SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Throughout early 2025, tariffs were introduced on most items from most countries. University of Illinois Agricultural Economics Professor William Ridley said this is unprecedented.

"Not in any of our lifetimes, it's been like 100 years going since we've done anything like this," Ridley said. "Everything that we import has been hit by tariffs, whether it's from China, Canada, or pick a country."

While most local businesses are not engaging in large-scale international trade, they do still have to buy supplies, which often come from other countries. Products that cannot be produced in the US, like coffee, bananas, or chocolate, were especially hit hard.

Bree Mendenhall owns Brezie's Roasted Beans just outside of Springfield. She has tried her best to adjust to r

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