Throughout history Illinois has been a top state for agricultural production. Illinois, once again, was a top state in agricultural production in 2015.

Soybean production in Illinois continued to be excellent after matching a 2014 state record. At 56 bushels per acre, Illinois produced more than 544 million bushels of soybeans. A top commodity for its many uses, including soy sauce, soy milk and tofu, Illinois was the second largest soy bean-producing state only behind Iowa at 56.5 bushels per acre for a total output of 554 million bushels.

Illinois is home to many unique and exciting businesses. JAVA & Co. is an example of one with a fun and interesting history.

Brain and Jamie Knoll have a rich history and background working in restaurants and hospitality. When they came to Illinois to renovate a house from the 1800s, they thought they were only going to stick around for a little while. Now, they are the proud owners and operators to JAVA & Co., a company that specializes in flavor- infused syrups.

Read the story below from the co-owner herself. Jamie Knoll tells the story of two business savvy individuals who traversed the country to settle in Illinois to make tasty syrups and more.

Right to work is proving to be a jobs killer in Wisconsin, where more than 10,000 people were laid off in 2015 – a startling figure that exceeds the number of job losses Badger State residents experienced in 2014.

Wisconsin is hemorrhaging jobs at a rate unseen since the Great Recession, one Democratic state lawmaker there noted, calling it an economic crisis caused by Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s anti-worker policies; deep budget cuts to schools, infrastructure and economic development programs; and Walker’s focus on his failed presidential bid.

When Bomke’s Patch first opened its doors in 2009, owner Cathy Bomke was elated to sell 100 Christmas trees. Last year, the family-run business sold close to 1,000.

An estimated 2.5 million Illinois workers do not have access to an employer-based retirement plan. With Americans living longer and longer and the total cost of retirement increasing every year, many workers – particularly low-wage workers – are on track to not have enough resources to live on once they reach their golden years.