In early November, word began to leak that Amazon was serious about choosing New York to build a giant new campus. The city was eager to lure the company and its thousands of high-paying tech jobs, offering billions in tax incentives and lighting the Empire State Building in Amazon orange. Saturday, February 16, 2019
Nicole Christianson, a 26-year-old sales rep, was tired of writing big checks for tiny apartments. And she wanted to do more with her cash than stash it in a savings account. Saturday, February 16, 2019
Jeremiah Risley and Jeff Tumiati traveled to Washington, D.C. recently, along with others from the Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA). Saturday, February 16, 2019
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), a sixty-year old foundation based in New York City and a leading voice in the world of Cerebral Palsy and disabilities, announced today that Reaching for the Stars, A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy (RFTS), one of the largest parent-led global CP nonprofits, will become part of CPF. Saturday, February 16, 2019
Hi, Helaine: I'm planning to retire in two years, when I turn 70. For the past two years, I upped my contributions to my 401(k), and am now having 26 percent of my gross pay taken out. Saturday, February 16, 2019
DECATUR, Ill. — Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) staff worked throughout the year to raise funds for its 2018 Charity of the Year, The Good Samaritan Inn. As a result of their efforts, LLCU staff recently delivered a donation check for $7,000. In addition, the staff at LLCU volunteered 355 hours of service to the Good Samaritan Inn in 2018. Saturday, February 9, 2019
DECATUR, Ill. — SCORE Decatur (decatur.score.org), mentors to America's small businesses, in partnership with the Mt. Zion Area Economic Development Corporation, will host a free one-hour workshop to aid start-up entrepreneurs on Saturday, March 9 from 10 – 11 a.m. during the Mt. Zion Expo & Taste at the Mt. Zion Convention Center in Mt. Zion, Ill. Saturday, February 9, 2019
Dear Helaine: I am almost 62 years old and my husband just passed away. He had a life insurance policy for $50,000. My only debt is the mortgage on our home, which has a remaining balance of $110,000. My monthly payment is a little more than $1,100, and that includes my escrow account covering my property taxes and homeowner's property insurance. I am paying an additional $300 to $400 a month toward the principal. Saturday, February 9, 2019
TAYLORVILLE — Linda Crawford, President, First National Bank in Taylorville, celebrated her 40th anniversary with the bank on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. The Board of Directors, Officers and employees had a small celebration to recognize her hard work and dedication to the bank. Saturday, February 9, 2019
TAYLORVILLE — Linda Crawford, President, First National Bank in Taylorville, celebrated her 40th anniversary with the bank on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. The Board of Directors, Officers and employees had a small celebration to recognize her hard work and dedication to the bank. Saturday, February 9, 2019
DETROIT (AP) — Cold temperatures can sap electric car batteries, temporarily reducing their range by more than 40 percent when interior heaters are used, a new study found. Saturday, February 9, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — The new tax law has eliminated or limited some popular business deductions including those for entertainment expenses and interest on loans and credit lines. Tax professionals predict this filing season is going to be more complicated and painful as business owners see how much money they can no longer deduct. Saturday, February 9, 2019
TAYLORVILLE — The historic Anderson Jewelers is still set to close its doors on February 15, but, as it turns out, the closure will only be short lived. Saturday, February 9, 2019
(NERDWALLET via AP) — Tyler Luker of Plano, Texas, is a high school junior who already knows which college he wants to attend (University of Missouri), how much it costs ($43,300 for out-of-state residents) and how much he can expect his single mother to contribute: nothing. Saturday, February 9, 2019
Before you tackle lofty financial resolutions like paying off debt this year, do yourself a quick favor and freeze your credit reports. It’s free, doesn’t affect your credit score and helps protect your financial future. Saturday, February 2, 2019
Meadow Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation has been named to the Illinois National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative Honor Roll to recognize its performance on the Nursing Home Compare long-stay quality measures. Nursing homes on Nursing Home Quality Collaborative Honor Roll have achieved a quality measure composite score of six or less for at least one quarter, which has aligned with the top 10 percent of nursing homes in the U.S. Saturday, February 2, 2019
