Business

Saturday, July 4, 2009

State revenues down precipitously

SPRINGFIELD – State tax and fee revenue was off by more than $2 billion for the fiscal year that ended Tuesday. And a state legislative commission is projecting that revenue will drop another billion dollars in the current fiscal year.

Customers upset at bank failure but let money stay put

DANVILLE – Danville resident Willie Woods withdrew $700 from his First National Bank of Danville-Westville savings account on Thursday morning to pay some bills. When he heard that federal regulators had taken over the failed bank later that afternoon, his initial reaction was to empty out the rest of the account.

"I went back, but the doors were locked," said Woods, a longtime customer. "It was kind of scary. I was like, 'What's going on?'"

Board gets opinions on liquor issues

PHILO – There is no legal obstacle to prevent a Philo resident from applying for a liquor license to open a second bar in town.

That was what the village board learned this week from attorney Marc Miller, who was representing his law partner, village attorney Paul Hendren.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Hardware store in southwest Champaign to close

Ace Hardware in Champaign is expected to close later this summer.

The store, at 2411 Village Green Place, will close by mid-August, said a store manager who declined to provide his name on Thursday.

Danville bank will have new owner, same staff, on Monday

DANVILLE – Officials with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the new owners of the First National Bank of Danville-Westville on Thursday assured customers that their money is safe after regulators closed the bank.

Clinton bank also among day's casualties

CLINTON – Customers of the John Warner Bank in Clinton shouldn't see much difference when the bank opens today, even though it failed Thursday evening.

FDIC spokesman David Barr said "all deposits are fully protected."

EDC chief urges board to push for high-speed rail

CHAMPAIGN – A project to bring a 220-mph train through Champaign-Urbana could be the most "transformative" development for the community since the founding of the University of Illinois, a local economic development official said.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Regulators close banks in Danville, Clinton

Regulators closed two area banks Thursday, saying each would reopen with new owners.

Jobless rate hits 9.5 percent in June

WASHINGTON (AP) – Employers cut a larger-than-expected 467,000 jobs in June, driving the unemployment rate up to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent, suggesting that the economy's road to recovery will be bumpy.

The Labor Department report, released Thursday, showed that even as the recession flashes signs of easing, companies likely will want to keep a lid on costs and be wary of hiring until they feel certain the economy is on solid ground.

Michael Jackson's albums flying off area shelves

CHAMPAIGN – Local record stores are reporting brisk sales of Michael Jackson and Jackson Five CDs, albums and DVDs since the pop-star's untimely death on June 25.

Most shops are out of Jackson-related products or have managed to get their stock replenished, if their distributor has any.

UI flash economic index back on decrease in June

CHAMPAIGN – The recession hasn't ended, if the University of Illinois flash index is any indication.

The index dropped from 94.1 in May to 92 in June. That reading is lower than the lowest levels of the 1990 and 2001 recessions.

Still no deal between Paxton, city workers' union

PAXTON – After more than 3 1/2 hours of discussion in closed session, the Paxton City Council is still not prepared to vote on a proposed contract with its newly unionized city workers. Instead, aldermen voted to adjourn the special meeting to 7 p.m. July 7 to continue talking about the proposed contract with Teamsters Local 26.

City Attorney Bob Martensen has been negotiating with the union on the city's behalf.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Water main reported broken at Ameren site

CHAMPAIGN – Ameren crews working to remove contaminated soil at the Fifth and Hill streets site reportedly have ruptured a water main, cutting off water service to an undetermined area.

The water company has reportedly provided bottled water to some households, along with a warning that after the main break is repaired, it will take a further 36 hours to purge contamination from the line.

Owner says Urbana dueling-piano bar staying silent

URBANA – Monday marked the swan song for 88 Broadway.

The dueling-piano bar at Urbana's Lincoln Square Village closed following dinner and performances that night.

AmerenIP announces plans for 138,000-volt power line

URBANA – The public will help determine where a 138,000-volt power line proposed by AmerenIP will go.

That would supply enough power for a city of 20,000 to 40,000 homes, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Tilton plans Celebration of Community to benefit pantry

TILTON – Danville Foodstock will partner with several Tilton businesses to host a Celebration of Community to benefit the Danville Area Food Pantry.

The event is set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and will feature music, food and fun for people of all ages at Tilton Plaza, across from the Georgetown Road Big R Store.

