Local Business Headlines

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…

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,…

  A five-day conference this month at Southern Illinois University will feature programming inspired by the vision and legacy of noted futurist, architect and designer R. Buckminster Fuller. The Fuller Futures Festival “Reimaging Solutions for the World We Share” is April 22-26 on campus and throughout the City of Carbondale. The festival will feature “artists, designers,…

  New technology is rapidly transforming the world of sports. Comprehensive metrics and ball tracking are growing in popularity across golf, baseball, football and more, enhancing performance and amplifying fun. Park North Golf Club in Edwardsville is one of the first to bring world-class Trackman technology to the region, equipping its golf bays with advanced…

  Fairmount Park Casino & Racing breaks from the gate this April with a $500,000 increase in its total purse amount for the 2026 racing season. General Manager Vince Gabbert said the half-million-dollar increase in purses will attract a larger field size and top-tier horses from across the region. The purse increase will be spread over the…

Update contact information today to help ensure receipt of emergency and general service alerts Illinois American Water urges customers to update their contact information through its online customer portal, MyWater, in order to receive emergency alerts as well as non-urgent work taking place in their communities, including water main replacements, flushing or other planned maintenance. “Illinois…

  Mark C. Milton, a 2003 graduate of Belleville East High School and founder of Milton Law Group, is officially bringing his legal expertise back to his hometown. Through his real estate holdings company, Miltchester Properties LLC, Milton has acquired the historic property at 122 W. Main St. in the heart of downtown Belleville. The…

The Wildey Theatre is set to party like it’s 1909 – celebrating the historic venue’s 117th birthday, the 15th anniversary of its restoration and reopening, and the recent completion of its updated lobby. The public is invited to take part in the festivities, happening from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 – the…

On Wednesday, April 15, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is partnering with the City of Fairview Heights to host a high-impact business development event designed to help entrepreneurs successfully launch and strengthen their businesses. As small businesses navigate an increasingly competitive and complex economic…

  The SIUE Graduate School celebrated the achievements of graduate students and faculty scholars at the annual Spring Research Symposium on March 31 in Morris University Center’s Goshen Lounge on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Students from graduate programs across SIUE presented their research, scholarship and creative activities during the Student Symposium portion…