Central Illinois Foodbank recently scored 950 out of 1,000 possible points on an AIB International Consolidated Standards for Food Distribution Centers’ audit, which is a comprehensive food safety program. Saturday, February 2, 2019
Pana Medical Group is pleased to announce the addition of Coleen Rakers as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Coleen has joined physicians Dr. Gloria Dycoco, Dr. Deo Quizon, Dr. Dennis Yap, and Dr. Marlon Muneses as well as Tabitha Litz, FNP. Saturday, February 2, 2019
A friend of mine took out huge private student loans to pay a hefty tuition bill at a private college. It's several years later, and she's struggling to make even the minimum payments. Yes, she shouldn't have taken out those loans, but what's done is done, and she's trying to figure out how to handle her obligations in a reasonable manner. Saturday, February 2, 2019
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The roiling debate over protecting underground drinking water around rock quarries used for disposing of demolition debris has quieted for a few months as the Illinois Supreme Court decides whether the state should force landowners to drill wells for groundwater monitoring. Saturday, January 26, 2019
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — Eastern Illinois University’s enrollment has jumped 7 percent this spring semester compared with the same time last year. Saturday, January 26, 2019
LINCOLN, Ill. (AP) — Wind farms in central Illinois may be interfering with the radar on weather apps, and residents should watch out for such disparities when using the resources, according to local meteorologists. Saturday, January 26, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — Small business owners who want to use independent contractors need to be sure these workers really aren’t employees. Saturday, January 26, 2019
(NERDWALLET via AP) — These days, many of us wear different hats to earn income on the side. You might clock out of one job and into the next as a ride-hailing driver, Airbnb host, Etsy shop owner or pet sitter. Saturday, January 26, 2019
Dear Helaine: My husband and I are in our mid-60s, and we're finding it harder and harder to save money because our earnings from work are going down. We have retirement savings and accounts we could tap while waiting to collect Social Security at our full retirement ages, or even later when our benefits max out at age 70. Saturday, January 26, 2019
Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Dehority as the Business Development Officer. Doug will be responsible for reaching out to central Illinois business owners and managers to provide financial services and products, specific to each business’ needs. Saturday, January 19, 2019
As a way to give back and thank the local law enforcement and firefighters, not only for their endless efforts during the tornado but also for the help daily, Wellness Care Center in Taylorville designated a special day Wednesday, January 16. Saturday, January 19, 2019
Almost two years ago I moved into my parents' house to save money. Thanks to that decision, I've been able to pay off my student loans, and now my only debt is a car loan. I pay $530 a month, and the balance is $8,800. It comes due at the end of 2019. Saturday, January 19, 2019
Back some 43 years ago, in 1976, the Litchfield area was in need of a new Country Insurance Agent. After some suggestions by area businessmen and farmers, Anthony “Tony” Marten agreed to accept the challenge moving from a career teaching High School Agriculture, Student Counseling, and Farming. Saturday, January 19, 2019
Most financial to-do lists focus on what you need to get done by Dec. 31, but there's also a brief window early in the new year to save yourself some significant cash. Here are three tasks to consider doing now: Saturday, January 19, 2019
Land of Lincoln Credit Union (LLCU) is pleased to announce that they have achieved a company-wide goal of exceeding 2,000 hours of employee volunteerism in the communities served by LLCU. As of December 31st, LLCU had a total of 2,489 hours volunteered by staff, which is the equivalent of more than 62 work weeks. This was achieved by a staff of around 120 employees. Saturday, January 19, 2019
CHICAGO (AP) — Katie Beers’ joy quickly turned to deep concern when she learned 13-year-old Jayme Closs had been found alive in rural Wisconsin nearly three months after police say a man shot and killed her parents then abducted the girl from their home. Saturday, January 12, 2019
