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Before You Design Anything: Branding Basics Every Springfield Startup Should Know
Building brand recognition takes 5–7 impressions, and 90% of consumers expect a consistent experience across every platform they use. For new business owners in Springfield — whether you're launching near the Statehouse, opening a retail shop downtown, or starting a healthcare practice — that math means your brand needs to work hard from the first interaction. Getting the foundation right early makes marketing, hiring, and pricing easier to build on.What Branding Actually Means Branding is not your logo.
Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members
Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board MembersSPRINGFIELD, IL – The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln has elected four new members to join its board of directors in 2026.Jim Reed is executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), previously served as director of government relations for the Illinois Education Association, and has held senior legislative roles with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Citizen Action/Illinois. At ICCTA, Reed has led
Fish Fry & Live Music
FISH FRY AND LIVE MUSIC Don't miss out we have four more Fridays to go!Lenten Fish Fry Every Friday Thru Lent 5pm-7:30p, with LIVE MUSIC following dinner. ALL FISH FRY EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. At the Firefighters Lake Club, 940 West Lake Shore Drive, Springfield.MENU (Carry-Out available) March 13, 20 & 27, April 3 (Good Friday). Live Music Line-up: Mar 13 - Not Petty Mar 20 - Harris Trio Mar 27 - Larry Watson Apr 3 -
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Travis Blaney
Travis BlaneySenior Contributor, Sales & Marketing Leader Two Men and a Truck ® (309) 270-6116travis.blaney@twomen.com What products and services does your business offer? We provide full-service residential and business moving, including local and long-distance relocations, professional packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, furniture assembly, Junk Removal, and packing supplies for DIY moves. In late spring 2026, we will expand our commercial services to include secure storage as well as
HICKORY POINT BANK ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF KIRSTEN TAYLOR, AS MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR
Hickory Point Bank announced that Kirsten Taylor has been named Mortgage Loan Originator for the Springfield area. “We are excited to welcome Kirsten to our Springfield team,” said Jeff Raes, Hickory Point Bank Executive Vice President. “The addition of Kirsten Taylor strengthens our successful lending team and enhances our ability to deliver personalized guidance and dependable solutions for home owners across the region.” Ms. Taylor is located at Hickory Point Bank, 3131 West Wabash Ave, Springfield,
UIS students win Outstanding Large Delegation award at the Model Illinois Government simulation
University of Illinois Springfield students earned the Outstanding Large Delegation award at the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation, held March 5-8 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. It marks the seventh time in the past 13 years that UIS has received the honor.UIS students competed against peers from 17 colleges and universities from across Illinois and beyond, including schools from Indiana and Michigan. The simulation allows participants to serve as legislators, staffers, lobbyists,
Kathy Nyilas Named February Colleague of the Month for Memorial Health Ambulatory Group
Kathy Nyilas, a patient registration specialist at Memorial Care on South Sixth Street in Springfield, was recently named February Colleague of the Month for the Memorial Health Ambulatory Group. Nyilas consistently delivers outstanding patient experiences while demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational values. Her attention to detail has made a positive impact on patient care. In one instance, she identified and prevented an inaccurate order, saving a home health patient from having to redo a
Springfield Memorial Hospital Honors Abby Wubker as February Colleague of the Month
Abby Wubker, RN, was recently recognized by Springfield Memorial Hospital as the February Colleague of the Month. Wubker finds meaningful ways to bring comfort and dignity to even the most critical situations. Her approach to care exemplifies the highest standards of the nursing profession and Memorial's organizational values. "Abby consistently demonstrates extraordinary compassion, initiative and patient-centered care,” wrote one nominator. "She recently was truly a highlight of the week—and the
Heartland Credit Union Selects Aaron Rios as New CEO
Heartland Credit Union has selected Aaron Rios to serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was placed by DDJ Myers, the well-known executive search and leadership development firm.Aaron succeeds longtime CEO Tom Lex, who’s remarkable 45 years of dedicated service helped shape Heartland Credit Union into the strong and respected financial institution it is today. Under his leadership, the credit union experienced significant growth while maintaining its commitment to member service and community
Aaron Puchbauer Named President and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital
Aaron Puchbauer has been named president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital, effective March 30. He replaces Kim Bourne, who retired in December.Puchbauer has extensive leadership experience at rural critical access hospitals, including as president and CEO of HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.He is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness management and business administration, finance and
Springfield Area Arts Council Opens Applications for 2026 City Arts Grants
