•February 1, 2023•
Illinoisans will be turning up their thermostats to stay warm for the rest of the winter season, which brings an increased risk for home fires and carbon monoxide incidents. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors are functioning properly.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Local fire departments across the country responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment per year in 2014-2018, accounting for 14% of all reported home fires during this time. These fires resulted in annual losses of 500 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. Most home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters. The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (25%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. Half of the home heating fire deaths were caused by having heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing mattresses or bedding. Read More
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State Finds Budget Breathing Room
Billions in budget surpluses have led to repayment of old, new debt
•February 1, 2023•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com
Sustained higher-than-predicted state tax revenues have in recent months given lawmakers a level of budgeting flexibility that is, at least in modern times, without precedent in a state with a reputation for perilous finances.
For the current fiscal year and the one before it, that’s led to another uncommon Capitol occurrence: budget surpluses in the billions of dollars.
Over those two budget years, lawmakers have increased pension contributions by $500 million beyond required levels, paid off hundreds of millions of dollars in interest-accruing debt and saved nearly $2 billion in a budget stabilization fund – all while increasing education and human services funding and even providing tax relief for most Illinoisans last year. Read More
Irrevocable Scholarship Program
•February 1, 2023•
Applications are now available for the 2023 Irrevocable Scholarship program. This program offers one $1,500 (four year, annually renewable) scholarship. Read More
February Quarter Auction
•February 1, 2023•
Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold their February Quarter Auction on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Courtyard Estates Activity Department is the charity of the month (find them on Facebook at “Courtyard Estates of Sullivan”). These funds will be used for various activities for their residents. Bring an item for a bingo prize for a free $1 bidding number (one number per person). Read More
Applications Available for Scholarship
•February 1, 2023•
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Daily Farm Scholarship. The application is available online at www.southeasternillinois.org/students. Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2023, for consideration. Read More
Obituaries 2-1-2023: Andrew Van Winkle
Andrew Van Winkle
Andrew David Van Winkle, 42, of Edwardsville, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023. Read More
Obituaries 2-1-2023: Donald Sanders
Donald Sanders
Donald G. Sanders, 90, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:08 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Read More
Obituaries 2-1-2023: Janet Scheurich
Janet Scheurich
Janet Puyear Scheurich, 85, of Bloomington-Champaign, formerly of Bethany, passed away September 21, 2023 at BroMenn Hospital. Janet was born to Don and Fern Puyear May 21, 1937. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
‘Omnibus’ Health Care Bill Passed Amid Criticisms
Wide-ranging law put popular, controversial measures into a single package
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com
A law recently signed by Gov. JB Pritzker will extend the deadline for the state to transfer criminal defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial from jail to a mental hospital.
That same bill, House Bill 240, also gives nursing homes in Illinois two more years to comply with minimum staffing levels implemented in 2022 before getting fined by the Department of Public Health.
Those are just two parts of a 67-page “omnibus” health care bill that passed the General Assembly on the final day of its recent lame duck session. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is newly installed officers of the Lovington American Legion auxiliary. Front row, L-R: Mrs. Gloria Foley, president, Mrs. Allene Buxton, vice-president. Second row: Mabel Smith, Sgt. at Arms, Alice Bailey, secretary, and Jean Glancy, historian. Third row: Nina Frantz, chaplain. Fourth row: Faye Suderly, treasurer, and Helen Broyles, 2nd vice-president. The year that this photo was taken is unknown. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.