Closeup

Whether it’s a relaxing port-side establishment or a patio in the middle of a historic downtown, options for dining outdoors are plentiful in McHenry County.

As of June 2, Illinois received $8.1 billion in federal stimulus funds, $57,382,290 of that for McHenry County. It includes awards to school districts, energy efficiency tax credits, and other expenditures unrelated to transportation.

Chicago-based Mintel Comperemedia, which provides direct marketing analysis, predicts five major changes for banks this year.

Kriss Knowles, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Elgin Community College, said what many small-business owners are thinking: Getting financing in this economic climate – assuming you even want it – is next to impossible.

Financial help for small businesses could be on the way, and these initiatives have nothing to do with fishing captains affected by oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Beaver Creek Golf Course, 19619 LeRoy Center Road, Capron. 815-569-2427; www.golfthebeaver.com. 9 holes, par 35.

A warm spring has helped the 2010 golf season get off to a strong start. Local course operators are cautiously optimistic about the months ahead.

The key to preparing your 2009 taxes is preparation. According to the Internal Revenue Service, changes applicable to business owners include:

Business people make dozens of decisions daily, but this time of year, some can be especially … taxing.