By Anne D'Innocenzio AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Neiman Marcus has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the first department store chain and second major retailer to be toppled by the coronavirus pandemic.  The move by…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The City of Rockford has received a $275,000 grant under the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfield’s Program to assess and clean up two downtown properties. Under President Trump’s administration, the EPA…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - One of Rockford's top swimmers of the 1990s is helping a leading U.S. company make better lawnmowers. Stephanie Homewood Boozer, a 1996 graduate of Guilford High School, is manager of program development for…

Setha Low CUNY Graduate Center (THE CONVERSATION) Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic implies many painful losses. Among them are so-called "third places" – the restaurants, bars, gyms, houses of worship, barber shops and…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - It seems harmless and fun-- a bunch of friends on Facebook or other social media are sharing their senior portraits, including the high school name and graduation year, to support the graduating class of 2020 many…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter MINNEAPOLIS - Best Buy, beginning, April 19, will temporarily furlough around 51,000 hourly store employees and almost all part-time workers, the electronic retailer announced Wednesday, April 15. Furloughed…

By Stan Chow, Alex Veiga and Damian J. Troise AP Business Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks swung back down Wednesday after more signs piled up of the economic damage being caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Markets have been stuck…

By Ken Bessler CHICAGO - The coronavirus outbreak could put the brakes on the housing market in Illinois. In February, homes sales were up 5% and the median prices increased 7 percent compared to the previous year. Ed Neaves,…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Woodward, Inc. plans to close its Rock Cut plant, the company announced Friday. "Woodward is conducting permanent layoffs and temporary furloughs because we are temporarily closing business lines,…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter LOVES PARK, Ill. - Woodward, Inc. has laid off 425 workers from both of its manufacturing plants in Loves Park, the company announced Thursday, April 9. The company announced Wednesday that it was planning to…

By Stan Choe and Alex Veiga AP Business Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks shot to a 3.4% gain on Wall Street Wednesday as investors chose to focus on the optimistic side of data about the coronavirus outbreak's trajectory. It's the latest…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Business is booming in Rockford's Midtown District.  Seven new businesses have opened their doors in the historic business district since March. Ronn Mooney, Executive Director of the Midtown Business District,…

By Joynce M. Rosenberg AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Samantha Martin does most of the annual hiring for her public relations firm in the first quarter. But not this year — clients worried about a slowing economy are cutting their…