“Get Covered Illinois” transitions to a state-based marketplace this November

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IL marketplace to replace Healthcare.gov •August 20, 2025• “Get Covered Illinois” announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov, Get Covered Illinois will now operate as a full state-based marketplace.  “Today marks a pivotal step towards bringing quality, affordable healthcare to all Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Operating a state-based marketplace will allow our state more flexibility to provide health insurance coverage that is tailored to the needs of our residents.” “It was an honor to carry the bill establishing the … Read More

“Broadway Boot Camp”

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•August 20, 2025• Photo Submitted Rev. Grant Wade and “Broadway Bootcamp” participants joyously holding the $5,000.00 HICF donation that helped make the bootcamp possible. Submitted The second of two “Broadway Boot Camps” with 30 children per session (the first held at The Little Theatre on the Square earlier this summer) was held August 4th-9th, at the First Christian Church in Sullivan, and was supported by the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation with a $5,000 grant. The instructors were Heather Dore Johnson and Zach Smith The camp was a weeklong musical theatre experience for kids entering 1st through 5th grade. It … Read More

Sullivan City Code re; ‘animals’ being enforced

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•August 20, 2025• by DM Williamee The City of Sullivan Animal Code requires that not only dogs, but cats as well, must be kept under the control of the owner and not be let to roam free, unsupervised, or unrestrained. Due to the growing number of feral cats in Sullivan and the growing number of complaints because of them, live traps, which are humane, have been deployed to capture feral cats, which are then released to farmers who are more than happy to rehome them on their property.  … Read More

Lake Shelbyville tree stand permits now available for the 2025/26 deer season

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•August 20, 2025• Submitted Lake Shelbyville‘s Tree Stand Policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“Seasonal Tree Stand”) and/or utilize up to two “Roving” stands that can be left up during archery season for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours – the length of a 3-day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed 2 weeks before archery season and must be removed within 2 weeks of archery season ending. Archery season runs from October 1st, 2025, through … Read More

Remembering Who We Are………………72

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The Lincoln Way (continued) •August 20, 2025• by Janet Roney I am sure you know that Abraham Lincoln was a frequent visitor to Moultrie County when he was a young man and while he was practicing law on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Local history nuts like me spend time researching when he was here, and where he ate and slept. So, hang in there with me. One of the first places where he ate and slept was three miles south of Lovington near the Joshua Selby log cabin on March 13th, 1830. Joshua Selby and his father-in-law, Jacob Pea, had … Read More

SFFC: supporting children and parents in their communities

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•August 20, 2025• Submitted Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family-like support for desperate, low-income families through a community of devoted volunteers motivated by compassion to keep children safe and ultimately together with their families.  Parents voluntarily place their children with safe, loving, and screened host families where they are cared for, while additional volunteers help parents to restore stability in their lives. SFFC strives to meet three objectives. First, to prevent child abuse by providing safe, temporary homes for children from families in crisis. Secondly, to support and stabilize families in crisis by providing mentoring … Read More

Obituaries 8-20-2025: Bill Lindley

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Bill Lindley Bill Lindley, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 6:57 p.m. Saturday, August 16, 2025, in his home surrounded by loved ones. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday August 20, 2025 in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan with Pastor Bob Vail officiating followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at the Sullivan American Legion to share stories, memories and to celebrate a life well lived. Military honors will be conducted by the Sullivan American Legion Post#68. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Sports Boosters or to the Sullivan American Legion Scholarship Fund. The family requests casual attire. Arrangements by the … Read More

A Look Back…8-20-2025

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2015 Moultrie County is sprucing up the courthouse. On Thursday, August 20th, the Moultrie County Board proceeded with the restoration of the exterior of the courthouse with a unanimous vote, based on the recommendations of Building and Grounds committee Co-chair, Gary Smith. Running a tight ship is a challenge for the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department, and recent uncertainties in state funding are putting more pressure on the limited staff. “With eight Deputies covering the County 24/7, we are already running pretty close,” Sheriff Chris Simms said, noting that similar and surrounding Counties operate with up to forty percent more staff. … Read More

Powering up local generosity, community leaders launch new giving circle

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Submitted by Natalie Beck, HICF CEO Three area community leaders, in partnership with the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, announce the launch of the Impact Giving Circle. Linda Carlton-Huber, Susie Inman, and Grant Wade are inviting the community to join them in this new giving circle to fuel lasting change.  The Impact Giving Circle invites community-minded men and women to pool their donations and decide together how to best invest in programs that support and empower education and social service agencies in Moultrie County and the surrounding area. … Read More

Moultrie County approves grocery tax

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•August 20, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow Aone percent grocery items tax the state has been collecting will be collected next year by Moultrie County after the county board approved the change at the meeting Thursday night. The Grocery Service Occupation Tax has been collected by Illinois and passed back to local governments. After the state legislature voted to end the tax beginning January 1st, area communities and counties are voting on keeping it in place for themselves. Moultrie County’s tax will only apply to food sellers in the unincorporated areas of the county.  … Read More