PANA — Trina Casner, President and CEO, of Pana Community Hospital, was honored for her years of dedicated service to the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) and its 57-hospital membership during ICAHN’s 2018 Annual Conference, held at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign. Saturday, January 12, 2019
(NERDWALLET via AP) — The partial federal government shutdown is complicating the already complicated process of getting and managing a mortgage. For one thing, the political storm is like severe weather at a major airport: You can expect minor delays or worse. Also, it could mean financial hardship for some federal government employees facing mortgage payments without their regular paychecks. Saturday, January 12, 2019
TAYLORVILLE — A $10,000.00 reduction, from $189.900 to $179,900.00. Beautiful three bedroom and two full bath rooms located off Lincoln Trail. This home has high end kitchen with quartz counter tops and custom cabinets. Friday, January 11, 2019
Peoples Bank & Trust recently contributed $12,000 to the Christian County YMCA to be used for various projects. Jennifer Nagle, VP Consumer Banking and Sarah Van Huss, AVP, Consumer Banking presented the checks to Chris Weittenhiller, Executive Director and CEO of the Christian County YMCA. Saturday, January 5, 2019
Credit card rewards can be your ticket — literally your plane ticket — to a dream destination. But even if you've earned what you need to get to where you're going, the accommodations could be a different story. Saturday, January 5, 2019
I recently received a $10,000 Christmas bonus. I own a home in a city I no longer live in that I rent out to reliable tenants, earning a modest profit. Besides my mortgage, my only other debts are $4,500 remaining on a student loan and $13,000 I still owe my parents for helping me out when I was laid off several years ago. (I'm paying them $350 a month.) Saturday, January 5, 2019
Stocks soar on Wall Street, erasing the plunge they took a day earlier, as a string of encouraging developments relieve investors who have been worried about the U.S. economy. The U.S. and China plan to hold more trade talks and the U.S. government said hiring jumped in December, a sign that trade tensions with China and other issues like rising interest rates aren’t hurting the economy. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell also emphasized that the Fed will be flexible with interest rates. Saturday, January 5, 2019
TAYLORVILLE — Continuing to grow and keep up to date with new technology and industry standards Marten Insurance agents, Ray Marten and Sarah Lehman, attended an agricultural automation seminar co-hosted by Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Co. and Grinnell Mutual Insurance. Saturday, December 29, 2018
(NERDWALLET via AP) — Millennials would rather swipe right than swipe plastic. They love to pay their brunch tabs with cash. Debt scares them so much they don’t care about credit card rewards. Saturday, December 29, 2018
My girlfriend and I moved in together about six months ago, right after she took a new job with a 30 percent pay raise. We immediately sat down and agreed on a budget that would allow us to meet our bills, provide a very reasonable social life and still save a significant amount for the future. We've done a good job of sticking to it. Saturday, December 22, 2018
College-bound high school seniors of America: You are about to embark on one of the most formative periods of your life, full of new friendships, personal growth and overcaffeinated conversations on the nature of humanity. Saturday, December 22, 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — Negative online reviews may be hard for small businesses to avoid — even companies with many happy customers can get panned. Saturday, December 15, 2018
TAYLORVILLE — Peggy Brandon grew up in Taylorville; she has roots here. After living in Chicago for a number of years, Brandon is now returning home to start a brand new venture. Saturday, December 15, 2018
Dear Helaine: I'm 54 and divorced. I've been with the same company since 2004, and I also receive a small military pension. After taxes, I earn $4,900 a month, including the pension. I contribute to my employer's 401(k) and meet the employer match. In addition, I also save between $900 and $1,000 a month, and now have $32,000 in savings. I have no other debt besides my mortgage. Saturday, December 15, 2018
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Preston Marucco, environmental specialist, recently joined Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield headquarters. He will prepare and review environmental documents, conduct on-site assessments and assist with environmental analysis and project coordination. Saturday, December 15, 2018
