News Progress

Eligible Illinois taxpayers can use IRS’s Direct File program this year

•April 9, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the Tuesday, April 15th deadline is quickly approaching for filing 2024 state individual income tax returns. The agency began accepting and processing individual income tax returns on January 27, the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting federal returns. “We encourage taxpayers to file electronically and choose direct deposit in order to ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds,” IDOR Director David Harris said. 

Illinois is participating in the free IRS Direct File program this year at https://directfile.irs.gov/. Eligible Illinois taxpayers can use the program to file their 2024 federal returns directly with the IRS. Federal return information can then be transferred into MyTax Illinois, to file Illinois individual income taxes at no cost. Direct File eligibility can be confirmed by visiting https://directfile.irs.gov.

•April 9, 2025•

In April, all the veterinarians in the state of Illinois are celebrating Healthy Pet Month. As part of this celebration, Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital would like to recognize the important role that the Pet Owner-Veterinary Bond plays in the wellness of your pets. This includes the gratitude we have for our many clients and their pets, as well as our thanks to our entire staff for the responsibility they bear to ensure the quality of care for your animal. The oath of ensuring your pet is healthy takes a multi-faceted approach. These can include preventative care such as wellness exams, vaccines, parasiticides, dental exams and cleanings, or emergent medical treatment and care for those with unexpected illnesses. The importance of the relationship veterinarians share with their patients and pet owners is paramount in ensuring the best outcomes of the health of any companion animal. 

The health and wellness of your pet can be accomplished in many different ways. Preventative health screening such as annual wellness exams, necessary vaccines, and heartworm testing are a great start to maintaining the health and wellness of your pet. The safety and efficacy of these vaccines are so remarkable that we rarely see many of the diseases we vaccinate for. Parvo virus and Leptospirosis, as well as Distemper are still very much present in the wild canid and raccoon populations. This poses challenges for the complete eradication of these diseases, unlike the success we have had in our human counterparts.

2015

The 2015 queens that were crowned March 28 were Jr. Miss Lovington Kenli Nettles, daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christi Yielding and 2015 Little Miss Lovington Morgan Casteel, daughter of Brock and Erica Casteel. Outgoing queens were 2014 Jr Miss Lovington, Natalie Lambdin and 2014 Little Miss Lovington, Halle Wardrip.

Sparrow’s Unlimited Inc. once again gave away bikes to children during the Lovington Easter egg hunt at Tom Conn Park. Those who received bikes were Griffin Hilton, Kamayah Parker, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Daylin Doggett, Athena Helmuth, Devon Barron, Rylin Young, Robbie

Le Cates, and McKenzie Erixon.

•April 2, 2025•

On May 14, Jenna Slaughter with the East Central Illinois Worknet - Douglas County will be conducting a Career Development Workshop at the Arthur Public Library. The workshop will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and will benefit individuals who need assistance with career readiness. Some highlights to career readiness include creating a standout resume, effective job search strategies, mastering interview skills, building professional skills, navigating the job market, and personal branding for career success. 

This is an opportunity for individuals to grow professionally and make a lasting impression in the workforce. All ages are welcome and asked to attend. 

For more information, email Jenna Slaughter at jslaughter@ccrpc.org (Douglas) or hfyke@ccrp.org (Piatt).

•April 2, 2025•

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FY 2026-2030) to implement life-saving safety upgrades at highway-rail crossings across Illinois. Over $400 million from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) and Rebuild Illinois (RBI) will help local communities pay for much-needed improvements at over 900 crossing locations. 

“Illinois’ rail system is made up of more than 10,000 public crossings. The ICC’s Crossing Safety Improvement Plan is an essential tool for improving our state’s rail infrastructure and reducing the risk of collisions,” said ICC Commissioner Michael T. Carrigan.