The Springfield Area Arts Council (SAAC) has opened applications for the 2026 City Arts Grant, a competitive funding opportunity supporting individual visual, literary, and performing artists living in Springfield. The program awards grants of up to $3,000 to help artists create projects that engage the community and take place within Springfield city limits. Funded projects may include exhibitions, performances, readings, public art, or other creative initiatives that bring new artistic experiences to
Turning Anxiety into Fun: HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital Hosting Teddy Bear Clinic for Kids, Stuffed Animals
Going to the hospital can be overwhelming for kids – but it doesn’t have to be. HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital is inviting area kids to get comfortable with medical settings by hosting a “teddy bear clinic” for their favorite stuffed animals in celebration of Child Life Month. Youngsters aged 2 to 12 will use play and actual medical equipment on their stuffed animals to learn how to take vital signs, try out an oxygen mask, treat injuries with stitches or staples and even apply a cast to a broken arm
Springfield Community Connection in Ward 6 with Alderwoman Jennifer Notariano
As part of the City of Springfield’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, Mayor Misty Buscher is continuing the Springfield Community Connections ward events with a new session scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, 2026. These events are designed to create more accessible and personal opportunities for residents to engage directly with City leadership. Residents are invited to meet with Mayor Buscher, their Alderperson, and senior staff from key City departments. The sessions offer one-on-one
Family Medicine Provider Darby Ely Joins HSHS Medical Group in Springfield
HSHS Medical Group welcomes Darby Ely, DNP, APRN, to HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - Springfield, located at 2901 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield. Ely provides family medicine care for patients of all ages, with a focus on preventive care, routine visits, and the management of common illnesses and chronic conditions as part of comprehensive primary care. Ely earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is board
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LLCU Annual Community Impact Report Released Highlighting Summary of Community Reinvestment Efforts in 2025
LLCU released their 2025 Community Impact Report last week at the LLCU Annual Meeting. The Community Impact Report highlights community reinvestment and volunteer efforts committed by LLCU in 2025. The report summarizes that LLCU staff volunteered 2,465 hours to local non-profit organizations and provided $367,518 in community donations to non-profit agencies throughout central Illinois. With the donations and the volunteer hours combined, over 190 local non-profit agencies were impacted by LLCU’s 2024
UIS students to spend spring break repairing homes for low-income families in Central Appalachia
A group of 10 University of Illinois Springfield students will spend their spring break making homes warmer, safer and drier in Jonesville, Virginia, as part of the Prairie Stars Service Trip. The students will depart UIS on March 8 and volunteer for one week before returning to Springfield on March 14. They will work with Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit organization that coordinates volunteers to repair and replace homes for low-income families at no cost to the homeowners. The
Damon Priddy State Farm Sponsors Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the Month of March in Partnership with United Way of Central Illinois
Damon Priddy Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to partner with the United Way of Central Illinois and its sponsorship of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the month of March, reinforcing the agency’s continued commitment to education, literacy, and community investment. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a globally recognized literacy initiative founded by Dolly Parton that provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Each
CITP Partner Pradyot Kar Co-founds The Digital Twin Startup TwinFab.ai
Central Illinois Tech Partners (CITP), headquartered in Springfield, is a one-stop resource for meeting the region's rapidly growing technology needs. CITP offers a number of IT services more commonly found in major metropolitan areas. Our CITP Partner Pradyot Kar recently co-founded a digital twin startup (calledTwinFab.ai) focused on semiconductor fabs (semiconductor fabrication plants). A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or process that uses real-time sensor data, AI, and
2026 Small Business Awards Nominations Being Accepted
For Immediate ReleaseFriday, February 27, 2026Chamber seeks nominations for Small Business Awards!Nominations are now being sought for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards. The Chamber recognizes area small business owners who have demonstrated outstanding performance through innovation, growth, staying power and contributions to the community in four different categories:Not-For-Profit Director of the YearNew & Emerging Business Owner of the YearSmall Business Owner of the
Springfield-Area Author to Sign Debut Children’s Book at Chatham Event on March 21
Goodbye, Starlight—A Hand-Painted Grief Resource for Children—Now an Amazon Hot New ReleaseCHATHAM, Ill. — Jessica N. Derhake, Springfield-area author, artist, and owner of JD Haley People Strategies, will host a book signing event for her debut children’s book, Goodbye, Starlight, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Scoop du Jour in Chatham, Illinois. Admission is free and open to the public, and signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.Goodbye, Starlight is a
Springfield Police Department launches Blue Envelope Program in partnership with the Autism Hero Project.
