News

LLCC announces four class formats for fall 2020 semester

LLCC to host Transportation and Industrial Virtual Information Sessions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       July 2, 2020  LLCC to host Transportation and Industrial Virtual Information SessionsProspective students interested in a hands-on career invited  SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College’s hands-on training programs will be showcased in Transportation and Industrial Virtual Information Sessions on July 8 at 9 a.m., July 15 at 5 p.m., July 21 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. Prospective students are invited to learn about the

Preplanning Seminar Invitation

Community Foundation Announces Two Grant Opportunities

SPRINGFIELD – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln is now accepting proposals for both the Access to Recreation Fund as well as the CFLL Historic Preservation Fund. The deadline for both grant cycles is August 3, 2020.  TheAccess to Recreation Program was originally established at the Foundation through a challenge grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2008. This fund supports accessible recreation programs that provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor or

The BRANDT Foundation donates $100,000 to create legacy of support for LLCC Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         June 29, 2020 Photo: Evelyn Brandt Thomas (center) presents a check for $100,000 from The Brandt Foundation to the LLCC Foundation to support agriculture education. (L-R: Logan Williams, LLCC ag alum and BRANDT employee; John Sudduth, current LLCC ag student; Evelyn Brandt Thomas; Rich Teeter and Bill Harmon, LLCC professors of agriculture; Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC. In the background are BRANDT employees.   SPRINGFIELD – More

New Bus Bench Art in Springfield

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   In October of 2016, Ace Sign Company and the SAA Collective Gallery teamed up to present fine art on bus benches across Springfield. The images have been rotating across bus benches in Springfield for nearly four years and have been a great success with the public. From the day that they were unveiled to last week, positive feedback has been received. This success has motivated Ace Sign and their sponsors, Sutton's and Haxel Law to generate a new set of fine art bus bench

Always Investigate Claims of Extraordinary Utility Cost Savings

The Chamber has recently been made aware of “fly-by-night” salespeople going directly to Chamber members offering supposedly a better energy contract, a better deal, and a better price.  The face value price is not the only criteria in determining which electricity or natural gas contract you should accept and sign.   Contract terms and conditions are more important to assuring the price you are offered is the actual price you will pay for the life of your contract.  You should be wary of suppliers that

Ameren Illinois warns customers about utility scams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ameren Illinois warns customers about utility scamsScam attempts on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic   COLLINSVILLE (June 24, 2020) – Ameren Illinois is warning its business and residential customers to be on alert for utility scams. Posing as electric, water or natural gas company employees, scammers threaten to disconnect or shut off service if customers do not make an immediate payment by prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment. The company is seeing an increase

SPRINGFIELD ELKS HOSTING THE 5TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BOATS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/26/2020 SPRINGFIELD ELKS HOSTING THE 5TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE BOATS Mayor Jim Langfelder To Kick-Off Safe Boating Season on Lake Springfield   Springfield, Illinois—On Saturday, July 4th, 2020 the Springfield Illinois Elks lodge will host the re-scheduled 5th annual Blessing of the Boats, an event intended to promote safe boating on Lake Springfield this boating season. The Blessing of the Boats kicks off the holiday weekend and is re-scheduled because of the COVID 19

SMTD Will Return To Regular Weekday and Saturday Schedules July 6

Today, Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) announced the restoration of weekday and Saturday schedules will begin Monday, July 6th, after three months running an emergency reduced schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are excited to get back to full, regular schedules including night service,” said Steve Schoeffel, SMTD Deputy Managing Director. “Our team looked at where the low point of our ridership was during the pandemic, and we set a 3,000 passengers-per-day threshold to allow us to put more

LAND OF LINCOLN CREDIT UNION DONATES $20,000 TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOOD PANTRIES

Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) applied for and received a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) to assist local non-profit organizations that may have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, LLCU donated $20,000 to local food pantries throughout central Illinois, including Northeast Community Fund in Decatur, Holy Family Food Pantry in Springfield, 6:35 Pantry in Vandalia, Catholic Charities in Effingham, Catholic Charities in Mattoon, Loaves & Fishes Pantry in Pana, and

