Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Steven Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Young of Bethany, received his first lieutenant bars Jan. 18. He is currently assistant operations officer for the support battalion at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, Cal.

Bethany’s Brad Orris recently lettered and played as a defensive lineman for the Eureka College Red Devils. Orris is presently working in the weight room in preparation for next season.

A team composed of Bill Kidwell, Lee Griesemer, Maude Dunscomb and Bill Lancaster won the annual Sullivan Open Golf Tournament Feb. 14 at the Six Lakes Country Club in Ft. Meyers, Fla. The annual event which brings people with ties to the Sullivan area together each year in Florida opens with a cocktail party the evening before the tournament. This year 68 people participated.

The Sullivan Singers and Sullivan Singers Jr., who now have 30 championships between them in the past six years, will host the 1991 Sullivan Singers Invitational this weekend in Sullivan. High school and junior high show choirs from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois will be singing and dancing in a quest for trophies Friday evening and all day Saturday in the Sullivan High School gym, and more than 2,000 people are expected to be in the community for the event. Read More

Seeking Partnership with Not-For-Profits, Financial Institutions

•March 2, 2016•

Providing real, practical knowledge of personal finance is the goal behind an outreach program recently launched by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Known as the Illinois Financial Literacy Initiative (IFLI), the program aims to educate the public on finance basics, as well as assist in identifying financial products and resources that best suit their needs. IDFPR is seeking to partner with Illinois’ not-for-profits and financial institutions to facilitate the initiative throughout the state.

“When individuals are provided a financial literacy foundation, they are more inclined to make educated personal finance decisions that lead to wealth accumulation,” said Bryan A. Schneider, IDFPR Secretary. “As the state regulator overseeing our financial industry, we can play a role in empowering citizens to make solid financial decisions. Programs like the Illinois Financial Literacy Initiative are important in raising the level of financial proficiency and improving the economic strength of our state.” Read More

•March 2, 2016•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL

Basketball fans are gearing up for March Madness, which will culminate when the final four teams in the NCAA fight for the title of national champion. Fans wait in eager anticipation to see whether their favorite team or alma mater will be included in the “final four.” While basketball fans are excited about March Madness, Social Security already has its own winning “final four” to help you this season.

Now, let’s turn to the action!

1. The online services you can put into play with a my Social Security account are like free-throws. They’re quick and easier than muscling your way to the basket (or field office). My Social Security is an online account that allows you quick and secure access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, once you create your online account, you can use my Social Security to obtain a copy of your Social Security Statement; verify your earnings record; and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive.

If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can sign into your account to view, save, and print your benefit verification letter; check your benefit payment information; request a replacement Medicare card; get a replacement SSA-1099/1042S for tax season; and even change your address and phone number in our records. You can also start or change your direct deposit information. In some states and the District of Columbia, you may also be able to request a replacement Social Security card online. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Read More

•March 2, 2016•

Soil temperatures in Illinois have been above normal for most of the winter, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

For the period of December 1 through February 21, soil temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil averaged 36.7 degrees F across Illinois, 2.6 degrees above the long-term average and 2.9 degrees higher than last winter.

Soil temperatures this winter have fluctuated with air temperatures. The highest temperatures were reported in December with a statewide monthly average of 42.7 degrees or 6.8 degrees above average. Temperatures averaged 33.4 degrees in January, only 0.2 degrees above average, but have climbed slightly so far in February to an average of 35.1 degrees. Read More

•March 2, 2016•

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Illinois was among eight states with statistically significant coverage gains among 18-64 year old residents. Between 2013 and 2015, the rate of uninsured among 18-64 year old Illinois residents decreased from 17.8% to the current rate of 10.6%. This 7.2% drop is one of the largest in the nation.

“This is a significant achievement in the state of Illinois’ coverage efforts, but more importantly this success presents a tremendous opportunity to continue to improve health outcomes and to lower the cost of health care delivery” said DOI Acting Director Anne Melissa Dowling. “We need to seize this opportunity to continue to engage and educate these newly covered populations about the benefits of coverage and how to effectively engage with the health system.”

More than one million Illinois residents have obtained health insurance coverage through the efforts of Get Covered Illinois (GCI) and the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI). Read More