Illinois Business Journal Illinois Business Journal
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Patriot Act powerful in fight against terrorism
By VICKI BENNINGTON

   A passport or visa is no longer enough for foreign clients to open a bank account in the United States. Banks and other institutions are expected to go much further in order to verify clients' claims that they are who they say they are.
  The United and Strengthening [continue]

Governor announces $5 million state contribution for service families Blagojevich and Illinois National Guard
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, center at microphone, accompanied by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, right, and Major General David Harris of the Illinois National Guard, left, announces he will ask lawmakers to support a $5 million state contribution to a fund intended to help families of the state's National Guard and military reservists called up for service.
False French Passport
Leicestershire police in Central England arrested the bearer of this false French passport used by Algerian citizen Brahim Benmerzouga to open a bank account and rent premises. On April 1, Benmerzouga and fellow Algerian and Baghdad Meziane were convicted of plotting to raise money for terrorist activites and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
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City of Belleville to top new building permit record in 2003
By KERRY L. SMITH

   BELLEVILLE -- To homeowners, business owners and developers here, the news that zip codes 62223 and 62221 rank 22nd and 38th on the list of the 50 'wealthiest' zip codes in all of Greater St. Louis (according to the St. Louis Business Journal) had to have come as a pleasant surprise.
   But to city leaders and other progressive thinkers in the city of Belleville, [continue]

Belleville Projects in the Works

  • Opening of IL Distributing warehouse
  • Annexation of 357 acres near IL Route 15 East
  • Construction of 62-unit senior apt. complex
  • Downtown pedestrian improvements
  • R&M Supply Company's move into Belle Valley Industrial Park
  • Expansion of city sewer in east Belleville (1,300 acres)
  • Build-out of Southwind Estates
    (42 more lots)
  • Construction of new YMCA
  • Completion of Belleville Shoe's $1 million expansion
  • Remediation of pollution on West Main Street
  • Video Jet's consolidation at Belle Valley Industrial Park
  • Annexation of 80+ acres for indus. park #3
  • Construction of new high school
  • Expansion of St. Elizabeth Hospital ($14 million)
  • Expansion of Memorial Hospital ($11 million)
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 Entrepreneur wears multiple hats
 in support of business, community

. Tom Long By KURT PRENZLER

   GODFREY -- Although not a native of Southwestern Illinois, Tom Long has become prominent in Madison County as a lawyer, businessman, banker and politician.
   Long, 52, is chairman of the First Community Bank of Godfrey, practices law and is active with a variety of community and business groups, along with the Republican Party.
   "I was born in Manteno, Illinois, a small farming community just north of Kankakee, the oldest of six children," he said.
   "After graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in accounting, I was drafted into the U.S. Army." [continue]
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