•April 8, 2020•
The Village of Bethany is not having the Thursday, April 9 board meeting. The next regular meeting is set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14.
Bethany is trying to do their part to prevent public spread of the COVID-19 virus, the announcement concerning the meeting cancellation explained.
Questions call 217/665-3351. If you have additional questions and would like to contact Mayor Jon Book you can email him at: vofbmayor@gmail.com
•April 8, 2020•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Moultrie County Department of Public Health are announcing that two Moultrie County residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The first patient is a female in her 30s, and the second patient is male and is also in his 30s. Both patients are at home in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patients in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Symptoms reported among patients testing positive for COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing.
The health department reports that 24 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. To date, 21 tests are negative for coronavirus, and one is still pending.
The Moultrie County Health Department encourages everyone to consider themselves at risk for exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Everyone should stay at home as much as possible; remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands with warm soap and water; and isolating themselves from others when they are ill.
For more information, contact:
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, Email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV, or Visit
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
To learn more about Moultrie County Health Department’s events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.
•April 1, 2020•
The Findlay American Legion Auxiliary will be hosting and American Red Cross blood drive Monday, April 6 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Findlay American Legion Post.
Special precautions will be taken to keep all donors safe. We are asking that only the presenting donor come to the drive to help abide by the social distancing rule.
Blood donations are desperately needed at this time. Please take the time to come out Monday afternoon and give the gift of life.
•April 1, 2020•
Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer’s office in the Moultrie County Courthouse adjusted operations procedures with public access limited to their offices.
Regarding all Exemptions other than Leasehold (Senior Freeze, Disabled Veterans and Disabled Persons) the Assessments office has decided to postpone mailing those forms at this time.
“We will mail them as soon as the Courthouse opens back up to the public or May 1, 2020 - whichever occurs first.” Supervisor of Assessments Barringer explained.
Despite the courthouse limiting public access, Leasehold Exemptions were due March 31.
Anyone with questions may call 217/728-4951.
•April 1, 2020•
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.
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 were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.
Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland assessed at one-third of its agriculture economic value. Farmland is not subject to the state equalization factor.
Assessments in Moultrie County are at 33.04 percent of market value, based on sales of properties in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2019 taxes, payable in 2020. Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0196.
The final assessment equalization factor was issued after a public hearing on the tentative factor. The tentative factor issued in January 2020 was 1.0000.
The equalization factor is determined annually for each county by comparing the price of individual properties sold over the past three years to the assessed value placed on those properties by the county supervisor of assessments/county assessor.
If this three-year average level of assessment is one-third of the market value, the equalization factor will be one (1). If the average level of assessment is greater than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be less than one (1). And if the average level of assessment is less than one-third of market value, the equalization factor will be greater than one (1).
A change in the equalization factor does not mean total property tax bills will increase or decrease. Tax bills are determined by local taxing bodies when they request money each year to provide services to local citizens. If the amount requested by local taxing districts is not greater than the amount received in the previous year, then total property taxes will not increase even if assessments increase.
The assessed value of an individual property determines what portion of the tax burden a specific taxpayer will assume. That individual’s portion of tax responsibility is not changed by the multiplier.
•April 1, 2020•
Moultrie County Outreach is responding to additional demands at the CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry on Harrison St., Sullivan.
Responding to the COVID-19 crisis the Food Pantry has expanded hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Food Pantry coordinator Lisa White explained that thanks to volunteers food may be delivered to those in need upon request.
All services and requests are being completed by phone during the COVID-19 crisis. Phone 217/728-7721.
Those donating may keep in mind a constant need for Enfamil baby formula. Canned beef stew, hot dogs, canned nuts, spaghetti sauce, oatmeal packets, rice mixes and fresh oranges are items in demand.
C.E.F.S. is providing usual services including rent and utility assistance. The LiHeap program has been extended to June 30.
•April 1, 2020•
The County Clerk and Recorder’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday with limited staffing.
Please feel free to contact the Clerk’s office regarding any questions or availability: 217-728-4389 georgia.england@co.moultrie.il.us
The County Clerk’s office has deemed the following as non-essential: marriage licenses, raffle licenses, genealogy, centennial land review, notaries.
Recording documents may be by mail, or by eRecording. Title Searchers, attorneys, banks may contact our vendor Fidlar Technologies to learn more about Laredo, Tapestry or eRecording partners. Contact: daniellew@fidlar.com
Redemptions regarding back taxes should be mailed to the County Clerk’s office, 10 S. Main, Ste. 6, Sullivan, IL 61951. To our knowledge redemption deadlines have not been changed.
To avoid any additional expenses, payments need to be mailed on a timely basis, especially for properties that have an expiration date coming up in May-June-July.
Vital records may be obtained by completing an application and submitting to the Clerk’s office, or by placing a request through ORO (Official Records Online) Go to: Vital records
For COVID-19 updates: www.moultriehealth.org
Please stay safe!
Georgia England
Moultrie County Clerk & Recorder
•March 25, 2020•
Dear friends of the News Progress:
For the sake of our employees and our customers, we are temporarily closing the News Progress office at 100 W. Monroe St. As far as we know, none of us are sick with coronavirus, but we are taking seriously the recommendations of health professionals both locally and statewide and believe this move is in everyone’s best interests.
Meanwhile, the paper is open for business as usual (almost)! You can continue to call us at (217)728-7381. You can continue to drop off news releases, bills, etc. in our drop box outside the front door.
You can reach advertising manager Barry Morgan at advertise@newsprogress.com. For news tips, photos, questions and more, reach out to editor Mike Brothers at brothers@newsprogress.com
We hope to be back in the office soon, and we’ll let you know as soon as that happens.
Meanwhile, please stay safe and remain healthy. We appreciate your loyalty to the cause.
The staff of Sullivan News Group
•March 25, 2020•
With the news of COVID-19 changing hourly, the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development (SCED) wanted business owners and residents to have easy access to the resources needed during these changing times.
Please check back periodically as we update information and provide ways we can all work together to support our local neighbors, small businesses, and family and friends at this time.
Food/ Take out/ Delivery: BBQ Crew Carryout and Delivery services available by calling 217-620-4003, or emailing bbqcrewcatering@gmail.com
Sol Del Mar 217-728-8866 Carry Out 11am to 7pm
McDonald’s- Drive-Up 5am to 11pm
Hardee’s-Drive-Up 5am to 8 pm
Red Apple 217-728-8972 Carry Out 8am to 6pm
China King 217-728-8886 Carry Out 10:30am to 9:30pm
Rosatis 217-728-2812 Carryout 10am to 8pm
Monicals 217-728-2373 Carryout/Delivery 11am to 9pm
IGA deli 217-728-8366 Carry Out 10:30 to 8pm
Casey’s pizza 217-728-3131 Carry out M-F, Delivery Only Thursday- Sunday Open 24 hours
Subway - Drive-Up 10am to 8pm
Hole in the wall 217-728-7728 call in from 11am to 2pm. And 4:30pm to 8 pm
The Sullivan Bakery 217-728-4831 Curbside delivery only Tuesday-Saturday 6p-12p
• For more information please visit the SCED Website.
•March 25, 2020•
Need more info about the coronavirus or suspect a case? Gov. JB Pritzker said the Illinois Dept. of Public Health has set up a hotline at 1-800-899-3931. Information is also available on the agency’s website, idph.illinois.gov.