From Illinois Business Journal news services SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, is encouraging legislators to get behind a measure that would allow the  Casino Queen to go through with a plan to purchase Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville if slot machines are allowed at the racetrack. “This is excellent news for the city…

From Illinois Business Journal news services EAST ST. LOUIS  – The employee group that owns the Casino Queen said today it has reached agreement to acquire nearby Fairmount Park racetrack if appropriate legislation is passed by the Illinois General Assembly. Employee-owned CQ Holdings, Inc., which owns the Queen said it has reached an agreement with…

From Illinois Business Journal news services Charter Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Charter to merge with Time Warner Cable, forming what would become one of the largest broadband, voice and video services providers in the country. The transaction is subject to approval…

From Illinois Business Journal news services EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler has announced that real estate tax bills will be mailed at the end of the month, and a new payment option is being offered Prenzler said the first installment will be due July 9. Subsequent installments are due Sept. 9, Oct. 9…

From Illinois Business Journal news services SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Jay Hoffman’s bill to form a task force to crack down on the rampant theft of valuable metals such as copper has passed both chamber of the Legislature and is headed to the governor. When the metals we use to wire street lights, deliver water…

From Illinois Business Journal news services SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, that would create buffer zones between adult entertainment facilities and schools, daycare centers, cemeteries, public parks, public housing or places of worship. The legislation, House Bill 3983, arose from an instance in which…

This column is by Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, who represents the 54th Senate District in Illinois. The time spent in Springfield for lawmakers is on the rise and the debate over legislation is getting more heated. They are the telltale signs we are nearing the conclusion of a spring session. The General Assembly spent five days…

From Illinois Business Journal news services Associated Bank, N.A. has entered into a conciliation agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that resolves HUD’s investigation into the company’s lending practices between 2008 and 2011. The agreement requires a number of actions by Associated that it says are a continuation of its existing…

From Illinois Business Journal news services Earning a college degree in Illinois could become cheaper and faster, say sponsors of a House bill passed unanimously by the Illinois Senate on Friday. HB 3428 requires all Illinois public community colleges and universities to grant credit for a minimum score of 3 on 34 advanced placement course…

From Illinois Business Journal news services EFFINGHAM – Midland States Bank’s Wealth Management Group has seen trust revenue growth of nearly twice the industry average. The results recently landed the bank on the 2014 “Nifty 50” Top 50 Banks for Trust Revenue Growth by Bank Director Magazine in its most recent issue. Over the 2012-2014…