•November 24, 2021•
When cooking or baking at home, few things can prove as frustrating as preparing a dish only to realize you’re missing a key item from the ingredients list. Such realizations often force cooks to stop what they’re doing and make emergency trips to a nearby grocery store. That can delay dinner time or make cooks feel rushed when they ultimately return from the store. But what if there was a way to substitute ingredients without risking flavor? Thankfully, there is. Read More

•November 24, 2021•
The Illinois Commerce Commission wants low-income customers struggling to afford their electric and natural gas utility bills to be aware of changes in state law that offer relief from deposit and late payment fees, and clarifies who is eligible for these new consumer protection benefits.
“Late payment fees and deposits for service or reconnection can be barriers to affordability for low-income customers who are already finding it difficult to pay their utility bills, putting access to essential utility services farther out-of-reach for some residential customers. Removing these fees and deposits will make it easier for low-income customers to better manage their utility bills and stay connected,” said Jim Agnew, Director, ICC Consumer Services Division. Read More

Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Nov. 29 - Sausage Gravy, Hash Rounds, Orange Juice, Sautéed Mushrooms,, Onions & Bell Pepper, Biscuit
Nov. 30 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Brown Gravy, Italian Green Beans, Cranberry Salad, Whole Grain Wheat
Dec. 1 - Beef Tortellini, Peas, Carrots, Tropical Fruit Salad, Bread
Dec. 2 - Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes w/White Gravy, Nantucket Vegetables, Apricots, Whole Grain Wheat
Dec. 3 - Goulash, Seasoned Greens, Pineapple Chunks, Whole Grain Dinner Roll

Bill also allows ‘non-binary’ gender ID on voter registration

•November 24, 2021•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com

A new law in Illinois aims to ban out-of-state contributions and so-called “dark money” in judicial campaigns by requiring all candidates to disclose the sources of their contributions.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed Senate Bill 536 into law, an omnibus elections bill that makes a number of other changes to the way elections are conducted.
Under the bill, no judicial campaign committee is allowed to accept contributions from any out-of-state source or any person or entity that does not disclose the identity of those making the contribution, except for contributions that are below the threshold for itemizing. Read More

•November 24, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Fall can be a busy time of year, especially with school activities and the holidays approaching. Extension Educator Judy Schmidt wrote this great article to share ideas on how to reduce stress during these busy times. Judy says: I know as I enjoy the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, I am also reminded of the busyness of this time of year. As with any busy time, it is common for people of all ages to experience stress. With all the factors that can lead to stress, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the stressor in our life or the lives of our family members. However, one thing is clear, it is important for all family members to have strategies to help cope with these stressors. Fortunately, a lot has been researched and written about positive ways to deal with stress. Here are a few that I think will be helpful for family members of all ages: Read More