By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] All photos by Melissa Crockett Meske/Illinois Business Journal The fifth annual Chamber Choice Awards Luncheon, hosted by the RiverBend Growth Association, took place on May 27, 2026, in the Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. The sold-out event also celebrated the…

In May, the City of O’Fallon, Ill., renewed its municipal electricity aggregation program with Homefield Energy at a fixed rate of $0.1279 per kWh through May 2027. Ameren has since announced their summer rate (June-Sept 2026), which is slightly lower at $0.11326 per kWh. In October, Ameren will release its non-summer rate (October – May…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s jazz radio station, WSIE 88.7 — The Sound, is a feature story in The St. Louis American, highlighting the station’s new tower and HD transmitter and what it means for listeners across the bi-state region.  Written by Kenya Vaughn, the piece captures a ribbon-cutting ceremony held May 13 at WSIE’s Dunham Hall studios on the SIUE…

Following Governor JB Pritzker’s signing of the Statewide Innovation Development and Economy (STAR Bond) Act, the Village of Glen Carbon formally notified the State of Illinois of its intent to pursue the establishment of a STAR Bond District. The designation expands the village’s economic development toolkit and creates opportunities to thoughtfully evaluate destination-oriented projects that…

  Nominations are once again being accepted for the City of Edwardsville’s long-running Green Thumb Awards program, which celebrates eye-catching displays in gardens, yards and landscaped areas in Edwardsville. And this year, the committee behind the awards is encouraging entries that incorporate red, white and blue hues in recognition of America’s 250th birthday. For more…

Kunkel Commercial Group recently completed the following commercial real estate transactions Sold transactions: Belleville:  Artistry on Cakes LLC sold a 1,437 SF retail building at 507 Sherman Street to Golden Hour Real Estate LLC. KUNKEL COMMERCIAL GROUP represented the Seller. Carlinville: TKG Macoupin County Development LLC sold 4.22 acres of vacant land in Carlinville to…

The seasonal increase in non-stop service to Frankfurt began June 1 As of June 1, 2026, those traveling from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on Lufthansa Airlines have two additional days in which to book a flight each week. The German airline has increased service from three to five days…

  By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] Grafton Winery & Brewhaus recently shared a business update that, after 17 years, the Brewhaus part of their operations in Grafton has been sold. The new owner will take over following current owners, Lori and Mike Nikonovich, hosting their last day on Sunday, June…