ROCKFORD — Asplundh Tree Service has laid off more than 450 workers in northern Illinois, including 91 in Winnebago County, after it was outbid on a contract to cut trees for Commonwealth Edison.

PEORIA — In 1966, when Xerox introduced the Magnafax that took just six minutes to send a copy, a new day dawned for U.S. business. In the 21st century, competition for the office fax machine is now provided by Internet services with names like MetroFax, TrustFax, eFax and MyFax.

WASHINGTON — In public, Toyota is running apologetic TV ads and vowing to win back customers’ trust. Behind the scenes, the besieged carmaker is trying to learn all it can about congressional investigations, maybe even steer them if it can.

INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC INSIDE: Toyota timeline

ROCKFORD — Illinoisans who are receiving unemployment checks are facing another ticking clock from the federal government.

ROCKFORD — AMC Entertainment Inc. is spending up to $275 million to acquire Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, according to a quarterly Securities and Exchange Commission report filed today.

WASHINGTON — Toyota has friends in high places in Washington, including some of the very people now investigating the Japanese automaker.

INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC INSIDE: Toyota timeline

ROCKFORD — The number of chancery cases, most of which are foreclosures, filed in 2009 topped 3,000 in the Rock River Valley for the first time.

ROCKFORD — Federal stimulus money is available for people looking to stay warm or keep cool.

Midwest Mailworks achieved Full Service Intelligent Mail Barcode status from the U.S. Postal Service.

Kimberly-Clark selected Green Manufacturer magazine to be part of its communications plan for reaching industrial customers by advertising in the debut issue for January/February 2010.

Texas Roadhouse, 7240 Walton St., Rockford, is providing a coupon for $5 off their next food purchase to anyone who registers to donate blood with the Rock River Valley Blood Center through Feb. 27.

Balanced IT Solutions partnered with Sabre Airline Solutions of Texas to provide aviation clients with cutting-edge services and software that will streamline operations to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau was named to SportsEvents Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, which recognizes outstanding sports destinations, venues and professionals.

In an article in the Jan. 6 issue of The Wall Street Journal, Brent Brodeski of Savant Capital Management Inc. discussed strategies to protect clients’ portfolios during the economic downturn and navigate the market in 2010.

The Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center (clocktowerresort.com) is the new official hotel of the Rockford RiverHawks (rockfordriverhawks.com).