•December 23, 2015•

Kyle McCarter, (R) 54th District Illinois State Senator, is waging a primary challenge to incumbent U. S. Congressman John Shimkus for the 15th Congressional District seat.

McCarter is from Lebanon and has served in the State Senate since 2009 when he was appointed to fill the term of Frank Watson, who stepped down for health reasons.

McCarter pointed out that he already serves one third of 33 counties included in the 15th District. The largest geographic district in the state includes a rural economic diversity ranging from coal mining in the south to agriculture and small manufacturing to the west and north. Read More

•December 16, 2015•

Bidders paid $73,000 for 8,000 pieces of commemorative coins, jewelry and baseball cards in the state’s unclaimed property auction, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office has said. The week-long online sale closed recently.

Among the winning bids were $12,052 for an Engelhard 10oz gold bar and $1,391 for a 1923D Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold piece. A lot that included a 1967 Mickey Mantle Topps baseball card, a 1966 Sandy Koufax Tops baseball card and a 1982 Baltimore Orioles Future Stars Topps baseball card that included Cal Ripken Jr. went for $467. All items exceeded appraised estimates by an outside vendor.

Illinois has held such auctions for more than 15 years. Total auction proceeds for calendar year 2015 were $392,000.

“We always prefer to find the owner of an item, and we search for years in an effort to do so,” Frerichs said. “For those items that are auctioned, we will hold the cash value for the owner or the owner’s family no matter how long it takes.” Read More

•December 16, 2015•

The Lake Land College Foundation is accepting year-end gifts that support students and college programs.

“With the holiday season around the corner, it’s important to remember that the gift of education is one that keeps giving,” said Lake Land College Executive Director for College Advancement Jackie Joines. “The Lake Land College Foundation is a great organization to give to and we want to make that process as easy as possible.”

Since the college is open through Dec. 23 in observance of the holiday, the foundation is ready to help donors make their gifts.

Options for giving include:

· Make a secure gift online. Go to www.lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Make a Gift” button at the bottom of the page. Gifts can be made online until midnight on Dec. 31 to receive a 2015 charitable gift credit.

· Make a gift by check dated prior to Dec. 31, 2015. Checks dated prior to Dec. 31, 2015 and received by Jan. 4, 2016 will be receipted as a 2015 charitable gift.

· Contact the foundation to give a gift of stock or other gift. Call Joines at 217-234-5354 by Dec. 23, 2015 to be credited to 2015 tax year.

“All methods of giving are appreciated and make a huge difference in the lives of Lake Land College students,” Joines said. “No matter the method, you have the opportunity to benefit students and programs any way you would like and be recognized for your generosity” Read More

•December 9, 2015•

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges anyone who has not yet received flu vaccine to get it as soon as possible. This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a national observance to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination. While many people typically get the flu vaccine in early fall, flu activity usually peaks between December and February, a time when many people are out and about.

“During the holidays, friends and families often come together to celebrate,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Although you may be in good health, people around you, like young children and grandparents, may be at higher risk of getting the flu and suffering serious complications from it. A flu vaccine is the best defense against getting the flu. If you don’t get the vaccine to protect yourself, do it to protect the loved ones around you.” Read More

Back Seat Passengers Still Not Buckling Up

•December 9, 2015•

With new survey results showing rear seat belt usage still lagging behind front seat occupants, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP) are reminding the public that anyone who rides in a motor vehicle needs to buckle up, no matter where they are sitting.

Despite the addition of back seat passengers in the state’s mandatory seat belt law three years ago, a new IDOT survey shows that only 84.9 percent of back seat passengers in Illinois are wearing seat belts, an increase of just seven percentage points since 2013. A separate survey, taken earlier this year, revealed usage by drivers and front seat passengers at an all-time high of 95.2 percent.

“Vehicle miles and fatalities are up on Illinois roads in recent months. We urge more back seat passengers to follow the law and buckle up,” said IDOT Director of Traffic Safety Jared Thornley. “Too many preventable injuries and fatalities continue to happen to passengers in the back seat. Increasing seat belt use means fewer deaths and serious injuries. It’s that simple.” Read More