Rosecrance Behavioral Health Maintains Joint Commission Accreditation

Rosecrance Behavioral Health successfully maintained its Joint Commission accreditation following a comprehensive, five-day survey conducted Jan. 12–16 across 21 locations in Illinois and Iowa. Surveyors praised Rosecrance for the quality of its services, welcoming facilities, and knowledgeable staff. Accredited by The Joint Commission since 1984, Rosecrance continues to meet the organization’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and accountability in behavioral health care. The Joint Commission is a nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 15,000 health care organizations nationwide and is considered the highest standard in health care accreditation.
 

First Mid Ag Services Announces New CEO and COO as Part of Leadership Succession Plan Following Brian Thompson's Retirement

First Mid Ag Services announced today that Brian R. Thompson, President of First Mid Ag Services, a division of First Mid Wealth Management, will retire from full-time employment in June 2026 after more than 43 years of dedicated service to First Mid and its predecessor organizations. Thompson will transition to a part-time contract agent role, continuing to serve his farm management clients, many of whom he has worked with throughout his career.

In conjunction with Mr. Thompson’s retirement, First Mid Ag Services announced the appointment of Craig Thompson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Cory Kauffman as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
 

Area Distributors and Chemical Maintenance Acquire Canady Laboratories Assets

The owners of Area Distributors in Quincy and Chemical Maintenance (CMI) in Champaign have announced the purchase of the business assets of Canady Laboratories in Watseka from Valdes Supply. Canady customers will now be served through CMI, expanding access to inventory and product offerings. The acquisition strengthens CMI’s presence in central and northeastern Illinois and supports continued growth across manufacturing, education and government sectors.
 

Illinois American Water Files Rate Request to Support Infrastructure Investments

Illinois American Water has filed a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to support approximately $577 million in planned water and wastewater system investments across Illinois from 2026–2027. The proposed investments include pipeline replacement, system upgrades, storage and treatment improvements, and continued lead service line replacement to improve reliability and water quality for the more than 1.3 million people the company serves statewide. If approved, the request would result in an average monthly increase for residential customers, depending on service area, with affordability programs available for eligible customers.
 

Champaign County Housing Market Shows Renewed Momentum Entering 2026

The Champaign County area housing market closed 2025 with signs of stabilization and renewed momentum, according to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®. Lower mortgage rates and rising sales activity contributed to modest but meaningful growth, with December home sales up 10% compared to the prior year and overall sales increasing in the final quarter. Median home prices remained steady, and days on market declined year over year, signaling continued buyer demand despite limited inventory. It's noted that the declining mortgage rates and long-term fundamentals are supporting a positive outlook heading into 2026.
 

Midland States Bank Names Claire Stack Corporate Controller

Midland States Bank has appointed Claire Stack as Corporate Controller. In her role, Stack will oversee the bank’s accounting operations, regulatory and external reporting, as well as internal financial reporting and controls.

Stack brings more than 15 years of accounting and finance leadership experience in the financial services sector. A Certified Public Accountant, she has held senior leadership roles in both public accounting and industry, most recently serving as corporate controller for a publicly traded company before returning to Illinois.
 

Fairlawn Appoints Lisa McNamara as Vice President of Accounting

Fairlawn has appointed Lisa McNamara as Vice President of Accounting. Based in the company’s Chicago office, McNamara will serve on the Senior Leadership Team and oversee accounting strategy and operations across Fairlawn’s residential, commercial and student housing portfolio.

McNamara brings more than 20 years of accounting experience in the real estate sector, including senior leadership roles with institutional investment platforms. A Certified Public Accountant, she holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
 

Illinois American Water Launches 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program

Illinois American Water has announced the launch of the 2026 American Water Charitable Foundation Water and Environment Grant Program. The program supports community initiatives focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability and water-based recreation projects.

In 2025, the Foundation awarded $1.7 million to 80 organizations across 12 states, including 11 in Illinois. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will be accepted through March 6, 2026.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply at www.amwater.com/awcf.
 

First Mid Bank & Trust Named to Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Banks List

First Mid Bank & Trust has been recognized on Forbes’ 2026 list of America’s Best Banks, ranking #2 in Illinois and #24 nationwide. The annual list, compiled in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence, evaluates banks based on key financial performance measures including growth, credit quality and profitability.

First Mid Employees Receive 2025 Chairman’s Award for Excellence
First Mid Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of First Mid Bank & Trust, recently recognized six employees with the 2025 Chairman’s Award for Excellence. The award is the organization’s highest honor and is presented annually to employees nominated by their peers and selected by the executive committee for making a meaningful impact on the company while demonstrating First Mid’s core values.
This year’s recipients include Wende Aites, John Collins, Sara Cutter-Behn, Jeff Dulle, Caleb Keller and Amie Shaffer.
 

Champaign County Housing Market Shows Price Strength Despite January Slowdow
The Champaign County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) reports that while January home sales dipped slightly, the local housing market continues to show pricing strength heading into the spring season. A total of 125 homes were sold in January, down 4.6% year over year, while the median sales price rose 15.6% to $226,500.
Inventory decreased to 432 homes from 575 the previous month, and the average days on market increased to 62. With mortgage rates averaging 6.09%, improving conditions and steady demand are expected to support market activity as the spring homebuying season approaches.
 

Midland Wealth Advisors Named to Newsweek’s 2026 List of America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms
Midland Wealth Advisors has been recognized as one of America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms of 2026 by Newsweek. The recognition highlights firms that demonstrate strong performance, expertise and client service across the financial planning industry.
Newsweek partnered with Plant-A Insights Group to evaluate SEC-registered advisory firms nationwide using criteria including asset performance, client outcomes, adviser expertise and client-to-adviser ratios.
 

First Mid Bank & Trust Introduces Goal Setter Account
First Mid Bank & Trust has introduced the Goal Setter account, a new product designed to help customers build credit while saving for future financial goals. The account combines an installment loan with a certificate of deposit (CD), allowing customers to establish credit history through monthly payments while funds are set aside in a CD that is released at the end of the loan term, along with any interest earned.
 

Habitat for Humanity Celebrates 142nd and 143rd Home Dedications
Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County celebrated the dedication of its 142nd and 143rd homes for the Jones and Popis families in Champaign. Dedication ceremonies recognize the families’ journeys to homeownership and the many volunteers, donors and partners who help make Habitat homes possible. The milestone reflects Habitat’s continued efforts to expand access to safe, affordable housing and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Champaign County.
 

Community Dementia Friendly Champaign-Urbana Recognition Event
Illinois Extension and Dementia Friendly Champaign-Urbana hosted a community event Monday, March 23 from 3–4:30 p.m. at the Urbana Free Library’s Lewis Auditorium. The event celebrated Dementia Friendly Champaign-Urbana and provided information about local resources available for individuals and families affected by dementia. Attendees also learned how businesses and community members can become better equipped to interact with individuals living with dementia.
 

First Mid Insurance Group Names Andrew Weintraub SVP, Head of Health Insurance
First Mid Insurance Group has appointed Andrew Weintraub as Senior Vice President, Head of Health Insurance. In this role, he will lead the company’s health insurance sales and service operations, including large group benefits, middle market solutions, individual health coverage and Medicare services.

Weintraub brings extensive experience in health insurance strategy and leadership, most recently serving as Vice President, National Sales & Retention Officer for Health Alliance Medical Plans and FirstCarolinaCare. He is also active in the community, serving on nonprofit and civic boards including the Humane Society of Champaign County and the Alzheimer’s Association.