Business

Friday, November 20, 2009

Soil cleanup proposed at 7 Chanute sites

RANTOUL – The Air Force has proposed removing 6 inches or more of soil from seven separate sites on the old Chanute Air Force Base property as a way of cleaning up the property and making it available for redevelopment.

The proposal is part of a plan to remove environmental hazards on the 2,174-acre former military base by 2016. It was made public Thursday at a quarterly meeting of the base's restoration advisory board.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Danville teachers' contract talks may soon begin anew

DANVILLE – Though Danville teachers and other school staff finally have a new 1-year contract, board members said it won't be long before the two sides will have to start working on a new agreement, and they would like to see representatives come together soon to start talking about issues.

AOL looking to cut a third of staff

NEW YORK (AP) – AOL Inc., the struggling Internet company, is asking for 2,500 volunteers to accept buyouts, looking to cut its work force by at least a third as it prepares to spin off from Time Warner Inc. next month.

The company, which has about 6,900 workers total, said it will resort to layoffs if it does not get enough people to accept buyouts. The voluntary offer is open to all employees from Dec. 4 though Dec. 11, AOL spokeswoman Tricia Primrose said.

New claims for jobless benefits unchanged

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment insurance was unchanged last week, remaining above the level that would indicate the economy is adding jobs.

Still, new claims – which are considered a gauge of the pace of layoffs and an indication of companies' willingness to hire new workers – are down about 22 percent from this spring.

U.S. panel warns of rampant Chinese spying

WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. congressional advisory panel said Thursday that Chinese spies are aggressively stealing American secrets to use in building Beijing's military and economic strength.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission also said in its annual report to lawmakers that Beijing is building a navy that could block the U.S. military from getting to the region if fighting should break out between China and Taiwan, the self-governing island off China's southeastern coast that China claims as its own.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Solo Cup's $27.9 million loss inflated by one-time hit

HIGHLAND PARK – Solo Cup Co. reported a net loss of $27.9 million in the third quarter, largely as the result of taking a $17 million charge to reflect the decreased value of its European operations.

That compared with a net loss of $8 million during the same quarter a year ago.

Central Illinois Bank parent reports big 3rd-quarter loss

CHAMPAIGN – The parent company of Central Illinois Bank reported a net loss of $13.9 million in the third quarter, resulting in a $30 million net loss for the first nine months of 2009.

Since the quarter ended Sept. 30, CIB Marine Bancshares has received approval from bankruptcy court for a prepackaged plan of reorganization.

Bytemobile hopes to expand Champaign office in 2010

CHAMPAIGN – A company that helps mobile networks operate faster and more efficiently hopes to add more people to its Champaign office next year.

Bytemobile, which has 12 full-time employees in the University of Illinois Research Park, plans to hire three more early next year, said Constantine Polychronopoulos, the company's founder and chief technology officer.

Gibson City a finalist for company's 'green' plant

GIBSON CITY – The "green" business that has picked Gibson City as one of two finalists for a factory site is Eco Manufacturing of Cambridge, Mass.

Garrett Gates, vice-president of business development for Eco Manufacturing, said this week that the potential site of a plant would be on Gibson City's west side, along Illinois 9 and just south of Jordan Industrial Park. Eco Manufacturing has been looking at various sites for about two years and at Gibson City for one year. A Tennessee site is also "still in the running," Gates said.

Consumer prices rise 0.3 percent in October

WASHINGTON (AP) – Consumer prices edged up faster than expected in October, driven higher by another increase in energy prices and the biggest jump in new car prices in 28 years.

Still, prices are lower than they were a year ago and inflation is expected to remain subdued amid a slow economic recovery.

Home construction drops 10.6 percent in October

WASHINGTON (AP) – Construction of new homes unexpectedly plunged last month, as builders waited to see whether lawmakers would extend a tax credit for homebuyers.

The results underscore how much the housing market has been relying on government support for its fledgling recovery. The tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time owners was due to expire on Nov. 30, but Congress voted to extend it earlier this month and expand it to more buyers, after intense pressure from real estate agents and homebuilders.

Hershey, Ferrero considering rival bid for Cadbury

LONDON (AP) – Chocolate makers The Hershey Co. and Ferrero International SA said Wednesday they are considering a possible offer for Cadbury PLC, already the target of a hostile bid by Kraft Foods Inc.

The move raises the possibility of a takeover battle for the British maker of Dairy Milk and Creme Eggs.

Ford, Subaru, VW top insurance industry's safety list

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.

The Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded its "top safety pick" on Wednesday to 19 passenger cars and eight sport utility vehicles for the 2010 model year. The institute substantially reduced the number of awards compared with 2009, because of tougher requirements for roof strength.

Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.

Across the country, businesses already strapped by the economy to turn a profit are sacrificing or scaling back employee health insurance plans because of their escalating costs. The crunch has particularly socked smaller employers, who have become a centerpiece in the debate over how to overhaul the nation's health care system.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Champaign library gets award from architectural group

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Public Library received a 2009 design excellence award from the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

A jury of architects gave the library an honor award, in the interior architecture category.

Foreign demand rises for long-term U.S. assets

WASHINGTON (AP) – Foreign demand for long-term U.S. financial assets rose in September as China and other countries boosted their holdings of Treasury securities.

Continued strong foreign demand for U.S. debt is critical to financing America's soaring budget deficits and keeping American interest rates low enough to support a recovery from the recession.

Mortgage delinquency rate slows but still a record

NEW YORK (AP) – The pace at which people fell behind on their mortgages slowed during the summer for the third consecutive quarter, but the overall delinquency rate hit another record, a new report shows.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, 6.25 percent of U.S. mortgage loans were 60 or more days past due, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. That's up 58 percent from 3.96 percent a year ago.

Blind Pig Brewery rolls out in-house beers

CHAMPAIGN – It's alive.

Starting today at 3 p.m., you can belly up to a bar in downtown Champaign and order a freshly brewed beer made on-site, marking the first time in over a decade that beer has been brewed commercially in Champaign-Urbana.

Wholesale prices rise less than expected in October

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wholesale prices rose less than expected in October as the weak economy keeps inflation pressures largely in check.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday that inflation probably will remain "subdued for some time." That allows the central bank to keep the short-term interest rate it controls at its record low of nearly zero.

U.S-China summit yields vow of cooperation but few deals

BEIJING (AP) – President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao promised a determined, joint effort to tackle climate change, nuclear disarmament and other global troubles yet emerged from their first full-blown summit Tuesday with scant progress beyond goodwill.

After two hours of talks and a separate meeting over dinner the night before, the presidents spoke of moving beyond the divisiveness over human rights, trade and military tensions that have bedeviled relations in past decades.

Business foes of health care revamp ramp up effort

WASHINGTON (AP) – Business foes of health care overhaul legislation are outspending supporters at a rate of 2-to-1 for TV ads as they grow increasingly nervous over a final bill.

Led by the giant U.S. Chamber of Commerce, opponents of the Democratic health care drive have spent $24 million on TV commercials over the past month to $12 million spent by labor unions and other backers. That's an abrupt reversal from the vast spending advantage supporters enjoyed most of this year, according to Evan Tracey, president of Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks political ads.

Tobacco execs quickly found tax loophole

WASHINGTON (AP) – With a simple marketing twist, tobacco companies are avoiding hundreds of millions of dollars a year in taxes by exploiting a loophole in President Barack Obama's child health law.

Obama and Congress increased taxes on tobacco products earlier this year to pay for expanded children's health insurance, but tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes saw a disproportionate leap, from $1.10 to $24.78 per pound. Some predicted the tax would kill the roll-your-own industry, which had offered a cheaper alternative to packaged cigarettes.

Industrial output rises slightly in October

WASHINGTON (AP) – Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in October, a smaller-than-expected increase that signals a bumpy recovery ahead.

Stronger activity at electric and gas utilities drove last month's gain, but production at factories – the single biggest slice of industrial output – declined.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Retail sales rise 1.4 percent in October

WASHINGTON (AP) – Retail sales rose more than expected in October due largely to a big rebound in auto sales. But broader consumer spending remains under pressure, raising questions about the durability of the recovery.

The Commerce Department said Monday that retail sales rose 1.4 percent last month. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected a gain of 1 percent.

Businesses cut inventories for 13th straight month

WASHINGTON (AP) – Businesses slashed inventories for a 13th consecutive month in September although the pace of reductions slowed from the previous month. The economic rebound is expected to remain tentative until businesses switch to rebuilding their stockpiles.

The Commerce Department said Monday that businesses reduced inventories 0.4 percent in September. That's slightly better than the 0.7 percent drop economists expected and much improved from a 1.6 percent decline in August.

GM reports $1.2 billion loss, says it shows progress

DETROIT (AP) – General Motors Co. says it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business.

