http://www.charleston.k12.il.us

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce2

CommunityLink.com 1 800-455-5600

productionvp of production operationsAmanda White

director of publication design Kelly Friederich

managing editorLaura Wilcoxen

photography coordinatorJay Nehrkorn

photographyJoseph Etheridge Photography

lead designKacey Wolters

website creation & support Josh Chandler

director of media purchasing Diana Vaughn

business developmentdirector of business development George Prudhomme

director of outside salesDebbie Moss

business development managerBonnie Ebers

marketing consultantBradley Burt

customer service directorKathy Risley

customer service representativeAngie Kelley

advertisingad researchMary KopsheverMildred Walker

ad trafficCarol Smith

ad designMindy Brock

administrative supportadministrative supportKathy HageneCarol Smith

account supportTerri Ahner

human resources assistantTeresa Craig

mailroom technicianMelinda Bowlin

information technologypublishing systems specialistChristopher Miller

executive leadershipchairman and founderCraig Williams

chief financial officerRhonda Harsy

ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink

and distributed through the Charleston Area Chamber

of Commerce. For advertising information or

questions or comments about this book, contact

CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail

at info@CommunityLink.com.

FOR INFORMATION Charleston Area Chamber

of Commerce, 501 Jackson Avenue, P.O. Box 77,

Charleston IL 61920, Telephone 217-345-7041,

Fax 217-345-7042, www.charlestonchamber.com

© 2012 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie

Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306,

618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this

book may be reproduced without the expressed written

consent of the publisher.

Visit Charleston onlinewww.communitylink/charleston-illinois/

ContentsWhat’s Inside

3

4

6

8

12

14

16

17 Index of AdvertIsersThank You for Making This Project Possible

WelCome to the neIghborhoodYour Home Is Here

fAst fACts And UsefUl nUmbers

PlAy’s the thIngCharleston Culture & Recreation

CommUnIty CAretAkersHealthy Living in the Heartland

brIght horIzonsEducation Is The Key

benefItIng bUsInessesThe Economic Engine Is Humming

WelComeFrom the Chamber of Commerce

www.charlestonchamber.com 3

Welcome to Charleston, Illinois! On behalf of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, I invite you to explore all that we have to offer.

Historic Charleston lies in the heartland of central Illinois, bordered by wooded hills, a beautiful lake and fertile lands. From its progressive, diverse business community and educated workforce to its low cost of living and strong educational systems, Charleston is a great place to call home.

Charleston enjoys a rich historical heritage, a stable economy and agri-cultural base, diverse shopping, a variety of recreational activities, excep-tional educational opportunities, an extensive health care system, theater, music, art, and much more. Whether your interests are in relocating, raising a family, starting a business, or retiring in the area — Charleston has something to offer.

A combination of good income, low cost of living, quality education and a variety of housing options offers a quality of life that is the envy of many.

The city’s Cost of Living Index, at 82.0, is well below the national average. The Crime Index is also significantly less than the national average, and housing costs are routinely below the national average. A moderate climate and convenient proximity to several metropolitan areas all contribute to a desirable quality of life.

Excellence in education is a community priority. Quality educational programming is available for learners of all ages. Whether you are a history buff, a sports enthusiast, a fan of live music and theater, or just enjoy spend-ing time outdoors, Charleston offers a wide variety of recreational activities and ongoing entertainment.

Enjoy the many benefits of life in a smaller community. Browse the antique and thrift shops, play a round of golf, take a hike at Fox Ridge State Park, tour the Abraham Lincoln sites, share a meal at a local restaurant, shop at the farmers market, and delight in a musical performance at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. All the amenities of much larger cities combine with the attractions of the countryside to make this community truly unique.

Take some time to look through this book and find out what makes Charleston a great place to live, work, shop, learn and play. For more information, I invite you to also visit the Chamber website at www.charlestonchamber.com.

With warm regards,

Cindy WhiteExecutive Director

WelcomeFrom the Chamber

of Commerce

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce4

Location/transportation

HighwayInterstate 57 runs through western Coles

County, with three county exits, including those accessing Lake Land College, south of Mattoon, and Illinois Route 16, leading west through Mattoon and east through Charleston. I-57 connects with interstates 70, 80, 64, 72, 74, 24 and 55.

