Open in NewsBreak

Stewardson

See all locations
Customize your news
43°F
publisher avatar

Business

effinghamcountychamber.com

website

Effingham Shipping Opens, Bringing Packing, Shipping & More Back to Effingham

Effingham, IL – November 11, 2026 – The Effingham County Chamber welcomes Effingham Shipping, LLC., a new, locally-owned business bringing packing and shipping services, as well as the UPS and FedEx brands, back to Effingham. Owned by longtime Effingham business owner Wayne Moran, Effingham Shipping fills a need...

Effingham, IL · 3d
article img

The Center Square

partner publisher · 229.4K followers
article img

Proposed change in farm estate tax has broad support

(The Center Square) – Legislation to change the state’s death tax credit could help families hold on to their farms as land values rise. Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of State Legislation Mark Raney said farmers currently pay the estate tax on everything more than $4 million in value, which is easily exceeded by the average Illinois grain farm with 1,500 acres. “And that doesn't include the value of any of your equipment, your trucks, the value of any livestock you may have harvested, corn or soy, doesn't include barns, doesn't include your house,” Raney told The Center Square. Raney said the Family Farm Preservation Act changes the $4 million threshold and would be huge for agriculture in Illinois. “We want that number to be $6 million, however, the first 6 million is tax-free. So if your estate is $6.5 million, you are taxed on $500,000 and then we tie that $6 million to inflation,” Raney said. Raney said the bill would alleviate the discrepancy between high land values and income. State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, filed House Bill 4736 last March, after her previous version of the Family Farm Preservation Act failed to advance in 2025. Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Illinois · 2d

The Center Square

partner publisher · 229.4K followers
article img

Hemp law takes effect for some; others fight rules driving business closures

(The Center Square) – A ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products by some retailers in Illinois took effect Thursday, forcing some across the state to shut down. The law also pushes products toward more regulation and heavier taxation as hundreds of businesses challenge the ban’s legality. Hundreds of businesses won the temporary ability to continue selling the banned products in a court decision days before the law took effect. Craig Katz, president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, said the ban won’t impact the roughly 300 businesses represented in the lawsuit until at least Nov. 19 – the day the case will come before a federal judge. “We have our hearing set in federal court and the temporary restraining order on the 19th, so that's why that date was chosen,” Katz said. “If she were to take it under advisement and not rule at that time, we would certainly ask that the agreement continue until she does rule.” If the businesses lose or the temporary block isn't renewed, the products could only be sold by licensed dispensaries in the state which are more heavily taxed, making products more expensive and harder to obtain. Before the law took effect,

Illinois · 2d

everafterinthewoods.com

website

This Massive Illinois Vintage Market Packs 250 Vendors Across Three Floors Of Shopping

Somewhere in Illinois, an old toilet sits filled with billiard balls, and shoppers walk past it on purpose. That former bathroom now works as a pass-through between rooms packed with vintage treasures. The building spent more than two decades as a nursing home. Old call buttons still dot the walls,...

Morris, IL · 1d
article img

Trains.com

partner publisher · 1.9K followers

Ag groups weigh in on merger

WASHINGTON — Two agriculture industry groups have told the Surface Transportation Board that they oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, citing concerns over reduced competition, higher costs, and risks to service. The Illinois Farm Bureau says it does not believe the application has established that the “claimed efficiencies and public benefits do not outweigh the [...] Read More...

North Dakota · 1d

takingthekids.com

website

Inside This Illinois Bin Store, Prices Drop Every Day Until The Shelves Get Restocked

Every bin in this store gets cheaper each day the doors open, and the bottom price eventually lands near pocket change. That’s the whole game, so you show up, dig, and decide how long you can stand to wait. The boxes come mostly from Amazon and Target truckloads. That...

