Chamber Business of the Month: Southwestern Illinois Bus Co.

The Chester Chamber of Commerce has named the Southwestern Illinois Bus Company (SWIBCO) the Business of the Month for April.

The business, based locally at 2421 Old Plank Road in Chester, is owned by Rick Juelfs, Dale Streif and Dennis Streif. Juelfs and his wife, Sarah, operate the business. They also have an office in Evansville, Indiana.

The bus company in Chester was originally owned by Harold Coleman and later by Jerry Eggemeyer, who operated as Eggemeyer Bus Service.

SWIBCO purchased the company and opened its doors in 2004. The business operates 18 charter motor coaches for tours, school trips and sports teams. They also operate 27 school buses for Chester and Steeleville school districts. They employ an average of 70 employees.

According to Juelfs, their charter business carries passengers throughout the United States and Canada. "We're always hiring," he said. "And we offer paid training for new employees to get their CDL."

Juelfs added, "We're grateful to the Chamber for highlighting our business this month."