U.S. Route 45 runs through the heart of Mattoon on its way to its northern terminus in Wisconsin, at the shores of Lake Superior, and to its southern terminus in Mobile, Alabama, and the Gulf of Mexico.

driving distance to major citiesIn IllinoisChampaign ............................................... 55Springfield .............................................. 104Peoria .................................................... 140Carbondale ............................................ 159Chicago ................................................. 187Outside IllinoisIndianapolis, Ind. ..................................... 138St. Louis, Mo. .......................................... 139Cincinnati, Ohio ...................................... 244Louisville, Ky. ........................................... 246Milwaukee, Wis. ..................................... 277Columbus, Ohio ...................................... 312Lexington, Ky. .......................................... 321Nashville, Tenn. ....................................... 335Memphis, Tenn. ....................................... 362Kansas City, Kan. ..................................... 379Des Moines, Iowa .................................... 403Pittsburgh, Pa. .......................................... 495Source: Rand McNally

Rail

Many industrial sites are served by Canadian National and the Eastern Illinois Railroad.

Downtown Mattoon is home to an Amtrak station, with daily service via three lines mak-ing stops in Mattoon. The City of New Orleans runs between Chicago and New Orleans, while The Illini Service and The Saluki run from Chicago to Carbondale, Ill., home of Southern Illinois University.

Air

Coles County Memorial Airport is located on Illinois Route 16 between Mattoon and Charleston. Named General Aviation Airport of the Year in 2004 and again in 2009, the airport averages 35,000 operations annually. The airport is served by Central Illinois Air Corporation, a full-service operator offering charter flights.

Education

Eastern Illinois University

The second-highest-ranking public university in its class in Illinois, EIU grants bachelor’s, mas-ter’s and specialist degrees with 47 undergraduate majors and 27 graduate programs.

Ideally located in central Illinois and featuring outstanding education services, high-tech infra-structure and a pro-entrepreneurial environment offering support and expertise, Coles County is the right choice for any business.

EIU’s Renewable Energy Center, completed in 2011, is one of the largest biomass facilities in the country. The 19,000-square-foot steam plant provides heat for buildings across the uni-versity grounds. It is driven by two large biomass

gasifiers that use wood chips from forest residue for fuel. The project’s cost will be fully covered by energy savings for the university over the next two decades, and the center will give students a first-hand opportunity to learn how renewable energy is utilized.

Dedicated classroom space and advanced technology displays in the REC are helping EIU develop the Center for Clean Energy Research to provide students and faculty extensive opportu-nities for clean-energy research. The university also offers a new academic minor in sustainability and is in the process of adding a master’s degree in renewable energy.

Lake Land College

Technical programs at Lake Land include Agriculture, Allied Health, Business, Humanities and Communications, Technology, Math and Science, and Social Science and Education.

Lake Land College offers courses in the sus-tainability field and received a grant for state-of-the-art equipment and materials to provide students with hands-on learning in emerging Green Job Technology fields such as building, retrofitting, solar and wind power, and smart grid technologies.

LLC’s Center for Business & Industry provides customized training in quality and continuous process improvement, technical skills for manu-facturing, organizational and leadership develop-ment, and computer software applications. Lake Land works with industry to customize curri-cula. Facilities include a 3,000-square-foot mobile, state-of-the-art lab. Lake Land also provides vari-ous support services to area businesses.

Benefiting BusinessesThe Economic Engine Is Humming

Ideally located in central Illinois and featuring outstanding education services, high-tech infrastructure and a pro-entrepreneurial environ-ment offering support and expertise, Coles County is the right choice

for any business.

www.charlestonchamber.com 5

Higher Education Attainment

Percent of PoPulation 25 Years & older Charleston U.S.Some college ...................21.9% .......... 21.3%Associate degree ...............8.0% ............. 7.6%Bachelor’s degree ..............18.6% .......... 17.6%Graduate degree or higher ......................16.5% .......... 10.4%Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006–2010 American Community Survey

tELEcommunications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, based in Mattoon, provides advanced voice, data and video services to residential and business customers in Illinois and Texas.

Consolidated’s carrier serving architecture (CSA) allows access equipment to be placed closer to customer premises, connecting them over shorter copper loops. By bringing the fiber network closer to the customer, Consolidated can increase service offerings, quality and bandwidth services. The company’s fiber-optic network is served by redundant path fiber rings with self-healing technology.

