Area News
January and February dates set for IDOT DBE workshops
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is hosting free virtual workshops in January and February as part of its continuing Building Blocks of Success series for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms interested in strengthening their skills, growing their business, and bidding on state projects. New and existing DBEs, as well as firms interested in becoming…
Read MoreSouthwestern Illinois Board of REALTORS® launches pre-license real estate course
Have you been thinking about starting a career in real estate? Then now may be the time to embark on your journey into real estate excellence with the Southwestern Illinois Board of REALTORS® Training Center. “Our highly anticipated 75-hour pre-license real estate course is about to begin, and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings,”…
Read MoreUMB receives regulatory approval to acquire Heartland Financial
UMB will have approximately $66 billion in assets, elevating it to the top 4% of publicly traded U.S. banks UMB Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: UMBF) and Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: HTLF) are pleased to share that the necessary regulatory approvals from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of…
Read MoreLawmakers ease requirements for those seeking to change their name
Move praised by LGBTQ+ and domestic abuse advocates, criticized by Republicans By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — A measure awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature will help protect transgender people and victims of domestic violence who seek to change their names, according to its proponents. The bill repeals a requirement that those seeking…
Read MoreSIUC’s inaugural Mar. 28 Southern Illinois Outdoor Summit welcomes participants, seeks presenters
Southern Illinois is a haven for outdoor activities, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center will host the inaugural Southern Illinois Outdoor Summit, a March 28 event to foster growth in the region’s outdoor industry. The free event, which kicks off with registration and coffee at 8 a.m., will bring together community partners, land…
Read MoreBudzinski calls on Congressional leadership to reauthorize RECA, expand local eligibility
On Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) visited the former Dow Chemical Company factory to raise awareness around the urgent need for residents to be compensated for health impacts relating to decades long radiation exposure. Budzinski was joined by Venice, Illinois Mayor Tyrone Echols, Alderman Phillip White, and local activists passionate about…
Read MoreVillage of Godfrey Candidates Forum takes place on Feb. 11, hosted by EEIA
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] The East End Improvement Association (EEIA) has announced that it will host a Village of Godfrey Candidates Forum at 7 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2025, in the Trimpe Building on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Ill. EEIA Board Member…
Read MoreCity of Alton Candidates Forum announced for Feb. 4, sponsored by EEIA
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] The East End Improvement Association (EEIA) has announced that it will host a City of Alton Candidates Forum at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2025, at the Great Rivers Hotel (formerly known as Best Western Premier) located at 3559 College Avenue in Alton, Ill. EEIA Board…
Read MoreUSMCA dispute decision a win for Illinois corn farmers
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek The United States’ victory in its dispute over Mexico’s decree to ban genetically modified corn imports is good news for Illinois corn growers. United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the U.S. prevailed in its dispute under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) challenging certain Mexican biotechnology measures concerning genetically engineered…
Read MoreIllinois declares soybean as official state bean
On Jan. 6, 2025, the Illinois Legislature passed HB 4439 which designates the soybean as Illinois’ official state bean. HB 4439 recognizes the importance of soybeans to the state’s economy and agricultural heritage. Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the nation with over 10 million acres of soybeans planted each year, accounting for…
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