The Honey Baked Ham Company has set its sights on Springfield. “We started to look at markets across the county that we felt were the top markets that we wanted to be in, and Springfield is at the top of the list,” said Eric Edwards, who handles franchise development for the Georgia-based company. “The location, […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
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Building permits – March 17 to March 23
Memorial Health System received a commercial remodel permit for 701 N. First St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $4.99 million. Third Monroe LLC % Andrew Fendrich received a commercial remodel permit for 305/307 E. Monroe St. Contractor is Third Monroe LLC % Andrew Fendrich and the project is valued at […]
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A demolition, planned renovation for Adams Street
Another of the fire-damaged buildings in the 400 block of East Adams Street in downtown Springfield is being demolished, but historic preservation advocates are pleased that the adjacent one will now be saved. The buildings at 417-421 E. Adams St., just east of where the June 19 fire occurred, are owned by a limited liability […]
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Ed Curtis to retire after 50-year career at Memorial Health
When Ed Curtis arrived at Springfield Memorial Hospital in 1975 as a new nursing graduate, he had no idea he was beginning a 50-year career that would culminate as president and CEO. Curtis, a native of Springfield and a graduate of Lanphier High School, had been inspired to become a registered nurse after witnessing the […]
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Historic Bunn Farm gifted to Refuge Ranch
Introducing horse care and riding to traumatized children has been proven to be effective therapy. The Refuge Ranch in Rochester utilizes that strategy and will now be able to expand its work due to a generous donation from Glennon and Jan Paul of a seven-plus acre historic farm in Springfield. Refuge Ranch, started by Stephan […]
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The future of electric vehicles
Electrons are gradually replacing hydrocarbons as the propulsive power of choice for many Americans as electric-powered vehicles continue to make inroads with the motoring public. According to Kelly Blue Book, electric vehicle (EV) car and pickup truck sales reached 1.3 million in 2024, which is a 7.3% increase from 2023. EVs made up 8.7% of […]
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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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UIS Performing Arts Center to close temporarily
Sangamon Auditorium and the UIS Studio Theatre, housed within University of Illinois Springfield’s Public Affairs Center building, will temporarily close starting in June 2025 for an extensive, state-funded, 15-month plumbing improvement project that will address ongoing issues with the facility’s 50-year-old infrastructure. Plans call for the auditorium and theater to reopen following the completion of […]
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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 […]
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Building permits – Dec. 1 – Dec. 15
George L. and Darla J. Wilson received a commercial demolition permit for 2801 E. Old Rochester Road. Contractor is S. Shafer Excavating Inc. and the project is valued at $34,800. Brandon Robbins received a commercial demolition permit for 801 N. 12th St. Contractor is S. Shafer Excavating Inc. and the project is valued at $50,700. […]
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Springfield gets a city planner
Sean Pritchard is many things: 35 years old, a father of five, a lifelong northender and, as of this month, the first city planner in Springfield’s 203-year history. His appointment to the post within the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, which garners a salary of nearly $90,000, raised eyebrows among some in the […]
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Marco’s Pizza closes remaining Springfield store
Springfield’s first – and last – Marco’s Pizza location has closed with the shuttering of the store at 3201 W. Iles Ave. as of Dec. 9. In a Dec. 10 interview with The Pantagraph, McLain Hoogland, president of Hoogland Restaurant Group, cited the rising minimum wage in Illinois as the reason for closing the Springfield, […]