Approximately 95 percent of Consolidated’s total local access lines are DSL-capable, and approximately 96 percent of these DSL-capable lines are capable of speeds of 6 mbps or greater.

Economic dEvELopmEnt agEnciEs

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce501 Jackson Ave., P.O. Box 77 Charleston, IL 61920 .................... 217-345-7041 www.charlestonchamber.com

City of Charleston520 Jackson AvenueCharleston, IL 61920....... 217-345-5650www.charlestonillinois.org

Coles Together Economic Development Council400 Airport Road Mattoon, IL 61938 ........................ 217-348-5627 www.colestogether.com

East Central Illinois Development Corporation1204 Network Centre Blvd. Effingham, IL 62401 ..................... 217-540-3517 www.ecidc.com

avaiLabLE sitEs

A variety of sites is available in Coles County, most with telecommunications and utility services in place. Greenfield sites include sub-dividable sites for sale and lease, while available business buildings include warehouse/distribution, light industrial and industrial facilities.

Contact Coles Together at 217-258-5627 for an up-to-date listing of available properties or visit www.colestogether.com.

incEntivEsColes Together will work with a variety of

funding sources to put together a funding package, including help with securing local, state and federal grants and loans. Available sources include tax incre-ment financing and enterprise zones. Assistance is also available to find funds for training.

businEss mEntoring The Charleston Chamber is the premier

member-driven business organization, delivering value to connect and engage. Chamber members

have access to one of the most efficient network-ing systems available to promote their businesses and reach new customers. An investment in the Chamber offers diverse member benefits and promotional opportunities to increase business visibility and enhance community image. For more information or to join the Chamber, visit www.charlestonchamber.com.

The Charleston Chamber is a founding partner of the Southeastern IL SCORE Chapter, which offers free and confidential one-on-one business mentoring, low-cost business training workshops, and access to a variety of business resources in the east central Illinois region. Mentoring services are available for feasibility and market analysis, busi-ness startups, inventors, and existing businesses.

The SCORE office is located on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. For more information or to contact a mentor, call 217-581-3522 or go to www.eiu.edu/~score.

Coles County title, llC

415 7th street

Charleston, il 61920

Phone: 217.345.2730Fax: 217.345.2747

Agents for Chicago Title Insurance Company

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce6

The educational scene in the Charleston area has many stars, including one of the Midwest’s top-ranked universities, a top-

notch community college, an outstanding public school system, and a variety of private educa-tional options.

prEschooLA strong educational foundation begins at the

region’s preschools. Choices include Head Start and programs run by area churches. EIU’s Child Care Resource and Referral service offers referrals of child care providers to parents and families; provides child care resources and technical assis-tance to parents, families and child care provid-ers; and assists families in paying for child care.

Additionally, Charleston Community Unit School District 1 provides both a valuable service and hands-on training through Kermit’s Cove preschool, run by Charleston High’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Instruction

is provided by licensed teachers assisted by interested junior and senior high students three mornings each week at Charleston High School.

K–12

Charleston Community Unit School District 1

Charleston Community Unit School District 1 focuses on preparing students for their journey ahead, whether in a career or higher education. The district’s philosophy states, “Upon leaving the school system, each student should have an employable skill and/or an adequate preparation for further training or education so that he or she may become a responsible, productive citizen.”

Academically, the district outperforms state averages on Illinois achievement tests at every grade level, in every subject. Overall, 85 percent of district students met or exceeded Illinois Learning Standards on all state tests

administered in 2010–11, compared to 76.5 percent of students statewide. The graduat-ing class of 2011 also outscored state averages on all facets of the ACT — English, math, reading and science — with an average composite score of 21.6, compared to the state average of 20.6. AP and Honors courses, dual-credit classes, and a gifted and talented program are available.

Arts classes, a variety of clubs and activities, and Trojan athletics round out opportunities in the district. The Excellence in Education Foundation, primarily supported by funds from Consolidated Communications, administers a grant program to fund special programs and projects, developed by faculty, that cannot be implemented through regular school funding, such as equipment for the CMS News Team, Flip cameras used for student research, and Wii equipment for indoor recess/gross motor devel-opment at the kindergarten level.

Bright HorizonEducation Is the Key

Photo courtesy of Eastern Illinois University – Jay Grabiec

www.charlestonchamber.com 7

Private

Excellent options in faith-based private edu-cation are available, from preschool through grade 12. Consult the box above for a list of private Christian schools in the region.

