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Former Lawmakers Seek Back Pay for Raises they Voted Against

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•May 18, 2022•
By Capital News Illinois

Two former state senators who sponsored and voted for bills to reduce lawmakers’ pay and forgo annual cost-of-living adjustments are now asking the Illinois Supreme Court to declare those measures unconstitutional and award them their back pay.
Former Sens. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, and James Clayborne, D-Belleville, have been successful so far in their legal efforts, prevailing in 2019 in Cook County Circuit Court before Judge Franklin Valderrama. But Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, the defendant in the case, filed a direct appeal to the state’s highest court arguing that Valderrama got the decision wrong.
Clayborne served in the General Assembly for 24 years, from 1995 to 2019. Noland served for 10 years, from 2007 to 2017.
In 2009, when Illinois and most other states were dealing with budget crises brought on by the Great Recession, lawmakers passed a pair of measures that eliminated their automatic cost-of-living adjustments and required them to take one furlough day each month, which had the effect of reducing their base salary. Read More

Letter to the Editor 5-18-2022

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WAKE UP SULLIVAN

The outrageous increases in Sullivan utility rates were not necessary nor were they warranted.
Much to my consternation, I could not have predicted that the sale of the Titus Farm would haunt the very same Councilpersons that initiated the sale of the Titus Farm. In 2019 (the only year Sullivan received proceeds from the sale of grain on the Titus Farm), Sullivan recorded $500,000 in profits from the sale of grain. Yes, the residents would have gained at least $500,000 each year for eternity. That money could have gone for parks, roads, bond payments on the new water plant, or the purchase of a city building. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is the Gammill Store in Gays. It was the original home of the 2 story outhouse. The store was built in 1869 by Samuel Gammill, a Civil War officer. It measured 50’ x 50’. The store was on the ground level and the 2nd story was composed of 11 rental rooms. Hence, the need for a 2 story outhouse. 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.

Head over Heels and other Head-Scratchers

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•May 18, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Things often don’t sound right to me. But then I have this column, so perhaps I’m predisposed to being picky.
Bill McLean wrote to tell me of a few head-scratchers:
• What I hear: “I live in the suburbs.”
• What I think: I live in Palatine, one suburb.
• What I hear: “Want to go to the movies?”
• What I think: Don’t people usually go to see one movie? Read More

Remember When? 5-18-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Little Theatre On The Square was opening its 40th season with Sugar Babies, then Brigadoon, Forever Plaid, Crazy For You and closing the season in August with Godspell.
Lovington School District hired a grade school principal. Doug Slover of Flora, who had been an elementary and junior high principal for ten years was hired to replace Rosemary Brown who was retiring. Read More

Voter Registration at SHS

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Voter Registration at SHS
Last Wednesday, students at Sullivan High School who were of voting age had the opportunity to register to vote. Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England and Tasha Stacy helped students through the process. Pictured are students Chase Eller and Raimi Gardner registering to vote.

Body of Arthur Man Recovered from Water

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•May 18, 2022•
A 33 year old man’s body was recovered from the water at Bo Wood. On Friday, May 13 at 10:47 pm the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from Christian County 911 about a person in the water at Bo Wood. The sheriff’s office dispatched deputies to the scene and notified Coles County Communication to dispatch the Moultrie County Dive Team. Mutual aid was requested from the Shelby County Dive Team. Read More