Capital City Home Improvement LLC 7460 Rolling Oaks Drive, Riverton 414-2304 Owner: Shannon C. Hessler House of Bouncers 8150 Cascade Rd., Rochester 306-3561 Owner: Zac Geist, Aaron Geist KLC Turf Pro 5438 Forrest Lane, Sherman 299-7727 Owner: Pamela Kent Rainbow Massage Spa 348 Williams Lane, Chatham 481-6769 Owner: Miaomiao Liu Just the Basics Catering II […]
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Not-so-risky business
By Patrick Yeagle Chris Stone knew from the start that it would all work out. And even if it didn’t, he wasn’t afraid to fail. Stone is part owner of HCI Alternatives, Springfield’s first medical cannabis dispensary, which marked its first year in business this month. Opening the shop was a risk, Stone says, but […]
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Charter schools could see expansion
By Monica Stabile A comparison of standardized testing results by the Springfield Business Journal shows traditional public schools outperformed charter schools on average in the 2014-2015 school year. Meanwhile, charter schools and school choice programs nationwide may see a boost in funding if President Donald Trump’s budget is approved by Congress. The push to expand […]
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Reaching the next generation of givers
By Patrick Yeagle For all the talk about the Millennial generation, one thing is clear: young people’s participation in philanthropy is crucial to the well being of nonprofits. Nowhere in Springfield is that better understood than at The Hope Institute for Children and Families, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with a new campaign […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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Having a tiff about TIF
By Thomas C. Pavlik Freelance Contributor Between the surveyor’s museum, the former Methodist church downtown, the YWCA, and Enos Park, everyone seems to be in a tiff about TIF. There have been many discussions lately among the aldermen and the general public about the most appropriate use of these funds. First, a bit of history […]
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Illinois could see boost from Cuba trade
By Monica Stabile The Illinois agriculture industry is crossing its fingers that Congress will expand U.S. trade with Cuba. A bill to do just that is pending in the legislature, and Illinois could receive a huge boost in business opportunities if the bill becomes law. Nestor Gutierrez, a Cuban immigrant and owner of Buena Vista […]
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A life of courage and generosity – Remembering Mary Therese “M.T.” Vann
By Patrick Yeagle She grew up the only girl with five brothers. Maybe that was where Mary Therese Vann first learned to hold her own. Known as M.T. to many, Mary Therese Vann of Springfield died Dec. 31, 2016, leaving a respected legacy of making her own way in the worlds of business and social […]
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National politics won’t affect next phase of rail relocation
By Patrick Yeagle Federal funding for the next phase of Springfield’s rail relocation is secure, meaning the project likely won’t be affected by the new president-elect and change in Congressional control. Meanwhile, improvements on the Third Street rail continue, but won’t endanger plans to move that rail traffic to 10th Street. The rail relocation project […]