Poker run scheduled to help Danville food pantry

DANVILLE – The Danville Firefighters Local 429 and the Friendly Tavern will sponsor a poker run July 11 to raise money for the Danville Area Food Pantry.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Friendly Tavern, 216 E. South St., with the ride beginning at noon. Participants will visit four sites and then return to the Friendly for the fifth card in the hand. The rider with the best hand will win $500. Riders may pre-register at the Friendly from July 6 through 10. Entry fee is $15 with additional card hands available for $5 each.

25-cent boost to state minimum-wage kicks in today

CHAMPAIGN – A 25-cent boost in the state minimum wage takes effect today. For those working a 40-hour week, that means an extra $2 a day or an extra $10 a week.

For adults, the minimum wage rises from $7.75 an hour to $8 an hour. For youths under 18, the minimum jumps from $7.25 an hour to $7.50 an hour.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Dueling pianos go silent in Urbana

URBANA — Monday marked the swan song for 88 Broadway.

Home prices fall in April, but declines are moderating

NEW YORK (AP) – There is a clear trend home prices declines are moderating – another sign the beleaguered housing market is stabilizing, according to data released Tuesday.

While the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of 20 major cities tumbled by 18.1 percent, it marked the third straight month the decline was not a record. And yearly losses in 13 metros improved compared to March.

10 others may be charged in Madoff probe

NEW YORK (AP) – Authorities are pursuing charges against 10 more people in the Bernard Madoff financial scandal after the mastermind of one of the biggest financial frauds in history was sentenced to spend the rest of his days behind bars, The Associated Press has learned.

A person familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing, wouldn't detail what the potential charges would be or say whether the 10 people include Madoff's family or former employees. So far, only Madoff and an accountant accused of failing to make basic auditing checks have been criminally charged in the multibillion-dollar hoax.

Ameren plans new line for southwest UI campus

URBANA -- AmerenIP officials will be meeting with local officials and the
public to discuss the best route for a new transmission line to provide
electrical power for the southwest campus at the University of Illinois.

New 250,000-gallon water tower dedicated in Philo

PHILO – When Sharon Rhoton first learned of plans to build a new village water tower next to her home, she was upset.

"We thought it was going to mess up our property value," Rhoton said.

But as part of the audience on Monday at a pipe-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the water tower's construction, Rhoton now has nothing but good things to say about Aqua Illinois and the project.

Casey's drops Urbana site after neighborhood opposition

URBANA – Casey's General Store has dropped plans to build a new store in east Urbana after facing vigorous neighborhood opposition.

Urbana and Champaign County planning officials both confirmed Monday that Casey's earlier this month withdrew a county petition to rezone a 1-acre piece of property at 2218 E. University Ave., where the company wanted to build a new 3,588-square-foot store. The site is adjacent to the Edge-Scott Fire Protection District headquarters.

Obama: Consumer agency to enforce financial rules

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says his new Consumer Financial Protection Agency will protect Americans from unscrupulous practices and make financial products easier to understand.

The president on Tuesday sent Congress a 152-page bill to create the new agency, a key element in the sweeping overhaul of financial rules the administration unveiled two weeks ago.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Hearing Tuesday on face-lift for University Avenue

CHAMPAIGN — The public is invited to a hearing Tuesday where plans for a facelift for the University Avenue corridor — from State Street in Champaign on the west to Maple Street in Urbana on the east — will be presented.

5 area companies among Inc.'s 5,000 fastest-growing

CHAMPAIGN – Five area companies appear on Inc. magazine's most recent list of the 5,000 fastest-growing firms in the United States.

Making the 2008 list were: Dawson Logistics of Danville; Midwest Underground Technology, Scitec and Isotech Laboratories, all of Champaign, and Hutchcraft Van Service of Urbana.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

It's Your Business: Market Place's J. Jill to close in July

J. Jill, the women's clothing store in Champaign's Market Place Mall, will close next month.

Merchandise is now 50 to 70 percent off, and all fixtures are for sale, said store manager Laurie Widner. She said the closing will happen around July 12 to July 15.

Four area banks post big losses in first quarter of 2009

Four banks in East Central Illinois were considered "undercapitalized" by federal regulatory standards as of March 31, according to statistics from bank call reports.

