Lovington plans Halloween festivities, sets date for Safe-Trick-or-Treating

News Progress Posted on by

•September 23, 2026• By E. Scott England It was a relatively mundane meeting for the Village of Lovington this month. Absent member Andrea Wardrip, the remaining six carried out business efficiently. Only one of the three attending members of the public chose to speak at this meeting. A concerned citizen was once again inquiring about the possibility of automatic debits for their water bill. The speaker had even gone as far as inquiring to the bank about the possibility of this. Unfortunately, the board informed, the software the village uses does not allow for automatic debits at this time. Asking … Read More

Dear Editor,

News Progress Posted on by

Dear Editor There are many debates in the world, and healthcare is one of the biggest ones. Many people argue for free healthcare, saying that it’s a basic human right. Others argue that it would be too costly. Nevertheless, healthcare should be universally free and available to everyone. The prestigious research organization, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says, “…We estimated that a single payer universal healthcare system would have saved 212,000 lives in 2020 alone.” Free healthcare in the United States could drastically save more lives and allow for people to get healthcare without the fear of … Read More

Lake Land College sees highest Fall enrollment in many years

News Progress Posted on by

•September 23, 2026• Enrollment at Lake Land College has reached a new seven-year high, according to the College’s Fall 2026 Census Day Enrollment Report, which was presented to the Board of Trustees during the regular September meeting. According to the report, 4,313 students are enrolled at Lake Land College for the Fall 2026 semester, surpassing last year’s headcount by more than 4%. Additionally, the report includes a 1.8% increase in Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment, which is the number of total enrolled credit hours divided by the conventional full-time workload of 15 credit hours per semester. For the Fall 2026 semester, … Read More

Illinois railroad workers urge public to make safe choices

News Progress Posted on by

•September 23, 2026• Submitted Illinois railroad workers are asking motorists, pedestrians and families to remember a few basic rules that can save lives as the state observes See Tracks? Think Train!® Week Sept. 21-27 — while highlighting a new Illinois law designed to make sure those lessons begin at a young age. SMART-TD Illinois State Director Bob Guy said railroad employees see firsthand why vigilance around tracks and crossings matters. “A train can’t swerve around you, and it can’t stop like your car,” Guy said. “By the time a locomotive engineer sees someone in the train’s path, there may be … Read More

Remembering Who We Are……..

News Progress Posted on by

Choosing the County Seat, Part 3 •September 23, 2026• by Janey Roney Last week, I left you wondering why after two years of wrangling, voters chose Asa’s Point (the future Sullivan) as their new county seat in 1845 instead of the well-established East Nelson village. Asa’s Point, a point of timber south of the center of the new county, was uninhabited possibly because it was too close to the mosquito and rattlesnake infested swamp and two-mile long lake known as Eagle Pond to be a healthy home. East Nelson was on the south bluff of the Kaskaskia above Nelson Ford … Read More

An Amish Education

News Progress Posted on by

For two hours, I traded my reporter’s notebook for a chalkboard slate•September 23, 2026• by Ariana R. Cherry For a few hours on Saturday, Sept. 12, an old schoolhouse became a classroom again — and I became one of its students. I arrived at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center expecting to learn about Amish education. I didn’t realize quite how literally that would happen. Inside the historic Miller Amish German School, about 15 to 20 of us gathered in the small classroom, including visitors and local Amish residents who would lead us through the experience. At the front of the … Read More

Jim and Linda Bailey celebrate 55 years of marriage

News Progress Posted on by

•September 23, 2026• by Jamie Crosier At Okaw Valley Orchard, Jim and Linda Bailey’s displays of affection have occasionally drawn some good-natured reminders from their family. Their daughter Jennifer said her parents remain comfortable hugging and kissing in front of their children, grandchildren and even orchard employees. The younger generations have a standard response: Take the public displays of affection elsewhere. The teasing comes after 55 years of marriage for the rural Sullivan couple, who celebrated their anniversary Aug. 28. Their story began with a blind date arranged by Jim’s sister. Linda Leftridge was 19 and had graduated from DeSoto … Read More

Story Time welcomes young children at Sullivan library

News Progress Posted on by

by Jamie Crosier Wednesday mornings at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library begin with a welcome song, followed by a choice made by some of the library’s youngest visitors: what to sing next. Children can shake bells or play rhythm sticks during the songs before settling in for a story. Some weeks include a game or activity tied to the book. Afterward, children move to the library’s back room for a craft, then can spend time in the bounce house, play with hopper balls or explore the sensory table. The library’s weekly Story Time begins at 10 a.m. each Wednesday and is … Read More

Sullivan school board adopts 2026-27 budget, reviews track progress

News Progress Posted on by

•September 23, 2026• by Jamie Crosier The Sullivan Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education adopted its 2026-27 budget Monday, Sept. 14, with district officials reporting a balanced overall budget despite declining state and federal funding and rising transportation costs. Superintendent Dr. Ted Walk said the final budget remains very similar to the tentative version presented in July, with only minor adjustments. While some individual funds are expected to operate at a deficit this year, he said those decreases are planned, including spending connected to previously scheduled capital projects. Walk said the district has maintained balanced budgets for the … Read More

Medicare Part ‘D’, seniors, caught in pharma crisis

News Progress Posted on by

Op-Ed By  DM Williamee Recently, I received an automated call from the big-chain pharmacy that I use to fill my prescriptions notifying me that my prescription was ready for pick-up. Upon arrival, however, the pharmacy was closed. I located a store employee who shared that they did not know the why or when it would re-open. I was given the corporate phone number to call for more information. When I called, they provided no clear answers and were of limited help. Yes-my pharmacy was closed. When would it re-open? Hopefully soon. Why was it closed? Silence. I was then advised … Read More