LLC hosting high school students

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•January 21, 2026•

On Friday, February 6th, Lake Land will host local high school students for the first-ever Laker Academic Invitational, a competitive event designed to challenge and recognize academic excellence. During the event, more than 300 students across 17 local high schools will compete in a series of multiple-choice exams, demonstrating their knowledge in biology, chemistry, computer science, software applications, English, mathematics, and physics. Through these experiences, the event fosters curiosity and confidence as students challenge themselves in a supportive environment and explore future college and career pathways.

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SB 8: lock up your guns

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•January 21, 2026•

A new law requiring guns to be locked up in Illinois’ homes and mandating lost or stolen firearms be reported within 48 hours took effect January 1, 2026. Signed by the Illinois Governor in July 2025, this law mandates secure storage unless the firearm is under the owner’s direct control, aiming to prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and intentional harm. 

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Illinois unveils groundbreaking multisector plan: transform state into national leader for elderly

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•January 21, 2026•

The Illinois Department on Aging has released EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well, a landmark multisector plan addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers. The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life. “EngAging Illinois embodies the engagement and thoughtful people from across Illinois, representing the best of our state,” said the Governor. “This bold plan reflects the priorities of the people we serve and the role that state government should play in creating an age-friendly Illinois. We all want to be part of a thriving, multigenerational society, and EngAging Illinois is a smart, strong step in that direction.”

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Mo-Do 4-H celebrates courthouse tour; announces upcoming youth events

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•January 21, 2026•

The Moultrie-Douglas 4-H program recently celebrated the success of its recent Douglas County Courthouse tour and mock trial, led by Sheriff Nathan Chaplin and assisted by Deputy Adam Brazzell. Twenty-seven local 4-H youth participated in the interactive trial, “The Case of the Missing Champion Ribbon,” gaining hands-on experience in civics and public government while learning about the judicial process.

Upcoming 4-H events for youths:

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IDOT: safety around plows, “Winter Weather, Get it Together”

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•January 21, 2026•

The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding drivers about roadway and plow safety during the winter months, particularly when sharing the roadways with snowplows. 

Don’t crowd the plow. Don’t follow a plow or stop too closely to it. Snow plows move slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. De-icer spread by the snowplow could hit your vehicle. Snow clouds thrown up by plows can reduce visibility to zero and conceal other vehicles and hazards. An operator’s field of vision is restricted. If you cannot see them, they cannot see you. Stay at least five car lengths behind the snow plow. The roadway behind an active plow is safer to drive on. Stay behind it and use caution when passing.

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IEMA-OHS /American Lung Association opens 2026 student contests

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•January 21, 2026•

During Radon Action Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), along with the American Lung Association in Illinois, encourage families and schools to discuss radon and its harmful effects. One way to spur the conversation is to ask school-age students to enter artwork into the statewide awareness poster and video contests. “Radon is an invisible threat that poses a very real danger to our communities. As the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, it’s critical that we continue raising awareness and encouraging proactive testing,” said IEMA-OHS Director Ted Berger. “The creativity and passion we see in these student contests are truly inspiring. When young people take the lead in educating others through their creativity, they help shape a healthier future for generations to come.”

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LLC accepting nominations for Alumni Awards

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•January 21, 2026•

Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, Pacesetter Award, Retiree Wall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus Award/Alumnus Achievement Award, and Distinguished Alumni Society. All nominations for these listed awards will be accepted until February 1st, 2026. Nomination forms for all awards are available on the College’s website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Alumni/Award-Nominations/. Physical copies of each form are available by calling the Foundation at (217) 234-5376. The recipient of each award will be recognized during the annual Foundation & Alumni Awards Ceremony in October.

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SHS Honor Roll, Fall 2025

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•January 21, 2026•

Straight A Honor Roll: Seniors: Riane Bear, Danica Bell, Kate Bushue, Anyssa Coffer, Emily Crosier, Mae Dawkins, Logan Fleener, Meriem Garrett, Jenna Herschberger, Josie Herschberger, Johnathan Iacobazzi, Landon Jesse, Kharli Kelly, Evan Loy, Lillian Moxley, Devon Richardson, Marshall Robison, Gabriella Rubush, Caden Saul, Madilyn Shonkwiler, Carson Swinford, Jnai Webb, Kolton Wiley, Nevaeh Wilson, Drew Woolen, and Tristan Wright. Juniors: Adalyn Cruitt, Mya Dyer, Gracelyn Johnson, Emma Lawrence, Ellie Lehman, Grant Martin, Julia Moody, Kaylee Smith, and Gavin Wade. Sophomores: Weslee Allen, Madeline Anderson, Piper Conlin, David Eaton, Gavin Finn, Alexander Fultz, Carter Honchell, William Miller, Joanna Rickelman, and Andrew Toner. Freshmen: Dallas Brey, Tenley Campbell, Emma Drake, Asher Hendry, Addyson Martinez, Tenley Stollard, Karen Szachnitowski, Hannah Taylor, Easton Wickline, and Jillian Woods.

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Illinois Amish Heritage Center: 2026 events

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•January 21, 2026•

‘Sheep to Clothing to Quilts’ will return to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will feature sheep and alpaca shearing demonstrations, processing the wool, and making clothing and quilts from the shared materials. There will also be numerous activities for children, including pony cart rides and a petting zoo with a variety of farm animals, as well as household pets. 

A farmer’s breakfast of pancakes, old-fashioned liverwurst, and grilled sausage will be offered for a fee starting at 7:00 a.m. In keeping with the theme, grilled lamb kabobs will be available for lunch, as well as hamburgers and other grilled sandwiches and fried foods. Baked goods, including homemade bread, cookies, cakes, and pies, will be sold by a local Amish vendor. 

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