One of the banks, Strategic Capital Bank in Champaign, has since been placed in receivership by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., and its office has reopened as a branch of Effingham-based Midland States Bank.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Engineering Concepts & Solutions moves

CHAMPAIGN – Engineering Concepts & Solutions has moved its office to 2919 Crossing Court, Suite 11, C.

"The move will double the size of our office and allow for future expansion of our staff," said Wayne M. Robinson, president of the Champaign consulting engineering company. The firm was formerly based at 1103 S. Mattis Ave., Suite B, C.

86 laid-off Jeld-Wen employees called back

RANTOUL – Eighty-six of the 150 or so employees laid off in January from the Jeld-Wen Window Division plant in Rantoul are back at work, the company announced this week.

"The remaining laid-off employees may be recalled in the near future, depending on how many orders are received in any given week," the company stated in a release.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Want to build a brand? Give a tweet

CHAMPAIGN – Frank Gruber wants you and your business to be known quantities, and the 31-year-old online fanatic says using social media is the best way to do that.

Animal blamed for power outage in parts of Urbana

Electricity is reported out in parts of Urbana.

Ameren says an animal is to blame.

2 FutureGen backers pull out

MATTOON – The president of Coles Together says she doesn't believe the withdrawal of two companies from the FutureGen Alliance will affect prospects to build the clean coal plant in Mattoon.

Two weeks after the federal government revived its plans to build FutureGen in Coles County, two financial backers of FutureGen, American Electric Power Co. of Columbus, Ohio, and Southern Co. of Atlanta announced on Thursday they are withdrawing from the Mattoon project.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Gifford State Bank buys ex-Busey facility in Thomasboro

THOMASBORO – Gifford State Bank has bought the former Busey Bank facility in Thomasboro.

First Busey Corp. closed the bank along with the Busey main bank on Sangamon Avenue in downtown Rantoul in May.

Production at Baltimore Aircoil in Paxton ends Friday

PAXTON – Friday will mark the end of production at the Baltimore Aircoil plant.

The company, which has been Paxton's largest employer, announced in February that it would close its local facility and lay off all of its 223 workers by late June. Employees have been laid off in six waves, plant manager Bruce Kietzman said. A crew of 20, Which includes him, the human resources manager and office staff, will remain through September. Workers will take things off the walls and gather the racks and the shelving.

Kim Laboratories relocating to Rantoul Business Center

CHAMPAIGN – Kim Laboratories will move from EnterpriseWorks to the Rantoul Business Center at the end of this month, Chief Executive Officer Myung Kim said.

The biotechnology company, which employs eight, is leaving the business incubator center in the University of Illinois Research Park after six years.

Chemical-recycling company expanding in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – Hudson Technologies has more than doubled the size of its refrigerant-reclamation center in Champaign and is adding more employees there.

The New York-based company opened a 48,000-square-foot center at 3402 N. Mattis Ave., C, in 2003 and recently leased another 60,000 square feet in a nearby building at 1617 Interstate Drive, C.

Urbana weighs letting small businesses join recycling effort

URBANA – Urbana Alderman Charlie Smyth said it was an "aha!" moment.

He was riding back via bicycle from Champaign's West Side Park last Friday night, between storms, when a friend riding with him mentioned the Urbana recycling program.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Durable goods orders up in May; new home sales dip

WASHINGTON (AP) – Orders to U.S. factories for manufactured goods from computers to aircraft surged in May for a second straight month. And a gauge of business investment rose last month by the most in nearly five years. Together, the data Wednesday signal that the recession could be at or near a bottom.

Yet new-home sales fell unexpectedly last month. Economists said the two reports painted a picture of an economy no longer in free-fall, but still unable to mount a sustained recovery from the longest recession since World War II.

Clark Dietz engineering firm moving to downtown Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – Clark Dietz will move its local office to downtown Champaign later this year, the engineering company confirmed this week.

The company, which has had offices at 1817 S. Neil St., C, for about 20 years, plans to relocate to the first floor of the Church Street Square building – the former Robeson's department store at Church and Randolph streets.

Solo Cup Co. predicts better times ahead in filing

URBANA – Solo Cup Co., which last week announced plans to issue $300 million in senior secured notes, reported Monday that it's seeing "an improving business climate."

Nevertheless, it predicted net sales for the second quarter of 2009 will be 20 to 30 percent lower than the same quarter a year ago.

