News Progress

•December 27, 2023•

The minimum wage in Illinois is increasing on January 1st, 2024.

Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers (under 18) working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour.

“Since day one as Governor, I’ve made it my mission to put Springfield back on the side of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this new minimum wage increase, we are once again making Illinois a more affordable and equitable place to live for all of our residents.” Read More

•December 20, 2023•

Ingredients:

Raw uncooked oats

Sugar cookie sprinkles

Plastic sandwich or snack baggies

Ribbon in festive holiday colors

Paper for the printable tags

Pour 3-4 tablespoons of oats into each plastic bag.

Add a tablespoon or two of sprinkles.

Iridescent sprinkles or red and green sprinkles are good choices; but use what you have on hand. (You can even use the fine sanding sugar used for sand tarts. Just beware: If you mix red and green sugar, the resulting color will be a less festive shade of brown.)

Close the baggie with a piece of ribbon, and shake to mix.

If using a zipper top bag, punch a small hole in the corner and thread a piece of ribbon through the hole.

After you put out the milk and cookies for Santa, head outside to sprinkle this magic reindeer food on the snow or your lawn.

•December 20, 2023•

Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season. Calendars are packed this time of year with gatherings with friends, family and professional colleagues. 

Entertaining requires keeping plenty of refreshments on hand to ensure guests maintain their holiday spirit. Dessert is no stranger to the season, with office break rooms, dining tables and buffet stations brimming with sweet treats to tempt celebrants’ palates. Everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring along to a holiday party or to offer guests when hosting their own fêtes. Cookies are a standard due to their versatility and portability. Read More

•December 20, 2023•

By Cheri Burcham

Family Life Educator

There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly related to body health. However, most people think more about keeping their bodies fit or their hearts healthy than working at maintaining a healthy brain. Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, will be offering free “Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Classes” in five different locations each month except for July and December. Locations and dates for 2024 include:

· Every first Monday of the month at the LifeSpan Center of Coles County at 10:00 am (except for January 8 and Sept. 9 due to holidays.) Read More

•December 20, 2023•

The Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation recently announced that its annual Holiday Festival raised more than $178,000 to support SBL Behavioral Health Services.

All proceeds from the event will help Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provide emergent needs for uninsured patients, resources for providers to use in therapy, assistance with the substance abuse crisis in the communities SBL serves and fund school assemblies to address mental health needs of area youth. Read More