State Treasurer Frerichs returned $299 million in missing money in 2024
•January 15, 2025•
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $299 million in missing money during 2024, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently.
Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — processed 331,032 claims last year. Preliminary numbers show that $260.6 million in cash and $38 million in securities were returned last year. The average amount of a claim was $902.
Read MoreImprove your health – Starting today!
Prioritize your well-being with resolutions for a healthier and more fulfilling new year
•January 15, 2025•
by Angela Hogan
A new year is an excellent time to start improving your health. Small changes can yield significant long-term benefits. Here are eight resolutions worth considering:
1. Eat more whole foods
Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins are “nutrient-dense.” This means they are high in nutrients for the recommended serving size. Consuming whole foods can help keep you full and sustain energy. Start today:
Read MoreCity Council holds Monday night meeting
•January 15, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Sullivan City Council started the new year with a new meeting date after moving their regular meetings to the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
The council worked quickly through an agenda largely with modifications to the Tax Increment Financing District resolutions, and held a closed to the public session to discuss employee negotiations.
Read More2024 in review continued from last week (1-1-2025)
•January 8, 2025•
October
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team, in collaboration with the Sullivan American Legion, had yet another successful annual Swimmers Supporting Soldiers event. The two groups teamed together with the Danville VA Hospital to get supplies and goods to local veterans who need it. This year the swim team collected over 1,200 items for the soldiers.
Mid-Illinois Senior Services and local sponsors Agri-fab and Hydro-Gear of Sullivan assisted in the return of the senior expo, a day long program which offers discounted prices or free options for services and goods to help the Moultrie County seniors and disabled community.
Read MoreSnowed in
As residents were busy digging out their driveways earlier this week after the heavy snowfall and drifting from the weekend, Sullivan city employees were busy cleaning up the roads around town and on the square. Many businesses were closed Monday.
Resolve to make a difference in 2025 by becoming a Red Cross volunteer
•January 8, 2025•
As the time for making New Year’s resolutions is here, the American Red Cross asks you resolve to make a difference and support your community by becoming a volunteer in 2025.
“We’re seeing both the frequency and intensity of disasters increase across the country and the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help people. This uptick in responses means we need more volunteers. The need to help has never been greater,” said Catherine Rabenstine, Interim CEO of the Illinois Red Cross.
Read MoreBethany Christmas light contest winners
•January 8, 2025•
Over the few weeks of December the Village of Bethany had a Christmas light contest with the residents, with winning prizes being utility credit. Through the days December 9th and the 25th, judges visited homes and ranked contestants lights, the results are in.
First place: David Martin, $100 utility credit
Second place: Sam Ozier, $50 utility credit
Third place: Tyler Wagy, $50 utility credit
Honorable mentions: Denise Orris, JC Fultz, Jim McMahan and Robert and Nicole Dick, $25 utility credit per family.
2024 in Review
•January 1, 2025•
January
The Moultrie County Childcare Committee announced the awarding of a substantial grant totaling $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool in acknowledgment of its exemplary commitment to providing exceptional childcare services in Moultrie County. This grant reflects the committee’s dedication to supporting and enhancing early childhood education within our community.
The Sullivan City Council agreed to helping the Sullivan Fire Department during their regular meeting on Monday, January 8.
The first item under new business was discussion and possible approval of a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The fire protection district has asked help to purchase a new truck. They asked for $40,000 a year for ten years out of TIF funds. Doug Shook said that fire trucks are important and that he would hate to lose a house in Cedar Dale or elsewhere. “If it can prevent one house fire I think it would be money well spent,” he said. The council agreed and approved the help.
Read MoreALAH Board of Education votes no to referendum, Yes to tax levy
•January 1, 2025•
by Ariana R Cherry
The December meeting of the ALAH Board of Education was marked by a continued discussion on the referendum that had recently failed to pass. Community member Jeremy Hale voiced his disappointment at the outcome, emphasizing the community’s division and the urgent need to prioritize the children’s education and future.
“I am here to help, and I want success for us,” Hale began. “I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things here about this school. I am disappointed that not everyone is on the same page in this community. I don’t feel that everyone is putting our kids first,” he continued. I feel good about the growth of the referendum from both the first and second time. I feel there are still potential yes votes out there about the referendum and those who still haven’t been informed enough yet,” Hale went on. “We should all be on the same page when it comes to our kids. We shouldn’t be focusing on the building. All the other towns (Tuscola, Sullivan, etc) - they are all moving forward. We are stagnant…and keeping our kids stagnant. We’ve got to improve, rebuild, and we have to make it better for our kids and our future,” he concluded.
Read MoreSullivan City Council annex property, Changes meeting dates
•January 1, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Sullivan City Council wrapped up their 2024 meeting schedule Thursday night by approving annexing some property and revising some city codes.
The council opened the meeting with a public hearing on a plan to annex Windmill Legacy Farms, south of the city on South Hamilton Street west side of the road. During the hearing, Mayor Mike Mossman was asked if there are current plans to develop the five plus acre property.
Read More