The owner of the Wyndham Springfield City Centre conspired to cause the extensive water damage that rendered the 369-room hotel inoperable on March 27, an insurance company alleged in documents filed Aug. 25 in federal court. Tower Capital Group general manager Al Rajabi attempted to fool Affiliated FM Insurance Co. to get the company to […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
Posted inColumns
Pet store to open in downtown Springfield
It’s been many years since downtown Springfield had a pet store, but Robert and Sonya Andrew want to change that. The couple plans to open Happy Scalez, an exotic pet store, at the corner of Fourth and Adams streets. The space at 122 S. Fourth St. was most recently occupied by Creative Reuse Marketplace, which […]
Posted inColumns
Red Robin in Springfield to close Aug. 22
The Springfield Red Robin restaurant will close Aug. 22, part of the first round of 10-15 closures nationwide expected to take place this year for the casual dining chain. In February, Red Robin announced plans to close 70 underperforming locations over the next five years. The casual dining chain known for its gourmet burgers and […]
Posted inProfessional Development
LLCC offering Essential Workplace Skills series
Lincoln Land Community College is offering its popular Essential Workplace Skills training series this fall at its LLCC-Medical District location at 130 W. Mason St. The series is designed for individuals seeking to upskill or boost their marketability – including job seekers, current employees and anyone wanting to sharpen critical soft skills. For a limited […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
LLCC expands, upgrades training facility for emergency services
The Springfield community needs more paramedics and emergency medical technicians, and Lincoln Land Community College is ready to train them. Three years ago, LLCC received a federal grant to address the “urgent community need” for emergency services workers. The funds were intended to pay for the renovation of Logan Hall on the LLCC campus to […]
Posted inColumns
Building permits – Aug.11 to Aug. 17
ARG SPSRIL001 LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3211 S. Veterans Parkway. Contractor is Joshua McRoberts and the project is valued at $700,000. Salt & Light Rejuvenation Inc. received a commercial fence permit for 3471 Freedom Drive. Conractor is Peerless Enterprise Inc. and the project is valued at $32,984. Great Clips received a commercial […]
Posted inArticles
UIS launches $42.5M Library Commons project
Excitement is growing at the University of Illinois Springfield as construction is underway on the new Library Commons building. The publicly funded project was made possible by a $42.5 million investment from the state of Illinois. The three-story, 52,000-square-foot building is being built next to the Student Union and is expected to open in 2027. […]
Posted inColumns
Kristin Jamison to join Jacksonville Memorial Foundation
Kristin Jamison has been hired as the new executive director of the Jacksonville Memorial Foundation, effective Nov. 3. Jamison has served as president of the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation since 2019. She is also a co-owner of the Future Champions Sports Complex and Jamison’s Future Swings along with her husband, Adam Jamison. Jamison will […]
Posted inColumns
Eck, Schafer, & Punke acquires Pehlman & Dold, doubles office space
Accounting firm Eck, Schafer, & Punke has acquired another practice and significantly expanded its downtown office. ESP was founded in 1994 and has always been headquartered in downtown Springfield, although not in the same building. The firm moved to its current location, 227 S. Seventh St., in 2014 and originally occupied the second floor. Conn’s […]
Posted inArticles
Federal housing credit expansion could increase affordable rental units in Illinois
Expansion of the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit could allow construction of tens of thousands more affordable housing units in Illinois. The latest domestic policy plan signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will increase available funding by 12% for a key tax credit used by developers to offset a portion of construction costs. It […]
Posted inArticles
Budzinski hosts Springfield forum on postal service problems
Local mail service is in crisis, and it will likely get worse if the federal government follows through with a proposal to move a Springfield letter distribution center to St. Louis, contended a group that gathered Monday in a public forum at Lincoln Land Community College. The meeting, led by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, […]
Posted inArticles
Chamber Job Fair to be held Tuesday, Aug. 26
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s fall job fair will feature dozens of employers ready to hire qualified candidates. A list of the participating employers can be found on the event calendar for The Chamber at www.gscc.org. Whether you’re looking to advance within your current industry or start a new career, there are plenty of […]