Trump Administration cuts funding for Illinois behavioral health, suicide prevention programs
This week, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) received notice from the Trump Administration that funding for five critical behavioral health and suicide prevention programs, totaling over $5.94 million and affecting hundreds of people and providers, has been cut.…
Read MoreU.S. farmland values enter new phase, shaped by localized market signals
Regional differences underscore the need for local expertise as the agricultural land market adjusts The U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth. Although land values are still high historically, current signs indicate a more complex situation driven by local and regional factors rather than nationwide trends. “After years of steady growth,…
Read MoreJason Gasawski joins Korte & Luitjohan team as Construction Management VP
Jason Gasawski has joined Korte & Luitjohan Contractors Inc. (K&L) as vice president of Construction Management. A resident of Shiloh, Ill., Gasawski began his construction career in 2005 as a carpenter with Dessouard Commercial & Housing Improvement. He then spent the next 17 years at S.M. Wilson working his way up from project engineer to…
Read MoreHinckley Allen names St. Clair County Teen Court as 2026 Social Justice Partner
Firm expands Social Justice Partner Program to the Midwest, supporting restorative youth justice Hinckley Allen recently announced that St. Clair County Teen Court, based in Belleville, Ill., has been selected as the firm’s 2026 Social Justice Partner, officially expanding the Social Justice Partner Program into the Midwest. The partnership reflects the firm’s continued commitment to…
Read MoreWild Things annual conference comes to O’Fallon in 2026 on Jan. 31
One of the Midwest’s largest nature conferences expands to southern Illinois After being held in northern Illinois for decades, and growing into one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, the Wild Things Conference is taking root in southern Illinois later this month. The Wild Things 2026 Conference will be held on Saturday, Jan.…
Read MoreLuke Pfeifer elevated to partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Simmons Hanly Conroy recently announced that Luke Pfeifer has been elevated to partner, effective Jan. 1, 2026. “We are delighted to announce Luke’s well-earned promotion,” said Simmons Hanly Conroy Managing Partner Laurence V. Nassif. “He is an esteemed firm ambassador who demonstrates our commitment to client-focused advocacy daily. I’m excited to see all he accomplishes as…
Read MoreHow non-discretionary bonus payments paid to non-exempt employees effect their overtime calculations
By SCOTT CRUZ The Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) requires employers to pay non-exempt employees at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked. When a non-exempt employee works over 40 hours in a single workweek, the FLSA requires employers to pay overtime at a rate of one and one-half times that employee’s regular…
Read MoreRecent Resume.org survey results anticipate ‘great turnover’ in 2026
9 in 10 companies plan to hire in 2026, yet 6 in 10 will have layoffs Resume.org, a leading platform for building a resume, has released new findings from a December 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers about workforce plans for 2026. The results show that hiring remains strong heading into the new year,…
Read MoreSpectrum opens applications for sixth class of ‘Spectrum Scholars’
$300,000 in scholarships to be awarded to 15 college students, paired with internship, two-year professional development program Key takeaways: Spectrum will award 15 students with $20,000 each, raising its total investment in Spectrum Scholars to more than $2 million since 2020. Students gain access to professional development and a paid Spectrum internship. Rising college juniors…
Read MoreGovernor’s Trophy for Best Small Club awarded to Rotary Club of Swansea
The Rotary Club of Swansea was awarded the Governor’s Trophy for Best Small Club for the 2024–2025 Rotary year. The award was presented to the club by Past District Governor Robin Dean at the Rotary District 6510 Conference held Nov. 7–8, 2025, in Effingham, Ill. Rotary District 6510 is comprised of 43 clubs throughout…
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