Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) observes one year as a state agency, recognizing digital achievements accomplished during the initial year. Established by law in July of 2018 through the unanimous, bipartisan vote of House Bill 5611, DoIT brings an enterprise approach to technology for the State of Illinois.
“My administration is committed to advancing innovation and technology so that state government delivers the services the people of Illinois deserve, and I’m confident that Ron Guerrier and the team at the Department of Innovation & Technology will make a difference for our residents,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “DoIT shares my priority of improving the way we deliver services and information to Illinoisans and I look forward to how they collaborate with other state agencies to achieve that objective.” Read More

•August 14, 2019•
A broken storm drain and a sink hole behind the bank prompted the Lovington Village Board to take a group tour of problem areas during a special board meeting July 29.
Insurance trustee April Daily suggested the board go as a group to inspect the barricaded locations behind the bank and the broken storm drain on Logan Street.
After touring the sites, the board returned to village hall and prepared work orders for the barricaded locations. Read More

•August 14, 2019•
By Ileana Saveley
Social Security District
Manager, Decatur

Older people are at a greater risk of fraud and other forms of financial exploitation. The United States Postal Service has seen an increase in mail fraud and is promoting community strength and fraud awareness as a way to prevent abuse. Social Security agrees. You can help your more vulnerable loved ones fight fraud.
You or a loved one might receive an advertisement in the mail, but it could be from a private company or even a scammer. United States law prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising can’t lead people to believe that they represent, are somehow affiliated with, or endorsed or approved by Social Security. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Dorothy Phillips retired from Scott State Bank after 31 years in the banking business. She began her career at Mattoon at First National Bank in bookkeeping. Five years after, she found an opening in Bethany where she lived with her husband, Boyd. After her retirement, Dorothy plans to return to Mattoon where four of her six children live.
Sullivan school board has reassigned Nancy Schaljo to the position of principal at Sullivan Middle School after the resignation of Kirby Rodgers. Teacher Rita Florey will now become the principal of Sullivan Elementary School. Some 21 teachers will be joining Sullivan’s staff of about 75 this school year.
A survey of Sullivan school district residents was running 60 percent in favor of consolidation with the Bethany School district. Some 63 percent preferred that Bethany High School students attend high school in Sullivan and each district house their own K-8.
Sullivan’s Frank Hutchcraft celebrates nearly three decades with the local auto dealership now owned by George Rutledge. The original owner, Tom West, sold the dealership to Dutch Horton in 1962. Horton sold to Wilbur Donnell in 1978. George Rutledge took over in 1992, and Frank is his sales manager. Hired by Horton as a parts manager, Hutchcraft became the glue that held the place together according to his son Michael. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan High School head basketball coach, Ted Turner, took a job to head the hoops for the conference rivals, the Clinton Maroons. In Sullivan, Turner taught elementary P.E. for six years. In Clinton he will be teaching high school P.E. and will be with the kids that he is coaching.
A photo shows Courtney and Matt Dyer carrying on the family tradition of selling melons at Kerr-McGee in Sullivan, Their grandfather, Wayne Watkins, sold melons for some 30 years at the same location.
Marilyn Andres, formerly of Sullivan, was presented with a Colorado Distinguished Teacher Award. Andres received a cash award, a plaque, and special certificate during a ceremony held at Colorado State University. Before moving to Colorado nine years previous with husband, Ron Andres, she taught school in the Windsor school district for 14 years. Read More