EastErn iLLinois univErsityFounded in 1895, Eastern Illinois University

(EIU) is the cornerstone of education in central Illinois. Long hailed as one of the best institu-tions of higher learning in the Midwest, EIU was ranked second on U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 list of best Illinois public universities and 12th among public universities in the 12-state Midwest region. Both rankings were improve-ments for Eastern Illinois over the previous year’s edition. EIU is consistently ranked among the top third of Midwest universities by U.S. News & World Report.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16-to-1, EIU is able to offer students a personal connec-tion that isn’t found at most universities. Eastern Illinois University has the highest freshman retention rate and the second-highest gradua-tion rate among all Illinois public universities in its class. The university offers 47 undergradu-ate, 27 graduate and seven post-baccalaureate certificate programs. International study oppor-tunities are available. According to a recent National Science Foundation survey, Eastern prepares more undergraduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees than any other master’s college/university in Illinois and ranks in the top 5 percent nationwide.

EIU Highlights

The EIU campus is home to some 230 student •organizations and 30 fraternities/sororities.The EIU Panthers compete in NCAA Division •I athletics (football is NCAA Football Championship Subdivision).

The Doudna Fine Arts Center presents cultural •activities open to the entire region.EIU’s Renewable Energy Center, completed in •2011, is one of the largest biomass facilities in the country. The project’s cost will be fully covered by energy savings for the university over the next two decades.The new Center for Clean Energy Research •and Education will provide students and faculty hands-on research opportunities in cutting-edge technology.The Graduate School has won a two-•year, $20,000 grant to help fund the new Integrative Graduate Studies Institute, which will enhance student success through a variety of services.Beginning in fall 2012, the Panther Promise •Scholarship will provide up to $2,500 per year for eligible students. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years if students maintain satisfactory academic progress, and qualifying students may also receive addi-tional merit scholarships.

LaKE Land coLLEgEOffering liberal arts, adult education, and

specialized job training and retraining, Lake Land College (LLC) serves the second-largest commu-nity college district in the state, comprising all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in east central Illinois. LLC has a 308-acre main campus in Mattoon as well as extension centers in Marshall, Effingham and Pana.

Technical programs include Agriculture, Allied Health, Business, Humanities and Communications, Technology, Math and Science, and Social Science and Education. LLC has a 90 percent placement rate for career programs. Transfer programs prepare students to transfer to four-year universities for a bachelor’s degree or beyond. Lake Land graduates who transfer to state universities earn higher grades than those

who start at the same university as freshmen. With more than 150 courses, LLC has the fourth-highest enrollment of online students among all colleges in Illinois. Lake Land also offers an International Studies Program.

LLC Highlights

Of 134 public and private colleges in Illinois, •only two have a lower cost of attendance than LLC. The textbook rental program saves stu-dents about $1,000 a year. In 2010–11, the Lake Land College Foundation awarded more than $14 million in financial aid.Lake Land participates in intercollegiate •athletics in the National Junior College Athletic Association.Over 30 clubs and student organizations are •available, including the college newspaper, Student Senate, intramural sports and student-run WLKL-FM. A fitness center is open to stu-dents, employees and retirees, and the Student Activity Board organizes free social and cul-tural events, including touring national acts.Community Learning courses include com-•puter skills, cooking, photography, exercise classes and many more. Summer College for Kids includes subjects like arts and crafts, sci-ence, math, and foreign language and culture.The Center for Business & Industry pro-•vides on-demand training for area employ-ers and employees.Geothermal well fields have dramatically •reduced LLC’s use of coal for heating and cool-ing. Wind turbines generate energy and pro-vide students with a hands-on lab. Through its sustainability projects, in just two years, the college is experiencing annual energy savings of $300,000.

contact information

Preschoolcharleston community day care center217-345-3111

child care resource and referral800-545-7439 • www.eiu.edu/~ccrr/

cornerstone christian academy217-345-4283

erBa head start217-345-6625

immanuel lutheran early childhood center217-345-3042

stepping stones children’s center217-348-1228

K–12charleston community unit school district 1217-345-2106 • www.charleston.k12.il.us

charleston christian academy (grades K–12)217-345-4479

coles county christian school (grades PK–10)217-345-4283, Mattoon

st. john’s lutheran school (grades PK–8)217-234-4923, Mattoon

st. mary school (grades PK–5)217-235-0431, Mattoon

higher educationeastern illinois university217-581-5000 • www.eiu.edu

lake land college217-234-5253 • www.lakelandcollege.edu

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce8

Community CaretakersHealthy Living in the Heartland

Award-winning health care is among the many advantages of living in the Charleston region. Sarah Bush Lincoln