Freitag Celebrates 30 Years at Hanson's Headquarters

NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Freitag celebrates 30 years at Hanson’s headquarters SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Joan Freitag, a senior vice president and the civil works and federal business development principal at Hanson Professional Services Inc., recently celebrated 30 years of service at the firm’s Springfield headquarters.  Freitag, who joined Hanson in 1990, helped establish the firm in serving federal clients, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard Bureau (Army and Air

Research For a Safer Internet For Small Businesses

Press Release Better Than Hosting 15 S Old State Capitol, Suite 4 Springfield, IL 62701 866-412-4678www.betterthanhosting.com news@betterthanhosting.com   Research For a Safer Internet For Small BusinessesSmall hosting company looks to help protect SMB sector   Roughly 380 million websites are hacked every day. The vast majority of websites are the centric tool for small businesses’ digital presence and for many still, where they solely conduct business. But there are very few options to help small

Business Community Seeks Consumer Sentiments re: Phase 4 via Online Survey

Business organizations in Sangamon County have teamed up to assess consumer sentiment as we move from Phase 3 to Phase 4 in the state's reopening plan for COVID-19. All Sangamon County residents as well as those who work or purchase goods and services in Sangamon County are encouraged to take the survey, which will take about three minutes.  Access the survey at the link below.https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SangCo-Phase4 

LLCC announces spring 2020 part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    June 18, 2020  SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2020 semester. To be eligible for the part-time Vice President’s and President’s lists, students must be enrolled in six to 11 credit hours and earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. Part-time students who earned a 4.0 GPA are noted with an asterisk.   Arenzville – Sara G. Evans*,

LLCC announces spring 2020 full-time President’s and Vice President’s lists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    June 18, 2020   SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2020 semester. To be eligible for the full-time Vice President’s and President’s lists, students must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours and earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above. Full-time students who earned a 4.0 GPA are noted with an asterisk.  Arenzville – Anna M. Burrus*,

INTEREST RATES FOR SBA LOANS HAVE REACHED A NEW HISTORIC LOW…AND THE TIMING COULDN’T BE BETTER.

INTEREST RATES FOR SBA LOANS HAVE REACHED A NEW HISTORIC LOW…AND THE TIMING COULDN’T BE BETTER.Growth Corp reports the interest rate for a 20-year SBA 504 loan has hit a historic low in June.  This rate provides a remarkable opportunity for business owners to access long term capital.   (June 18, 2020) - Small business owners looking to refinance, purchase equipment or build/buy/renovate commercial real estate will find the SBA 504 Loan’s 25-year and 20-year fixed interest rates at the lowest in the

Gov. Pritzker Releases Guidelines to Safely Reopen Additional Businesses and Industries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMonday, Jun. 22, 2020      Gov. Pritzker Releases Guidelines to Safely Reopen Additional Businesses and Industries as State Advances to Next Phase of Restore Illinois   400,000 Illinois residents set to return to work as state moves into Phase 4 on June 26; New guidelines will allow key leisure, recreation and business sectors to safely reopen   CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today released plans to safely continue reopening businesses and industries as Illinois moves into Phase 4

Traffic Light Repairs at Dirksen & Ridge Planned

On Thursday, June 25th, lanes will be reduced at the intersection of N. Dirksen Parkway and Ridge Avenue to accommodate repairs to the overhead traffic signal by City Water, Light and Power. One south-bound lane of N. Dirksen Parkway will be closed and east-bound Ridge Avenue will be closed at Milton Avenue and also at N. 30th Street during repairs. Work is expected to last the entire day. In the event of inclement weather, this work will be rescheduled. Motorists should plan to take alternative routes and

Capitol Radio Group and J. Hansen Heating & Cooling team up to help with Cooling the Capitol this Summer

