First Mid employees receive 2025 Chairman’s Award for Excellence
Each year, First Mid Bancshares Inc., the holding company of First Mid Bank & Trust, honors employees whose contributions make a meaningful impact on the organization. The Chairman’s Award for Excellence is the company’s highest recognition and is awarded to individuals nominated by their peers and selected by the executive committee. According to the…
Read MoreUnited Way of Greater St. Louis activates ‘Unite With Us Days’
United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is bringing the region together through Unite With Us Days, a community-wide volunteer initiative that invites individuals, families, and groups to give their time in support of local nonprofits. This extended series of days of service mobilizes thousands of volunteers across the bi‑state region to strengthen neighborhoods, support…
Read MoreBudzinski visits with students at Riverbend Head Start in Alton
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) met with students at Riverbend Head Start and Family Services in Alton to highlight the importance of Head Start programs. Budzinski also discussed her work earlier this year to secure delayed federal funding that had been allocated to the Alton facility for renovations. “Head Start services are…
Read MoreWest Star Aviation welcomes Brian Howell as Chief Commercial Officer
West Star Aviation recently announced the appointment of Brian Howell as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Reporting to CEO Stephen Maiden, Howell will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive go-to-market strategy designed to drive organic growth and enhance service delivery for customers. With extensive experience in the aviation sector, Howell is a seasoned executive…
Read MoreIDOL On-Site: Clean air, productive workforce — The case for improved indoor air quality
Article summary: Clean air, productive workforce — The case for improved indoor air quality: During the bitter cold of winter, many Illinois manufacturers and warehouses limit fresh-air intake to save on heating costs, which can lead to harmful contaminant buildup and negatively affect employee health and productivity. Ensuring proper ventilation can reduce absenteeism, enhance workforce well-being,…
Read MoreIllinoisans overwhelmingly support paid student teaching program
A bipartisan poll conducted in January shows that 72 percent of Illinoisans strongly support the idea of paying college students as they complete the mandatory student teaching portion of their education. A poll of 1,000 Illinoisans conducted by Normington Petts and Associates and Next Generation Strategies in late January asked: “As you may know, student…
Read MoreCommunity invited to Vitality Women’s Clinic dinner: Celebrating hope, impact, connection
Vitality Women’s Clinic (formerly ThriVe Metro East) invites the community to gather for an inspiring evening of connection, celebration, and shared purpose at its 2026 Annual Dinner. The fundraiser event will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Lewis & Clark Community College Commons Building in Godfrey, Ill. The evening begins at 6 p.m.,…
Read MoreAgreement reached between Anderson Healthcare, UnitedHealthcare
Anderson Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare have reached a new agreement, ensuring patient care may continue uninterrupted. Effective immediately: Patients with UHC marketplace, employer-sponsored, and Medicare Advantage coverage will keep in-network access to the hospital, medical group, and imaging services. Patients may continue to schedule appointments and procedures without any disruption. Call your provider’s office directly. More…
Read MoreIllinois continues Metro East showcase with Collinsville’s Teklab $10M lab expansion
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] On Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, Teklab Inc. cut the ribbon on a new 36,500-square-foot laboratory in Collinsville, marking a $10 million investment that state and local leaders say reinforces the Metro East’s role in Illinois’ broader economic development strategy. With its new facility, the…
Read MoreHSHS Medical Group welcomes Dr. Judy Abu-Brown to Edwardsville
HSHS Medical Group recently announced the addition of Dr. Judy Abu-Brown to the team at HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care-Edwardsville at 1188 South State Route 157, Edwardsville. She is a board-certified family physician dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive care to patients of all ages in the Edwardsville community and is accepting new appointments. Dr. Abu-Brown…
Read More