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 […]
Newsletter – This Month SBJ
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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 […]
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Nonprofits struggle to serve Springfield students
Fundraising efforts have provided a reprieve to two Springfield nonprofit organizations that operate after-school and summer-learning programs in the community. But those programs will serve fewer children this year, and there’s no guarantee that the same level of after-school and summer-learning services will be available once the donated money runs out. The Boys and Girls […]
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Illinois schools struggle with prolonged teacher shortage
From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of short-term, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide teacher shortage. The most recent survey of education leaders from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, or IARSS, shows overall shortage percentages similar to pre-pandemic levels, […]
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Helping kids who struggle with reading
An estimated one in five children in Illinois struggle to read due to the learning disorder dyslexia. Forty to 60% of children with dyslexia have a parent with the same disorder. Two local sisters are dedicated to supporting children with dyslexia by offering diagnostic testing and one-on-one instruction, then training and hiring teachers to do […]
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PNC invests in children
PNC staff believe it’s never too early to invest in a child’s future. In 2004, PNC employees launched Grow Up Great, a $500 million initiative that prepares children from birth through age 5 in underserved communities for success in school and life. It has supported more than 10 million children across 22 states and Washington, […]
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Be aware of these legal developments
Here are a few things happening in the legal world. Corporate Transparency Act The Corporate Transparency Act was enacted in 2021 with the stated purpose of helping to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption and tax fraud. The original effective date was Jan. 1, 2023. The Corporate Transparency Act required small business entities to disclose […]
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Hire for merit with equal employment opportunity
I was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. If you’ve been to Lambeau Field, you know that the energy of the crowd and the overall aura is unparalleled. If you sit down next to me at a Packers’ game wearing green and gold or with a big block of foam cheese on your head, it doesn’t […]
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A more balanced housing market in 2025
The National Association of Realtors held its annual economic and real estate summit in December to provide a forecast of the national economy and its impact on the real estate market in 2025. It was hosted by Lawrence Yun, chief economist and senior vice president of research for NAR, and moderated by Jessica Lautz, deputy […]
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Motivated by faith and family
Quigg Engineering Inc. has served clients since 2006 and “provides a progressive and thoughtful approach to planning, engineering and surveying, always remaining aligned with clients’ needs, to provide professional, quality and timely engineering and consulting services,” according to the company’s website. Engineers innovate and solve problems, but beyond highway and bridge design, land surveying, environmental […]
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Motivation: spread something positive
Flu season is upon us, but do you know what’s just as contagious as the flu? Motivation. A recent Johns Hopkins University study found that when we see other people challenging themselves and achieving “exceptional success,” we’re more likely to do the same. This is tied to motivation – when you see others do something, […]
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When boilerplate is not the best option
I recently met with a prospective client to discuss representing him in a possible business venture. As we discussed the scope of my representation, he said that he planned to sign some standard contracts with various venders and he would not need my help because, other than the price terms, it was all just boilerplate. […]