Dear Editor

There are many debates in the world, and healthcare is one of the biggest ones. Many people argue for free healthcare, saying that it’s a basic human right. Others argue that it would be too costly. Nevertheless, healthcare should be universally free and available to everyone. The prestigious research organization, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says, “…We estimated that a single payer universal healthcare system would have saved 212,000 lives in 2020 alone.” Free healthcare in the United States could drastically save more lives and allow for people to get healthcare without the fear of being in crippling debt due to a medical procedure.

•June 3, 2026•

Dear Editor:

In agriculture, we often pride ourselves on resilience. Farmers work through long hours, rising costs, severe weather, uncertain markets, and other circumstances outside their control. But the pressures facing agriculture today are unlike anything we have seen in 40 years.

Across Illinois, farmers are navigating financial uncertainty and the mental strain that comes with an increasingly unpredictable industry. These challenges do not stay in the field or the barn. They follow farmers home, impacting stress levels, family relationships, and mental health.

To the Editor,

The News Progress

I read the recent article regarding water levels, drought conditions, and strain on Sullivan’s water supply.

What was missing from that discussion was not data, but honesty.

I live in Sullivan Township. I do not receive Sullivan city water. I pay my water bill to Moultrie County Rural Water, and the water delivered to my home comes from Lake Mattoon, a surface water source known for algae blooms and recurring boil advisories that township residents are not always clearly or promptly notified about.

This matters because while township residents are being told there are concerns about water availability, quality, and even future rationing, we are simultaneously watching new residential and commercial construction move forward at a rapid pace, particularly within TIF districts.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to highlight the vital work of the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) and to ask for the continued generosity of our community.

For decades, SAMA has provided crucial assistance to those in need throughout Moultrie County, addressing a wide range of basic needs such as utility bills, rent, transportation, temporary lodging, food, fuel, and Christmas support. In just a 12-month span, SAMA distributes significant funds to help scores of individuals in our community, offering a lifeline to those facing hardship.

Letter to the Editor

Sometimes we find a pearl of wisdom in an unlikely spot.  Ed Dunphy, a familiar name in the Illinois ag community, often told an amusing story that offers this. He has been gone for a number of years, but his story is worth repeating.