Local Business Headlines
Ameren customers to benefit from better reliability with new Belleville electric substation
Key takeaways: Customers in the Belleville area will soon benefit from improved reliability thanks to a new, first-of-its kind substation on Ameren’s transmission system. The substation is designed to reroute power as it flows through the region and allow Ameren to more quickly restore power to customers during storms. Substations are critical elements in…
Read MoreOver $1B in medical debt relief for Illinoisans announced by governor
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the State of Illinois has erased over $1.1 billion in medical debt for more than half a million Illinoisans through the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program. The announcement comes ahead of Governor Pritzker’s State of the State and proposed budget address tomorrow, previewing a focus on improving affordability.…
Read MoreOSF Saint Anthony’s continued flexing its cardiology services specialty program ‘muscle’ in 2025
Increased patient volumes for the second consecutive year leads to a strong and healthy heart program Since the heart is one of the most important muscles in the human body, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center continues to be “heart healthy” after bulking up even more by flexing its cardiology services specialty program “muscle” in…
Read MoreMonsanto announces Roundup™ class settlement agreement to resolve current, future claims
Class settlement and the U.S. Supreme Court case are independently necessary and mutually reinforcing elements in multi-pronged strategy to significantly contain the litigation / Funding of the class totals up to 7.25 billion U.S. dollars; Monsanto will make declining capped annual payments for up to 21 years giving it greater financial certainty / Class agreement requires…
Read MoreThe New COGS: Carriers’ 2026 rate hikes squeeze e-commerce margins
Ship.com warns that 2026 carrier rate hikes and hidden surcharges will force ecommerce brands to treat shipping as a core Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). This announcement empowers founders to regain margin control through automation, commercial rate access, and strategic forecasting before unchecked logistics costs destroy profitability. As UPS, FedEx, and other major carriers roll…
Read MoreRiverBend Growth Association introduces 2026 leadership development series
The first session of the 2026-launched leadership development series by the RiverBend Growth Association will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Partnering with Legacy Training and Development and The Wedge powered by SIUE, the session will be held at The Wedge Innovation Center, 620 E. Broadway, Alton. Seating is…
Read MoreSchnucks to honor teammates on sixth annual Supermarket Employee Day
Teammates to receive 5,000 Schnucks Rewards points as part of a week of celebration On Sunday, Feb. 22, Schnuck Markets Inc. is joining supermarkets and food manufacturers nationwide in celebrating the annual Supermarket Employee Day. FMI—The Food Industry Association has proclaimed this holiday to recognize employees at every level for the work they do feeding…
Read MoreMakers Madness: IMA launches 2026 ‘The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois’ naming contest
Annual bracket-style tournament showcases products made in Illinois The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has launched the 2026 “Makers Madness” contest, a bracket-style tournament that lets voters choose what locally-made product should be crowned The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. Nominations for The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois are now being accepted at www.makersmadnessil.com, where voting will…
Read MoreProposed 45Z rule positive step forward
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek Newly released proposed 45Z guidelines include key details on how biofuels and other companies can qualify and potentially sets up farmers to benefit from the tax credits by factoring in feedstocks’ carbon intensity. The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service on Feb. 3 issued proposed regulations for domestic producers of…
Read MoreIllinois sees 10 percent increase in H-2A workers
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek Demand for ag labor through the H-2A temporary visa program in Illinois and the nation continues to rise. During fiscal year 2025, 559 more positions were certified in Illinois over fiscal 2024, bringing the total to 5,757, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Market Intel report. Nationwide, 398,258…
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