Health Center and Carle Foundation Physicians were both born and grew in east central Illinois, and both bring a hometown touch to state-of-the-art health care services.

sarah bush LincoLn hEaLth cEntEr

Residents of Charleston and Mattoon worked together to merge their two community hospitals and develop a regional hospital, which opened as Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (SBL) in May 1977. Today this 128-bed, nonprofit, acute-care hospital, employing 1,600, serves Coles and the surrounding counties with an active and consult-ing medical staff of approximately 145 providers, representing 28 specialties, and provides home health services to the surrounding 15 counties. SBL is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Services

Regional Cancer Center•Outpatient Surgery Center•Women and Children’s Services•Level II Perinatal Unit•Adult Care Unit•Behavioral Health•Sleep Disorders Center•Radiology and Imaging•Cardiac Catheterization and Rehabilitation•Laboratory•In Home Medical (durable medical company)•Reference Laboratory•Lincolnland Home Health and Hospice•Lifeline•Sarah’s Homemakers•

www.charlestonchamber.com 9

Award-Winning Services

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center received the •2011 Gold Award for Achievement from Illinois Performance Excellence. Based on Malcolm Baldridge Performance Excellence Program criteria, the award recognizes facilities that demonstrate excellence in leading, plan-ning, listening to customers, using data and measures to drive performance, engaging their workforce, improving processes, and delivering good results.In 2011, for the fourth time, SBL was named •among the Most Wired Small and Rural Hospitals. Among leading services, Sarah Bush Lincoln maintains electronic medical records in physicians’ clinics.

Social Accountability

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center provides care and resources to members of the community in need, regardless of their personal circumstances. As part of their mission to provide health care and education to all members of the community, SBL provides a multitude of services, including, but not limited to:

Both free and subsidized care•Care to persons covered by government •programs at below-cost reimbursementCommunity health screens•Support groups•Mobile mammography•Rotary High School Athletic Heart Scan•Heart Smart for teens and women•Oh, Baby! prenatal classes•

For a full list of community outreach and edu-cation programs, visit www.sarahbush.org.

Master Facility Plan

Sarah Bush Lincoln embarked on a $48 million expansion and renovation project in the summer of 2011. The three-year plan calls for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency Room, surgical suites and the laboratory, as well as conversion to private patient rooms, providing greater comfort and privacy in the delivery of care.

To help with expansion costs, SBL launched an $8 million capital campaign, Funding the Future. Of the total, $5.5 million will help fund the Master Facility Plan, while $2.5 million will help fund Healthy Communities programs.

Highlights

Sarah Bush Lincoln introduced a • Hospitalist Program in January 2011. Hospitalists are more available throughout the day to talk with patients and their family members, follow up on test results, answer nurses’ questions, and respond quickly to issues that may arise.A second medical office building, • Prairie Pavilion II, opened in June 2011 on the

southeast lawn of the Health Center campus. The facility allows Orthopedics and Sports Medicine room to expand. Physical and Occupational Therapy services are also housed in the new facility. with three therapy gyms, a therapy pool, locker room and a massage room. Lincolnland Home Care and Hospice, Human Resources, Employee and Organizational Development, and Health Occupations occupy the second floor.To provide excellence in cardiology care, SBL •partnered with Prairie Heart Institute of Illinois (PHII) in a step toward providing cardi-ology care 24/7. PHII will work in conjunction with SBL-employed cardiologists, giving local residents greater access to its extensive network of cardiac care throughout central and southern Illinois.

Location and Contact Information1000 Health Center Dr., Mattoon 217-348-2525 www.sarahbush.org

www.carle.org/convenientcare

www.charlestonchamber.com 11

carLE Foundation physicians

Based in Urbana, Illinois, The Carle Foundation is the not-for-profit parent company of an inte-grated network of health care services, including an outpatient clinic and convenient care facility in Mattoon, one of 11 regional clinic locations. For nearly a century, Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Physician Group have shared a vision for providing high-quality health care.

