Starting a new career without a college degree isn’t only possible, it’s becoming increasingly common. The job market is changing rapidly, and employers across various industries are prioritizing practical skills, certifications and real-world experience over traditional four-year degrees. Many of the highest-paying jobs available don’t require a bachelor’s degree. The best part is that these […]
Special Issues
Posted inCapital City Jobs
Nonprofit work can teach what your job can’t
When professionals think about career development, the instinct is to look inward: new certifications, stretch assignments, promotions or leadership programs. Growth is something we expect to find within the walls of our organizations. But some of the most valuable professional development opportunities are somewhere else entirely: outside your company, outside your industry and often outside […]
Posted inCapital City Jobs
Solve talent shortages with smarter hiring strategies
Leadership is being reshaped by a challenge that spans every industry: the growing skills gap. Organizations in finance, engineering, IT and logistics are struggling to find candidates with the necessary capabilities to keep pace with change. At the same time, leaders are expected to do more than simply fill roles; they must develop workforce strategies […]
Posted inCapital City Jobs
Attracting younger workers
A new position at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is tasked with retaining 18- to 35-year-olds for the local labor pool. Kendra Vincent joined the GSCC in April as workforce director to take on this task. A graduate of PORTA High School, she interned at the local Chamber while a business student at University […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Fall Home & Garden Calendar 2026
Illinois Product Farmers Fall Market Sat., Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Features Illinois meats, produce, baked goods and wine. Includes children’s events and live music. illinoisproductsfarmersmarket.com. State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-524-9129. Old Capitol Farmers Market Wednesdays and Saturdays. Continues through Oct. 31. Springfield’s longest-running and most popular Farmers Market in downtown Springfield. […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Fall Home and Garden 2026
Fall is a great time to tackle yard projects, such as planting bulbs for a spring payoff or potting herbs and other plants you can move indoors for the winter. It’s also helpful to being making plans now for your spring home improvements, so whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor kitchen or updating part of […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Healthy trees enrich communities
Fall is an excellent time to assess and care for existing trees in your yard and plant new trees. Too often homeowners don’t pay enough attention to the structure and health of their trees and only discover problems after a storm when trees or limbs fall to the ground (or on the house). Healthy trees […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Fall maintenance for your yard and garden
Whether planting a vegetable garden, flower garden or pollinator garden, “site preparation is paramount,” says master gardener Susan Helm. “I can’t stress enough how important this is.” There are thriving pollinator gardens all over Springfield, thanks to Helm and a cadre of dedicated volunteers. Examples are the Monarch Flyway native plantings at the Route […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
An autumn glow-up for your home
With the autumn season here and winter not far behind, many of us are busily preparing our homes for time indoors due to dark evenings and cooler weather. While we may feel the urge to go all-in on a renovation, budgets and time constraints are realistic impediments to going through with an all-out redo. So […]
Posted inFall Guide
Helping people to heal
The friends of Illinois native Deb Martin’s late son, Jared Martin, influenced her involvement in a suicide awareness and prevention organization that bears Jared’s name. Jared’s Keepers Foundation, Inc., was founded in 2014 after Jared Michael Martin died by suicide on June 14, 2014, in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Jared was 17. Jared […]
Posted inFall Guide
A fun fall to-do list
Put away your swimsuits and get out your flannels, it’s finally time to start dreaming of crisp autumn mornings and cozy fall nights. No matter how you feel about the change of the seasons, fall is a wonderful time to create some cozy family memories. Here are 75 ideas for ways to enjoy the season […]
Posted inFall Guide
Echoes of Yesteryear
Enjoy beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery, meet period actors and learn about six Sangamon County residents who made a difference in our history. The Sangamon County Historical Society will offer its annual Echoes of Yesteryear – A Walk Through Oak Ridge Cemetery tour from 12-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. The walk is easy. Participants will […]
