springfield and United Way of Central Illinois. Distinctions were awarded to various businesses, students and staff. Nonprofit organizations and community members nominate outstanding…
Q&A with Karen Conn
Karen Conn has made it her life’s mission to preserve history through hospitality, which is the motto of Conn’s Hospitality Group. She first began working for the family-owned business at just 15 years old, then became a part owner in 1986 and a primary owner in 1996. Conn attended Lincoln Land Community College before transferring…
Monica Walls-Butler
In any one day, Monica Walls-Butler might be setting up a tea for young girls, helping teenage boys learn to tie a tie, taking voting-age teens to the polls, helping facilitate peer-to-peer discussions or mentoring a student. As a family and community engagement liaison for Springfield Public School District 186 at Southeast High School, Walls-Butler…
June Agamah
June Agamah lives a life of purpose, inspired by her deep faith. Even when witnessing incredible adversity, she finds joy. She also radiates joy – through her warm smile, friendly disposition, caring attitude and the colorful clothes she wears. June’s mantra comes from Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,…
Vidya Sundareshan
Vidya Sundareshan is a doctor, educator, clinician, mentor and public health advocate. She is not only a woman of influence in Springfield but also nationally and internationally due to her focus on combining the fields of medicine and public health in all she does. As a professor and chief of infectious diseases for Southern Illinois…
2025 staffing trends: More selective employers and unemployment up
Area employers are more selective when hiring and unemployment is up, according to Dixie Ladd, owner of StaffQuick in Chatham, a staffing agency providing temporary and permanent placements in a variety of industries. Ladd encourages job seekers to establish a solid employment history and discourages switching jobs too quickly. “It is not in their best…
Creating integrated, flexible workspaces
Working from home during the pandemic has shaped the look and feel of the American workforce. Some employers are demanding employees return to work, while others are trying to make the workplace so appealing that staff will want to return to the office. Chris Davis, vice president of operations at Resource One, 321 E. Adams…
217 Taco, Nacho and Margarita Week
217 Taco, Nacho and Margarita Week continues through Sunday, May 4. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo for a whole week. Explore the amazing taco and nacho dishes area chefs have created for these seven days. Many restaurants will also offer LALO Tequila margaritas. Participating restaurants are Legacy Pointe Eatery, Curve Inn, Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet, The…
State of Illinois Career Fair
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Illinois Department of Public Health and Lincoln Land Community College will host a State of Illinois Career Fair from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7. Taking place on LLCC’s campus in Springfield, members of the public can learn about job opportunities at the state and connect…
Building permits – April 21 to April 27
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill LLC received a commercial accessory structure for 600 Toronto Road. Contractor is Ron Metzger and the project is valued at $9,500. Regenerative Properties LLC and Jacob Dinardo received a commercial remodel structure permit for 625 E. Adams St. Contractor is Jacob Dinardo and the project is valued at $23,000.…
Capital City McDonald’s acquires all Springfield stores
Like many teenagers, Caleb Canada’s first formal job was working at a McDonald’s. But instead of making it a short-term arrangement, Canada stayed with the company and is now the vice president of operations for Capital City McDonald’s, a franchisee with 16 stores throughout central Illinois. “I started out when I was 16 and worked…
A bill to boost beer breweries
A bill currently being considered by the General Assembly is aimed at making life easier – and more profitable – for small craft beer companies throughout the state. “The majority of Illinois liquor law is pretty much from the 1930s, like Prohibition era,” said Brent Schwoerer, owner, founder and brewmaster at Springfield’s Engrained Brewing Co.…
Nominate a young professional for Forty Under 40
Do you know an outstanding young professional who deserves to be recognized? The July issue of Springfield Business Journal will feature 40 leaders who are under the age of 40. Nominees must reside and/or work in Sangamon or Morgan County. The selectees’ career paths, educational background and community affiliations are varied. You can expect to hear…