Carle offers a wide range of services to the Mattoon/Charleston community, including pri-mary care, specialty care and many other support services, such as imaging/X-ray services. Patients have access to exceptional full-time physicians who practice in a variety of areas and numerous visiting physician specialists who have regular office hours at the Mattoon/Charleston location.

In addition to services provided at the clinic, physician-supervised dialysis is available in Mattoon at 200 Richmond Avenue East.

Convenient Care

For everyday illness and injury, Carle in Mattoon provides Convenient Care. Experienced medical staff sees both Carle and non-Carle patients, with-out the need for an appointment. Convenient Care provides treatment for:

Muscle sprains•Sports physicals•Back and neck pain/body aches•Minor cuts/infections•Cold/flu-like symptoms•

Convenient Care offers treatment for unex-pected injury and illness without steep emergency room fees. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Online Medical Records

Carle now provides its patients with a secure and convenient way to review information within their medical records via the Internet. The new MyCarle online system gives patients of Carle Foundation Hospital and Physician Group greater access to their health information by making inpa-tient and outpatient records available in one place.

Patients who sign up will have access to past and future appointments, lab results, insurance coverage and benefits, immunizations, allergies, medication lists, hospital discharge instructions, and outpatient after-visit summaries. Medical, sur-gical, family and social histories will also be acces-sible, and an e-mail will be sent to patients notify-ing them when new information is added to their MyCarle account.

Location and Contact Information200 Lerna Road South, Mattoon 217-298-5900 www.carle.org/Locations/MattoonCharleston.aspx

Specialties Adult medicineAllergyBariatricsCardiologyColon and rectal surgeryDieticianEndocrinologyFamily medicineInfectious diseaseNephrologyNeurology/neuroscienceObstetrics/gynecologyOncology/hematologyOtolaryngologyPediatricsPhysical medicine and rehabilitationPlastic/reconstructive/ cosmetic surgeryPodiatricPsychology/psychiatryPulmonary/critical careUrologyTrauma surgeryWomen’s healthWound healing

othEr mEdicaL sErvicEs

Charleston residents have access to a wide variety of other medical services. There are private practitioners in and around the area who specialize in all disciplines from head to toe. Residents seek-ing dental care have numerous dentists, oral sur-geons and orthodontists to choose from. Excellent vision care is also available from the optometrists and ophthalmologists in the area. For maintaining emotional and mental health, there are many coun-selors, social workers and therapists with estab-lished practices. Charleston also offers alternative health care, including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and bio/neuro feedback.

Charleston has several short-term and long-term care nursing homes. Residents who are 55 years and older also have various options for com-munity living, including independent living, sup-ported living and assisted living facilities.

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce12

Variety is key when it comes to rec-reation and leisure in Charleston. Whether your tastes turn to a day’s

shopping, exciting sports action, enjoying the great outdoors, exploring history or soaking up some culture, you’ll find plenty to entertain you here.

downtown charLEston: shopping, dining & charm

Downtown Charleston is a delightful des-tination for shopping and strolling. Home to distinctive late 19th-century architecture, downtown features shops offering gifts, antiques, books, jewelry and more. There are also spas and salons and dining selections that include coffeehouse charm, bar and grill, cafés, and international choices.

Downtown is also home to a unique out-door art gallery — “Murals Around the Square,” featuring paintings depicting high-lights from Charleston’s rich history. Viewers will enjoy scenes of old-fashioned Charleston storefronts; a montage of artistic celebri-ties and highlights; the Charleston Riot, a Civil War-era gunfight between pro-Union Republicans and “Copperheads” (pro-South-ern Democrats); and scenes depicting Abraham Lincoln’s connection with the region.

LincoLn historyHeart of the Land of Lincoln, Charleston

is rich in Lincoln history. Among sites to visit are the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, the 1840s home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, the president’s father and stepmother, and the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum, which retraces the senatorial debates between Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. For a full listing of Lincoln attractions in central Illinois, visit www.lookingforlincoln.com.

Other historic attractions in the area include the EIU campus, an authentic one-room schoolhouse and the Dudley House Museum, a Queen Anne home furnished in the style of the early 20th century, listed on the National Historic Register and home of the Coles County Historical Society.

thEatrEThe historic Courthouse Square is home

to Charleston Alley Theatre, celebrating its 22nd season in 2012. This intimate regional theatre presents an eclectic mix, including premieres of new avant garde, experimental plays as well as classics by Shakespeare, Noel Coward and even updated Sophocles.