Summer in Central Illinois is the best time of year for many of us. But for the elderly and disadvantaged, the long hot, humid summer can be brutal. This summer, J Hansen Heating and Cooling, Noonan True Value, Two Men and a Truck and Capitol Radio Group are again teaming up to help with Cooling the Capital. Listeners can stop by either of the Noonan True Value locations and pick up a fan to donate. They have fans specifically for Cooling the Capital. Simply purchase the fan and leave it at Noonan True

LLCC Foundation announces 2020-2021 scholarship recipients

The Lincoln Land Community College Foundation has announced the recipients of over 230 scholarships totaling more than $366,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Foundation awards scholarships every year thanks to the support and generosity of individuals, community businesses and organizations.  For the 2021-2022 academic year, the application period for LLCC Foundation scholarships will be Dec. 1-March 1. For the online application, frequently asked questions, helpful scholarship resources and more,

CWLP ANNOUNCING BILL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

June 16, 2020   CWLP ANNOUNCING BILL ASSISTANCE RESOURCESDisconnects suspended through July and flexible payment plans being offered to help customers bring accounts current.  City Water, Light and Power is seeing an increase in customers with past due balances so the utility is working to help those customers in hardship. While disconnections for nonpayment have been suspended through July, CWLP’s Customer Service office is encouraging its customers to set up a payment plan and utilize new local

Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance Program Reopened

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 today. “The SBA is strongly committed to working around the clock, providing dedicated emergency assistance to the small businesses and non-profits that are facing economic disruption due to the COVID-19 impact.  With the reopening of the EIDL

Downtown Springfield Launches New Way to Shop Local This Month

CUDNTWN -- The Springfield Shop Box is an opportunity to support locally-owned downtown businesses. Customers can enjoy one-of-a-kind gift boxes from a variety of downtown businesses who have been hit hard by the loss of convention and tourism traffic due to COVID-19.   “Phase 3 is not exactly a return to normal business, so we really want to give potential customers every opportunity to continue to prioritize local shopping and spending to help our small businesses survive and thrive,” said Ben Paoletti,

LLCC offering solar energy training at reduced cost

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  June 11, 2020   SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College in partnership with Wind Solar USA is offering two, four-week solar energy classes this summer at a reduced price. The trainings will be offered in a hybrid format, each using online learning with one, hands-on lab held in the Workforce Careers Center on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road.  “If you are interested in solar energy for your home or business, or are

LLCC named a top school for online learning in Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  June 11, 2020SPRINGFIELD – Lincoln Land Community College has been named a top school for online learning by the Guide to Online Schools in its recently published “2020 Best Online Community College Rankings by State.”   Each community college was ranked by factors including retention rate, graduation rate, percentage of online enrollment data and the number of online associate degrees offered. An announcement of the

Data Science Helps Guide Memorial Health System During COVID-19 Pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2020     SPRINGFIELD — Cutting-edge data science that guided Memorial Health System’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic this year will serve patients well if cases rise in coming weeks and months, a Memorial official says.“The pandemic has forced innovation in a way that made things move faster as far as improving and innovating on many fronts,” said Lance Millburg, system director of decision sciences. “We have a much better surveillance system to monitor cases because

Local Businesses Pledge ALL IN 4U to Restart Business Economy

Businesses in Springfield and Sangamon County are encouraged to take the ALL IN 4U pledge, a new health and safety initiative organized by several community organizations to instill consumer confidence and energize the local economy.As our community moves into the next phase of re-opening Illinois, Springfield and Sangamon County businesses are unifying and pledging to “go all out” to ensure the health and safety of anyone who walks through their business doors. Participating businesses will receive

UIS drops admissions-test requirement for 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: June 11, 2020  SPRINGFIELD – The University of Illinois Springfield will not require college bound high school seniors to submit standardized test scores as part of the application process for fall 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The University of Illinois Board of Trustee’s Executive Committee on Wednesday approved a one-year moratorium on the entrance requirement because large numbers of high school students have not been able to take standardized tests, due to school

