🏋️♀️ Business Spotlight: Illini Fitness Center 🏋️♂️
📍 321 W. Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL
This month we’re highlighting Illini Fitness Center, a long-standing fitness facility dedicated to helping the people of Pike County live healthier, stronger lives. Open since 1994, Illini Fitness has been serving the community for over 30 years with a mission focused on improving the health and wellness of our area.
Owned and operated by Blessing Health System, the same organization behind Illini Community Hospital, Illini Fitness provides a welcoming environment for individuals at every stage of their fitness journey.
💪 What They Offer
Illini Fitness features a wide variety of fitness equipment and wellness opportunities, including:
• Elliptical trainers
• Lateral X trainer
• Treadmills
• Stepmill
• NuStep machines
• Recumbent and Keiser bikes
• Water rower
• Strength training equipment for upper and lower body
• Fully equipped weight room
Whether you’re just getting started or are experienced in fitness training, the team at Illini Fitness is there to help guide and encourage you along the way.
⏰ 24/7 Member Access
Members enjoy 24/7 facility access by key fob, making it easy to fit workouts into busy schedules.
👟 Silver Sneakers Registered Facility
Illini Fitness is also a Silver Sneakers registered facility, offering specialized fitness programming for qualifying seniors at no cost through select Medicare plans.
😊 What Makes Them Special
Illini Fitness combines high-quality equipment with a friendly and knowledgeable staff who are committed to helping members feel comfortable, motivated, and supported. Their goal is to help the community stay healthy and active before healthcare is ever needed.
🕐 Staffed Hours
• Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Thursday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• 24/7-member access available by key fob
📞 Contact Information
Phone: 217-285-5635
Call to schedule an appointment for membership sign-up.
✨Illini Fitness plays an important role in promoting wellness throughout Pittsfield and Pike County by giving residents access to fitness resources, education, and encouragement in a supportive environment.
🤝 How You Can Support Them
• Start or continue your fitness journey locally
• Encourage friends and family to prioritize their health
• Take advantage of Silver Sneakers benefits if eligible
• Support businesses and organizations focused on community wellness
📣 Illini Fitness Center — helping our community move better, feel stronger, and live healthier together!
NO PARKING OR DRIVING
The streets on the Square will be closed during construction on the following dates:
Tuesday, October 6 — Tack Coat
Thursday, October 8 — Asphalt Paving
Friday, October 9 — Asphalt Paving
Construction begins at 5:00 A.M.
AFFECTED STREETS:
• N. Monroe — Washington St. to E. Adams St.
• E. Adams — N. Monroe St. to N. Madison St.
• W. Adams — N. Madison St. to Memorial St.
• N. Madison — Jefferson St. to Washington St.
🚗 Please remove all vehicles from the Square before 5:00 A.M. on each construction day.
There will be no parking or driving on the affected streets while construction is underway.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to make improvements to Downtown Pittsfield!
The Passports to Downtown program officially begins TODAY, and we’re excited to get everyone shopping, dining, and exploring some of our amazing downtown businesses! 🛍️❤️
📍 Where to Pick Up Your Passport:
213 N. Monroe St. — the old S&S Dance Studio, next door to City Hall
🕣 Pick-Up Hours:
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
There will be a sign out front to let you know where to enter. If the door is locked, no worries! You can head over to City Hall at 215 N. Monroe St. and pick up your passport there.
📅 The program runs through the end of December!
Once you have your passport, visit participating downtown businesses, shop, dine, and collect your stamps. At the end of each month, we’ll draw winners who will receive gift certificates to participating businesses on the Square! 🎁
We hope you’ll join us, support our local businesses, and have a little fun along the way!
❤️ Happy October, and we hope to see you downtown soon!
#PassportsToDowntown #ShopLocal #SupportLocal #DowntownPittsfield #PittsfieldIL
Construction crews will be working around the downtown square beginning Friday, October 2, and there will be NO PARKING and NO DRIVING on the affected streets while work is underway.
📅 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 — MILLING
🕔 Work begins at 5:00 a.m.
