Construction for Springfield’s Rail Improvement Project began in 2014 with construction of an underpass at Carpenter and 10th streets and the final phase will begin next month. Over the last decade-plus, new railroad bridges have been constructed at Fifth, Sixth, Ash, Laurel and Cook streets and South Grand Avenue with underpasses constructed at Madison and […]
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Regulations change for disadvantaged businesses
Federal regulations changed in October for all businesses seeking contracts as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Those businesses now need to provide additional documentation – including personal financial information – and must be recertified due to an “interim rule” from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The changes directly affect […]
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Notable projects underway in Springfield
Scheels Sports Park With the success of Legacy Pointe anchor SCHEELS, developers Steve Luker and Dirk McCormick have partnered with local organizations and the city of Springfield to create Scheels Sports Park, part of a 276-acre mixed-use development located off MacArthur Boulevard near the I-72 interchange. One of their innovative partnerships is with tenant Springfield […]
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Make a nomination for Best Places to Work 2026
Each year, Springfield Business Journal and United Community Bank sponsor an awards program that recognizes the Best Places to Work in our community. This awards program is unique, because it requires employees to nominate their own company. The criteria include: Feb. 1 is the deadline to make a nomination for the 2026 awards. The winning […]
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Diane Rutledge receives First Citizen Award
Dr. Diane Rutledge is the 63rd recipient of Springfield’s prestigious First Citizen Award. A lifelong educator, mentor and community leader, Rutledge has dedicated more than five decades to improving the lives of children, families and organizations across the Springfield area through her leadership, volunteerism and advocacy. It is, however, Rutledge’s impact outside her role as […]
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IDOT to host job fair Nov. 6
The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a career fair Thursday, Nov. 6, in Springfield. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in IDOT’s Harry R. Hanley Building at 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway. Representatives from IDOT offices and bureaus who oversee both technical and administrative support responsibilities will be available to […]
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Credit union to acquire local bank
Land of Lincoln Credit Union has announced plans to acquire Williamsville State Bank and Trust.While the agreement is contingent on obtaining regulatory and WSB Financial, Ltd. stockholder approvals, the proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both institutions. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026. […]
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Credit card ‘swipe fee’ ban awaits judge’s ruling
A law that would make Illinois the first jurisdiction in the world to ban financial institutions from charging “interchange fees” on the tax and tip portions of debit and credit card transactions finally got its day in court Oct. 22, nearly 18 months after its passage. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall’s ruling – expected in […]
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Buildings fail to sell at auction
Both the former Standard Mutual office building in Springfield and the historic Broadgauge restaurant in Petersburg are back on the market after failing to sell at separate auctions last month. “We had a handful of people interested in bidding, but it didn’t come close to the reserve,” said Douglas Pope, owner of the Broadgauge building. […]
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Statewide bus tour promotes manufacturing
The “Makers on the Move” statewide bus tour kicked off Oct. 6 at Ace Sign Co. in Springfield, a partnership between the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center to celebrate Manufacturing Month throughout the month of October. In its fourth year, the tour will visit manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and community centers […]
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American Business Club presents $128K to local charities
The American Business Club of Springfield presented more than $128,000 to Springfield-area charities during a Sept. 30 ceremony held on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The funds were raised through ABC’s volunteer efforts at the 2025 Illinois State Fair managing gate admissions for the 11 days of the Fair. This year, ABC made donations to 63 […]
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State to connect small businesses with procurement experts
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology’s Office of Supplier Diversity and the IT Procurement Office have announced the launch of a new Office Hours program, with the inaugural session scheduled for 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as part of the “Leveraging Diversity in Technology Procurement” educational series. “We’re launching this Office Hours program […]