Category Archives: News Briefs

Report Predicts Billions in Motor Fuel Tax Revenue Losses if State Meets EV Goals

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Union-tied research group pushes for mileage tax to shore up road-building funds

•January 18, 2023•
By Nika Schoonover
Capitol News Illinois
nschoonover@ capitolnewsillinois.com

Despite Illinois’ efforts to smoothly integrate electric vehicles into the state’s economy, a new report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute is warning of a potential steep decline in transportation revenue as the process of electrification accelerates.
The primary issue is motor fuel taxes, which will see a significant drop as more electric vehicles make their way to the road and fewer people fill their cars with gas.
Since motor fuel taxes make up the backbone of state funding for road and bridge projects, ILEPI, which has strong ties to organized labor, warned in its report that new revenue sources will have to be identified to ensure the state’s 10-year capital improvements plan remains on track.
“There’s absolutely a benefit to having EVs but it will ultimately have a strong impact on transportation funding,” Mary Tyler, the author of the report, said in an interview. “It’s something that I don’t think is talked about enough.” Read More

Birkey’s Farm Store Announces New Store Manager In Arthur

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•January 18, 2023•
On January 1st Birkey’s Farm Store announced Mike Hugg as the new Store Manager of Birkey’s in Arthur. Mike began his career with Birkey’s in Oakland parts department in 2015, then in 2018 transitioned into the Parts Manager role at Birkey’s in Arthur, and most recently served as a Regional Parts and Service Administrator in 2022. Read More

Birth to Five Illinois is Amplifying Family Voice in Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie & Shelby Counties

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•January 18, 2023•
According to the report of the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Funding, “The beating heart of an effective ECEC system is the community, and in order to provide for community input, the Commission urges creation of a formal community and regional infrastructure.”
In response to this recommendation, the State has partnered with the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to build this equity-driven statewide regional system, Birth to Five Illinois, comprised of staff and local Councils that will amplify family, provider, and community voices in the state policy-making process and give local and state leaders a more accurate understanding of the early childhood gaps in each region. Read More

The Discovery Partners Institute and the Illinois Dept. of Public Health Launch Online COVID-19 Tracker

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•January 18, 2023•
The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today a new website that tracks the levels of COVID-19 in wastewater samples in Chicago and other cities across Illinois.
The interactive online tool builds on the statistics posted on the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker website and provides more Illinois-specific data in easy-to-understand charts.
“This data is now going to be available to researchers and the public alike, giving everyone as accurate picture as possible for the pandemic,” said Bill Jackson, executive director of DPI. “This is a game-changer in terms of transparency and public health awareness, and we applaud IDPH for partnering with us on this bold step.”
“Wastewater surveillance is a great tool that can help detect and monitor COVID-19, the flu and other pathogens,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH director. “This new website is designed to inform and educate residents of Illinois and will give them the ability to make informed decisions about how to protect themselves.” Read More

Lake Land College Accepting Nominations

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•January 18, 2023•
Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, Pacesetter Award, Retiree Wall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus Award, Alumnus Achievement Award and Distinguished Alumni Society.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual whose exemplary service and contributions have benefited Lake Land College or its affiliated organizations. Current paid members of the faculty and staff and current members of the board of trustees are not eligible for this award. Read More

Facts for Families: Five Tips for Creating Powerful Affirmations

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•January 18, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Since we have started a new year, and that usually involves resolutions on changes and how we will improve ourselves, I thought this would be a good time to share this article written by Extension Educator Michele Crawford. Michele says: Often when I talk to adults about self-care the conversation leads to changes people want to make in their life. These changes may be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. This seems natural as taking the time to recognize where we do and don’t take care of ourselves builds self-awareness and from awareness blossoms evolution (a.k.a. change).
Many have probably read a quote or two about change being one of the only things we can count on in life. We also know that change can be difficult. People often ask where do I start, how do I get motivated? Read More

Windsor Jr/Sr HS Honor Roll Quarter 2

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•January 18, 2023•
7th Grade High Honors – Peter Mast, Blake Owens
8th Grade High Honors – Brody Barnard, Addilyn Bly, Logan Corrie, Clarissa Johnson, Grace Mast
8th Grade Honor Roll – Brenna Brown, Elizabeth Cloe, Ryan Harris, Aaron Helmbacher, Paisley Montgomery, Allie Upton, Ty Welsh Read More

ALAH High Honor and Honor Roll Semester 1

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•January 18, 2023•
Freshmen High Honors: Avery Alexander, Kayden Allen, Ryker Beckmier, Olivia Binion, Jada Bontreger, August Burton, Ruby Burton, Lucas Butcher, Savannah Butcher, Alexandria Clark, Chloe Custer, Alexus Dodge, Daylon Doggett, Emma Forman, Easton Frederick, Brooklyn Gingerich, Cash Hale, Cruz Hale, Will Hilligoss, Tristan Keagle, Kimberly Krutsinger, Brayden Leech, Jakhany Medina, Summer Melton, Abigail Miller, Makenzie Miller, Kamden Morfey, Sierra Peeler, Anna Rawlins, Alyssa Richards, Logan Schrock, Trey Strode, Karaline Vanausdoll, Lily Vanda.
Freshmen Honor Roll: Skylar Amacher, Ashley Byler, Michael Cassella, Aiden Cazel, Steven Harris, Kaden Herschberger, Nicholas Hubster, Dalilah Mendoza, Cheyenne Pickett, Addison Rohr, Gracelyn Romine, Justin Schrock, Cambrie Smith, Dan Soard, Zoe Taylor, Lily Yoder. Read More

Repeat After Me: Don’t Be Redundant

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•January 18, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

As I’ve written before, repetition can be used quite effectively in writing, especially if you’re crafting a song. You want the refrain to really tie the tune together.
The refrain in English band ABC’s 1985 release “Be Near Me” takes that to the extreme:
Be near me, be near
Be near me, be near
Be near
You’ll have to turn on your Spotify machine to listen to the song, if you’re interested.
It’s difficult, however, to come up with a reason for redundancy in your writing being a good thing.
Reader David Schein believes this, too. Read More

Remember When? 1-18-2023

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Bard walked the board of the Sullivan Little Theatre as students from Sullivan High School shared scenes from Julius Caesar with the public in Sullivan High School’s Shakespeare Showcase. Students from Becky Lawson and Claudette Buxton’s classes performed scene and monologues that they learned as part of their study of Shakespeare.
Cheri Burcham joined the staff of the Moultrie-Douglas Unit of University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service as the assistant consumer and family sciences assistant. Read More