YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Illinois dodged the dishonor of becoming America's first "junk" state when Moody’s said it wouldn’t downgrade the cash-strapped state and it finally passed its first budget in two years.
The Illinois budget deal, which includes a 32 percent tax hike, is expected to be enough to ease the state’s enormous financial pressures, according to CNN Money.
Illinois still has $15 billion in unpaid bills and a pension shortfall of $251 billion.
Read more from CNN Money.
Utah-based gourmet cookie chain Crumbl Cookies opened its first Springfield shop; interior design business Branson Upstaging LLC relocated; and Lauren Ashley Dance Center LLC added a second location.