Piper City's Farmers Grain merging with Ludlow Cooperative

A Piper City grain company has merged with Ludlow Cooperative.

Stockholders of Farmers Grain Co. in Piper City recently voted to approve the merger with Ludlow Cooperative Elevator.

UI researchers' work flies Air Hobbico to help Boeing

CHAMPAIGN – Radio-controlled planes can be a lot of fun. But they also have practical value, as was proved in a recent demonstration of new technology by Boeing Co.

The technology – which involves the transmission of video data from airborne planes to units on the ground – could end up helping firefighters and other emergency personnel respond to crises such as earthquakes and floods.

Public invited to see Illinois American Water's new plant

CHAMPAIGN – Local residents can get an inside look today at Illinois American Water's new $51 million water treatment plant.

The plant, which went online in December, will be open for free half-hour public tours today from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

WDWS/WHMS Radio receives three broadcasting awards

CHAMPAIGN – WDWS/WHMS Radio won three honors at the Illinois Broadcasters Association "Silver Dome" Awards ceremony last week.

The stations won awards for best local newscast, best live coverage of an event and best sports play-by-play.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

2 longtime UI workers elected to SURS board

CHAMPAIGN – Two veteran University of Illinois employees elected to the new board of the State Universities Retirement System of Illinois want to see more responsibility and transparency in the board's operation.

The system manages pension funds for about 70 state universities, including the UI, as well as community colleges and some state agencies. It provides services for more than 180,000 workers and retirees.

Decommissioning fund for Clinton back on track

CHAMPAIGN – Exelon Corp. says it has caught up on its obligations for replenishing the trust fund for decommissioning the Clinton nuclear plant – but it still hasn't put enough aside for retiring the Byron and Braidwood plants.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday notified the operators of 26 nuclear generating units across the U.S. that, as of the end of 2008, they weren't setting aside enough money to cover the units' dismantling costs.

Building owner seeks to open bar in Philo

PHILO – It's been over six years since someone tried to open a new bar in Philo.

Philo resident Bob "RJ" Daly asked the village board this week to establish a second liquor license so that he could open a bar in his 116 W. Washington St. building.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Owner wants state/city bar age issue cleared up

CHAMPAIGN – Doug Larson wants Champaign to clear up whether 19- and 20-year-old customers can enter campus bars.

Appearing before the Champaign Liquor Advisory Commission on Thursday, Larson said a new enforcement policy by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, if continued, will force bars to restrict entry to 21 and older.

Lawmaker blasts rate hike requests

CHAMPAIGN – State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, has begun a petition drive to oppose rate increases sought by Illinois-American Water Co. and the Ameren Illinois Utilities.

"People across the state are hurting financially, and these requests to take more money from utility customers' paychecks could not come at a worse time," she said. "Both Ameren and Illinois-American Water Co. substantially raised their rates in our region over the last year and now they want more. I find it hard to believe that these companies are hurting so badly that they need to dig deeper into the wallets of hardworking families."

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Macy's recalls children's hooded sweatshirts

Macy's will voluntarily recall about 33,000 hooded children's sweatshirts
that pose a strangulation risk.

Champaign IBM employee going to South Africa

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign man is heading to South Africa for a month after being selected for IBM's Corporate Service Corps program.

Craig Pessman, an IBM mobile employee engaged in software sales, is one of the first 300 employees chosen to take part in the program.

Champaign visitors bureau seeks new executive director

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a new executive director to succeed Scott Hockman.

Hockman resigned Monday after three years on the job. He did not specify reasons for leaving other than that he "decided to move on to other opportunities."

Condo owners taking over duties during foreclosure

CHAMPAIGN – A foreclosure complaint has been filed against the developer of a condominium community on Champaign's north side, and residents there are wondering when the subdivision will be completed.

Bank of America on May 29 filed a complaint of foreclosure against Raycorp-Champaign LLC, developer of Villas at Ashland Farm.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fischer Theatre back in spotlight this weekend

DANVILLE – The Vermilion Heritage Foundation is lighting up, just as it hopes its work will light up the Fischer Theatre marquee once and for all.

Monday, June 15, 2009

UI senior, two graduates making 'green' their business

CHAMPAIGN – A University of Illinois senior and two 2008 UI graduates have dedicated themselves to making sure Champaign-Urbana businesses are really and truly "green."