Land of Lincoln Credit Union Names New Commercial Loan Officer

Land of Lincoln Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of John Doyle as Commercial Loan Officer. Before joining Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Doyle was a Mortgage Loan Officer at First Mid Bank & Trust Co. in Decatur, IL. Doyle has several years of experience in the lending industry, having served in various other capacities at Soy Capital Bank in Decatur. “John brings a great level of experience and a tremendous enthusiasm for helping people realize their dreams through lending,” states

Business Insider lists Springfield, IL as Best American City to Live in After Pandemic

Business Insider lists Springfield, IL as the #1 best city in America to live in after the pandemic.  Read more at the link below, which also includes the top 30 cities.https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-live-in-america-ranked-2020-6  

Community Foundation Welcomes Three New Board Members

SPRINGFIELD – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has elected three new members to join its board of directors in 2020. Kent Massie, Robert Mulch and Mark Staley will each serve four-year terms as directors.Kent Massie is a senior landscape architect and planner at the consulting firm of Massie Massie & Associates in Springfield. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Massie worked as a landscape architect in the Chicago area and western Illinois prior to coming to the

Help Us Celebrate Our Employees of the Month

 Employees of the Month Shane MeredithWalter Hendrix Express Employment Professionals is proud to announce Shane Meredith and Walter Hendrix as the Express Employees of the Month.Shane Meredith is currently on assignment at Helitech, making the commute to Lincoln, IL everyday. He has successfully completed five prior assignments with Express, and in his first three months at Helitech, his supervisors have said he has the qualities they look for when considering who to add to their core staff. Walter Hendrix

Junior League of Springfield Capacity Building Fund Awards Three Grants

SPRINGFIELD – The Junior League of Springfield Capacity Building Fund at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln announced three grants totaling $4,000. This is the fourth round of annual grants awarded by the Junior League program.  Helping Hands of Springfield ($1,500) – For the executive director and office manager to attend the 2020 Bridge to Integrated Fundraising condference in Washington D.C.  Senior Services of Central Illinois, Inc. ($1,500) – To host a leadership development workshop,

NEXT PUBLIC UTILITIES MEETING JUNE 15

News Release  June 10, 2020The next City of Springfield Public Utilities Committee meeting will be held Monday, June 15th at 5:30 p.m., which will be available for viewing and public participation online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The meeting will be broadcast on Municipal Channel 18 and closed captioned. Live stream viewing of the meeting will also be available from the City website for Channel 18 under the “City Channels” tab,

Wes Lunt, TROXELL, Ambassador Spotlight

Ambassador Committee Member SpotlightWes LuntWhat products and services does your business offer?Since 1887, TROXELL has grown to be a top trusted risk advisor and solution provider for personal and business insurance, Homeowner’s insurance, life insurance, auto/car insurance, employee benefits insurance, HR Solutions, surety bonds and financial services.  What is one thing you'd like for people to know about your business?TROXELL prides itself on our service, knowledge and protecting all their clients. We

Local Medical Leaders Remind Public that it's Safe to Seek Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2020  CONTACT:Angie Muhs, Memorial Health System217-899-9797muhs.angie@mhsil.comErica Johnson, HSHS St. John’s Hospital Zach Kerker, Springfield Clinic Rikeesha Phelon, SIU Medicine217-303-6344 217-316-6944 217-671-1970                 erica.johnson@hshs.orgzkerker@springfieldclinic.com rphelon64@siumed.edu         SPRINGFIELD -- Central Illinois residents should feel safe and secure in seeking health care at local hospitals and clinics as normal

Stay 2 Get 1 Leisure Travel Incentive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESPRINGFIELD, ILJune 9, 2020– Stay 2 nights get 1 night free, leisure travel incentive program developed to attract visitors in an effort to rebuild hospitality and tourism industry in Springfield. The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with select Springfield Hotel & Lodging Association members have come together to offer travelers an incentive to make Springfield their destination of choice this summer for leisure road trips.Last year in Springfield and Sangamon