Crews will be milling the existing pavement in preparation for new asphalt.
📅 MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 — TACK COAT
🕔 Work begins at 5:00 a.m.
Crews will be applying the tack coat to the prepared roadway.
📅 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 & WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 — ASPHALT
🕔 Work begins at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday.
Crews will be laying the new asphalt.
🚫 PLEASE NOTE: NO PARKING & NO DRIVING
Vehicles must be removed from the affected streets before work begins on Friday morning and Monday morning. Do not park in the construction area or attempt to drive through while crews are working.
Affected streets:
• N. Monroe Street — Washington Street to E. Adams Street
• E. Adams Street — N. Monroe Street to N. Madison Street
• W. Adams Street — N. Madison Street to Memorial Street
• N. Madison Street — Jefferson Street to Washington Street
The construction crew will reopen streets as areas are completed and cleaned up when possible.
Please plan ahead and allow extra time for travel. We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as work continues on the downtown Square. 🚧
📍 1301 E. Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL
This week we're highlighting MECO Engineering, a professional engineering firm that has been helping communities grow, improve, and build for the future. Located right here in Pittsfield, MECO brings together local knowledge, decades of experience, and a commitment to providing practical solutions for the infrastructure needs that impact our everyday lives.
With a team of 9 dedicated employees in their Pittsfield office, MECO is proud to serve municipalities, public agencies, businesses, industries, and private clients throughout Illinois, Missouri, and surrounding states.
From improving water systems and roadways to helping communities navigate complex projects and funding opportunities, MECO plays an important role behind the scenes in creating stronger, safer, and more connected communities.
🏗️ What They Offer
MECO Engineering provides a wide range of professional engineering, surveying, and consulting services, including:
• Civil Engineering
• Water & Wastewater Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Stormwater & Drainage Design
• Land Surveying
• Construction Observation & Administration
• Funding Assistance & Grant Support
• Preliminary Engineering Reports (PERs)
• GIS & Mapping Services
Whether it’s designing a new infrastructure project, improving existing systems, assisting with grant funding, or providing surveying services, MECO works with clients to develop cost-effective solutions that meet their needs.
✨ What Makes Them Special
MECO Engineering is more than just an engineering firm — they are a partner in community growth and development. Their team understands the importance of creating solutions that are not only technically sound but also practical and beneficial for the communities they serve.
Their Pittsfield office brings a valuable combination of local understanding and professional expertise, allowing them to help clients navigate projects from the early planning stages all the way through completion.
MECO’s commitment to quality service, strong relationships, and community improvement has made them a valued part of the Pittsfield business community.
🕐 Office Locations
📍 Pittsfield Office
1301 E. Washington Street
Pittsfield, IL 62363
MECO also has offices in:
• Hannibal, MO
• Jefferson City, MO
• Fenton, MO
• Boonville, MO
• Kirksville, MO
📞 Contact Information
📞 Phone: (217) 285-2550
🌐 Website: www.mecoengineering.com
📧 Email: bgarnett@mecoengineering.com
❤️ How They Support Our Community
MECO Engineering supports our community by helping plan, design, and improve the infrastructure that keeps Pittsfield moving forward. Their expertise assists with projects that impact residents, businesses, and future growth.
From water and wastewater improvements to transportation projects and grant assistance, MECO helps communities turn ideas into reality.
🤝 How You Can Support Them
• Contact MECO Engineering for your next engineering, surveying, or consulting project.
• Partner with them for infrastructure planning and development needs.
• Recommend their services to businesses, organizations, and communities needing professional expertise.
• Support local businesses that invest their knowledge and resources into helping our community grow.
📣 MECO Engineering — building stronger communities through innovative solutions, trusted expertise, and a commitment to the future!
Happy Birthday to Police Officer Clint Weir! Thank you for your commitment to protecting our community.
As a reminder, the Pickleball Courts are designated for pickleball use only.
For the safety and protection of the court surface, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and other wheeled equipment are not permitted inside the gated court area.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping us keep the courts safe, clean, and in good condition for the community to enjoy.
