Category Archives: News Briefs

Attorney General Seeks Accelerated Ratepayer Refund from Electric Utilities

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•January 8, 2020•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois

Two of the state’s largest electric utilities owe their customers a combined $543 million in refunds, according to state regulators, but there is sharp disagreement over how much time the companies should have to pay it back.
At issue for Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison, also known as ComEd, is money they collected to pay future tax bills before federal tax cuts which took effect in 2018 lowered those anticipated rates.
When the corporate tax rate was slashed from 35 percent to 21 percent, both companies found themselves holding onto large surpluses, known as “excess deferred income taxes,” or EDIT.
For ComEd, which serves 4 million customers in Chicago and northern Illinois, the excess amounted to $385 million. For Ameren, which serves about 1.2 million customers in central Illinois and the Metro East area, it amounted to $158 million.
In a pair of rulings last year, the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates public utilities, said ComEd could pay off its EDIT over 38 years and Ameren could pay off its bill over 35 years. But on Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced he is asking the ICC to reconsider that decision and shorten the payout period to just five years. Read More

Menu 1-8-2020

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

Monday, January 13 - Beef tips in gravy, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans w/tomato, onion & bacon, Texas toast, mandarin oranges
Tuesday, January 14 - Ham and beans, pickled beets, cornbread, peaches
Wednesday, January 15 - Turkey pot roast w/baby carrots & celery, corn casserole, dinner roll, pineapple tidbits
Thursday, January 16 - Meatloaf, Delmonico potatoes, broccoli & cauliflower, dinner roll, cranberry apple salad
Friday, January 17 - Stuffed peppers, peas and carrots, bean medley, whole grain wheat (1), gelatin w/fruit

Letter to the Editor 1-8-2020

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Sullivan Has a Long Tradition as a Softball Town

•January 8, 2020•

Dear Editor,

This is in regard to the article concerning the proposal of a new sports complex. Born and raised in Sullivan, Sullivan was never considered a baseball town, but a softball town. Yes Ginny Sutton had many girls’ and women’s teams but they were softball teams and many men’s teams were fast pitch softball.
Mainly in the 70’s and 80’s one could attend could attend a game almost every night at Wyman Park. Read More

Recreational Marijuana and Impaired Driving

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•January 8, 2020•
Recreational marijuana is now legal in Illinois. However, driving high is not. Illinois has strict laws against driving impaired. If you choose to use recreational marijuana, do so safely and responsibly and avoid driving impaired. If you are pulled over for driving high, you will get a DUI.
If you choose to use marijuana or consume alcohol, take public transportation, a cab or a ridesharing service or designate a sober driver.

Menu 1-1-2020

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Senior Peace Meal

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

Monday, January 6 - Beef stew w/potatoes, carrots, and onions, seasoned greens, biscuits, tropical fruit
Tuesday, January 7 - Chili mac, tossed salad, dinner roll, warm cinnamon peaches
Wednesday, January 8 - Chicken tetrazzini, peas and onions, seasoned green beans w/pimentos, whole grain wheat (1), chunky applesauce
Thursday, January 9 - Roast beef in gravy, mashed potatoes, cabbage tomato au gratin, dinner roll, overnight fruit salad
Friday, January 10 - Baked ham, frosted sweet potatoes, midori blend vegetables, whole grain wheat (1), pears

Social Security Questions Answered

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•January 1, 2020•
Question: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?
Answer: No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Social Security?
Answer: For many things, you don’t need an appointment to transact business with Social Security. For example, you don’t need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov:
• Retirement;
• Medicare;
• Spouses; and
• Disability. Read More

LEtter to the Editor: 1-1-2020

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Dear Editor,

I was shopping in the Thrifty Boutique on Dec. 20 and a very nice woman approached me. She handed me a $50 bill and said she was “Christmasing”.
I was shocked at her kindness. I have been going through some tough times and this was very welcome.
I said “Thank you, Merry Christmas” as she disappeared.
I would publicly like to thank my “Christmas Angel”!

Sincerely,
Anonymously grateful!

Toy Drive Brings Cheer to Children at SBL

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Photo submitted
Leslie Taggart (left) and Haley McQueen (right), accompanied by their seven children and two cousins, delivered toys to the SBL Pediatric Clinic on Monday. The two families also delivered toys for kids in the Women and Children’s Center and the Emergency Department during the holidays.

•January 1, 2020•
Two Sarah Bush Lincoln employees and their families are going the extra mile to bring joy to children receiving care during the holidays.
Physical Therapist Haley McQueen, DPT, and Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner Leslie Taggart, APRN, and their children, delivered 160 toys on Monday for girls and boys who are hospitalized in SBL’s Women and Children’s Center or receiving care in the Emergency Department or Pediatric Clinic after hosting an impromptu toy drive.
McQueen and Taggart both serve as home distributors for Matilda Jane Clothing in their free time and they are amazed by the overwhelming response they received when they invited friends and community members to sponsor a Matilda Jane doll at a reduced price to bring joy to a girl in the hospital at Christmas time. In return, McQueen and Taggart agreed to match each doll sponsorship with a toy truck or tractor purchase to provide cheer to a boy receiving care. Read More

IDNR Accepting Applications for Park and Recreation Construction Grants

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•January 1, 2020•
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications through Jan. 21, 2020 for the state’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) Grant Program. The program will provide grants to eligible local governments for acquisition, development, construction, rehabilitation or other capital improvements to park and recreation facilities in Illinois.
IDNR is anticipating that a total of $25 million in grants will be available through funding provided by the Rebuild Illinois Act. The maximum grant award is $2.5 million. Read More

Remember When? 1-1-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team captured third place in the Clinton Tournament with a 77-71 victory over Addison Driscoll. The Redskins went 3-1 in the tournament losing along the way to eventual champion Clinton 71-63.
The Lovington Public Library Trustees honored Janette Nash Saturday, Jan. 7. Nash has served as librarian since 1984 and has been credited with building the library to its present impressive status following a devastating fire in February 1985. The fire completely destroyed the building and contents of the former library as well as the Masonic Hall, a variety store and a store front which was being remodeled to serve as the Kiwanis Hall.
“It’s fun to win again - it’s been a long time,” said Bethany coach Doug McCausland after the Fillies beat Shelbyville and Mt. Pulaski to win the consolation championship in the Filly Gold Tournament last week. Read More