They've formed the Illinois Green Business Association, a nonprofit group that helps businesses become certified as environmentally sustainable.

Philo Road businesses do best to fit in with landscaping

URBANA – Richard Andrzejczyk was happily busy filling drive-through orders at the new Burger King on Philo Road in Urbana on Wednesday, but he took a break to talk about his business.

"We are very excited to be here," said Andrzejczyk, director of operations for the Burger King franchise that now owns eight stores, including ones in Danville, Tuscola, Rantoul and Champaign.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

It's Your Business: Ex-Smokey Bones site to be Old Chicago

The Smokey Bones restaurant building at Market Place Mall – vacant since May 2007 – is getting a new occupant.

Old Chicago, a restaurant featuring pizza, pasta and beer, plans to open in the space at 1910 N. Neil St., C, on Sept. 14, according to Tom Connelly, who already operates an Old Chicago in Merrillville, Ind., with Mike Ruben.

Champaign firm lighting way for Saudi, Egyptian projects

CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign lighting-design firm has landed two major projects in the Middle East.

Charter Sills & Associates is designing the lighting for two giant planned communities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Hard work ahead for FutureGen project

WASHINGTON – Illinoisans should know by early next year if Mattoon will indeed be the home to a plant that could cleanly convert the state's abundant supply of coal into electrical energy.

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced Friday that an agreement with the FutureGen Alliance to build the first commercial-scale carbon capture and sequestration project in the country will go forward, having previously been pronounced dead by the Bush administration.

Groundbreaking set for newest Habitat house in Danville

Habitat for Humanity of Danville will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest house-building project at 3 p.m. Sunday at 1111 N. Gilbert St., Danville. The project is a partnership between Habitat and the Center for Children's Services.

To volunteer or donate money for the project, call Executive Director John Graves at 497-4234.

1st ever farmers' market to debut on North First Street

CHAMPAIGN – The first-ever Farmers' Market on Historic North First Street is a "go" for next Thursday.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Bank's president, CEO reassures customers

DANVILLE – The president and chief executive officer of First National Bank of Danville has assured the bank's customers that their money in deposit accounts is safely insured by the federal government and that the bank's core business earnings continue to be solid.

Craig Campbell – president, CEO, director and owner of First National Bank at Towne Centre in Danville – responded in a written statement to the nationally chartered bank being undercapitalized.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Inspectors find many faults at closed Gateway Studios

CHAMPAIGN – City inspectors found mold in a number of rooms at the former Gateway Studios during an inspection of the now-closed hotel Wednesday. The inspection will continue today.

Turtle Races' future hinges on Saturday turnout

DANVILLE – Since 1964, a local group has put on annual Turtle Races for the community and raised thousands of dollars for children with disabilities.

But, organizers say, if they don't have a good turnout at this year's event on Saturday, the tradition may come to an end.

First-annual CASA Barbecue Fundraiser set June 27

CHAMPAIGN – The Matzner Chiropractic practice in southwest Champaign is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Champaign County Court-Appointed Special Advocates program.

The first annual CASA Barbecue Fundraiser will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 27, at Matzner Chiropractic, 1712 S. Duncan Road, C. The event will feature food, a dunk tank, a bounce house; face painting, a silent auction, family photos and wellness screenings.

Hoopeston amped about Main Street program's results

HOOPESTON – What a difference some enthusiasm makes.

"Main Street has made a vast improvement in our downtown," said Dana Goodrum, Hoopeston's economic development director. "It has dedicated volunteers, great events and is always thinking creatively."

First National Bank of Danville now on shaky ground

DANVILLE – First National Bank of Danville suffered heavy losses during the first three months of this year and, as of March 31, was considered "undercapitalized" by federal regulatory standards.

First National Bank of Danville now on shaky ground

DANVILLE – First National Bank of Danville suffered heavy losses during the first three months of this year and, as of March 31, was considered "undercapitalized" by federal regulatory standards.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Alloy Engineering & Casting workers get week of furlough

CHAMPAIGN – Alloy Engineering & Casting and its parent company, Wirco, have furloughed their entire work force for a week as a result of the sluggish economy.

The furlough affects about 65 employees at Alloy Engineering's plant in Champaign and about 26 employees at Wirco's fabrication facility in Avilla, Ind., said Wirco President Chad Wright.

