Category Archives: free news stories

Quadrennial for Moultrie County

News Progress Posted on by

•January 16, 2019•

According to property Tax Code (35ILCS 200/Art. 9 Div. 4 heading) all property in Moultrie County must be reviewed every four years.
The valuation of property shall be valued at 33.33% of its fair cash value. Township Assessors and the CCAO will be completing field work to obtain information needed to have accurate and fair valuation of property in Moultrie County.
This will require new photos to be taken of all property. The township assessors and CCAO may knock on residents’ doors to verify a demolition or new construction or other information needing to be corrected.
If no one is home, they will leave a door knocker giving information on how to contact them or the assessment office. The vehicles that they will be in will be marked with magnetic signs identifying who they are.
To learn more about Property Valuation and Property Taxes the Moultrie County Chief County Assessment Officer Lori Barringer, the Moultrie County Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth and Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England will have informative meetings at the following places:
9-10 a.m. Feb. 13 at Sullivan Senior Center; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb 26 at Bethany Firehouse; 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 5 at Lovington Church of God Life Center; 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 12 at Arthur Firehouse; 9-10 a.m. March 16 at Sullivan American Legion and 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 19 at the Sullivan VFW.
Persons with questions may contact the Moultrie County Assessment Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone 217-728-4951; Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone: 217-728-4032; Moultrie County Clerk’s Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone: 217-728-4389.

Lake Habitat Banquet at VFW

News Progress Posted on by

•January 9, 2019•

Lake Shelbyville’s Fish Habitat Alliance is paying tribute to the success of improving the lake habitat with a banquet.
This first Fish Habitat Alliance banquet begins at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, feb. 23 at the Sullivan VFW.
Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. with a choice of chicken or steak. The evening will her filled with raffles, a silent auction, Bob Lamendolla will lead the live auction, children’s items will be available, a women’s table is featured as well as much more.
The proceeds go toward continued improvements of the fish habitat at Lake Shelbyville. For more information contact Chip Christensen at 217/728-2610; Bob Kerans 217/414-0093 or Kevin Robertson at 217/343-0132. Tickets may be purchased online at: TINYURL.COM/LSFHA2019.

SHS Artworks Featured

News Progress Posted on by

•January 9, 2019•

SHS art department is presenting Outstanding Works of 2018 from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 16 at Stifel Investments Services.
Roger W. Tice, vice-president/investments at Stifel at 11 South Main Street in Sullivan is sponsoring the show which will feature some 100 works of art prepared by Melissa Nichols’ students in the Sullivan High School art department.

State of Grace Performs

News Progress Posted on by

•January 9, 2019•

The popular singing group State of Grace will perform in the First Baptist Church sanctuary at 6 p.m. Saturday, January 12.  The public is cordially invited to attend.  There will be a free will offering.
First Baptist Church is handicap accessible. Enter the west door of the church to access the elevator. Wheelchairs and walkers are available on request.  Bathrooms on the first floor are handicap accessible.
First Baptist Church is located at 215 East Harrison. Their website www.fbc61951.org provides weekly updates and sermon audios.

REAL IDs for Illinois Residents

News Progress Posted on by

•January 9, 2019•

Secretary of State Jesse White has advised that Illinois plans to initiate the issuance of REAL ID’s to Illinois residents who request them beginning in April of 2019.
There is not an urgency to obtain a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License because Illinois’ existing drivers’ licenses and ID’s are acceptable for domestic travel and entry into Military bases and secure Federal facilities until October 1, 2020. However, starting in April of 2019, if your Driver’s License is up for renewal, and you know you will need a REAL ID, you can start the process at the time of renewal.
Effective October 1, 2020
You NEED a REAL ID if:
• You do not have a valid U.S. passport or passport card; AND
• You use airplanes as a mode of domestic transportation; or
• You visit Military bases; or
• You visit secure Federal facilities.
You DO NOT NEED a REAL ID if:
• You have a valid U.S. passport or Passport Card; or
• You do not use airplanes as a mode of domestic transportation; or
• You do not visit Military bases; or
• You do not visit secure Federal facilities
Application Process for REAL ID Driver’s License or ID:
• Visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility and take your photo and the required exams.
Provide proof of identity:
• U.S. Birth Certificate (If a name change occurred and differs from the Certificate, a certified copy of a Marriage License, or Court Name Change documents will be needed)
• U.S. Passport
• An employment authorization document
• A permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form.
• All applicants must provide proof of full Social Security number (A SSN card, a W-2, or a pay stub with full SSN on it)
• All applicants must provide two current residency documents with the applicant’s name. (A utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title, bank statement, etc)
• All applicants must provide proof of signature. (a credit/debit card, canceled check or current Illinois DL/ID)
• All applicants will receive a temporary, secure paper DL/ID at the facility. NOTE: TSA and Federal Agents will not accept the paper document.
• After review and verification of documents have been conducted, your new permanent REAL ID card will be mailed to you.
Elected Officials, Department heads, County Board:
A copy of this memo will be attached to all employees check stub next Friday. As a courtesy to County Employees, if the employee was born or married in Moultrie County and needs documentation of such, the employee will receive a complimentary Certified Copy of the Birth/Marriage certificate.[/s2If]

Sullivan Bakery is Reopening

News Progress Posted on by

•December 19, 2018•

The Traditional Sullivan Bakery will open again after the first of the year.
New owners Dorrie Donnals and Steve Jankowski have reached a purchase agreement with Jerry and JoBeth Risely which will allow the bakery to remain open.
Donnals who has 20 years experience in food service noted the Risleys have been wonderful help in getting the bakery open again. She and Jankowski are learning the baked recipes that made the Traditional Sullivan Bakery a favorite stop in downtown Sullivan.
Plans are to have training and business details completed in order to open the bakery in the first part of January 2019.

Supervisor of Assessments is IACO Officer

News Progress Posted on by

•December 19, 2018•

Moultrie County Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer was elected secretary of the IACO ( Illinois Association of County Officials) during the fall conference in Peoria.
Barringer was selected to the two year term at the two and one half day conference and is on path to the presidency of the IACO in six years.
The first day consisted of education sessions which are required for the supervisor of assessments to maintain CIAO credentials.
The second day had each County Officials Association meeting. The County Assessment Officers Association met and discussed legislation regarding property taxes and other issues that affect the counties and offices.
This meeting is conducted with the president, 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, secretary and treasurer in attendance.
The first four positions are on a two-year cycle rotation. Barringer was nominated at the fall conference in Peoria to be the secretary for the next two years. If she continues as CCAO of Moultrie County she will be president in six years.
“I am very honored to be elected as secretary with only two years’ experience as CCAO,” supervisor Barringer said. “I hope this experience allows me to be a voice in Springfield regarding property tax legislation. I look forward to representing Moultrie County with honesty and integrity.”

Early Deadlines

News Progress Posted on by

•December 19, 2018•

Holiday deadlines for the Moultrie County News Progress and The Fish Wrap for the Dec. 26, 2018 and January 2, 2019 issues are noon Friday, Dec. 21 2018.
Thank you and enjoy the holidays.