Aurora, IL · 2d

Secret Chicago

publisher · 7.1K followers

Illinois has 18 people on the Forbes 400—and its richest resident is worth $44.4 billion

Many people already know that Governor J.B. Pritzker comes from money—heir to the Hyatt hotel empire —and has a net worth of ~$4.2 billion . And while that’s a lot of money, it doesn’t even come close to Illinois richest resident. According to the 2026 Forbes 400 , 18 Illinois residents made the list —and their fortunes are tied to some of the most notable brands, including Walmart, Beanie Babies, and more. So, who are Illinois’ richest residents? Walmart heir Lukas Walton leads the list with his estimated $44.4 billion fortune , placing him No. 24 nationally—and making him worth more than the next four Illinois residents combined. Here are the state’s five highest-ranked residents: Lukas Walton: $44.4 billion Charlie Mills, Medline chair: $11 billion Neil Bluhm, real estate and casino investor: $9.9 billion Patrick Ryan, insurance executive: $9.4 billion Ty Warner, Beanie Babies creator: $8.2 billion. Also making the list are Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein at $7.6 billion each , Thomas Pritzker at $7.5 billion, Mark Walter at $7.3 billion, Eric Lefkofsky at $6.5 billion, and Justin Ishbia at $6.4 billion. Rounding out Illinois’ 18 are Joseph Grendys, Penny Pritzker, Andy Mills, Larry Gies, Joe Mansueto, Byron Trott, and

Illinois · 1d

mindfullyamerican.com

website

Casey’s Fuel Margin Climbed to 47.8 Cents a Gallon This Summer, With Iowans Filling Up at Its Pumps

Casey’s keeps a bigger slice of every gallon you buy than it did a year ago. The company’s numbers cover all its stores, but about half are in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Here’s how Casey’s fuel margin climbed this summer, and what it means for Iowans filling up at its pumps.

Iowa · 4d

capitolcitynow.com

website

Decatur residents, green advocates call on Google to break Broadwing gas deal

CHICAGO (CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS) — Decatur residents joined environmental advocates in front of Google’s Chicago headquarters on Thursday to protest the tech giant’s deal to power its data centers with energy purchased from a natural gas-fired facility. Through the deal, Google is making a major investment in...

Decatur, IL · 1d

Public News Service

partner publisher · 2.6K followers

Rural voters send message on farm policy, economic pressures

Economic pressures facing small communities are reshaping what rural voters expect from their elected leaders. Rising production costs and pressure on agricultural exports are among top concerns for Illinois communities. Michael Happ, program associate at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, pointed to a county-level analysis, which found the state's 80 rural counties moved an average of 6.5 percentage points toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election. Happ thinks the results send a clear message. "I see these results as a rebuke of status quo farm policy. There are a lot of people who are commodity farmers that are reliant on exports, and this administration has been chipping away a lot of the pillars of that kind of agriculture without providing alternatives," Happ explained. University of Illinois researchers found fertilizer costs were 37% higher in 2025 compared to five years earlier. And despite some improvement, the average return to farmers' labor and management remained in the red by more than $23,000. Happ pointed out tariffs on agricultural exports and rising input costs have put additional pressure on farmers who depend on international markets. He added the concerns rural voters are weighing can look very different from one community

Illinois · 1d

WCIA

partner publisher · 53.8K followers

From the Farm: 50 tons of ground pork going to Central Illinois foodbank

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Over 50 tons of ground pork is going to the Central Illinois Foodbank Network thanks to a few state agriculture organizations. The donation comes from the Illinois Pork Producers, Corn Growers, Soybean Association, Meat Processors and Feeding Illinois. Stu Ellis has the details in his latest report From the Farm.

Illinois · 1d

The Center Square

partner publisher · 229.4K followers

Caution urged following Illinois jobs, revenue reports

(The Center Square) – A strong labor market is helping to boost Illinois tax revenues, but an economics professor says states with budget difficulties should be prepared in case unemployment rises. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said Illinois sales tax revenues grew $175 million, or 17.1% in October and corporate income tax receipts increased $100 million, or 43%. David Yaskewich, professor of economics and chair of accounting, economics and finance at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, said income tax and sales taxes are the primary generators of revenue at the state level. “If we have a healthy labor market where people are working, that would be something that would tend to generate revenue. So in a low unemployment period, if a state were having difficulties with its budget, that would be potentially worrisome, because if unemployment were to rise, it could only really get worse from that standpoint,” Yaskewich told The Center Square. The Illinois state budget is $55.9 billion for fiscal year 2027, up from $39 billion in 2019. The Illinois Flash Index increased from 101.5 in September to 101.7 in October, reflecting continued strength in state revenues and an improving labor market. Yaskewich said