The company also says it will begin repaying $6.7 billion in U.S. government loans with a $1.2 billion payment in December. It could pay off the full amount by 2010, five years ahead of schedule, but the money will come from funds loaned by the government.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Research Park growing, but UI tenants help fill the space

CHAMPAIGN – At the University of Illinois Research Park, State Farm Insurance runs a consumer research center, Caterpillar operates a simulation center and Archer Daniels Midland has a mathematical modeling center.

Over the years, park tenants have come to include large companies with satellite research operations or local startup companies like R Systems, which built a supercomputer in the park.

Project's employment numbers not as big as projected

CHAMPAIGN – Was it all "pie in the sky?"

When the University of Illinois Research Park was proposed a decade ago, supporters talked of the park's potential to have 5,000 employees within a decade, or even five years.

How UI park compares with Midwest neighbors

When it comes to university presence in research parks, the numbers are all over the map.

Purdue University has no university offices in its park, with minor exceptions. At Iowa State, up to 30 percent of the park's square footage can be university space.

3 companies benefit as workers learn from Parkland program

CHAMPAIGN – Area companies say it's hard to find workers with all the skills needed to keep manufacturing equipment humming.

But a new program at Parkland College should make it easier for them.

Danville man can help you talk the talk in many lands

DANVILLE – Mark Frobose isn't afraid to describe himself as a "rags to riches" story.

"To show you what is possible, I started with an idea more than 25 years ago, then I failed my way to success over the years," he said. "It wasn't until I moved back to Danville that I became successful."

The story actually began even longer ago, when Frobose, now 55, was attending North Ridge Middle School. He wanted to take a French class but was denied access because his math scores weren't high enough. He brought his math grades up, only to come away from his French class with a D.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

FutureGen group says project costs have dropped

MATTOON – Members of the Coles Together group promoting the proposed $2.4 billion FutureGen clean coal power plant said Friday they remain optimistic that the federal Department of Energy will green-light the project early next year.

"I feel positive about the progress that we've made this year. I feel good about our chances in January, but I'm not going to assume anything until it's done," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Awards honor area outstanding philanthropy

CHAMPAIGN – Several central Illinois residents and entities have been honored with National Philanthropy Day Awards, handed out Friday by the East Central Illinois chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The winners are:

Gibson City identified as finalist for 'green' business

GIBSON CITY – A business that plans to create dozens of high-paying jobs has chosen Gibson City as a finalist for the business to locate.

The Gibson City Economic Development Task Force plans to make the announcement at a news conference Wednesday that Gibson City is "one of two community finalists by a business that will provide 30 to 50 direct 'green' jobs," according to a news release from Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Hometown shopping on tap at Fischer Theatre

DANVILLE – Going for the unique, but staying close to home, the Vermilion Heritage Foundation has opened its own gift shop.

Stage Presents – The Fischer Theatre Gift Shop opened Thursday in the south storefront of the theater at 158 N. Vermilion St. The space was last officially used as the foundation office.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

State's October foreclosures up 56% from September

CHAMPAIGN – The number of foreclosures filed in Illinois jumped 56 percent in October from the previous month, according to RealtyTrac's monthly foreclosure market report.

The report said 19,946 properties in Illinois were subject to a foreclosure filing in October. That was the highest monthly total for Illinois since RealtyTrac began issuing its report in January 2005.

Businessman talks about restoring old computers

CHAMPAIGN – Nine years ago, Willie Cade started a company to refurbish old computers so schools and nonprofits could use them.

Since then, he and his employees have refurbished 40,000 personal computers – equipment that otherwise might have ended up in landfills.

Bar association president: Fight for your home

CHAMPAIGN – For heaven's sake, do something.

That's the advice the president of the Illinois State Bar Association gives to those who have gotten word – or just suspect – that their home faces foreclosure.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Centrue parent reports $8.4 million loss in 3rd quarter

ST. LOUIS – Centrue Financial Corp., the parent company of Centrue Bank, reported a net loss of $8.4 million in the third quarter.

That brought the company's net loss for the first nine months of 2009 to $23.6 million.

Local firms come up short at Innovate Illinois finals

CHICAGO – Local companies SFM Technology and Cbana Laboratories did not receive awards after making the finals of the Innovate Illinois competition held Tuesday in Chicago.

The competition recognizes high-growth businesses in Illinois that have launched – or plan to launch – an innovative product or service.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Volition's parent posts small operating loss in 3rd quarter

THQ Inc., the parent company of Champaign-based video game designer Volition, reported a $5.57 million loss for the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

That was much smaller than the $115.3 million loss the company had during the same quarter a year earlier.

