•April 22, 2020•
“Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department soon. People receiving benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment. They should immediately go to the IRS’s webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here and visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here section to provide their information. Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly. SSI recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon. Read More

•April 15, 2020•
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is joining chambers and small businesses across the state of Illinois to launch the ‘IL’ove Local campaign to encourage people to support local businesses during the week of April 11 – 18, 2020.
While the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) is leading efforts to unite chambers across the state in the initiative, Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is taking a leadership role in our community.
“Our local business are the heart and soul of this community. People from our local and neighboring communities come to Sullivan for the unique products and services they provide,” explains Laurrie Minor,Executive Director, SCED. “We want our local businesses to survive this shut-down.”
The statistics are staggering for small businesses following natural disasters: according to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open. Read More

•April 15, 2020•
Julie Lauper of Dalton City was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
Lauper was initiated at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Lauper is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Read More

Courtyard Estates Staff Goes Above and Beyond During Crisis

Editors Note: This letter was sent by Betty Meeks to Courtyard CEO Mark Petersen and reflects the compassion of the staff during the coronavirus isolation.

Dear Mr. Petersen and staff,

I and all the residents that live here at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan, IL are writing this letter to let you know what a great job that your staff here is doing. This is about your Director all the way down to your housekeeper. They have all went above and beyond doing their jobs that you hired them for.
We have found ourselves in a very difficult situation within our home, our country, our world. I have been worried and confused about all that has been going on around here. I would like to give you just a few small examples of what has been happening in our little world.
It started with Erica and her staff had a meeting with all of the residents to try to explain what was happening and how they were trying to keep us safe and well. She was very calm and made us feel as comfortable as possible. Afterwards she or her staff tried to answer our questions as far as they knew. She has given us more information either by word or in bulletin form (inserted) whenever they have gotten news. Read More

•April 8, 2020•
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) has adjusted the submission guidelines for his 2020 Congressional Art Competition.
Entries for the contest, which is open to high school students in the 15th Congressional District of Illinois, are still due by May 4. However, artwork no longer should be delivered to one of Shimkus’ offices; instead, competitors are instructed to take high-resolution photos of their projects and submit them via email to Kristen.Shull@mail.house.gov. Read More