Thank you for your cooperation!
This October, November & December, we’re inviting you to EXPLORE DOWNTOWN • SHOP LOCAL • WIN LOCAL! 🛍️❤️
The City of Pittsfield is excited to kick off our Passport to Downtown program! For three months, you can visit participating downtown businesses, shop local, collect stamps and earn chances to win in our monthly drawings.
🏪 MEET OUR 19 PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES!
Be sure to stop by and support:
• Courtyard Cafe
• Serenity Day Spa
• IEC
• Geared Up
• The Witty Farmer Store
• Gianni's Pizza
• Watson 1838
• The Fix
• Pikeland Motors
• Flowers N More
• J. Roberts Jewelers
• Old Monroe Hair Salon
• K-9 Cleaners
• Unleash the Dazzle
• The Dome Coffee Shoppe and Eatery
• Kenna's Closet
• Nucci's Italian Steakhouse
• William Watson Hotel
• Grace & Grit Nutrition
🛍️ HOW DOES THE PASSPORT WORK?
It's simple!
➡️ Visit a participating business and make a $10 or more purchase to receive a stamp in your passport.
➡️ You can receive one stamp per business per passport.
➡️ You must visit at least 10 different participating businesses and spend at least $100 total on each passport you submit to qualify for the drawing.
🎟️ THE MORE YOU SHOP, THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN!
10 stamps = 1 entry
15 stamps = 2 entries
19 stamps = 3 entries
You don't have to stop at 10! Visit all 19 participating businesses and earn the maximum number of entries for that passport.
📅 MONTHLY DEADLINES
The Passport to Downtown program runs for three months, giving you a chance to participate in the drawing each month!
🗓️ October 30 at 4:00 PM
🗓️ November 30 at 4:00 PM
🗓️ December 30 at 4:00 PM
Completed passports can be turned in at Pittsfield City Hall during normal business hours or placed in the City Hall payment drop box after hours.
Want another chance to win? Once you turn in a completed passport, you can pick up a new passport and start exploring again! Each passport must independently meet the program requirements to qualify for additional entries.
📋 A FEW IMPORTANT RULES
• A $10 minimum purchase is required at each participating business to receive a stamp.
• You must visit different participating businesses—each business can provide only one stamp per passport.
• Purchases must total at least $100 for each passport submitted.
• Stamps must be received at the time of purchase and cannot be added later.
• Only purchases made during the passport promotion period qualify.
• Participating businesses may have additional restrictions regarding qualifying purchases, so please ask the business for details.
• Your completed passport must include your name and contact information.
• Incomplete passports or passports that do not meet the program requirements will not be eligible for the drawing.
📍 WHERE CAN I GET A PASSPORT?
Passports will be available for pickup at Pittsfield City Hall!
📣 Stay tuned for an announcement on when passports will be available for pickup.
❤️ LET'S SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT MAKE PITTSFIELD SPECIAL!
Grab your passport, explore downtown, discover something new, shop local and WIN LOCAL!
We can't wait to see you out exploring everything our downtown has to offer! 🎉
Concrete will be poured at the corner of Madison Street and Adams Street tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23rd.
The intersection will be shut down from time to time between approximately 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM while the work is being completed.
Please use caution and avoid the area if possible during this time. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while this work is underway.
We’re just 12 days away from an exciting weekend of circus fun in Pittsfield! 🤩🎪
The circus will be here Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday, October 4th, with shows at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM each day!
✨ And the best part? IT’S FREE! ✨
🎟️ Tickets are required, and seating is limited, so make sure you go online and reserve your FREE tickets before they’re gone!
📅 Saturday, October 3rd — 3 PM & 6 PM
📅 Sunday, October 4th — 3 PM & 6 PM
Gather the family and get ready for a weekend of circus fun, excitement, and entertainment! 🎪🤡✨
Don’t wait — reserve your free tickets and make plans to join us! ❤️
https://purchase-tickets-forthe-kingdom-of-wonders.square.site/shop/103-104-pittsfield-il/SIBMJUQW7NMOIRPJOEEIK264?page=1&limit=30&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc
Our City crew has been hard at work pouring the new sidewalk on the 400 block of West Jefferson Street! 🦺👷♂️
We appreciate all the time, effort, and dedication they put into making improvements throughout our community. Projects like this take hard work, and we are grateful for the crew that keeps showing up and getting the job done!