Charleston Culture & Recreation

Play’s the Thing

Photo courtesy of Eastern Illinois University – Jay Grabiec

www.charlestonchamber.com 13

Charleston Community Theatre produces up to three performances per year (usually fall, winter and spring) using volunteer producers, actors and stage crew. Performances are held in the Tarble Arts Center on the EIU campus.

EastErn iLLinois univErsityEIU hosts a variety of performing and visual

arts presentations on campus that are open to the public.

The striking Doudna Fine Arts Center, designed by an award-winning architect, hosts not only EIU’s departments of Art, Music and Theatre Arts, but also public arts venues and presentations, including the New & Emerging Artists Series. Corridor art galleries enhance the experience.

Tarble Arts Center hosts exhibits and special events and is home to a permanent exhibit of Illinois folk and contemporary art.

Charleston bleeds EIU blue as the Panthers take to the field and court in baseball, basket-ball, football, softball, track and more. The EIU Panthers compete in NCAA Division I athlet-ics (football is NCAA Football Championship Subdivision). In the 2012 season the football Panthers welcome new head coach Dino Babers to a storied program with alumni that include stars like Tony Romo, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, and Sean Payton, coach of the New Orleans Saints.

rEcrEation & thE outdoorsPicturesque Fox Ridge State Park features

thickly wooded ridges, lush valleys and miles of rugged, scenic hiking trails. In addition to hik-ing and nature watching, visitors enjoy boating,

fishing, camping, horseback riding, picnicking and hunting.

Fishing and boating is also enjoyed on Lake Charleston, just one mile south of town.

The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail includes two miles of paved and 10 miles of aggregate trails that extend between Charleston and Mattoon. Walking, jogging, biking and horseback riding are permitted.

Golfers tee up at Bent Tree Golf Course, a public 18-hole course. Charleston is also home to a driving range and a private country club.

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Heritage Woods Park Woodlawn Drive •

Kiwanis Park Division St./Jackson Ave. • • • • •

Lafferty Nature Study Area Douglas Drive • •

Lakeview Park McKinley Ave. •

North Park Vine St. • • • • •

Reasor Park Lover’s Lane •

Rotary Community Aquatic Center 17th St. •

Sister City Park S. Route 130 • • • • • • •

VFW Way Park 20th St. • • •

Woods Park N. 11th St. •

Woodyard Conservation Area S. Route 130 • •

city oF charLEston parKs & rEcrEation FaciLitiEs

for morE informationcharleston tourismwww.charlestontourism.org

Bent tree golf coursewww.benttreegolfcourse.com

charleston alley theatrewww.charlestonalleytheatre.com

charleston community theatrewww.charlestoncommunitytheatre.org

eiu athleticswww.eiupanthers.com

eiu doudna fine arts centerwww.eiu.edu/doudna/

eiu tarble arts centerwww.eiu.edu/~tarble/

fox ridge state Parkwww.dnr.state.il.us

lincoln attractionswww.lookingforlincoln.com

lincoln douglas debate museumwww.charlestontourism.org

lincoln log cabinwww.lincolnlogcabin.org

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce14

Welcome to the Neighborhood

From historic homes, to investment opportu-nities in town, to rural farms boasting large acreage, Coles County has much to offer.

While the family favorite three-bed, two-bath, two-car-garage ranch is always among top sellers, as are properties in the country, Charleston features a wide variety of all styles to suit any taste, from two-story Victorians to tri-levels and many more.

With its university feel, outstanding schools, and small-town roots and size, Charleston is perfect for families. Updated family homes in town are available in the low $100,000s. A cost of living well below the national average makes the region even more affordable.

There are also luxury homes priced up to a half million, lakefront homes and country club/golf course living. Even with all these options, the average list price is extremely affordable — just over $124,115 in January 2012. In 2011, the average sale price was $115,089 for a three-bedroom, two-bath home.

Abundant rental opportunities are available as well, both houses and apartments.

Special thanks to Mike Staton of Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate for his assistance with this article.