(NERDWALLET via AP) — Have you received a preapproved offer in the mail this holiday season that looks like a check, made out to you and ready to cash? Before you rush to the bank, visions of presents dancing in your head, know that it’s not free cash. Rather, it’s more likely an expensive loan. Saturday, December 15, 2018
This move in ready home located on the North side of Bertinetti Lake is a must see and ready for you to start 2019 in your new home! Friday, December 14, 2018
My husband's job requires he attend a number of conferences and workshops in his field. It's usually two to four times a year. Not going to these meetings is not an option, as it would certainly affect his merit reviews and, potentially, his employment. Saturday, December 8, 2018
Big coastal cities have some of the highest house prices in the country. In comparison, medium-size cities are often relative bargains. But not always. Saturday, December 8, 2018
When Untuckit launched six years ago, it was hard to find a men’s shirt that could be worn untucked and didn’t look sloppy. Now the company is facing competition from J. Crew, the Gap and other stores that have started to sell shortened shirts. Saturday, December 1, 2018
The holiday season can be a motivation and productivity killer at some small businesses. Staffers may spend time chatting or shopping online, ask to leave early for children’s holiday events or just not be in the mood to work. Saturday, December 1, 2018
Local residents have until February 28, 2019, to “Stop. Shop. Vote!’ in TCCU’s 5th Annual Scholarship Program. Voting is already open. Shoppers can ‘shop and vote’ in any of the 35 Taylorville businesses participating this year. TCCU President, Will Perkins, points out that a combined record number of 67 businesses in Taylorville, Hillsboro and Litchfield are participating. “We encourage everyone to patronize these local businesses and help determine the winners of the $1000 awards. Saturday, December 1, 2018
I am currently saving 10 percent of my income into the company-sponsored 401(k), with a 4 percent company match. We have received news that due to a pending merger, our new corporate overlords will no longer offer us any match at all. I was going to increase my own contributions by another 5 percent, but I am reluctant to rely on this company-sponsored 401(k) as an investment vehicle. Any advice on options I should explore outside of this 401(k)? Saturday, December 1, 2018
November 20, 2018, members of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee gathered to add an additional $100,000 mark to the PCH Building Project fundraising sign. Saturday, December 1, 2018
Holiday tips are a way to thank the people who make your life easier. So why is it so hard to figure out whom to tip and how much? Saturday, December 1, 2018
CHICAGO, Ill. — Miles of Smiles, Ltd. (MOS), a school-based dental program with offices in Taylorville and Pekin, Illinois, was recently honored by Chicago's Oral Health Forum (OHF). The award ceremony was held at the American Dental Association headquarters in Chicago. Saturday, November 24, 2018
Dear Helaine: Personal finance has been very straightforward for my husband and me so far. We simply cut our expenditures (such as eating out) whenever possible and have that money available for therapies for our twin children, who have both been diagnosed with autism. So when an acquaintance talked about a financial services company and the amount of money I could earn if I signed up, I was intrigued. Saturday, November 24, 2018
"Rediscovering Travel: A Guide for the Globally Curious" (Liveright), by Seth Kugel Love travel? Love books? Love books about travel? Saturday, November 24, 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — Year-end tax planning, something that should be part of a small business owner’s annual routine, is particularly important now because of the tax law enacted nearly a year ago. The IRS has cleared up some of the mystery around sections of the law that affected small businesses, but owners need to crunch numbers to see how much of a break they’re likely to get. Saturday, November 24, 2018
(NERDWALLET via AP) — Hotel loyalty benefits — such as access to room upgrades, late checkout and other amenities — aren’t reserved only for the most faithful, highest-spending customers anymore. With the right credit card, you can get them, too. Saturday, November 24, 2018
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Kendra Betler Vanzo of Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of Ken and Kay Betler of Taylorville, was one of twelve women in the state of Indiana chosen for The Torch Bearers Award.” They were selected by the Indiana Commission for Women. Saturday, November 24, 2018
