2018 October Issue

By DENNIS GRUBAUGH    A housing development that helped transform the core of East Alton could be greatly expanded under a plan being promoted to the state.    Mayor Joe Silkwood and others traveled to Chicago in September to meet with officials of the Illinois Housing Development Authority to push their case for funding for the expansion…

By DENNIS GRUBAUGH    Madison and St. Clair County officials are working together on a $500,000 grant proposal that would help increase their market for apprenticeships.    The plan comes in the wake of each of them being certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as a Registered Apprenticeship Program Intermediary Sponsor a few months ago. The…

By DENNIS GRUBAUGH    Trained workers are difficult to come by, and the situation is putting a county program through the paces as it helps businesses search for solutions.    Madison County Employment and Training Department, whose role long was targeted to the individual worker, is increasingly finding itself dealing more directly with the employer, said Tony…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new $10.8 million grant program for the purchase of electric buses by school districts. $1 million of that amount is being offered now to Cook County districts on a pilot program basis. Timing of a second round has not yet been set. Richard…

Bruce Rauner: Continued reforms, not raising taxes, are what state needs By BRUCE RAUNER     Four years ago, I ran for governor to unlock Illinois’ potential. I was a political newcomer. A private citizen called to serve.    It’s been difficult, but short of being a husband, father and grandfather, building a stronger future for the…

J.B. Pritzker: Stable, experienced hand needed to guide state through problems created in past four years By J.B. PRITZKER    Not long ago, Illinois was far behind when it came to creating and attracting technology companies – and we were missing out on the good-paying jobs those companies create. The Great Recession took its toll and…

    IBJ: The council has been up and running for a couple of years now …        Kniepkamp: September 2015, our group first got together. Supporters wanted to have an organization responsible for importing, exporting and direct foreign investment in Southwest Illinois. They got the chairs of both St. Clair and Madison County, and put…

By ALAN J. ORTBALS    Patients at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital can count on a visit from a member of the spiritual care team within 48 hours of admission.     The team is made up of Catholic priests, Protestant clergy and one Catholic sister. They work to offer spiritual support not just to patients and their…