UI teaching, research assistants prepared to strike

URBANA – The University of Illinois' graduate teaching and research assistants could be going on strike for the first time.

On Monday, the Graduate Employees' Organization announced the results of its strike authorization vote. Spokesman Peter Campbell said 92 percent of participating GEO members chose to authorize a strike against the UI Board of Trustees in votes taken over the course of three days last week.

New technologies give company boost

MATTOON – The adoption of new technologies by customers helped propel Consolidated Communications Holdings to a 41 percent increase in third-quarter earnings.

The Mattoon-based company reported last week that its net income for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 was $7.28 million, up from $5.12 million in the year-ago quarter.

Microsoft acquires Teamprise assets

CHAMPAIGN – Remember Victor Kiam? The guy who liked Remington razors so much, he bought the company?

Well, Microsoft Corp. recently took a page from his playbook.

Late but great: Farmer says corn harvest is his best ever

BONDVILLE – Rural Bondville farmer Avery Shaw, 78, has been farming since 1956, and he says he hasn't seen anything like the 2009 harvest.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Champaign cuts hours at post office in Campustown

CHAMPAIGN – Hours at the Station "A" post office at 302 E. Green St., C, will be reduced Dec. 1 to reflect traffic patterns, Champaign Postmaster Morrie Smith said.

Beginning Dec. 1, the office will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Current hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, so the reduction means the office will open one hour later and close a half-hour earlier than it does now.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Three businesses found in violation of liquor laws

SPRINGFIELD – Three Champaign County businesses were found to have violated liquor control laws in October.

The businesses were among almost 100 visited by representatives of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission last month.

Friday, November 6, 2009

United Way lending shelter a hand

CHAMPAIGN – The United Way of Champaign County is providing an emergency payment of $18,000 to the parent organization of A Woman's Place to allow the organization to remain in operation.

Economic group seeks support for Olympian Drive project

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign County Economic Development Corp. plans to try to marshal more support for the eastward extension of Olympian Drive to U.S. 45.

Waldenbooks in Danville mall scheduled to close

DANVILLE – The Waldenbooks at the Village Mall is one of 200 mall-based Waldenbooks stores that the Borders chain plans to close, according to an announcement Thursday.

The Borders Group intends to close the stores in January, although the list of stores is not final and is subject to change, pending finalization of agreements in coming weeks, according to the company's news release posted on its Web site Thursday.

Open house to address southeast Urbana outages

URBANA – AmerenIP officials will have an open house next week to address outage concerns for residents of southeast Urbana.

Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris said the event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Stone Creek Church, 2502 S. Race St., U. Utility officials will be available to talk to residents one-on-one about reliability issues or other questions, he said.

October saw state's tax revenue continue to fall

SPRINGFIELD – Tax revenue to state government continued to tumble in October, a report by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability says.

Overall state tax-source revenue declined 10.5 percent, continuing a trend that began more than a year ago. The steepest drop continues to be in sales tax collections, which were down 15 percent, or $90 million, from the October 2008 collections. The $515 million in sales tax revenue last month is the lowest amount in seven years. The state had $505 million in sales tax revenue in October 2002.

Carle Arbours gets new name

SAVOY – The new owner of the Carle Arbours continuing care center has renamed it the Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehab Center.

The new name was effective Wednesday, along with the change of ownership from the Carle Foundation to Florida-based Traditions Management.

Burger King on Prospect reopens

CHAMPAIGN – The Burger King at 2110 N. Prospect Ave., C, has reopened.

The restaurant closed Tuesday afternoon following a fire.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Urbana critics wary of proposed Carle merger

URBANA – Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing said she can't fully support a proposed merger of Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic until she's certain it won't heap an unfair burden on local taxpayers. And it's not enough for Carle to promise Urbana and other local governments that it will make payments in lieu of taxes on clinic properties that could one day become tax-exempt.

Burger King on Prospect reopens after fire

CHAMPAIGN — The Burger King at 2110 N. Prospect Ave., C, has reopened following a fire there earlier this week.

Groundbreaking set for Parkland's diesel center

CHAMPAIGN – Parkland College is about to break ground on a diesel center that's part of a program where 100 percent of students get a job.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Parkland College's new Diesel Technology Addition will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the campus's Tony Noel Agriculture Technology Applications Center.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

First Busey chairman comments on stock price drop

CHAMPAIGN – The price of First Busey stock fell below $4 a share after the Champaign-based bank holding company announced a $284 million quarterly loss last week.

