•May 18, 2022•
Governor Pritzker last Friday joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, lawmakers, advocates, and law enforcement officials to sign legislation designed to combat a nationwide rise in coordinated retail thefts.
“This new law represents another important step to fight crime and advance public safety in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is how we protect store workers and customers, prevent militarized storefronts and empty commercial corridors, and across the board, make communities safer for all who call them home. And I look forward to furthering our work to shape a public safety system that works for all of us, including ensuring the victim rights advanced today are carried throughout our justice system.”
House Bill 1091, otherwise known as the INFORM Act, enforces the new crime of Organized Retail Theft. Those who violate the crime by knowingly engaging with others in a theft valued at $300 or more would be guilty of a Class 3 felony. Those who engage in retail theft from one or more establishments would be guilty of a Class 2 felony. Read More
Sullivan Lions Present Scholarship to Caprice Smith
Photo furnished
Sullivan Lions Present Scholarship to Caprice Smith
Caprice Smith, Sullivan High School senior, was awarded the Lions’ Club $1000 scholarship honoring John Ruscin. Mr. Ruscin is 70 year member of Sullivan Lions, World War II Navy Veteran, and was a long-time teacher and coach at Sullivan Middle School. Pictured above are Dave Walker, Jess Barker, Caprice Smith, and Lynn Elder. Scholarship committee members unable to attend were Bill VanKeuren and Dick Martín.
Sullivan Lions Present Scholarship to Jesse Kirk
Photo furnished
Sullivan Lions Present Scholarship to Jesse Kirk
Sullivan Lions presented a $500 scholarship in memory of Larry Jones to Sullivan High School senior, Jesse Kirk. Larry Jones was a long-time Sullivan Lions’ treasurer and teacher at Arthur High School. Pictured are Dave Walker, Jess Barker, Jesse Kirk, and Lynn Elder. Unable to attend were committee members Bill VanKeuren and Dick Martín.
Sullivan Singers Boosters bring back Bingo
•May 18, 2022•
The Sullivan Singers Boosters are teaming up with the Sullivan American Legion to bring back bingo. Bingo play will be every Thursday beginning June 2. Bar doors open at 5 pm, bingo doors open at 5:30 pm. Food and drinks will be available.
Nominations Due by June 1 for Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame
•May 18, 2022•
The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is reminding residents about the upcoming deadline to submit nominations for the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame, open to adults aged 65 and older who excel in the categories of community service, education, performance and/or graphic arts, and the labor force. Read More
Former Lawmakers Seek Back Pay for Raises they Voted Against
•May 18, 2022•
By Capital News Illinois
Two former state senators who sponsored and voted for bills to reduce lawmakers’ pay and forgo annual cost-of-living adjustments are now asking the Illinois Supreme Court to declare those measures unconstitutional and award them their back pay.
Former Sens. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, and James Clayborne, D-Belleville, have been successful so far in their legal efforts, prevailing in 2019 in Cook County Circuit Court before Judge Franklin Valderrama. But Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, the defendant in the case, filed a direct appeal to the state’s highest court arguing that Valderrama got the decision wrong.
Clayborne served in the General Assembly for 24 years, from 1995 to 2019. Noland served for 10 years, from 2007 to 2017.
In 2009, when Illinois and most other states were dealing with budget crises brought on by the Great Recession, lawmakers passed a pair of measures that eliminated their automatic cost-of-living adjustments and required them to take one furlough day each month, which had the effect of reducing their base salary. Read More
Letter to the Editor 5-18-2022
WAKE UP SULLIVAN
The outrageous increases in Sullivan utility rates were not necessary nor were they warranted.
Much to my consternation, I could not have predicted that the sale of the Titus Farm would haunt the very same Councilpersons that initiated the sale of the Titus Farm. In 2019 (the only year Sullivan received proceeds from the sale of grain on the Titus Farm), Sullivan recorded $500,000 in profits from the sale of grain. Yes, the residents would have gained at least $500,000 each year for eternity. That money could have gone for parks, roads, bond payments on the new water plant, or the purchase of a city building. Read More
Head over Heels and other Head-Scratchers
•May 18, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Things often don’t sound right to me. But then I have this column, so perhaps I’m predisposed to being picky.
Bill McLean wrote to tell me of a few head-scratchers:
• What I hear: “I live in the suburbs.”
• What I think: I live in Palatine, one suburb.
• What I hear: “Want to go to the movies?”
• What I think: Don’t people usually go to see one movie? Read More
Remember When? 5-18-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
The Little Theatre On The Square was opening its 40th season with Sugar Babies, then Brigadoon, Forever Plaid, Crazy For You and closing the season in August with Godspell.
Lovington School District hired a grade school principal. Doug Slover of Flora, who had been an elementary and junior high principal for ten years was hired to replace Rosemary Brown who was retiring. Read More
Bethany Townwide Sales
•May 11, 2022•
The Bethany Townwide Rummage Sale will be held May 20 and 21. Over 25 sales have been confirmed as well as the First Christian Church handing out free sandwiches, baked goods and bottled water both days while supplies last.
A complete list of registered sales will be published in next weeks NewsProgress. The advertisement is sponsored by Scott State Bank and Jackson Family of Dealerships.