Business and Economy

Corn and soybean fields as far as the eye can see are the typical sights of summer throughout rural areas of Illinois. But next year, 'fields of green' will take on an entirely different meaning as farmers will soon be allowed to grow industrial hemp. 

Central Illinois travelers looking for a nonstop flight to Detroit will have to spend some time in the car first.

Gary Smith has worked at the grain elevator at Okaw Farmer’s Co-op in Lovington, Illinois, for forty years. On his desk sit two computer screens, where he tracks corn and soybean prices online at the Chicago Board of Trade.

As he explains, trade moves fast: “Just bam bam bam, and within a few seconds it could change a nickel or a dime against your favor.”

Farm towns in Illinois have been shrinking for decades, and the trend doesn’t show signs of reversing.

By 2025, rural counties with populations of less than 10,000 people will see 7.4 percent of their residents leave, while counties with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 will lose 5.4 percent. That’s according to projections from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The local Realtors president said corporate relocations helped the Bloomington-Normal real estate market play some catchup during an especially busy July.

Eastland Mall's owner says it sees Sears' plans to close this fall as an opportunity to further redefine what a modern mall looks like.

The Peoria area's economy saw improved labor market conditions during the second quarter of 2018.

Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano is moving, while the company is planning a second restaurant in Bloomington.

Pantagraph owner Lee Enterprises Inc. reported Friday overall quarterly earnings of $4.8 million, down $1.5 million from this time last year.

Advocates of the so-called Illinois Human Rights Act "expansion bill" are urging Governor Bruce Rauner to sign that piece of legislation, which is currently on his desk. Otherwise, without his action, it would die by mid-August.

Bloomington-Normal’s jobless rate rose in June, though state officials say that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Farmers across the nation have expressed concern about economic hardship created by Trump tariffs and retaliation by other nations against U.S. agricultural products.

A first-time event in downtown Saturday celebrates 25 years since the city's first bar for the LGBTQ community opened.

Green Top Grocery has hired a new general manager as the co-op continues its turnaround effort.

The Bridgestone plant in Normal will add 30 new employees as part of a $12 million investment, the tiremaker announced Tuesday.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on online shopping left two things clear – consumers who buy online will have to pay sales tax on more items, and some states will see more money from those online purchases.

The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council released its latest quarterly update showing record low unemployment rates and a slight increase in jobs over 2017.

Walgreens says it's opening a new office in Chicago and staffing it with 1,800 people.