Your Home Is Here

www.charlestonchamber.com 15

Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce16

FAST FACTS AND USEFUL NUMBERSpopulation statistics (2010) Charleston ...................................................................21,838 Coles County ................................................................53,873 age makeup Under 15 years ................................................................2,324 15-24 ............................................................................. 10,242 25-44 .............................................................................. 3,865 45-64 ................................................................................3,328 65+ ..................................................................................2,079 Economic statistics Labor Force (Coles County) ........................................26,347 Unemployed (Coles County) ....................................... 2,200 Unemployment Rate (Coles County) ............................8.4% Total Housing Units ........................................................ 8,794 Occupied Housing Units ............................................... 7,972 Median Household Income, Owner Occupied ....... $55,022 Median Household Income, Renter Occupied ....... $15,941 Median Housing Value .............................................. $93,500 climate Average Summer Temperature ...................................... 77º F Average Winter Temperature ......................................... 31º F Average Annual Rainfall .........................................39 inches Average Annual Snowfall ........................................17 inches Prevailing Winds ..................................................... Southwest City of Charleston Municipal Building 520 Jackson Avenue Phone: (217) 345-2484 (CITI) Web Site: www.charlestonillinois.org utilities & services Area Code is 217 unless otherwise listed AmerenCIPS .......................................................888-789-2477 Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative ........................235-0341 Consolidated Communications .......................800-553-9981 Mediacom ................................................................345-7071 Municipal Water .......................................................345-2484 For All Emergencies Call 911

useful numbers Chamber of Commerce .....................345-7041 Charleston Police (non-emergency) .... 348-5221

Charleston Public Library .........................................345-4913 Charleston Recreation Department........................345-6897 Charleston Tourism Office ........................................348-0430 Charleston Township Office .....................................345-4013 City Manager ...........................................................345-5650 City Planner/Zoning Officer .....................................345-8452 Coles County Airport Authority ................................234-7120 Community Unit School District No. 1 ......................345-2106 Driver’s License Facility .............................................345-7401 Emergency Services & Disaster Agency .................348-0581 Fire Chief (non-emergency) ...................................345-2134Public Health Department .......................................348-0530 Rotary Aquatic Center .............................................345-3233 Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency) .............................348-7332 State Police ...............................................................265-0110 U.S. Post Office ...........................................................348-2900

county officials Circuit Clerk ..............................................................348-0516 Coles County Housing Authority .............................235-4175 County Board Office.................................................348-0595 County Clerk and Recorder ....................................348-0501 Probation Office ........................................................348-0535 Public Defender ........................................................345-6122 Regional Office of Education ..................................348-0151 Regional Planning & Development Commission ...348-0521 State’s Attorney .........................................................348-0561 Superintendent of Highways ...................................348-0527 Supervisor of Assessments .......................................348-0508 Traffic Court ...............................................................348-7306 Treasurer’s Office .......................................................348-0511 Voter Registration .....................................................348-0523

Index of AdvertisersThank You for Making This Project Possible

Advertiser .......................................................PAge NuMBer

Addus HealthCare .......................................................................11

Alpha-Care Health Professionals ................................................15

American Central Insurance ........................................................5

Brookstone Estates Charleston ...................................................11

Carle Foundation Physicians ......................................................10

The Carlyle Apartments ..............................................................15

Charleston Community Unit School District #1 ..........................1

City of Charleston ..........................................................................3

Coldwell Banker Classic Real Estate ..........................................15

Coles County Title, LLC ...................................................................5

Comfort Inn & Suites - Mattoon ...................Outside Back Cover

Cooper-Bumpus Insurance Agency ............................................6

Corrie Appraisal & Consulting, Inc. ............................................13

Eastern Illinois Auto Supply ............................................................9

Eastern Illinois University ....................................Inside Front Cover

Elisa Roberts Interior Design ........................................................13

ESI Consultants, LTD ......................................................................13

The Exchange Club of Charleston, IL ........................................15

First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust .........................................................17

First Neighbor Bank, N.A. .............................................................15

James M. Grant Attorney at Law .................................................5

John Killough, DPM, CWS ............................................................11

Lake Land College - Center for Business & Industry ..................6

Lifetime Eye Care............................................................................9

Midas .............................................................................................13

Pro Mow Lawn Care, Inc. ...............................................................2

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System .............................................10

Treasure Island Furniture ..............................................................13

Twice Is Nice .................................................................................13

Veolia Environmental Services ....................................................17

M. Katherine Weber D.M.D. ............................................................9

www.comfortsuites.com