The Springfield Police Department is proud to announce the launch of its Blue Envelope Program, joining a nationwide movement focused on helping individuals with autism and other communication differences feel safer and more confident during interactions with law enforcement. Sponsored by the Autism Hero Project, the Blue Envelope Program is designed to enhance communication and foster safer, more positive encounters between officers and individuals on the autism spectrum. The program provides an
UIS opens trading lab with Bloomberg terminals to prepare students for careers in finance and analytics
The University of Illinois Springfield College of Business and Management celebrated the opening of the Sean and Taryn Grant/Landmark Auto Trading Lab on Feb. 26 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The lab features 12 Bloomberg Terminals that support hands-on learning for UIS students pursuing careers in finance, data analytics and related fields.The terminals give students the ability to use real-time data to research markets, analyze investments, perform modeling and valuation and build data analytics skills
Independent Living Cottages
Cedarhurst of Springfield is proud to introduce our Independent Living Cottages! This is a place where comfort, connection and carefree living come together. Designed with both lifestyle and flexibility in mind, our community offers a vibrant environment where residents can truly enjoy each day! We will provide a daily continental breakfast to a weekly three course dinner, along with enrichment calendar, group fitness classes and wellness screenings. The opportunities are endless to stay active, engaged
LLCC announces 2026 regional Academic Challenge winners
Approximately 140 students from nine area high schools competed in the regional Academic Challenge on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Lincoln Land Community College. Students competed as individuals and as teams (of up to 14 students) testing in their choice of two subjects — biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics and physics. The tests are written by teams of college and university faculty and designed to present a challenge to high school
Ambassador Committee Member Spotlight Angelyn Howe
Angelyn (Angie) HoweREALTOR, Certified Senior Professional Keller Williams Capital Realty (815) 501-9674 angelynhowe@kw.com What products and services does your business offer? Keller Williams Realty stands as the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, with approximately 700 offices and 120,000 associates spanning more than a dozen countries. The company’s reputation for excellence is built on a foundation of continuous training, mentoring, and a wealth of resources. Keller Williams
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Bradley Harden will join Board of Directors
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Bradley Harden will join Board of Directors. Bradley (Brad) Harden serves as the Operations Manager for Heartland Coca-Cola. He is based out of Springfield, Illinois and has held various sales and leadership roles over the past 24 years. He has a proven history of success across Central Illinois and has built lasting relationships within the communities he has served. Brad is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and has a BS
Applications Now Open at St. John’s College of Nursing Plus New 100% Online MSN Program Launches Fall 2026
Springtime marks new beginnings, and at St. John’s College of Nursing, it also signals opportunity. Applications are now open for all nursing programs, including the launch of a new, 100% onlineMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) program beginning Fall 2026. St. John’s College of Nursing offers a full spectrum of academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on leadership and education, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Diane Mansfield will join Board of Directors
Diane Mansfield, AIA, NCARB is the Healthcare Practice leader with Farnsworth Group, a national professional architecture and engineering firm, leading strategic planning and growth, financial performance, and design excellence in the healthcare market. She has over 20 years of experience as an architect and master planner located in their Springfield, IL office. She is a passionate advocate for quality community-based healthcare and has broad experience with hospitals and medical groups in the region
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LLCU DONATES $50,000 TO KICK-OFF PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY CENTER FOR LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) made a donation of $50,000 to the Empowerment Opportunity Center on Thursday to officially kick-off a new partnership for a local Scholarship Program. The donation of $50,000 from LLCU will be combined with a $20,000 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) previously awarded to Empowerment Opportunity Center to be able to offer $70,000 in local scholarship dollars to qualified applicants in 2026. The Scholarship Program is designed to provide educational financial