Water company requests surcharge on top of rate increase

CHAMPAIGN – Besides asking for a 34.7 percent water rate increase, Illinois American Water is also seeking the right to impose a surcharge of up to 5 percent annually to pay for certain types of infrastructure replacement.

The mayors of Urbana and Champaign are both questioning the proposed surcharge, calling it "overkill."

Executive explains reasons for Ameren's rate-hike request

CHAMPAIGN – Uncertainty in the economy and in Illinois government is causing problems for the Ameren Illinois Utilities and is part of the reason the downstate utility has filed for a $226 million increase in gas and electric rates, the president of the company said Tuesday.

"The costs of our business – major investment in substation and transformers and poles – we're seeing very modest increases," Scott Cisel, the president and CEO of Ameren Illinois, told The News-Gazette editorial board. "What's costing so much is the financing around those acquisitions of material.

Carle Clinic discounting prices on employee screenings

URBANA – Carle Clinic is offering local businesses a little recession relief.

The clinic's occupational-medicine department has begun reducing the prices of employee physicals and drug screenings, and plans to keep the discounts in effect through Dec. 31.

Danville child care program's pending closure shocks families

DANVILLE – About 60 Vermilion County families are scrambling to find new child care services after learning on Tuesday morning that theirs will close later this month.

The Center for Children's Services announced it will close its Early Learning Center at 702 N. Logan Ave., Danville, on June 26 for financial reasons.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Local Saturn dealer OK with GM's plan to sell to Penske

SAVOY – Saturn of Champaign County is giving a thumbs-up to General Motors' plan to sell the Saturn brand to the Penske Automotive Group.

"Roger Penske has a proven track record of successful ventures," said Gary Patrick, general manager of the Savoy-based dealership. "That proven record and his vision for commitment to building the Saturn brand give us confidence that we will thrive under his leadership."

Mattoon man owns 10% of First Mid-Illinois Bancshares

MATTOON – A shareholder in First Mid-Illinois Bancshares has notified the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago that he has acquired more than 10 percent of the company's voting shares.

Charles A. Adams of Mattoon informed the Fed that he passed that threshold in terms of his individual holdings and those held with his daughter, Holly A. Bailey, Howell Paving and Howell-Adams Foundation, all of Mattoon.

Jacobson Cos. to close its warehousing, storage site

CHAMPAIGN – Jacobson Cos. plans to close its warehousing and storage operation on Bloomington Road this summer, putting 51 people out of work.

The company has notified the state that the first layoffs will occur July 5. No closing date was given, and no particular reason was provided for the closure, although one of Jacobson's major customers, ACH Food Cos., is in the process of closing its plant in Champaign.

Ameren, residents hold dueling open houses about cleanup

CHAMPAIGN – M.D. Pelmore of Champaign fears his frequent headaches and congestion are a result of contamination from a nearby former manufactured-gas plant site.

"I've lived in this neighborhood for 29 years, and, when it rains, I get a strange, terrible smell that comes out of the ground," said Pelmore, 72. "Other people in the neighborhood are getting the same headaches and congestion I've been experiencing."

Monday, June 8, 2009

Ameren, critics hold dueling events in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – M.D. Pelmore of Champaign fears his frequent headaches and congestion are a result of contamination from a nearby former manufactured gas plant site.

"I've lived in this neighborhood for 29 years, and, when it rains, I get a strange, terrible smell that comes out of the ground," said Pelmore, 72. "Other people in the neighborhood are getting the same headaches and congestion I've been experiencing."

Checks and Balances: Tips for finding a second job

So your retirement nest egg is not what it was a year ago. You've recently been faced with wage reductions. Or your work hours have been decreased.

What do you do? In addition to some belt-tightening, some people may be considering a second job or a temporary job to help pay the bills.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Midland saw opportunity in Strategic Capital Bank deal

CHAMPAIGN – Midland States Bank learned about six weeks ago that Strategic Capital Bank was going to be closed by regulators, the president of Midland States said.

Leon Holschbach said last week that Effingham-based Midland States had about 30 days to prepare its bid for Champaign-based Strategic Capital's assets after signing confidentiality agreements.

It's Your Business: Arthur gallery to showcase area art

Looking for local art to display in your home or office?

