•February 12, 2025•

Moultrie County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

•February 12, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced a monthlong focus on heart health during American Heart Month in February. The annual observance serves as a reminder to the public about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the resources that are available to help people maintain heart health. Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton joined IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in urging the public to be aware of, and to take care of, their heart health.

Lake Land College will be hosting their spring Laker visit day on February 17th from 9am to 12pm to tour campus, meet faculty and learn what it’s like to be a laker.  

For more information and to register for the tour visit lakelandcollege.edu/visit.

The Illinois Soybean Board (ISB) is looking for farmers interested in filling two of Illinois’ director positions with the United Soybean Board (USB). Any soybean producer who is engaged in the growing of soybeans in the United States who owns, or who shares the ownership and risk of loss of, is eligible. To be considered for the national leadership position, farmers must complete the required application and “Agreement to Serve” statement and return them to the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) office by Friday, March 7, 2025. Contact Dustin Scott, ISA Director of Operations, at 309-846-3673 or dustin.scott@ilsoy.org to receive a copy of the application and agreement to serve.

The Lord of the Hollow Sycamore Tree

by Janet Roney

…Now, I’m not saying someone couldn’t live inside a hollow sycamore tree. I’m not doubting the old Bond County history that tells all about “Old Kenson” or “Old Henson”, the hermit who spent most of the War of 1812 holed up in one while the rest of the settlers cowered behind the walls of Hill’s Fort or high-tailed it back to Kentucky. Old Kenson/Henson was clever. Each time he left the tree to hunt for food, or whatever, he returned by a different route so the Indians couldn’t track him.