Thank you, City Crew, for all that you do for Pittsfield! ❤️
Be sure to give them a shout-out when you see them out working! 👏
🌾 Business Spotlight: The Witty Farmer 🐄
📍 110 W. Adams Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363
🌱 Farm-to-table store · Right on the square
Feature week of September 21, 2026
This week we’re highlighting The Witty Farmer, a new farm-to-table store opening on the square in downtown Pittsfield. Owned by Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall and her husband Mark Schmidgall, the business brings Sauer Farms’ multi-generation cattle and crop operation, plus a network of neighboring small producers, into an easy self-serve store so Pike County families can eat the food grown around them.
👩🌾 MEET THE OWNERS
Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall is a lifelong farmer from Winchester who has been farming full-time for a decade. After the 2023 loss of her father, Hunter Sauer, she stepped fully into operator and manager of Sauer Farms.
Jenny is also the face of The Witty Farmer brand: a farmer and small-business owner who started by selling “witty wearables” to other farmers and grew it into a regional local-food company. Her line is simple and true to the farm.
🐄 THE FARM BEHIND THE STORE
Sauer Farms has raised Black Angus cattle for 65 years. The herd is pasture-raised, grass- and grain-finished, and raised without vaccines, hormones, or steroids. The family has also partnered with Jenny’s good friend, Paul “Peanut” Coleman, to offer Wangus beef, a Wagyu × Black Angus cross finished on Sauer Farms. All beef is processed locally at Jones’s Meat & Locker in Jacksonville, a relationship that goes back decades.
Jenny and Mark also grow corn, soybeans, pumpkins, cut flowers, berries, and sweet corn. The cattle are famously spoiled with bakery leftovers, and, as Jenny puts it, the occasional song and dance.
🛒 WHAT THEY OFFER
The Pittsfield store uses the same self-serve, self-checkout model that made Grab ’N’ Grow Greenhouse a success in Riggston in 2022. It is designed as a Pike County producer hub: a place to pick up real food from real farms, without the big-box middleman.
Shoppers can expect:
· Black Angus beef from Sauer Farms, pasture-raised and locally processed
· Wangus beef (Wagyu crossed with Black Angus)
· Pork from Spencer’s Pork, 3rd- and 4th-generation farmers who raise pigs outdoors on dirt, and other pork producers
· Pasture-raised chicken from Hamilton Homestead & other local producers
· Butter, cheese, and milk (milk from Rolling Lawns)
· Local honey
· Homemade breads from Loree Herring of For Goodness Baked (Winchester), no preservatives — “warm them up, they will melt in your mouth” & The Dome coffee shop
· Handmade caramels, turtles, and treats from The Caramel King (Mark Schmidgall)
· Healthy juices from Pressed Juicery
· Produce, plants, jams, and goods from additional local growers
❤️ WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL
The Witty Farmer exists because rural communities grow the food and too often cannot buy it locally. Jenny’s goal is straightforward: put nutrient-dense, naturally raised food back on Pike County tables, and give small farmers a storefront so they can keep farming.
That model already changed lives. Pork producer James Spencer was close to quitting before the stores opened. Selling through The Witty Farmer made it worth his time again, and he now raises more hogs than ever. The stores also hire locally, including young people from 4-H, and reinvest in community groups such as the American Legion, Winchester FFA, and the Winchester shop class. Each store donates a portion of their cash sales to a local group.
In 2026, The Witty Farmer received Illinois Department of Agriculture Local Food Infrastructure Grant support for its Riggston, Pittsfield, and Carrollton operations. Those dollars helped purchase appliances for the Pittsfield store as we work toward a hoped-for late September or early October opening.
🕐 HOURS OF OPERATION
We are hopeful for a late September or early October opening, as finishing work inside the store allows. That is our aim, not a promised date.
