Area News
Joe’s Market Basket encourages use of indoor plants to liven spaces during colder months
Taking care of houseplants can be an extremely rewarding task. Many people look to indoor greenery to liven up their spaces, pump health benefits into the air, make up for a lack of outdoor space or to carry their outside hobby indoors during the colder months. However, taking care of those plants also comes with…
Read MoreICC approves amended Ameren Illinois grid plan
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] On Dec. 19, 2024, The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved Ameren Illinois’ four-year integrated grid plan, a requirement under the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), to maintain reliability and begin to prepare the electric grid for the transition to cleaner energy. The ICC also…
Read MoreAI in hiring practices? Illinois employers, beware
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] In August 2024, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 3773 into law, amending the Illinois Human Rights Act. Known as the “Limit Predictive Analytics Use” bill and enacted as Public Act 103-0804, this legislation takes effect a year from now, on Jan. 1, 2026. Among…
Read More2025 U.S. job market perceptions split: Survey reveals mixed sentiments on opportunities, job search ease
One-third of job seekers predict decline in desired field positions; latest results from The Harris Poll Is the job market heating up or cooling down? U.S. job seekers are split in the new year, with a third believing there are fewer job opportunities in their desired fields compared to a year ago (33%), while 38%…
Read MoreJustine PETERSEN earns BBB accreditation as charity seal holder
Justine PETERSEN recently announced that it has earned its status as a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Charity Seal Holder. After completing a thorough review process, Justine Petersen has met BBB’s Standards for Charity Accountability. Standards ensure that an organization has: Proper governance and oversight A method to measure organizational performance & effectiveness Sound financial…
Read MoreArmstrong Teasdale earns Equality 100 Award in HRCF 2025 Corporate Equality Index
Armstrong Teasdale recently announced that it met all of the criteria to earn a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The firm joins the 765 U.S. businesses that will be…
Read MoreCaritas Family Solutions to host 12th annual Heart & Soul Gala on Feb. 8
Caritas Family Solutions is hosting its 12th annual Heart & Soul Gala on Feb. 8, 2025, at The Regency in O’Fallon, Ill. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or purchasing tickets, go to www.caritasfamilysolutions.org/gala. The deadline to register is January 17. “This is our largest fundraising event of the year and it makes…
Read MoreHSHS patients can get faster lung cancer diagnosis, treatment with new robotic biopsy system
Ion® technology offers less invasive, more precise access to all 18 segments of lung Time matters – especially when you or a loved one is waiting for the results of a lung cancer biopsy. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is now offering the latest leading-edge technology for lung cancer biopsies with the Ion® endoluminal system. The…
Read MoreOutlining the benefits of an IRS IRC Section 529 college savings plan
By DARREN WRIGHT Chief Investment Officer First Mid Wealth Management The IRS created IRC Section 529 plans (529 plans) in 1996, and since that time, millions of families have saved billions of dollars to help pay for the education of their loved ones. 529 plans are administered by individual states and offer many benefits to…
Read MoreIllinois Department of Labor issues reminders of new laws effective Jan. 1
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor [email protected] Starting Jan. 1, 2025, employers in Illinois were required to provide pay stubs to employees each pay period. The pay stubs must include information on hours worked, pay rates, overtime pay, and deductions from wages. As part of Public Act 103-0953, employers must keep a copy of…
Read More