Local Business Headlines

ALTON — After the historic flood of 1993 receded into the river banks, Ameren Illinois engineers spent many hours looking for a solution to safeguard its natural gas and electric infrastructure near the Mississippi River.  For one business customer, the solution was to install its natural gas meter high onto a utility pole – an…

Participant says Mendoza’s prioritizing puts Vendor Payment Program at risk By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — A program that helps vendors get paid even when the state is late paying its bills might be in danger, the head of one financial company said, because of the way Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is…

A number of road projects are underway and will affect traffic patterns in coming days in Metro East. The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that: – All lanes of Illinois 3 from 0.8 miles north of Monsanto Avenue in Sauget to 0.1 miles south of Ruby Street in Cahokia will be intermittently restricted during daytime hours…

Former governor: Voters should have right to electronically sign petitions during COVID-19 By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois group trying to get a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot is not entitled to looser regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The Committee for the…

The Illinois Youth Investment Program is extending its grant application deadline to Aug. 3. The program, administered by the Department of Human Services, supports at-risk youth who are seeking long-term, career employment. Providers interested in serving young people in their area can apply for grants online at DHS’ website. Grants are awarded to providers who…

Department of Employment Security launches ‘callback only’ program for claimants By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – The state of Illinois saw slight decreases in the number of people filing first-time unemployment claims as well as the number of people receiving continuing benefits during the week that ended July 4. But those gains…

Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole tells reporters Thursday in Springfield that state rules governing how federal CARES Act dollars were allocated would “limit economic recovery in communities across the state.” Local governments, he argued, should have the authority to decide whether community businesses need financial aid, not state officials. (Credit: BlueRoomStream.com)    …

Customers wait in line Jan. 2 outside of HCI Alternatives in Springfield to purchase marijuana for recreational use. In the state’s seventh month of legalization, new applicants to the industry have been left in the lurch as the granting of new licenses has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Capitol News Illinois photo by…

The 2020 season of the Night Market in Downtown Alton will be held every Thursday night starting July 16 through Sept. 3 from 7 to 10 p.m. In order to provide more space for everyone to spread out, this year live music and outdoor vendors will be located in the large parking lot on the…

Lewis and Clark Community College is announcing a hybrid approach to instruction for Fall 2020, which will utilize a mix of hands-on and virtual learning opportunities for students. “Our focus this fall will be on continuing to deliver quality education to our students, while keeping our campus communities as safe as possible,” said Interim President…