Mitigations Scaled Back in All Regions of State

News Progress Posted on by

By Capitol
News Illinois

Two more regions of the state moved to Phase 4 COVID-19 guidelines on Monday, Jan. 25, meaning five of 11 regions can now allow both indoor dining and organized sports.
Region 1 in northwest Illinois and Region 2 in north-central Illinois each moved to Phase 4, which allows for indoor dining and drinking and, after last Friday’s announcement from the Illinois Department of Public Health, competitive participation in high school athletics. Regions 3 in west-central Illinois, 5 in southern Illinois and 6 in east-central Illinois are all already in Phase 4.
All regions of the state had moved out of Tier 3 mitigations as the COVID-19 health metrics continue to show improvement statewide. Regions 7, 10 and 11 were in Tier 1 restrictions as of Monday, while Regions 4, 8 and 9 were in Tier 2.
“With all regions of Illinois now out of Tier 3, we can now see that the entire state is headed down the right path,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Friday, Jan. 22. “During the summer, we were on this same path. We know that we must continue to take precautions and be smart about how we relax some of the mitigation measures, which are in place to protect our health and safety.”
Tier 1 mitigations allow indoor dining at 25 percent capacity and bar service only if food is being served.
In order to move out of tier mitigations, regions must meet certain metrics of case positivity, have staffed intensive care unit bed availability greater than 20 percent for three consecutive days and sustained decline in hospitalized COVID-19 patients on a seven-day rolling average. Read More

Annual Senior Valentine Luncheon to be Drive-Thru

News Progress Posted on by

•January 27, 20201•
Courtyard Estates of Sullivan, a supportive living community in the Sullivan area, is known for their annual Senior Valentine Luncheon and Poetry Contest. In years past, in collaboration with Mid-Illinois Senior Services, they’ve had nearly 100 seniors from the community participate. Each year seniors in the community look forward to a free homemade meal, conversation with friends, fun giveaways and a chance to read some creative material. Read More

Menu 1-27-2021

News Progress Posted on by

Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

February 1 - BBQ Pork Sandwich, Mini Potato Bakers, Mixed Vegetables, Bun, Fruit Juice
February 2 - Chicken Broccoli Rice, Bake, Corn, Whole Grain Wheat, Warm Fruit Combo
February 3 - Savory Sausage Stew w/Beans, Lyonnais Carrots, Biscuits, Scalloped Pineapple

February 4 - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Seasoned Peas, Whole Grain Wheat, Overnight Fruit Salad

February 5 - Tuna Noodle Casserole, Green & Wax Beans w/Pimentos, Apricots, Dinner Roll, Raisins

There Will Be No Swearing in This Installment

News Progress Posted on by

•January 20, 20201•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guesdt Writer

I had a friend during the 1980s, whose identity I will not divulge, who was fond of the film “Henry V,” starring Kenneth Branagh as Henry, Prince of Wales.
I loved it, too.
Branagh, who cut his teeth on Shakespeare on stage, took on a big, sweeping production for his first Hollywood directorial effort.
My friend was so enthralled by the battle scenes and a young Branagh that she asked me whether we could rent the prequels.
(cough) Read More

Windsor Jr/Sr High Honor Roll

News Progress Posted on by

•January 20, 20201•

High Honors
7th grade: Leah Kasey, Cameron Carey, Branson Tingley, Patton Voris, Alexis Gee, Seth Rincker, Landon Postlewait
8th grade: Jorja Plummer, Avery Starwalt, Luke Dispennett, Seth Rakestraw
9th grade: Silas Hortenstine, Lillian Cole, Clayton Carey, Brody Hendrickson, Claire Sims, Talon Bridges, Ainslie Eident, Aubree Brown, Billy Evetts Read More

Managing the Winter Blues

News Progress Posted on by

Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator

Winter is upon us and those longer hours of darkness coupled with the colder temperatures can make many people experience those “winter blues.” Throw in a pandemic where we are isolating from others, and I’m afraid we are going to see more people experiencing those blues and maybe worse this season. I have become much more aware recently of the signs of mental health issues having just completed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Trauma-Informed Care trainings, and also co-facilitating a youth mental health awareness program called Your Thoughts Matter. I would highly recommend anyone to complete MHFA as the purpose is to help you recognize when someone is having difficulties and be able to respond in a helpful way. And it is very likely that you will need to be there for someone in that circumstance since according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in four American adults is diagnosed with a mental disorder in their lifetime and half of those disorders begin by age 14 and three quarters by age 24.
There are many ways to try and prevent those winter blues from sneaking up on us and to maintain positive mental health. Here are just a few tips to get started: Read More

Foods That Can Positively Affect Mood

News Progress Posted on by

•January 20, 20201•
No one is immune to the occasional bad mood. Whether it’s the weather, waking up on the wrong side of the bed or another variable, various factors can have an adverse affect on a person’s mood.
Food is one factor that can have a positive effect on mood. Certain foods have been found to positively affect mood, so incorporating them into your diet may help you stay positive even on those days when you get up on the wrong side of the bed. Read More

COVID-19 Update: New Guidance on Indoor Dining, Vaccination Plan, New Virus Strain, Sports

News Progress Posted on by

Indoor dining allowed in Tier 1, but no regions there yet; Vaccine Phase 1B starting Jan. 25

•January 20, 20201•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com

Gov. JB Pritzker announced revisions to his COVID-19 mitigation tiers Friday that would allow earlier indoor dining, but no regions have thus far met the requirements.
He also announced that the whole state would move to Phase 1B of vaccination efforts as of Jan. 25, while some counties might already individually have entered that phase. As well, a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus has been confirmed to be spreading in Illinois.
Per the revisions, indoor dining will be allowed in Phase 1 of the mitigation plan with the lesser of 25 people or 25 percent capacity allowed. An establishment must serve food to be able to offer indoor service, reservations will be required, tables will be limited to four people each, and the establishments must be closed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Read More

Miller Draws Criticism for Remarks Referencing Hitler

News Progress Posted on by

•January 20, 20201•
By Janice Hunt
NP Guest Writer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) of Oakland has apologized after drawing national criticism for quoting Adolf Hitler during a rally Tuesday, Jan. 5, two days after taking the oath of office.
Miller was speaking to the group Moms for America outside of the U.S. Capitol when she said, “Each generation has the responsibility to teach and train the next generation. You know, if we win a few elections, we’re still going to be losing, unless we win the hearts and minds of our children. This is the battle.
“Hitler was right on one thing – he said whoever has the youth has the future. Our children are being propagandized. Today, I want to encourage you to do two things. Fill your children’s minds with what is true and right and noble, and then they can overcome evil with good because they actually discern between what is evil and what is good.”
Reaction to her reference to Hitler included some calls for her resignation. Miller later apologized and said some people were “trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs.” Read More

How to Make Driving in Inclement Weather More Safe

News Progress Posted on by

•January 20, 20201•
Impaired visibility can be a safety hazard while driving. Everything from sun glare to hail can affect a driver’s ability to see the road and navigate it effectively. Before drivers get behind the wheel, they should make note of their local forecast and make a plan for what to do if rain, snow or other conditions make it challenging to drive.
The International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences indicates that, based on an examination of crash test data conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the “likelihood of a crash increases during periods of low visibility, despite the tendency for less traffic and for lower speeds to prevail during these times.”
Drivers can take several steps to improve their visibility when driving in poor weather conditions. Read More