Legendary Meeting Planner Incentive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    SPRINGFIELD, ILJune 9, 2020– Providing assurance and peace of mind to meeting planners when booking conventions and meeting in Springfield, IL.  Conventions and meetings support much of hospitality and tourism efforts.  Having lost over 250 groups, resulting in more than $30 million in revenue, these efforts are coordinated to welcome new business with incentives to make Springfield attractive to planners.The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with select

Illinois Tourism Promotes Road Trips Across the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                           May 22, 2020    Springfield, IL – As Illinois moves through the re-opening phases outlined by Governor Pritzker, various tourism organizations around the state look to attract visitors to safely visit their communities by providing weekly inspiration for road trips.  Recognizing the desire for many to travel safely by car, Market Illinois, a group of marketing professionals from

Local Cemetery/ Funeral Home Lead Collection Efforts to Retire American Flags

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Springfield, IL—Roselawn Memorial Park and Butler Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center are accepting tattered, worn, or faded American flags to be ceremoniously retired at a Flag Retirement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at Roselawn Memorial Park. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 9:00 a.m. and will include a brief ceremony by the American Legion. During the ceremony the flags will be honored, burned, deposited into an outer burial

$75,000 in Grants Awarded from COVID-19 Response Fund

75,000 in Grants Awarded from COVID-19 Response FundAfter eight rounds, 80 local organizations have received COVID-19 Response Fund grants  SPRINGFIELD – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and United Way of Central Illinois announced today the eighth round of COVID-19 Response Fund grant recipients. In total, $75,000 was awarded to the following organizations:   The Springfield Project- $20,000Emmanuel Temple Church- $15,000Greater All Nation Tabernacle Church of God in Christ- $15,000The

Hydrant flushing rescheduled for Val-E-Vue

The Springfield Fire Department, in coordination with City Water, Light and Power, has rescheduled its Fire Hydrant Testing to June 9th and 10th for Val-E-Vue Subdivision. Testing is expected to occur between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. As a reminder, other testing around the city is scheduled to be continue through July 31. Annual testing is essential to ensure fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Testing may be rescheduled due to inclement weather.    Water can become

LLCC announces 2020 graduates

Lincoln Land Community College conferred more than 1,500 degrees and certificates at the college’s virtual commencement ceremony Friday, May 15. Also recognized at the ceremony were the recipients of the 2020 Honored Alumni and Outstanding Graduate awards.  The recipient of the 2020 Honored Alumni Award is Tyson Manker of Jacksonville. Manker first came to LLCC in 2004 following overseas service with the United States Marine Corps. Following several setbacks, he earned his associate degree in liberal arts

ALL CEFCU ILLINOIS MEMBER CENTER LOBBIES RE-OPEN EFFECTIVE JUNE 5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     June 4, 2020                      Peoria, IL – CEFCU Illinois Member Centers will reopen on Friday, June 5 during normal business hours with social distancing guidelines and safety measures in place.  Employees, members, and guests will be required to wear masks inside the Member Centers.  Members will be asked to temporarily remove their mask for security and identification purposes.  Plexiglas

Restore SMTD Service Plan Released

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2020  Restore SMTD Service Plan ReleasedRidership to Dictate Return to Full Schedules   Springfield, IL – Today, Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) released their plan to restore service to pre-COVID-19 levels. With the Governor’s requirement for essential travel only lifted Friday, May 29th, SMTD expects ridership to begin to increase and wants the public to know there is a plan in place to restore service accordingly. In late March, SMTD reduced weekday service to

Kidney Transplant at Memorial Medical Center Changes Jacksonville Woman’s Life

A 56-year-old Jacksonville woman says her life was forever changed by a kidney transplant at Memorial Medical Center. The March 23 procedure, which involved a kidney from a deceased donor, freed Denise Hickox from exhausting dialysis sessions to stay alive after being diagnosed with a rare, degenerative kidney disease in 2016. “I went through dialysis four days a week, 3½ hours a day,” she said. “I just really didn’t care if tomorrow came or not. Now, I have energy. I actually feel good about being up,