Record lows in November for four metros, 36 counties SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in November in 13 Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in one, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased…

Golf course will remain unchanged, with Walters Golf Management continuing normal operations Officials for World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison have announced the purchase of Gateway National Golf Links, the 220-acre golf course and clubhouse adjacent to the speedway. The purchase of Gateway National allows the 380-acre motorsports complex to expand its entertainment…

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police Trooper Christopher Lambert, a Highland Park resident, was killed in January when he was struck by a speeding motorist while assisting with a traffic stop. As his family mourned the loss, they endured additional stress due to the burdensome cost of burial. That led state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, to…

The new National Defense Authorization Act includes $100 million in military construction for a new Joint Operations and Mission Planning Center at Scott Air Force Base, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who sought the funds. Other Duckworth provisions will help protect service members from toxic chemicals, support Illinois  jobs and shield veterans from deportation, she said.…

The St. Louis Regional Freightway has compiled a summary of the major developments in 2019 that either elevated the St. Louis region’s global status as a world-class freight hub or will help to advance the region’s position as the country’s freight nexus in the year ahead. “From mega projects breaking ground and global companies choosing…

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, announced that the Federal Railroad Administration will establish a website where the public can report blocked rail crossings by freight trains in an effort to collect better data and prevent blocked rail crossings, which are jeopardizing safety in communities across Illinois. Durbin helped secure provisions in this year’s…

AltonWorks, the company that owns the Grand Theatre in Alton, will play host to a “Roaring into the 20s” New Year’s Eve Party at the Grand. “Last year’s party was a huge success,” said AltonWork’s Nick Schrank. “We put the party together last year in just two weeks and had a sold-out crowd. This year,…

Tiny’s Party Rental, LLC, a family-owned party rental business, is now serving the Edwardsville area. Owners Andrew and Maria Acheson have worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Business Specialist Marti Wieland since July to achieve their dream of opening a community-oriented business.…

A new project is getting underway to bring major improvements to the busiest station on the MetroLink light rail system, the Central West End MetroLink Station. The $7.5 million enhancements are being funded by Washington University School of Medicine and BJC HealthCare, in partnership with Metro Transit. The goal is to relieve congestion at the…