Illinois · 2d

Timeless Dishes

partner publisher · 12.2K followers

Illinois Extension Lists 3 Dips for Cut Apples That Darken in Air: Ascorbic Acid, Fruit Juice and Honey Water

Illinois Extension lists 3 dips for cut apples that darken in air: an ascorbic acid mixture, fruit juice and honey water. The post Illinois Extension Lists 3 Dips for Cut Apples That Darken in Air: Ascorbic Acid, Fruit Juice and Honey Water appeared first on Timeless Dishes .

Illinois · 1d

967 The Eagle

partner publisher · 14.4K followers

Illinois Cleaning Business Owner Makes Hilarious Booking Mistake

A local cleaner learned an unforgettable business lesson after discovering her next appointment was nearly 2,000 miles away.

Dixon, CA · 1d

hometownregister.com

website

Olney passes estimated tax levy

OLNEY - The Olney City Council passed the estimated amount for the 2026 tax levy, adopting a proposal for a maximum increase of 4.99% for the city and the public library. City Manager Frank Bradley said that state statute requires the city council to establish the estimated amount of the tax levy at least 20 days prior to the passage of the taxi levy ordinance.

Olney, IL · 17h

CBS Chicago

partner publisher · 231.2K followers

Illinois gets over $188K from Family Dollar price lawsuit settlement

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Friday that Family Dollar has settled a lawsuit over their prices for $63 million, with some money going directly to Illinois.

Illinois · 1d

The Center Square

partner publisher · 229.4K followers

Illinois trails neighbors in tax competitiveness

(The Center Square) – The Tax Foundation’s annual State Tax Competitiveness Index ranks Illinois 38th out of 50 states. Tax Foundation Vice President of State Tax Policy Katherine Loughead said Illinois moved up one spot from 39th last year after descending or holding steady each previous year since 2020. “That is better than Illinois ranks on a lot of lists, and one of the big things that does help Illinois on this index is the fact that Illinois does have a flat individual income tax structure,” Loughead told The Center Square. The index evaluates how states structure their tax systems. Illinois was 11th for the individual income tax component, helped by a flat rate of 4.95%. “But on all the other metrics, corporate taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and unemployment insurance taxes, Illinois ranks in the bottom ten,” Loughead said. Neighboring states fared better, led by Missouri at 9th and Indiana at 14th. “A lot of states surrounding Illinois, like Missouri and Indiana and others, have really done a lot of work to reduce their income tax rates over time,” Loughead said. The index ranked Iowa 18th, Wisconsin 20th and Kentucky 26th. Wyoming finished first overall and New York finished

Illinois · 1d

businessdailynetwork.com

website

Illinois ranks 3rd in public utilities sales taxes paid in 2024

Illinois secured $1.2 billion in public utilities sales tax revenue in 2024, earning the state the third-highest position among U.S. states, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections (STC). This amount reflects a 0.3% rise compared to the $1.2 billion collected in the prior...

Illinois · 3d

Local 4 WHBF

partner publisher · 16.0K followers

Illinois Pork Producers donate more than 100,000 pounds of pork to food banks

As part of the Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois campaign, the Illinois PorkProducers Association (IPPA), Feeding Illinois, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Meat Processors Association, and the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff programs are contributing more than 101,000 pounds of pork to regional food banks through their end-of-year giving effort, a news […]

Illinois · 7h

Naperville Community Television (NCTV17)

publisher · 11.4K followers

IPSD 204: ‘State underfunding’ causes high reliance on property taxes

Indian Prairie School District 204 plans to raise property taxes by the amount allowed under the tax cap and charge property owners 2.7% more on 2026 taxes payable next year. The school board discussed the district’s next operating levy during its most recent meeting, saying shortcomings in the state’s evidence-based funding formula and federal support for schools are placing too high of a burden on local taxpayers.

Illinois · 2d