D.R. Roberts' 'ma and pa' studio has adapted as photography technology has developed

By ARLENE MANNLEIN - H&R Staff Writer

ECATUR - D.R. Roberts might have started out his working years in coaching and teaching, but the "itch" for photography was already there.

Nov 15, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Durbin confident FutureGen will be approved by Department of Energy

By HERB MEEKER - H&R Staff Writer

MATTOON - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin grinned before he offered an assessment on whether the FutureGen energy project will receive final federal approval in January.

Nov 14, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Start of ad revenue recovery, cost-cutting boost Lee Enterprises to fourth-quarter profit

By JENNIFER DEWITT - Lee News Service Writer

DAVENPORT - Deep cost-cutting measures and lower newsprint costs helped Lee Enterprises post a small fourth-quarter profit.

Nov 13, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

State months, millions behind in payments to state universities

By KURT ERICKSON - H&R Springfield Bureau Chief

SPRINGFIELD - All of the state's major public universities are feeling the pinch of the state's budget meltdown, but it appears Southern Illinois University is the only one worried about making payroll.

Nov 13, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Late fees, interest deepening Illinois' budget hole

By KURT ERICKSON - H&R Springfield Bureau Chief

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois is poised to fork over a record amount of late penalties and interest payments this year to pay off vendors who are waiting months to be paid what they are owed from the state.

Nov 12, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Illinois' state budget ranked among nation's worst

State offers veterans low-interest loans

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois veterans of the National Guard and U.S. Military Reserve can now get $10,000 low-interest loans when their duties end because of changes in a state program.

Nov 11, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Lincoln opens office to help Logan County businesses

By KEVINBARLOW - Lee News Service Writer

LINCOLN - Joel Smiley wants to make it difficult for businesses to fail in Logan County.

Nov 11, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Mitchell pushes Quinn to release Secure Energy funds

By TONY REID - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - A lawmaker claims Decatur is being shortchanged for state funds needed for an energy project that holds the promise of hundreds of new jobs at a time when unemployment is soaring.

Nov 10, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Illinois presses case for high-speed rail funding

By BILL LAMBRECHT - Lee News Service Writer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Missouri and Illinois officials are pressing their cases at the highest levels in hopes of winning some of the $8 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail that will be awarded starting this winter.

Nov 10, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Man Cave home parties are just for the guys

By KAREN DEER - Lee News Service Writer

Sorry girls, but this home party is not for you. You won't find Pampered Chef or Tupperware here. Or any fancy candles or jewelry or makeup for that matter.

Nov 08, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Ameren trims 50 positions to bring year-end cuts to 300

By CHRIS LUSVARDI - H&R Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS - Ameren Corp. announced Friday that 50 employees were laid off this week in an ongoing effort to trim costs.

Nov 07, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Lawmakers approve money to begin regulating video gambling

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - State lawmakers have moved to lift the biggest roadblock keeping video gambling machines out of Illinois bars.

Nov 06, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Mueller loses money in latest quarter but sees sales tide turning

By TONY REID - H&R Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Mueller Water Products Inc. suffered through another money-draining quarter, but the company said Wednesday it was seeing signs of hope.

Nov 05, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

State must control spending, Mitchell tells Chamber Breakfast audience

By KENNETH LOWE - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - State government spending must be curtailed if Illinois is to have any hope of creating jobs and fulfilling its obligations to students and retirees, State Rep. Bill Mitchell said Wednesday.

Nov 05, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Leaders to discuss community priorities

By THERESA CHURCHILL - H&R Senior Writer

DECATUR - A meeting is being organized to bring educators together with work force and economic development specialists to discuss how well federal economic stimulus funds are helping the community pull out of the recession.

Nov 04, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

ADM profits tumble in first quarter, but demand picking up in some markets

By The Associated Press

DECATUR - Archer Daniels Midland Co. said Tuesday that its first-quarter profit tumbled 53 percent as the global recession dragged down demand for crops and ethanol, but demand is improving in some key markets.

Nov 04, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Ameren execs say superior customer service easing way for rate hikes

By TONY REID - H&R Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Ameren Corp. told power industry analysts Tuesday that its path to raising prices is being eased by superior customer service and because the request by its utilities to jack up electricity and natural gas delivery rates by $181 million had produced little negative react…

Nov 04, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

November Business Journal online

SMALL TOWN, BIG PLANS

Nov 03, 2009 | 12:00 pm | Loading…

Shimkus tours Rockies facility; project is helping increase competition in gas supply market

By CHRIS LUSVARDI - H&R Staff Writer

BLUE MOUND - U.S. Rep. John Shimkus took a brief break Monday from the health care debate in the nation's capital to tour a recently completed part of a major new natural gas pipeline.

Nov 03, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…