Editor’s note

In this Fourth of July issue we note Independence Day with the story of Springfi eld businessman Sam Al-Khayyat, who arrived in Illinois as an immigrant from Jordan 24 years ago in time to see his fi rst fi reworks display. In Springfi eld he worked his way up, became a U.S. citizen and, a decade ago, opened his own restaurant, Mariah’s Steakhouse. See “Living the American Dream in Springfi eld,” by Zach Baliva, p. 16.

We also mark “Independents Week” with a special four-page advertising section (pages 20-23) of local independent businesses and a directory of the 216 members of Local First Springfi eld. If you’re one of those Springfi elders who wants to “spend 50 cents of every dollar with independent local businesses” but isn’t sure where, this is a good place to start. Study the directory and celebrate Independents Week. Buy local fi rst. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and publisher