Category Archives: News Briefs

New Illinois Laws for the New Year

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As citizens throughout the state of Illinois ring in the New Year, nearly 200 laws will take effect. A significant number of the new laws target crime, make changes to the criminal justice system, seek to assist law enforcement, and advance safety provisions for Illinois motorists.

Criminal justice reforms poised to take effect

One measure to allow greater flexibility in granting probation for certain non-violent offenders with no prior conviction for a violent crime is set to take effect on Jan. 1. Senate Bill 3164 is part of a bipartisan package of legislative reforms to Illinois’ criminal justice system, and was introduced at the recommendation of the Governor’s Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform.

The commission was charged with identifying policy changes to reduce recidivism and make significant reductions to the state’s prison population, which had increased by more than 500 percent in the last forty years. Senate Bill 3164 is one measure that seeks to reduce the number of non-violent offenders in Illinois’ correctional facilities—which are operating at roughly 150 percent of recommended capacity.  Read More

IDNR Reminding Anglers of Ice Fishing Safety

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Being prepared could save your life

•December 28, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding anglers that heading to their favorite frozen fishing holes comes with risks this time of year. As the temperatures drop in Illinois, those who enjoy year-round fishing may start heading to their favorite location to participate in ice fishing.

“The IDNR cannot stress enough the importance of safety when ice fishing. Ice fishing can be a great and fun time but can change into a dangerous situation in just seconds. Being prepared and ready for anything can save your life,” said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. Read More

Drive Sober and Buckle Up

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•December 21, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and local police throughout the state are teaming up to make sure driving sober and buckling up are a holiday tradition. As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, nearly 200 law enforcement agencies will be out in force across Illinois in an end-of-year push to drive down fatalities.

“The most important gift your friends and family want is you home safely,” said Priscilla Tobias, director of IDOT’s Office of Program Development. “Driving zero fatalities to reality is an ambitious but achievable goal that requires the cooperation of every motorist on Illinois roads. Buckle up and drive sober this holiday season.” Read More

Does the Cures Act Reflect Big Pharma Wants?

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TrudyLieberman-PhotoNewly Passed 21st Century Cures Act Is No Panacea

•December 21, 2016•

By Trudy Lieberman,
Rural Health News Service

Will patients benefit from the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act? After listening to politicians and reading the headlines, most people might think it’s the best thing ever to come along for patients.

“A new day for medical research is on the horizon,” proclaimed Rep. Fred Upton, the outgoing chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which had just won a major victory last week. “The House and the Senate have passed this bipartisan legislation which will ensure our health system can keep pace with incredible advances in science and technology,” Upton said in the GOP’s weekly radio address. “We needed to do better. And with 21st Century Cures, we will.”

Media headlines mirrored Upton’s victory declaration. Headlines like this from the Wall Street Journal, “House Passes Health Bill to Speed Drug Approvals, Boost Biomedical Research” seemed to say it all: faster drug approvals, more money for research, less pesky regulation.

Or was there more to the story? Not everyone thinks the Cures Act will be wonderful for patients. But their voices were drowned out in the slick public relations campaign Upton’s committee waged over the past few years using some 200 or so patient advocacy organizations to push for the bill. Most of those groups have strong ties to the drug and medical device industry. Read More

Remember When? 12-21-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Ronnie Elder of Bethany won the cellular phone, the grand prize given during P.E.C.’s grand opening in Sullivan. A barbecue grill was won by Jeannie Belton of Bement, and a smoker grill was won by Bernice Obrecht of Sullivan. Numerous other gifts were awarded during the hourly drawings including clock radios, jackets, coolers, mugs, hats and key chains.

Melvin Newlin of Lovington will retire December 31 from A.B. Seals, Inc. in Sullivan. Since 1968, Newlin has worked primarily as supervisor of the shipping and receiving department for the manufacturer of sealants for porous metal castings and vacuum/pressure impregnation equipment. He joined the company after having worked at Brown Shoe factory, which had previously been located in the building for 21 years. Only briefly, he said, did he ever work outside the brick building on S. Hamilton Street, and that was when the shoe company was moved to the site of the now-defunct Tubular plant. Read More

Jesse White Announces Winners for Emerging Writers Competition

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•December 21, 2016•

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced that poets from St. Joseph, Harrisburg and Des Plaines are this year’s winners of the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award in the twelfth annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition.

Jeanne Genis of St. Joseph was awarded first place for her poem “Finch (For Brigit in Illinois).” Whittney Jones of Harrisburg received second place for her poem “The Price of Coal.” Rochelle Zappia of Des Plaines is the third place winner for her poem “Don’t Ever Let Them Sing.”

The winners read their poems and received their awards during a ceremony at the Illinois State Library.  Read More

American Red Cross to Offer Zero to Hero Training

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•December 21, 2016•

The American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region will offer a special Zero to Hero disaster volunteer training in Charleston, IL on January 13-15, 2017. Zero to Hero is a unique opportunity for people to fast track the required training to become a Red Cross disaster volunteer. In just one weekend, Zero to Hero participants will go through a concentrated training session to complete all the initial training to become a Red Cross disaster volunteer. The Red Cross encourages anyone who has considered becoming a Red Cross disaster volunteer to attend the Zero to Hero event. In addition to the training, participants will learn more about Red Cross disaster response and volunteer opportunities. Read More

Lovington Public Library Has Bingo Tuesdays

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Youth Bingo and other games are at the library 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, January 3

•December 21, 2016•

Reading Redbirds Youth Book Club for fourth-eighth graders will meet at 3:45-4:45 p.m. Jan. 3 and 17. Children in this club enjoy planning and assisting with library events and talking about their favorite books.

“Wee Readers Story Time” is held on Thursday mornings from 10:45-11:15 a.m. Preschoolers 2 yrs & older enjoy a story, song & dance, learning games and more! Themes are: Jan: 5: “Gingerbread”; Jan. 12: “Mittens” ; Jan. 19: “Snowmen”; Jan. 26: “Bird Feeders”.

Learn to program with Disney’s newest characters, Moana and Maui 3:45-4:45 Friday, Jan. 6. This program is for second grade through adult code learners.

In the film, Moana sets out to discover a new world across the sea while facing many challenges including a tribe of seemingly cute coconut clad pirates called the Kakamora. While the Kakamora may be cute, they can be quite menacing as a team. Join the Village of Coders in discovering and navigating the new world of coding to help defeat the Kakamora on the latest journey. Read More

Lake Shelbyville Christmas Tree Recycling Program

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•December 21, 2016•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place discarded Christmas trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. Donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at select locations. These structures provide fish with breeding areas and escape cover, proving invaluable to not only the fisheries but to anglers as well. New trees are added to sites each year to maintain suitable cover. Read More

Sullivan Civic Women Help Area Agencies

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•December 21, 2016•

The Sullivan Civic Women’s club met December 12, and rather than a gift exchange, each member made a monetary donation to the Food Pantry and Moultrie County Interagency to be divided equally. Funds donated to the Moultrie County Interagency will be used to assist with hotel stays, prescriptions, car repairs, utility bills, rent and groceries.  Read More