But First Busey Chairman Van Dukeman said he believes the price drop was related more to investors being less confident about the economy.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Only 2 of 11 area banks reported losses in 3rd quarter

Of 11 area banking companies with publicly traded stock, only two – First Busey Corp. and Regions Financial – reported net losses for the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

Eight others announced profitable quarters, and one has yet to report.

UI flash index's big increase is its first in two years

URBANA – The University of Illinois flash index rose substantially for the first time in two years, but a UI economist said it's too early to tell whether the recession is ending.

The index rose from 90 in September to 90.7 in October, said economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the index for the UI's Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

New Paxton facility hopes to foster imaginativeness

PAXTON – Paige Price wants the Paxton area to boost its creativity level.

That is why the Arizona State University alumnus is opening The Art Vault, 106 N. Market St., as a venue for area residents to paint, craft, sculpt, write, get a message or even have a psychic reading.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Carle clinic/hospital merger: The sale -- and the tax

URBANA – The chief executives of Carle Clinic and Carle Foundation Hospital know it's bound to be a touchy subject when they start talking about a merger that could one day take a big chunk of Carle property out of the local tax base.

And, for anyone wondering about how big a financial hit the cities, the schools, the parks and other taxing districts would take if Carle Clinic properties one day become tax-exempt, here's the deal:

Ad Club gone, but student chapter, new design group carry on

CHAMPAIGN – Changes in the advertising business helped lead to the demise of the Ad Club of Champaign-Urbana.

The decades-old club – most recently known as the American Advertising Federation of Central Illinois – dismantled itself at summer's end after not getting enough volunteers.

For businesswoman, creativity at heart of consulting

URBANA – The dean leaned back in his chair and looked at the student who had come to his office seeking advice on transferring into the University of Illinois' engineering school.

"Have you considered home economics?" he asked.

It's Your Business: More than a taste of food news

All right, foodies. Today's column is devoted to businesses that cater to those of us who love to eat.

Got a hankering for a falafel sandwich? Holy land Mediterranean Grill, 705 N. Neil St., C, opened last week in what was previously known as Jack's Grill.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Inspectors taking look at mold problems at Eagle Creek

SPRINGFIELD – It will be at least two more months until companies are able to bid to acquire the mold-infested Eagle Creek Resort and Conference Center on Lake Shelbyville.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources had planned to open requests for proposals to operate the 138-room resort on Nov. 10. But on Friday the agency moved the deadline to Jan. 15, citing the need to complete an assessment of the mold damage at the resort.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Bankruptcy judge OKs CIB's reorganization plan

CHAMPAIGN – Central Illinois Bank's parent company has received approval from bankruptcy court for a prepackaged plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.

As a result, CIB Marine Bancshares should be able to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by year's end, said John Hickey Jr., the company's chairman and CEO.

Several downtown Danville activities scheduled

DANVILLE – An open house held by Downtown Danville Inc. and hosted by Vermilion County Title provided lots of information for, and discussion by, downtown business owners.

Dana Schaumburg, DDI executive director, said several activities are planned for the downtown, and she hopes businesses will either stay open for them or participate in them.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Ex-Chanute area earns designation as foreign trade zone

RANTOUL – Rantoul has a new incentive to offer businesses now that part of the former Chanute Air Force Base has been designated a subzone of the Peoria foreign trade zone.

Companies can make use of the subzone to defer, reduce or eliminate customs duties on products coming in from abroad.

First Busey suffers $283.7 million loss in third quarter

CHAMPAIGN – As was forewarned a month ago, First Busey Corp. reported a massive net loss for the third quarter but indicated the worst may be over.

The parent company of Busey Bank on Tuesday reported a net loss of $283.7 million, or $7.92 per share, for the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

Volunteers sought to help people complete tax forms

DANVILLE – AARP is seeking volunteers in the Danville area to help middle- and low-income taxpayers complete their federal and state income tax forms for 2009.

Volunteers will assist with preparing and electronic filing of tax returns. Training is free, and volunteers are asked to serve a minimum of three hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

PowerWorld grows without help of venture capital

CHAMPAIGN – Mark Laufenberg's company has more than 600 customers in at least 57 countries around the world.

But the president of Champaign-based PowerWorld Corp. said his company wouldn't be a good candidate for venture capital.

First Busey loss for 3rd quarter: $283 million

CHAMPAIGN — As forewarned a month ago, First Busey Corp. reported a massive net loss for the third quarter, but indicated the worst may be over.

