Local Business Headlines
O’Fallon-Shiloh chamber to honor excellence in business, community service
The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce will host its 48th Annual Salute to Business Awards from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. This after-hours celebration honors businesses and organizations that have made a meaningful impact on the community. The evening will feature a ‘Taste of’ format, allowing…
Read More[Op-Ed:] America should lead in AI — for public safety and national security
By STATE REP. JOHN M. CABELLO (R-Machesney Park) Around the world, countries are racing to lead in artificial intelligence. Whoever shapes this technology will have a huge advantage when it comes to economic growth, global influence, and national security. For the United States, the goal should be simple: The technology that powers our future must be built in…
Read MoreAsk SCORE: Finding funding for your new business
Finding funding for your new startup can be more complicated than you think. Before you even start, you’ll need to determine your business’s financial outlook, how much funding your business is likely to need, and how much you may be able to receive through equity or debt financing. Major debt funding sources Options for debt…
Read MoreGovernor urges Congress to provide Illinois farmers long-term market certainty
Gov. Pritzker presses for federal action to permanently allow year-round sale of E15 gasoline as global instability and tariffs drive up costs for Illinois farmers On April 2, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging for a swift passage of legislation to permanently allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline and bring…
Read MoreChildcare workers can earn college credit for experience at LC
Lewis and Clark Community College Child Development is now offering college course credit for work experience through its Prior Learning Assessment process. Childcare workers interested in pursuing a degree or certificate can save a semester’s worth of courses by participating in an assessment centered on virtual scenarios. The interactive assessment takes 60 to 90…
Read MoreSWIC to launch football program in Fall 2027
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) has announced it will launch an intercollegiate football program, with its inaugural season set for Fall 2027. The team will compete as an Independent in Division I as part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The addition of football reflects SWIC’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes,…
Read MoreVoters narrow down to top 8 ‘coolest’ products made in Illinois
“Makers Madness” contest lets public decide what is “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” The field of contenders for the 2026 title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois has been narrowed further, with voters choosing the top eight products to move ahead in the annual “Makers Madness” contest. Hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association…
Read MoreEggs for Easter more affordable than last year
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Consumers purchasing table eggs for Easter festivities will be welcomed by a lower price tag at the grocery store this year compared to 2025. However, laying hen depopulations caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continue to push volatility in the market. USDA reported as of March 13, HPAI in…
Read MoreYour voice, your impact: Madison County Mental Health Board launches 2026 Community Survey
Madison County residents can help shape how local mental health resources grow and respond to community needs through the newly launched 2026 Community Mental Health Survey from the Madison County Mental Health Board (MCMHB). The survey, conducted every three years, helps ensure local tax levy funds address the evolving behavioral health needs of residents across…
Read MoreAre your meetings leaving performance on the table?
By AMY NARISHKIN, PH.D. For the Illinois Business Journal “People keep turning our meetings into political debates. We’re not maximizing meeting engagement—and no one is actually listening,” a healthcare director told me. She wasn’t actually frustrated about “politics.” She was frustrated about lost execution. In healthcare, that doesn’t just waste time—it delays decisions, increases risk,…
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