You've got one more place to visit. A new gallery in downtown Arthur, Villa Galleries, 132 S. Vine St., will feature paintings, photographs and other work by artists who hail from central Illinois or artists whose work is about central Illinois.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Ameren requests another rate hike

SPRINGFIELD – Ameren filed for a $226 million rate increase Friday that would raise both natural gas and electric costs for most residents of downstate Illinois.

The typical residential customers of AmerenIP, which includes those in Champaign, Urbana and Danville, would pay about $152 more annually – $97 more in electric rates and $55 more in natural gas rates. On a monthly basis, that would be about $8 a month more for electricity and $4.50 a month more for natural gas.

AmerenIP to answer questions about gas plant cleanup

CHAMPAIGN – AmerenIP will be holding an open house Monday evening at the Fifth and Hill site of a former manufactured gas plant, which is slated for a multimillion-dollar cleanup.

The open house at 308 N. Fifth St. will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Johnson urges Obama to act on FutureGen

U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, Friday urged President Obama to take "decisive action" on the $1.8 billion FutureGen clean coal plant set to be built near Mattoon.

In a letter to the president, Johnson said "this project is seemingly in limbo and in need of a jump-start."

Johnson's letter to Obama

Text of Rep. Tim Johnson's letter to President Barack Obama:

Owners of Danville restaurant seeking buyer

DANVILLE – The owners of Brewstar restaurant want to give someone the business opportunity they wish they could have had when the downtown cafe opened more than a year ago.

"This is an opportunity to walk in and start the business," said J.W. Martin, who opened Brewstar in early 2008 along with five friends after months of building renovations and other startup work.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Firm uses new technology to refine crude petroleum

CHAMPAIGN – A former University of Illinois employee has launched a company intent on making the petroleum-refining industry cleaner and less energy-intensive.

Expansion in offing for Danville-area company?

DANVILLE – Local officials hope to know in the next several weeks whether a local company will build a 200,000-square-foot expansion in Danville's Southgate Industrial Park and bring 17 new full-time jobs to the area.

Urbana insurer plans to convince young to buy coverage

URBANA – So, you're young and peppy and think health insurance is strictly for little kids and old folks, right?

Not if an Urbana health insurer can convince you that accidents happen.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Freestar Bank interim CEO's job made permanent

CHAMPAIGN – P. David Kuhl's interim appointment as president and CEO of Freestar Bank has been made permanent.

"The board of directors met and asked if I would consider coming on full time, and I was having so much fun, I said sure," Kuhl said.

Provena hospital system dropping Danville doctors

DANVILLE – Catholic health care and hospital system Provena Health plans to dissolve its physician practice in Danville over the next few months and help its doctors in that community move to other practices.

The 16 doctors working for the Provena Medical Group in Champaign-Urbana and Savoy won't be affected by the move, according to a local Provena official.

Former Southland employees to gather for reunion

CHAMPAIGN – For former employees of the Southland Corp. in Champaign, "7/11" has special significance.

7-Eleven was the name of the convenience store chain supplied by the Southland distribution center.

And 7/11 – July 11, 2009 – is the date of the 16-year reunion picnic for former Southland employees.

Pending loss of health coverage worries GM retirees

DANVILLE – Eleanor Shapuras feels grateful, even though several years ago she lost her husband – one of the many people who logged more than 30 years at the former General Motors foundry in Tilton.

Study: Champaign should consider developer impact fees

CHAMPAIGN – Most residential development in Champaign does not pay for itself when compared to the cost of providing city infrastructure and services, according to a city consultant.

Youth programs help make finding summer work possible

DANVILLE – This summer, Renae Adams hopes to find a job typing and filing, or landscaping.

Jeffrey Harris hopes to land work building or remodeling a house.

You might think that could be pretty tough in this tight job market, especially since Harris and Adams are teens. But two new summer youth work programs funded with federal stimulus money could give them and other Vermilion County residents, ages 14 to 24, a chance to do that.

Champaign council rejects fee hike for ambulances

CHAMPAIGN – City council members Karen Foster and Marci Dodds said they helped defeat a proposed $20,000 annual fee on Carle-Arrow and Pro ambulance services because they weren't satisfied with city staff justifications for the fees.

"No one could give a straight answer why it was $20,000, instead of $5,000 or $50,000," said Dodds. "No one could say what it was for."