Business

U. of I. and investment firm Deerfield launch Alma Therapeutics to turn campus research into drugs

The university and health care investment firm Deerfield Management launched Alma Therapeutics, a partnership based at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology that will look for campus research to develop into treatments.

Savoy issued 28 building permits in October, all for work on existing properties

The Village of Savoy issued 28 building permits in October with about $362,600 in listed project costs, all repairs, replacements and additions; none was for a new home.

Christie Clinic adds rheumatologist Dr. Nida Ali at downtown Champaign clinic

Rheumatologist Nida Ali has joined Christie Clinic and is treating patients at its clinic at 101 W. University Ave. in downtown Champaign, the clinic said Nov. 2.

Fernie's High Horse seeks Class A liquor license; Urbana committee takes it up Monday

Urbana City Council members, meeting as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, Nov. 2, will consider adding a Class A liquor license for Fernie's High Horse, 118 S. Race St.

Savoy issued 28 building permits in September, led by two new homes

The Village of Savoy issued 28 building permits in September with about $1.92 million in listed project costs, led by two new single-family homes valued at $1 million and $350,000.

Willard Airport sets next TSA PreCheck enrollment pop-up for March 9-12

Travelers can enroll in TSA PreCheck at Willard Airport during a four-day pop-up March 9-12, 2027, run by IDEMIA. Appointments are expected to open about 30 days ahead; walk-ins are welcome.

Champaign, Urbana and Savoy fire departments among 122 receiving Illinois American Water grants

The Champaign Fire Department, City of Urbana Fire Department and Village of Savoy Fire Department are on Illinois American Water's list of 122 departments sharing more than $121,000 in firefighter grants this year.

Maize Mexican Grill opens third location on South Neil Street in Champaign

Maize Mexican Grill says its newest restaurant, at 1305 S. Neil St. in Champaign, is now open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a drive-thru.

Regional Planning Commission moving main offices to new RPC Center on South Neil Street

The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission says its main administrative offices are moving to the new RPC Center at 2107 S. Neil St. in Champaign, with no in-person services there Oct. 26-30.

Urbana council to vote Monday on The Cosmo liquor license and Fernie's High Horse outdoor seating license

A Class A liquor license for The Cosmo Urbana, 300 S. Broadway Ave., and a five-year license for Fernie's High Horse to use city property at 124 S. Race St. for outdoor seating are on the Urbana City Council's Oct. 26 consent agenda.

Champaign County takes bids through Nov. 4 for St. Joseph bridge deck replacement

The Champaign County Highway Department is accepting sealed bids until 10 a.m. Nov. 4 for the St. Joseph Bridge Deck Replacement, Section 25-27153-00-BR; the notice gives no location, cost estimate or funding source.

Champaign issues $890,372 permit for site and security work at 102 S. Duncan Road

The City of Champaign issued a building permit Oct. 15 valued at $890,372 for commercial site and security improvements at 102 S. Duncan Road, according to the city's latest permit report.

Savoy takes bids through Nov. 10 for Public Works Building B flooring project

The Village of Savoy is accepting sealed bids until 2 p.m. Nov. 10 for a flooring project at Public Works Building B, 611 N. Dunlap Ave.; a pre-bid site visit on Nov. 3 is mandatory.

STR8 Drip Coffee takes over former Columbia St Cafe stall at The Yard on Broadway

A family-owned coffee shop, STR8 Drip Coffee, is now listed in the former Columbia St Cafe spot inside The Yard on Broadway food hall, 401 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana, with weekday hours starting at 6 a.m.

CCRPC's Indoor Climate Research & Training facility bids were due Thursday; award vote set for Friday

The Regional Planning Commission agenda lists the renovation bid award for its Oct. 23 meeting, with details to come at the meeting.

CCRPC now taking bids until 2 p.m. Thursday for Indoor Climate Research & Training facility work

Sealed bids for renovation work at the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission's Indoor Climate Research & Training facility, 2002 Glenn Park Drive, Champaign, are now due at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, two days later than the agency's bid page said Oct. 20.

Illinois FAST Center at Research Park's EnterpriseWorks gets renewed SBA funding

The Illinois FAST Center at EnterpriseWorks in Champaign has renewed funding from the SBA's FAST Partnership Program, Research Park said Oct. 19. The center reports more than 1,200 clients statewide in the past year; the grant amount was not disclosed.

Fernie's High Horse seeks Urbana license for outdoor seating on city property at 124 S. Race St.

Urbana's Committee of the Whole on Oct. 19 will consider a license letting Fernie's High Horse LLC use 2,026 square feet of public space at 124 S. Race St. for outdoor seating, for $1,944.96 a year through Oct. 31, 2031. Not yet decided.

Urbana council, committee to take up liquor licenses for Eighty Three Vietnamese, Soccer Planet and The Cosmo

Liquor license requests from Eighty Three Vietnamese, Soccer Planet and The Cosmo Urbana are on Urbana's Oct. 19 City Council and Committee of the Whole agendas. None has been decided.

Michelle's Bridal & Tuxedo to host wedding vendor showcase Nov. 1 at Hotel Royer

More than 15 local wedding businesses are signed on for a cocktail hour and runway show.

Champaign issues $24.6 million permit for new apartment building at 106 E. John St.

The City of Champaign issued a building permit Oct. 9 for a new multifamily building at 106 E. John St., valued at $24,576,342, according to the city's weekly permit report.

Manolo's Pizza & Empanadas on Oregon Avenue to close after Saturday, Smile Politely reports

Manolo's Pizza & Empanadas, 1115 W. Oregon Ave., near the University of Illinois School of Music and Krannert Center, will close after Oct. 17, Smile Politely reports. County records show Hartman Properties LLC bought the parcel in December for $3 million.

County committee recommends barring tax breaks for hyperscale data centers

The Champaign County Board's Committee of the Whole on Oct. 13 recommended a resolution barring the county from negotiating tax abatements, payments in lieu of taxes or other concessions for hyperscale data centers. It also recommended an ordinance banning non-disclosure agreements.

Rantoul board packet carries trades council's paid pre-apprenticeship, offered in Savoy and Danville

HIRE360 pays a $13-an-hour stipend while participants train for clean-energy construction jobs.

Charles Industries to close Rantoul site Dec. 11, cutting 75 jobs, state notice says

The company cited a business slowdown in its WARN filing with the state.

City issues $2.87 million permit to renovate Champaign's council chambers

Eleven new single-family homes lead the latest list of large building permits.

Willard Airport unveils new brand tied to the University of Illinois

A new entrance sign on Route 45 gives the first look at the airport's first new graphic identity in more than a decade.

Willard Airport begins $1.5 million state-funded apron repaving

A $500,000 entrance road and employee parking rehab, also paid by Rebuild Illinois, is finished.

Niagara Bottling site on West Clark Road to close Oct. 15, cutting 15 jobs, state notice says

The company filed a layoff notice with the state in August.

Willard Airport now expects United's O'Hare flights to start in late October 2027

An FAA cap on O'Hare operations, extended through October 2027, stalled the planned four daily round trips.

Willard Airport opens $3 million TSA checkpoint above ticket counters

The new screening area has one lane and room for a second.

Vietnamese restaurant and Soccer Planet seek Urbana liquor licenses