📞 CONTACT & LOCATION
· Address: 110 W. Adams Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363 (on the square)
· Website: www.thewittyfarmer.com
· Email: thewittyfarmer@gmail.com
· Facebook (farm): facebook.com/thewittyfarmer
· Facebook (Pittsfield): facebook.com/people/The-Witty-Farmer-Store-Pittsfield/61590920394254/
🤝 HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THEM
· Stop in on the square when they open and shop local first
· Follow along on Facebook for opening-day hours, progress photos, and weekly products
· Tell Pike County farmers and makers, especially produce and jam producers with a commercial kitchen, that the store is looking for more local goods
· Share this spotlight and invite a neighbor to come with you
· Choose food raised by families who live here
🌾 The Witty Farmer — eat local. eat fresh. right on the square.
A locally owned, women-led farm business bringing Sauer Farms and Pike County producers to downtown Pittsfield.
Wishing City Clerk Ann Moffit a very happy birthday! Thank you for your dedication and service.
Tomorrow, Friday, September 18th, the construction crew will be pouring concrete at the intersection of Adams Street and Madison Street.
🕣 Work will begin around 8:30 AM
🕥 Work is expected to be completed around 10:30 AM
The intersection will be closed while the concrete is being poured. Please plan ahead and avoid this area during this time.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as construction continues throughout our downtown area. Thank you for helping keep the work zone safe for everyone! 🚧
Are you a business in Pittsfield, IL? Do you not see your business represented in our current business brochure, or is your information no longer up to date?
I am currently working on updating the City of Pittsfield’s business brochure and would love to make sure all of our local businesses are represented with accurate, up-to-date information.
If you own or operate a business in Pittsfield and would like to be included or need to update your information, please email bemerick@pittsfieldil.org with your business information.
We want to make sure our brochure reflects the great businesses that make up our community! 🏪🤝
Please share this post with a Pittsfield business owner who may need to update their information!
The City of Pittsfield would like to wish Mayor Gary Mendenhall a very happy birthday! Thank you for your leadership and dedication to our community.
📍 1269 W. Washington St, Pittsfield, IL
This week we’re highlighting Eagle One Investments Inc., a trusted local business owned by Chris Little, proudly serving the community for over 25 years. Chris and his Pittsfield Office Manager, Tina Hall, are celebrating their 26th year working together, building long-standing relationships with clients based on trust, service, and results.
In addition to the Pittsfield office, Eagle One also operates a location in Beardstown inside Petefish, Skiles & Co. Bank, which has been serving clients since the 1990s. That office is managed by Tammy Rockwell, who brings over 25 years of experience to the team.
💼 What They Offer
Eagle One Investments provides a wide range of financial services, including:
• IRA accounts
• 401K planning
• Portfolio management
• Estate planning
• And more
They offer both commission-based and fee-based portfolios, allowing them to tailor services to meet each client’s individual goals and needs.
📘 Client-Focused Approach
Eagle One specializes in educating clients on investment options using clear, easy-to-understand concepts. Their goal is to help clients feel confident and informed when making financial decisions.
They also offer:
• Free portfolio reviews
• Free consultations
🤝 Community Involvement
Chris and his team are deeply involved in the community. Chris currently serves as a Pittsfield City Council member, is a past president and current board member of the Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois, and has served 17 years as a Firefighter/EMT with the Barry Fire Department, including 9 years as chief.
🕐 Hours of Operation
• Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📞 Contact Information
Pittsfield Office: 217-285-1800
Beardstown Office: 217-323-4146
Call to schedule an appointment and take advantage of their free consultation services.
✨Through financial guidance, education, and strong community involvement, Eagle One Investments helps individuals and families plan for the future while giving back to the communities they serve.
🤝 How You Can Support Them
• Schedule a free consultation or portfolio review
• Reach out for help with retirement or investment planning
• Recommend their services to friends and family
• Support local businesses that invest in our community
📣 Eagle One Investments — helping you plan today for a stronger tomorrow!
