Sid Stanton and Ed Gonet are the cofounders of Soil Food, a local business out of Cantrall and Petersburg, which produces natural fertilizers made from word castings. Stanton and Gonet explained how the quality of their product stands out among competitors and how their pet tortoise Erma led to the development of their organic worm farm.For more information about Soil Food visit: https://soilfoods.com/

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Opponents say eliminating the tip credit will lead to decreased hours and layoffs for staff

Dr. Mike Yao is a Professor of Digital Media and the Director of the Institute of Communications Research at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He recently spoke on the panel for Unveiling AI Bias via a Multidisciplinary Lens organized by the UIS AI Campus Learning Community. He explained to Community Voices how AI bias is generated by humans and reflects back what it learns from inputs humans provide it. He also discusses how AI can be helpful when designed with human needs in mind.

Golden Bridges works with seniors and others who are overwhelmed with the task of downsizing or moving. The company serves Adams county and surrounding areas such as Springfield. Golden Bridges co-owner Suzanne Ellerbrock and the Springfield Liaison Terri Hempstead spoke to Community Voices about senior move management, empathy and the process they take in helping a person downsize. They also talk about repurposing and how senior move management helps the whole family.

Micah Bartlett recently received the 2024 UIS Alumni Achievement Award. He retired from the banking industry after a successful 33-year career. He was the President and CEO of Town and Country Bank before it merged with Heartland Bank. He spoke to Community Voices about the award, lessons he learned in his career, and what it was like running Town and Country Bank at the young age of 33.

The bidding will begin next month.

Dr. Tabatha Wells is a physician in Springfield, Ill. with a direct primary care practice called Be Well Health. She spoke to Community Voices about the in-home services offered with direct primary care and her approach to helping her patients.

Randy Hultgren, president and CEO, Illinois Bankers Association, shared how financial literacy can make navigating the current economy safer. He also reflects on his time as a U.S. and Illinois state representative and the challenges of today's political partisanship. He is enjoying the move from the Chicago suburbs to Springfield for his current position.