PHOTO: Representatives of the honored organizations and businesses hold their Captains of the River Bend awards. From Illinois Business Journal news services GODFREY – Six local entities have been named Captains of the River Bend award winners. The award was created by the RiverBend Growth Association to identify and honor the many ways in which…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services An Alton tradition, the eighth Annual Taste of Downtown, will be held at Argosy Casino’s Music Hall from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. The event is coordinated by Alton Main Street organization. Area restaurants will be preparing a wide variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Tickets…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services ST. LOUIS – East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ board of directors has approved the selection of Jim Wild as the new executive director of the St. Louis region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization. Wild (left) had been serving as the interim executive director since June 30, after the…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is announcing the 2015 holiday mailing and shipping deadlines for domestic, international and military services as customers begin to prepare for the busy shopping and shipping season. Customers are encouraged to ship early, whenever possible. To ensure timely delivery of cards, letters…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services EDWARDSVILLE – Gori Julian & Associates has signed on as the Legacy Sponsor of the inaugural Legacy Awards to be hosted by the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The annual event, now in its first year, will take place on Dec. 3 at the Leclaire Room in Edwardsville. The Legacy…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services EDWARDSVILLE – The executive committee of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois today announced that Ronda Sauget has been hired to serve as the next executive director of the organization, effective Dec. 1. Sauget (left) takes the reins from Ellen Krohne, who has served as executive director of the…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services Commercial and residential construction value continues to surge in St. Louis and Metro East. Dodge Data & Analytics today reported on September construction starts in the metropolitan statistical area of St. Louis, consisting of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson, Jersey, Lincoln, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, St Charles, St.…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services WASHINGTON — There was no gala celebration, but there were signs of relief — and perhaps an easing of some long-simmering partisan relations — when House members voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve a two-year budget deal and send it to the Senate. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, who…

  PHOTO: Celebrating the launch, from left: Mike Riley, president of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois; Georgia Costello, president of Southwestern Illinois College; Nick Barnes, vice president and director of enterprise technology solutions and Jason Carter, president, Aegis Strategies, LLC,; Terry Beach, St. Clair County economic development director; Col. Terrence Adams, commander, 375th Communications Group;…

  From Illinois Business Journal news services ALTON – Expressing a continued commitment to solving the budget crisis and protecting working families, Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, announced Tuesday he will run for re-election in the 56th Senate District. “Illinois is in a budget crisis. Lawmakers need to work together and prioritize the people of Illinois,…