Local Business Headlines
Ramp closures scheduled at I-64/Illinois 157 interchange in St. Clair County
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced ramp closures at the Interstate 64 and Illinois 157 interchange in St. Clair County beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17. The following ramps will be closed to traffic: Illinois 157 to westbound I-64 Westbound I-64 to Illinois 157 Weather permitting, all westbound ramps at the interchange are…
Read More13th annual 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge to offer $28,000 in prizes
Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2026 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 13th annual regional business plan competition. The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage, and…
Read MoreJune 25 jigsaw puzzle competition to benefit Operation Blessing
Grab your friends, family, coworkers, and puzzle aces and join in an evening of fun and friendly competition benefiting Operation Blessing. This unique fundraising event — a jigsaw puzzle competition! — takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the Godfrey KC Hall, located at 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey,…
Read MoreFilm studio developer establishes Granite City base in Metro East footprint
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] A film production company with ties to major Hollywood projects has established a foothold at America’s Central Port in Granite City as part of a broader effort to build a film and television production campus in the Metro East. Hollywood River Studios has leased…
Read MoreEast St. Louis advances electric vehicle infrastructure with public DC fast charging station
Ameren Illinois’ collaborative approach helps bring sustainable transportation to the region East St. Louis is taking a major step toward a cleaner, more connected future with the installation of a public DC fast‑charging electric vehicle station at its municipal building at 301 River Park Drive. A suite of Ameren Illinois’ clean energy programs –…
Read MoreGovernor signs eighth consecutive balanced budget for FY27
The FY27 budget advances the Governor’s Affordability Agenda for working families and invests in core services Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton joined legislative leaders and members of the General Assembly to sign the FY27 state budget package. The $55.9 billion balanced General Funds budget continues seven years of fiscal progress while…
Read MorePublic comment sought on proposed US 40 improvements in Madison County
The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on U.S. 40 from Formosa Road to Illinois 162 in Madison County. The meeting will be held: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2026 CA Henning School 520 U.S. 40, Troy IDOT, in cooperation with the…
Read MoreIllinois State Police celebrates 40th year as CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency
The Illinois State Police (ISP) is celebrating its 40th anniversary of certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is an internationally recognized gold standard in public safety excellence. On June 15, 1986, ISP became the first state police agency in the United States to achieve CALEA accreditation, highlighting ISP’s vision…
Read MoreFreightWeekSTL: Lawmakers experience firsthand view of inland waterways’ role in regional, national economy
State legislators from across the bi-state St. Louis region and several of their staff members joined industry leaders June 9 for a series of tours and presentations highlighting the inland waterways’ critical role in freight movement, economic competitiveness and global connectivity. Hosted by Ingram Infrastructure Group (part of Ingram Marine Group), Waterways Council Inc.,…
Read More100 new U.S. flags line Alton streets
American flags to fly through Labor Day in downtown Alton In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, 100 new U.S. flags are bringing their red, white and blue to the streets of downtown Alton thanks to a partnership between the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, the Alton Godfrey Rotary Club and Pride Inc. The flags…
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