Credit Union 1 president: Acquisition 'a great opportunity'

RANTOUL – At a time when two area financial institutions have been burned by branching into distant markets, Credit Union 1 is enthusiastically extending its operations far afield.

The Rantoul-based credit union has agreed to acquire the assets of Cumorah Credit Union, which has two offices each in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nev.

Title-service owner wins Danville Rotary honor

DANVILLE – People of Vermilion County are used to seeing Pat O'Shaughnessy heading a United Way campaign, chairing the Festival of Trees or, a few years ago, recruiting volunteers for the Balloon Classic, but he really does have an 8-to-5 job.

O'Shaughnessy was honored on Monday as the Danville Rotary Club's 2009 Vocational Service Person of the Year, and was asked to talk about himself and his career.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

It's Your Business: Popcorn shop is bursting in flavors

Kettle corn in the wintertime?

Somebody hide this column from my son.

Popped Bliss, a new popcorn shop that opened last week in Champaign, sells kettle corn, caramel popcorn and other treats. The owners, Ajza Anderson and her husband, Alven Allison, are the same folks behind Cool Bliss, the seasonal Hawaiian Ice cart that was set up on South Neil Street.

St. Louis-based firm acquires Ace Court Reporting

CHAMPAIGN – St. Louis-based Midwest Litigation Services has acquired Ace Court Reporting in Champaign.

Ace Court Reporting was founded by Holly Ringstrom and Susan Randolph. The office will remain at 201 W. Springfield Ave., C, and Ringstrom and Randolph will remain with the firm, said Mary Gaal, operations manager at Midwest Litigation Services.

Semiconductor wafer-maker expanding manufacturing

CHAMPAIGN – Nine years after Quesnell Hartmann and Dave Ahmari started a high-tech company in Champaign, it turned out pretty much as they expected.

It just took longer to get there than they imagined.

Along the way, the founders of EpiWorks had to deal with fallout from the "tech bubble," 9/11 and last year's collapse of the financial markets.

"We didn't expect to have so many large things happen in a handful of years," said Ahmari, the company's executive vice president for business development.

"There are so many things that can affect a business that are out of your control," he said. "You have to take into account how much craziness can happen."

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Engineering firm, bank now call downtown home

CHAMPAIGN – Downtown Champaign is welcoming two new companies to its business district.

On Monday, the engineering firm Clark Dietz will move into the ground floor of the Church Street Square building at Church and Randolph Streets. And earlier this week, First Bank opened a branch in the former Great Impasta restaurant at 114 W. Church St.

County sees rise in home sales, dip in median price

More homes were sold in Champaign County last month compared with a year ago, but they sold at a lower price.

The median sales price for homes, including condos, sold in Champaign County in September was $135,500, down about 16 percent from September 2008, when the median price was $162,061, according to the Illinois Association of Realtors.

Bill would protect those who lost their dealerships

DANVILLE – Legislation aimed at helping Illinois automobile dealers that lost a franchise because of manufacturer reorganization moves to the state Senate next week.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, shot through the House with extraordinary speed in the first week of the fall veto session. It was heard in a committee on Oct. 14 and passed the full House, 115-0, the next day.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Area's unemployment situation improved in September

The unemployment rate in six of 11 East Central Illinois counties went down in September, the state Department of Employment Security reported.

That was a switch from August, when the unemployment rate went up in every area county save one.

Two companies share promising plans for future

URBANA – It's been a difficult year for many businesses, but two local companies said Thursday they won't let that stand in their way.

The chief executive officer of Champaign-based EpiWorks outlined his company's plan to expand into solar technologies, and the founder of iCyt Mission Technology introduced a new piece of cell-sorting equipment the company plans to distribute internationally.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Carle Foundation Hospital offers to buy Carle Clinic

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital has offered to purchase Carle Clinic and its subsidiary, Health Alliance Medical Plans, for $250 million, according to documents filed with the state this week.

Danville bookstore closing Nov. 20

DANVILLE – A prominent downtown corner building will be vacant starting in December after the closure of the bookstore that is its tenant.

Dragon's Horde, the only store in the city specializing in used paperback books, new and used comic books and gaming supplies, plans to close Nov. 20.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

First Busey Corp. shareholder meeting set for Dec. 2

CHAMPAIGN – First Busey Corp. raised $82.8 million in its public offering of common stock last month, the company reported in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Urbana-based bank holding company sold 20.7 million shares for $4 a share to raise that total, the report said.