a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation Expanding Hospitality Opportunities in Gaming Industry for Formerly Incarcerated Illinoisans

2 years 7 months ago
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation which will allow individuals with certain felony convictions the opportunity to apply for non-gaming positions at Illinois casinos, largely in the hospitality industry. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) worked cooperatively with UNITE HERE Local 1 and Senate Bill 1462’s sponsors Senator Robert Peters and Representative Kam Buckner to draft the bill. “Here in the Land of Lincoln, we believe that people deserve second chances—and that includes the formerly incarcerated and those who have been convicted of a felony,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we transform our justice system away from incarceration and towards rehabilitation, we are creating opportunities for Illinoisans who’ve made mistakes to secure gainful employment and build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.” “This new legislation addresses the needs of people impacted by the legal

Continue Reading

Alton May Get New Business District, Public Hearing Set

2 years 7 months ago
ALTON - Alton may be getting a new business district after a proposal was approved by the City Council on Wednesday. The new “Route 3 and Buckmaster Business District” is intended to attract business growth to the area, which has reportedly seen high vacancy and a decline in visitors in recent years. A public hearing on the proposed district is set for later this fall. The new district would be bordered by Homer M. Adams Parkway to the north, Buckmaster Lane to the west, Oakwood Avenue to the south, and to the eastern edge of the property currently occupied by Big Lots and Goodwill. The number of “deteriorated” sites within the area has made it “an economic liability to the community,” according to the ordinance proposing the new business district. “Additionally, consumer visitation to the proposed Business District declined dramatically in recent years due to excessive vacancy resulting in an economic underutilization of the area,”

Continue Reading

Missouri small businesses thrive in these counties

2 years 7 months ago
In 2021, the IRS received a whopping 5.4 million business applications—an all-time high since the U.S. government began tracking this data in 2004. The year with the second-highest number of new business applications? 2020. Today, small businesses employ nearly half of the nation's workers, according to a Chamber of Commerce report. It's fair to say [...]
Stacker

Circuit Clerk Tom McRae and Buddy Kahoks Great Kevin Stallings Live By 'No Friends Like Old Friends' Motto

2 years 7 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Some may not realize this, but Madison County Circuit Clerk Tom McRae and Collinsville basketball legend Kevin Stallings have been best of friends for most of their respective lives. Kevin and Tom are almost exactly the same age. Tom turned 63 in April 2023 and Kevin will hit the mark in October 2023. Kevin said, “I am pretty sure we knew each other by 4 years old. He is my oldest friend. We were very fortunate we both had older brothers about the same age and we came from big families. “I played some summer ball with Tom and a lot of sandlot football games. I remember the first time we got to play I got kicked in the ear by one of Tom’s cousins. We have been friends since 1964. We were both born in 1960 and we have remained fast friends since we met.” Recently, Kevin and Tom attended a St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball game in St. Louis and Jacob Stallings of the Miami Marlins slammed a pair of hits. It was a proud night for both Tom and

Continue Reading