Local Business Headlines
NGRREC named Environmental Education Association of Illinois Organization of the Year
The Environmental Education Department at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm) has been named the 2026 Organization of the Year by the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI). The honor recognizes the team’s outstanding and ongoing efforts to advance environmental education opportunities across the state of Illinois. “I am incredibly proud…
Read MorePublic comment sought on proposed Illinois 203 improvements in Madison County
The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a study for the proposed improvements on Illinois 203 from Maverick Drive to Eagle Park Road in Madison County. The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23 at The Mill Events, 1311 20th St., Granite City. IDOT, in cooperation with…
Read MoreRecent ribbon cutting celebrations hosted by O’Fallon area chamber
The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon cutting celebration with Keller Williams Pinnacle in O’Fallon to mark the relocation of their offices to the O’Fallon Downtown District. Their offices are now located at 108 West State Street. Representatives from Keller Williams Pinnacle on hand to lead the ribbon cutting were Christi Johnson and…
Read MoreBusiness exit: Why most family businesses aren’t prepared for transition
By BRYAN ESARCO Nearly six million small to midsize businesses will be ready for transfer by 2035, according to Forbes. Being prepared is the first part of the sale process; are you and your family ready? Here, I share what can create roadblocks to the transition and provide an action plan to mitigate them. What…
Read MoreLooking for tax breaks you can feel good about?
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] As this year’s tax season moves toward the end of its peak days with the April 15 deadline fast upon us, tax planning (or adjusting already in-place plans) and tax breaks are top of mind. Available charitable giving options are being reviewed with more thought…
Read MoreAWI expands local resources for domestic violence survivors and their pets
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has announced Oasis Women’s Center, based out of Madison County, Ill., as the recipient of its 2026 Safe Havens for Pets Desert Grant to expand sheltering resources for the pets of domestic violence survivors in underserved communities. Following a rigorous analysis of national data, AWI identified Illinois as a “safe haven desert”— an area that lacks adequate sheltering services for…
Read MoreIllinois lawmakers begin days of deep dives on data centers
By NIKOEL HYTREK and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois Article Summary The House Executive Committee met Wednesday to hear from mayors, unions and agriculture representatives about how data centers impact communities. The subject matter hearing was the first of three planned by the committee to bring stakeholders together to discuss data centers.…
Read MoreRedbird Bus service available for select 2026 Cardinals home games
UPDATED APRIL 20, 2026: St. Clair County Transit District’s Redbird Bus service, available for all Friday and Saturday home Cardinals games during the 2026 season, has changed its departure location. Redbird Buses will now board from the St. Clair County Parking Garage at 100 South First Street in Belleville. Free, covered, camera-monitored public parking is…
Read MoreIllinois American Water launches pilot program to connect customers to discounts
New text message outreach helps customers access available assistance program Illinois American Water is launching a pilot program to proactively identify and assist customers who may qualify for monthly water and/or wastewater bill discounts ranging between 10-80 percent. The effort aims to increase awareness of existing assistance programs and simplify the path to enrollment. Beginning…
Read MoreAce Grease Service creates new security lid to crack down on oil theft
Recycling companies, small businesses lose an estimated $300 to $500 million each year due to stolen grease Grease theft is on the rise as the demand for used cooking oil (UCO) continues to grow. Recycling companies across the country lose an estimated $300 million to $500 million in revenue each year due to stolen grease,…
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