News Progress

•April 20, 2016•

With spring cruising in and motorcycle season shifting into top gear, Illinois riders are eager to enjoy warm weather on the open road again. Before taking the first ride of the season, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police remind motorcyclists to take necessary steps to ensure their safety and “Gear Up – Ride Smart.”

The annual campaign urges riders to take precautionary measures before getting back on their bikes. Motorcyclists are encouraged to conduct a pre-ride safety inspection of their bike and refresh their riding skills with a motorcycle training class.

Proper safety gear is essential to safe riding. Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear the right safety equipment and accessories, including high-visibility (Hi Viz) clothing, eye protection, gloves, jackets, pants, boots and a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, at all times.

“While most motorcycles are only on the road for part of the year, they account for almost 15 percent of all traffic fatalities” Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said. “By choosing the proper safety equipment and brushing up on their skills, riders can do their part in making 2016 even safer for motorcycles on Illinois roads. The message is simple: Gear Up – Ride Smart.” Read More

•April 20, 2016•

Supporters of Children’s Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois (CAC) are sponsoring a community day fundraiser at Monical’s Pizza in Sullivan, Charleston and Mattoon to celebrate national Child Abuse Prevention Month. Read More

•April 13, 2016•

The Illinois Supreme Court announced that the annual registration fee for attorneys practicing in Illinois will increase by $3 next year.

The increased funds will be directed to the Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP), a not-for-profit organization that helps attorneys, judges, and law students get confidential assistance with substance abuse, addiction, and mental health issues.

Under amended Supreme Court Rule 756, the annual registration fee will increase from $382 to $385 in 2017 for attorneys who have been in active status for three years or longer. Attorneys in active status for less than three years, inactive status attorneys, and out-of-state attorneys eligible to practice in Illinois under Supreme Court Rule 707 will not see their attorney registration fees rise.

“This modest increase in the annual registration fee will have a significant impact on the LAP’s ability to provide services to impaired attorneys and to shine a light on the issues of addiction and mental illness in our profession,” Chief Justice Rita B. Garman said. “I have often observed that when the court is called upon to impose professional discipline on an attorney for some sort of professional misconduct, the attorney very often has an underlying history of substance abuse or mental illness. Intervention by the LAP, thus, serves not only the attorney whose career may be impacted by these issues but the members of the public who have placed their trust in the attorney.” Read More

•April 13, 2016•

Varied skies and cooler temperatures prevailed as visitors attended the 50th annual Shelby County Art Show, held April 9th and 10th at the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center.

Those in attendance viewed displayed artwork created by surrounding area youth and adult artists among the 202 adult entries and 535 junior entries and a special exhibit featuring the work of Jack West, as well as exciting demonstrations by various artists.

Children enjoyed receiving balloon art and face paintings. A special quilt was created and made available for visitors and participants to sign. The following is a list of results, including special merit awards and door prize winners:

Overall Best of Show: Jan Kappes, Arcola -- Ink on claybord “Pop Goes the Prairie #5 - Prairie Peace” Read More

•April 13, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) are pleased to announce a new initiative that streamlines the professional licensing process for men and women who are being released from prison.

Starting immediately, offenders who’ve completed the required coursework for Barbering and Cosmetology will be able to apply for their professional license and meet with the licensing board via video conference up to six months before their release or parole date. This common sense policy change reverses the previous approach, which prohibited offenders from starting the application process until they were already released from the institution. Read More