News Progress

•July 29, 2015•

The State of Illinois budget not being enacted for fiscal year 2016 beginning July 1 has led C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation to make changes in their program delivery system to include reduction of client services, days of service, hours of operation and employment of personnel to provide the needed services to clients.

According to Paul White, CEO, “The current budget uncertainty and impasse at the state level has led C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation to reduce client services effective July 1 and to lay off employees, change days of service and reduce hours of operation in the field offices effective August 3.

White added that, “Due to C.E.F.S. not having state contracts or state funding in place for some of our key human service programs, the agency has had to make decisions that impact the level of service for our clients at our local outreach field offices.”

On July 1, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation stopped all direct client services in the following grants: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant, the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, the Homeless Prevention Program, and the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program. These unfunded state funded programs will not provide direct client services until the state budget is approved and contracts are issued to C.E.F.S. The client impact has been no direct services to 2,115 low-income individuals which represents 955 vulnerable households not receiving needed assistance.  Read More

•July 22, 2015•

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that Illinois’ unemployment rate in June declined to 5.9 percent and nonfarm payroll employment shed -7,500 jobs, based on preliminary data released by the Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate reported for June, which fell from the prior month to 5.3 percent.
On a county level, the most current unemployment data is for May, during which Moultrie recorded a rate of 3.8 percent, up two-tenths a percent from April, but down 1.5 percent from a year ago. June’s data is expected to be released Thursday, July 23.
The BLS revised May data, which showed a smaller increase in Illinois’ job gain from a preliminary +9,200 to +7,400. Read More

•July 22, 2015•

Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson announced Tuesday the release of a finalized statewide strategy designed to improve water quality in Illinois and the Gulf of Mexico. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (the Strategy) is the culmination of more than a year of work by a policy working group as well as public input.
The Strategy does not call for new regulations for either point or non-point sources; however, it does rely on the latest science and best available technologies to guide statewide efforts to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen losses that impact Illinois waterways and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. These nutrients spur algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels, hinder recreation, and threaten public health. Nutrient pollution can also degrade drinking water quality and require cities to install costly treatment equipment.
“Illinois EPA appreciates the collaboration of our partners and the public to make this Strategy an action plan that Illinois is committed to implementing,” said Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett. “By building on and scaling up the work that municipalities, sanitary districts, farmers and landowners are already doing to reduce nutrient losses, we will be able to make great strides in protecting Illinois rivers, lakes and streams, as well as reducing our contribution to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia.” Read More

•July 22, 2015•

The Moultrie Douglas Extension Foundation held a 4-H project auction July 8 during the Moultrie Douglas County Fair. The evening was a little damp with the occasional rain shower, but the 4-Hers and bidders weren’t bothered by it. More than 50 bidders along with friends and family came out to see the hard work of some of the 4-Hers that was available for sale.
After some opening comments from foundation officers Sarah Reedy, auction chairperson/treasurer, Charla Coombe, foundation president and Moultrie Douglas Fair Board president Lyle Dorjhan, the ring was handed over to the auctioneers Larry Plank and Rudy Huber. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Tim Williamson and Jeremy Phelps, both of Sullivan, Toby Bolsen of Lovington and Dave Peadro of Sullivan recently competed at state as members of the Moultrie County 4-H livestock judging team.
Lindsay Patrick demonstrated an Orange Julius and Paige Clark talked about taking pictures with various types of cameras during a recent meeting of the Marrowbone Merry Makers 4-H Club at the Christian Church in Bethany.
Kenneth Armstrong was selected as Mr. AmBuC for the past year by the Sullivan AmBuC Club, and Tom Elder was named the top project chairman for his effort in the Come Share Program.
Rick Matthews of Sullivan won the first place prize, a half of beef, July 4 in the Sullivan AmDoes raffle. Second prize of a whole ham went to Forrest Ferguson of Sullivan, and third prize, $25 worth of beef steaks, was won by Janet Schultz of Sullivan.
Bethany’s Steve VanLoon worked to get past two St. Teresa defenders Tuesday during the Prairie State Games-Decatur Festival Tournament at MacArthur High School in Decatur. The Mustangs, who have attended team camps at the University of Evansville and Millikin University this summer, lost to the Bulldogs 78-71. Read More