SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is stressing the importance of emergency  preparedness throughout May as part of its 2013 preparedness campaign.

“Businesses that emphasize emergency preparedness both in the workplace and for their employees at home help protect their most important assets, their employees,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken.  “Throughout May, we’re encouraging businesses to take a look at their workplace emergency plans, conduct safety drills and encourage their employees to put together a home emergency supply kit and family communications plan.”

Monken said his agency plans to provide preparedness information and tips to staff throughout May. 

IEMA says to develop a plan that addresses each threat, taking into consideration different shifts.

 Other parts of an emergency plan include:

With the holidays coming up fast, Black Friday will be here before we know it.

Every year we hear about the craziness at big name stores like Walmart, Target, etc. As a change of pace, we want to hear from local, small businesses and others in the community!

Will you be having any Black Friday sales or deals? If so, what are they? What are some tips you can give to people in your community wanting to shop more "local?"

If you're a local restaurant, will you have different hours and specials to cater to the Black Friday shoppers?

Is anyone in the community: churches, community centers, etc. offering babysitting for those that will be out in the early a.m. for shopping?

You can e-mail Amber Ruch, County News Web Producer at aruch@kfvs12.com. The information you provide will be featured online and on-air. Make sure to include a picture or two of your business!

BENTON, IL (KFVS) - A ribbon cutting for the new Auto Credit of Southern Illinois location at 1629 N. Main in Benton held a bit of nostalgia for Steve Taylor, owner of Taylor Motor Company and Auto Credit of Southern Illinois.

“My dad grew up there” Taylor said, pointing to the house north of Auto Credit. “And on the other side of us, from the 1960’s to 2001, my family operated Taylor Motor Company in what is now Weeks of Benton. So, moving to this new location is kind of like coming home.”

The new location, north of Benton’s square, brings the maintenance shop and sales lot together on the same property. Auto Credit’s former location at 61 N. Central Street is being remodeled to make room for a new People’s Bank, which is slated to open in early 2013. For the grand opening, Taylor was joined by his Benton Auto Credit family of workers as well as members from the Benton Chamber of Commerce.