•February 16, 2022•
With thousands of Illinoisans missing out on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and state Earned Tax Credit (EIC) each tax season, Governor JB Pritzker is reminding qualifying taxpayers to take advantage of these benefits.
“The Earned Income Tax Credit is a huge benefit and puts thousands of dollars in the pockets of low to moderate income families each year,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “Even if an individual does not owe any taxes, they may still be eligible for the credit and receive critical funding that can be used for bills and necessities.” Read More
OSFM Raising Awareness During Burn Safety Week
•February 9, 2022•
National Burn Awareness Week February 6-12, is an initiative of the American Burn Association. Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is a window of opportunity for organizations to mobilize burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in communities.
The theme for National Burn Awareness Week 2022, “Burning Issues in the Kitchen”, where a common risk of injury exists from scald burns, improperly used appliances, and distracted cooking occur. Annually, in the United States, approximately 400,000 people receive medical care for treatment of burn injuries. In 2018 alone, there were 3,655 deaths from fire and smoke inhalation and another 40,000 people were treated in hospitals for burn related injuries. Read More
Availability of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Younger than 5
•February 9, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is preparing to make COVID-19 vaccine available to those ages 6 months through 4 years after Pfizer-BioNTech submitted data last Wednesday to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking to amend its emergency use authorization (EUA) to allow children younger than 5 years to receive its COVID-19 vaccine. The request for authorization of the first two doses of a planned three-dose primary series will still need to be reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read More
With Strongest State Budget in Memory, Gov. Pritzker Delivers Fourth Balanced Budget Proposal that Pays Down Debt and Delivers Tax Relief for Families
•February 9, 2022•
After years of working with the General Assembly to make fiscally responsible choices, protect working families and pay down Illinois’ debt, Governor JB Pritzker today proposed his fourth balanced budget, delivering $1 billion in relief from grocery, gas and property taxes as well as making unprecedented payments to state pensions and the rainy day fund.
With revenues from corporate taxes, cannabis, online sales taxes and income far exceeding initial projections, the proposed budget provides significant one-time relief to families, while continuing the responsible fiscal decisions that led to two credit upgrades for the state.
Building on the administration’s previous efficiencies, the budget invests in critical areas of growth and services, including education, public safety and small businesses.
Select highlights include:
Family Relief Plan Read More
Sullivan Singers and Sullivan Singers Jr. Compete
•February 9, 2022•
The Sullivan Singers and Sullivan Singers Jr. competed at the Danville High School Midwest Classic on Saturday, February 5. Singers Jr. received first runner-up. Sullivan Singers received 4th runner up, best tech crew and solo award winners were Clayton Schmohe and Triniti Preyer. Singers Jr. solo competition winners were Grand Champion-Lily Moxley, first runner-up Tristan Tripp and second runner-up Daisy Richardson.
Lake Land College to host Laker Visit Day
•February 9, 2022•
Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 21 in the Luther Student Center, giving potential students the opportunity to learn about The Laker Advantage and how it can guide them on the path to success.
Attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants will also meet with faculty to learn more about specific programs. Read More
Engage Your Brain with Wits Fitness Classes
•February 9, 2022•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
University of Illinois Extension
Since 2015, I have been facilitating monthly Wits Fitness brain exercise classes at several locations in Moultrie, Coles, Cumberland, and Shelby counties with an additional class being offered in Douglas county. The purpose of these classes has been to educate participants on healthy brain contributors, and to present cognitive or mental challenges to participants in a highly social setting. Participants are not tested for Alzheimer’s Disease, and we make no claims that memory will be regained or that the classes prevent the onset of dementia. Wits Fitness classes simply engage participants in interactive activities that challenge thinking and therefore help them stay mentally active – which can contribute to maintaining and improving brain function. Read More
In Headline Writing, Leave Room for Logic
•February 9, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
A pair of letter writers this week reminded me that not everyone on this planet was trained to write headlines.
Hollywood, which rarely offers an accurate portrayal of a newsroom, doesn’t know how headlines work, either.
In movies, you’ll see complete sentences in heavy bold type that half fill a front page of a prop newspaper. I understand that in prop papers there is only one headline on the page that helps propel the plot, but to make “FINGERPRINTS FROM THE ESTRANGED WIDOW OF WEALTHY INDUSTRIALIST SILAS MCGREEDY ARE FOUND ON A SERRATED BREAD KNIFE” a 120-point headline is rather silly.
Space is precious. That’s just isn’t how it works in the real world.
I’ve mentioned before that in headlines we almost never use complete sentences, unless they are downsized secondary headlines. We abbreviate our thoughts and drop articles, punctuation and verbs with élan. Read More
Remember When? 2-9-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
The Lovington Board of Education accepted the resignation of Rosemary Brown, the elementary school principal at a board meeting. Mrs. Brown was with the district 27 years and served as principal of the elementary school since 1989. Prior to serving as principal, Mrs. Brown taught at both the high school and grade school level.
The county’s tentative plan to purchase the former Sullivan Sale Barn for use as an animal control facility was scrapped after a contract for sale had already been signed for the property. Previously the county’s plan to purchase a former local veterinary facility for the same purpose was vetoed by strong opposition from neighbors.
New officers for the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce were Mimi Atchison of Atchison True Value (treasurer); Randy Butler of Jerry’s IGA (vice-president); and Diane Weaver of Sullivan Printers (president) and Linda Carlton of CF&H Insurance (secretary). Read More
Ruling on Legal Challenge to School Mask Mandates could come soon
•February 2, 2022•
By Capital News Illinois
A Sangamon County judge is considering a motion to block Illinois schools from requiring people to wear face masks in classes and excluding students and staff from school buildings if they’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow heard oral arguments last week in a class action lawsuit against 145 school districts that was filed last year by Greenville attorney Thomas DeVore, who has unsuccessfully challenged the state’s COVID-19 mitigation measures in several other lawsuits.
In September, DeVore filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to permit students to continue in-person learning in school. Read More