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Dr. Doug Carlson will join Board of Directors
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois announces Dr. Doug Carlson will join Board of Directors. Douglas Carlson, M.D. is currently the Chair of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Pediatrics Department. He completed his medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, and residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Prior to coming to SIU and HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in 2014, Dr. Carlson was with
Sangamon County Fair Board Hosting Free Community Appreciation Event March 28
The Sangamon County Fair Board invites sponsors, volunteers and community members to a special evening of appreciation at 6 p.m. March 28 at the Sangamon County Fairgrounds. This free event is a “thank you” to the many individuals, businesses and families who make the Sangamon County Fair a success year after year. Guests can enjoy a fun-filled evening featuring:Live entertainment at 8 p.m. by Neon Rodeo—a 90s country tribute bandComplimentary taco and nacho bar while supplies lastDrinks available for
Hope Announces Upcoming Casino-Themed Fundraiser
Hope, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, is hosting its second casino themed fundraiser on Saturday, March 7th at the LRS Hangar. Black Tie and Blackjack — A Night of Hope will bring together community leaders and supporters for a refined evening benefiting Hope communities. Guests will step into a sophisticated casino-inspired atmosphere featuring a variety of classic games. In addition to gaming, attendees can participate in a curated Whiskey & Wine Wall, try their luck
CWLP Customers Can Go Steady With Level Payment Plan
City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) reminds residential customers that its Level Payment Plan offers a simple way to set up a predictable monthly bill payment. The plan allows customers to pay the same amount each month for electric, water, and sewer service, making household budgeting easier year-round. A typical CWLP residential customer sees seasonal changes in electric and water usage, with higher bills during summer cooling months. Rather than paying for actual usage each billing
Springfield Fire Department Announces Promotion of Captain Jake Maxedon Following Retirement of Division Chief Todd Taylor
The Springfield Fire Department has announced the promotion of Captain Jake Maxedon to Division Chief of Fire Safety and Fire Marshal, effective March 7, 2026, following the retirement of Division Chief Todd Taylor after nearly 25 years of dedicated service. Division Chief Maxedon brings 28 years of fire service experience to the role, including 18 years with the Springfield Fire Department. He holds a degree in Fire Science from Pikes Peak State College and has completed extensive specialized training,
Beyond the Inbox: How Direct Mail Creates High-Trust Customer Engagement
Direct mail marketing is a physical outreach strategy where businesses send printed materials such as postcards, letters, and catalogs to a targeted audience. In a world saturated with emails, ads, and notifications, direct mail creates a rare moment of focused attention. It arrives in a mailbox, gets held, opened, and often revisited. That physical presence changes how people respond.Key Takeaways Direct mail often achieves higher response rates because it feels personal and less intrusive than digital
Damon Priddy State Farm Voted Best Insurance Agency for Fourth Consecutive Year; Named Platinum Winner City-Wide
Springfield, IL — Damon Priddy State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - a State Farm Agency is proud to announce it has been voted Best Insurance Agency by Community Choice community voting for the fourth consecutive year, while also recently earning the Community Votes Platinum winner distinction for the third consecutive year in the Insurance Agency & Broker category with Springfield Community Votes, another public voting program. The Community Choice Awards recognize outstanding local
$55 Million Extraordinary Dividend Distributed to CEFCU Members
A $55 million Extraordinary Dividend was approved by CEFCU’s Board of Directors and distributed to the Credit Union’s member/owners, matching last year’s record as the largest Extraordinary Dividend in CEFCU’s history. The amount returned to members in good standing is divided between savers and borrowers, with a portion also being returned to Debit Card users. On December 2, funds were deposited to members’ Savings accounts. Over the last 25 years, CEFCU has returned nearly $600 million dollars in
