•February 12, 2020•
The preliminary statewide average January temperature was 31.4 degrees, 5 degrees above the 30-year normal and the 17th warmest on record going back to 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average total January precipitation was 4.41 inches, 2.34 inches above the 30-year normal and the ninth wettest on record.
Following a warmer than average December, temperatures remained persistently above average for the first half of January. Average temperatures in January ranged from the mid-20s in northern Illinois to the high 30s in southern Illinois and were 2 to 7 degrees above average across the state. Read More

•February 12, 2020•
Moultrie County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.
The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.
State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland and farm buildings assessed according to standards based on productivity. Read More

•February 12, 2020•
Eastern Illinois University officials announced that the State of Illinois has released more than $11.8 million in planning funds to facilitate the development of the university’s long-awaited new science building.
EIU President Dr. David Glassman shared the news with members of EIU’s board of trustees during their regular January meeting today, expressing his immense gratitude to Governor Pritzker, his administration, and to the Illinois General Assembly for supporting the Capital Program bill responsible for funding the project. Read More

•February 12, 2020•
While some hazards such as storms, tornadoes and floods can be forecasted in order to provide advance noticed to residents in an area of danger, other hazards such as earthquakes cannot be predicted. Recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are perfect examples that earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time, including while you are at work, at home or on vacation. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 500,000 detectable earthquakes occur in the world each year. The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year, or about 55 earthquakes each day.
Records indicate Illinois, and several other states in the central United States, experienced some of the largest earthquakes ever measured in North America. In recognition of the earthquake risk still posed today by the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will promote earthquake preparedness throughout February. Read More

•February 5, 2020•
Does the cold and snowy weather have you singing the blues? It’s time to change your tune by joining the choir! Preparation for the spring season of the Lake Land College Community Choir begins on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights in the Lake Land College Theater from 7-9:30 p.m.
All singers age 18 and older are welcome to participate and no audition is required. The choir includes college students as well as area residents, forming a group of approximately 45 mixed voices. Read More