Category Archives: News Briefs

State Looks to Curb Vehicle Theft with Grants to Police Task Forces

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

By Jerry Nowicki

Capitol news Illinois

jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com

Six interagency law enforcement task forces received grant funding this spring to combat car thefts through an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office.

Giannoulias was in Belleville Tuesday to promote the initiative and highlight a $2.5 million grant to the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which brings together law enforcement agencies from Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties.

“In 2022, a motor vehicle was stolen every single minute in the United States,” Giannoulias said Tuesday. “Unfortunately, in Illinois, we have not been immune to the effects of auto theft. In fact, right here in (the) Metro East, over 1,300 automobiles were stolen last year alone.” Read More

Hospital Volunteers Celebrate Fall with Annual Sale

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

The Partners of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital are sponsoring a Fall Fling Sale in the main lobby of St. Mary’s on Thursday, September 7 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The event will feature Del’s Caramel Apples, Do Good Donuts from the Good Samaritan Inn, an array of fall crafts and décor from the artisan and crafters group as well as nursing figurines and items donated by Ed Gordillo. Read More

IDPH Reports Rising COVID-19 Activity

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•August 30, 2023•

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the CDC is reporting all 102 Illinois counties remained at a low level for COVID-19 hospital admissions as of the middle of August, though wastewater surveillance is detecting rising Covid-19 activity. IDPH is continuing to closely watch COVID-19 data and also monitoring other respiratory viruses, particularly flu and RSV, ahead of the fall and winter seasons. Read More

Primary Election Candidate Petitions Available

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

Nominating petitions for candidates planning to run in the March 19, 2024, General Primary Election will be available in Moultrie County Clerk Linda Qualls’ office beginning Tuesday, September 5, 2023. This is also the first day to circulate nomination documents for candidates of established political parties and independent candidates.   Monday, November 27, 2023, through Friday, December 1, 2023, candidates can file original nomination documents with the County Clerk’s Office. Office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The last day candidates and file their nomination documentation is Monday, December 4, 2023, with office hours extended to 5:00 p.m. The county-wide offices up for nomination are full terms for Circuit Clerk, Coroner, and State’s Attorney, and four-year terms for County Board members with four seats available.  Precinct Committeemen will be elected during the primary as well. For additional information contact the County Clerk’s office at 217-728-4389.

Back-to-School Tax Benefits Available for Both Parents and Educators

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

With back-to-school time upon us, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that they may be able to claim school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2023 Illinois individual income tax returns.

“Teachers and parents both invest a great deal in educational costs, so I encourage them to take advantage of the valuable savings offered through both the Illinois Educational Expense Credit (for parents) and the Instructional Materials and Supply Credit (for teachers),” said IDOR Director David Harris. “It is important that all receipts are saved for qualifying purchases, so they are accessible when it is time to file taxes.” Read More

Illinois EPA Announces $10 Million Funding Opportunity for Third Round of Lead Service Line Inventory Grant Program

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced a third funding opportunity of $10 million to assist communities in meeting the requirements outlined in the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (LSLRN Act). The Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grant Program offers grants to local government units ranging from $20,000 - $50,000 to fund the creation of a final lead service line inventory. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the Illinois EPA website. Read More

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up”

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

by Sarah Hudson Pierce

columnist

Coach Vince Lombardi  said “it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” 

When I get discouraged I like to think about Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking. The book was first thrown into the trash can by the author, Norman Vincent Peale, who was told by a publisher that his book wasn’t worth publishing. Being discouraged, he told his wife not to retrieve it from the can.

Instead she carried the manuscript, still in the basket, to another publisher, who immediately published it.

The rest is history. Read More

Don’t Get Cuffed, Unless You Want To

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2023•

By Jim Baumann

NP Guest Writer

I started my career at the Daily Herald as a police reporter. I got to learn the ebb and flow of crime with the seasons.

In winter, when even stupid criminals knew better to stick to themselves than burglarize homes, get into fights, rob banks and do other things that would require wearing bulky coats, leaving telltale footprints and driving getaway cars in snow, the crime rate dipped considerably.

It was summer when it seemed all bets were off. The heat seems to bring out the worst in people.

So imagine my surprise when I just received an email about “cuffing season” coming up. It would seem that the triple-digit heat we just endured would have been prime cuffing season. But apparently it is yet to come. Read More

Remember When? 8-30-2023

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

Leslie Rodman’s solid all-around performance helped the Bethany-Findlay volleyball team earn its first victory of the season. Rodman finished with four kills, three service aces and one block as the Mustangs downed Cowden-Herrick 13-15,15-2, 15-1. Keri Newman had two kills, Betsy Rowe recorded five aces and Rebecca Brumleve added one block for the Mustangs who evened their record 1-1. 

Sullivan-Bethany recorded a win in football over Normal U 18-15.

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Lake Shelbyville Youth Deer Hunt Applications Available

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2023•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will hold the 12th Annual Youth Firearm Deer Hunt on October 7 and 8, 2023. To apply for the hunt, youth applicants must be less than 18 years old on October 7, 2023 and be accompanied by an adult. Applications must be received by 8:00 a.m. on September 8, 2023. Applications can be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or online at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LTj94VFVZWRKAzDJIHzvB5BD1nHWPpHU/view Read More