•December 15, 2021•
Building on Illinois’ COVID-19 support response for Illinois renters and landlords, the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced that applications are now open for the second round of the Illinois Rental Payment (ILRPP) program, which Governor Pritzker announced on October 27.
The reopening of ILRPP will provide an additional $297 million to renters and landlords in an effort to prevent evictions and keep families safe and secure while they regain their financial footing. It is the third major housing relief initiative in response to the pandemic in Illinois, with the state executing the nation’s best assistance program in 2020.
Applications will be accepted beginning today through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at illinoishousinghelp.org. IHDA will begin processing applications as they are submitted, and money from this round will begin to be distributed to approved Illinoisans before the end of the calendar year. The additional ILRPP funding is expected to assist more than 32,500 Illinois households. Read More
Shorter Isn’t Always Better (Just Like This Headline)
•December 15, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Contractions can be wonderful space- and timesavers.
They also can gum up the works.
You might tell the 14-year-old babysitter: “There’s a 12-pack of Coors Light in the fridge. Oh, and there’s 30 chicken and cheese taquitos in the freezer if you’re feeling peckish.”
Are you out of your mind?
There ARE 30 taquitos in the freezer.
The only thing that would save that sentence is if you were to say, “There’s a box of 30 taquitos from Costco in the freezer.” The “box” becomes the object in that case.
This is something that bugs Rich Parkinson, too. Read More
Remember When? 12-15-2021
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan Elementary students Andrew Weger, Mandy Geiling, Mathew Burns and Stephanie Elzy took a stretch limo ride to get pizza as a reward for selling more that 35 items for a PTO fundraiser. Read More
Local Law Firm Raises $20,000 for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
•December 8, 2021•
The law firm of Bolen Robinson & Ellis, LLP (BRE Law) is celebrating founding partner Jon Robinson’s Year of Jubilee, or fiftieth year practicing law, by raising and donating funds to support Land of Lincoln Legal Aid.
Says BRE Law partner Drew Hickey, “Jon sets the standard for integrity, hard work, and tenacity. All of us at the firm are enriched by his vast experience and brilliant legal mind.” The firm, along with many of Jon’s friends, colleagues, and former clients, chose to honor Robinson’s fiftieth year practicing law through a giving campaign for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal services to low-income persons, senior citizens, veterans, and active military personnel in 65 counties in Central and Southern Illinois. Read More
Santa in Bethany 2021
Photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany Royalty and Santa Claus
Bethany royalty took a moment to pose with Santa when he came to Bethany on Saturday, December 5. From left to right: Junior Miss Bethany Raegan Russell, Little Miss Bethany Abby McQulling, Santa,Young Miss Bethany Bristol Wilderman and Miss Bethany Calista Clark.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa Hug
Brinley Burns hugs Santa Clause at the Depot in Bethany.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa at the Depot
Santa Claus visited the Depot in the Bethany last Saturday. The event was moved inside due to weather. Pictured are Abel and Slade Ellis.
Illinois State Scholars
Photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley High School Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Evelyn Ashley, Savannah Hagerman and Mikhayla Ward.
Photo furnished
ALAH Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Jace Green, Sarah Rafferty, Reggie Edmonds, Max Allen, Delaney Gillis, and Jacob Duzan.
Photo furnished
Sullivan High School Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Skyla Palmer, Clayton Schmohe, Aaron Stutzman and Alyssa Thompson.
Lake Land College Offering a Second-Chance Presidential Scholarship Opportunity
•December 8, 2021•
Lake Land College recently announced it will reopen the Presidential Scholarship opportunity to qualifying 2021 high school graduates who did not enroll at Lake Land in Fall 2021.
The Presidential Scholarship is available to eligible in-district high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for up to two consecutive academic years and is available to graduates who enroll in Lake Land College in the fall following high school graduation.
With this initiative, Class of 2021 Presidential Scholars who did not enroll in college or attended another college this fall now have a second opportunity to take advantage of the scholarship to continue their education at Lake Land beginning in January. This is a one-time opportunity and will only be available for the Spring 2022 semester. Read More
Millikin to honor Class of 2021 at Winter Commencement Dec. 12
•December 8, 2021•
Millikin University will honor over 100 graduates from the Class of 2021 with an in-person winter commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, beginning at 2 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
The winter commencement celebration will recognize traditional undergraduates and those receiving their Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Graduating students will be allowed up to six guests at the ceremony. All attendees will be required to wear a mask while inside Kirkland Fine Arts Center and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Additionally, Millikin community members will be able to watch the ceremony through a public livestream on Millikin’s graduation website at millikin.edu/commencement and on the University’s flagship Facebook page. Read More
Breakfast in Bethlehem
Photo by Crystal Reed
Breakfast in Bethlehem
Sullivan First United Methodist Church hosted Breakfast in Bethlehem on Saturday, December 4. The event included breakfast, packing community blessing bags and an interactive retelling of the First Christmas story.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Blessing Bags
During the Breakfast in Bethlehem event at Sullivan First United Methodist attendees were invited to create blessing bags for a local organization. Pictured putting a bag together is Aubrey Fultz.
Prevailing Wage Database Allows Public to Monitor Wages Paid on Projects
•December 8, 2021•
Beginning January 1, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) will be responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. This is the result of Public Act 102-0332 that was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker. Read More