Blessing Health System is losing another top executive.

CEO of Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield Kathy Hull is leaving her position after 12 years at the end of this year. Hull has been in the Blessing Health System for the past 24 years.

Hull made her announcement via a video on Facebook this past week. Hull said in the video that she plans to continue working in the healthcare field at some point in time but plans on taking a vacation before she returns to work in a new position.

Hull told the Pike Press that she had a myriad of reasons that factored into her decision, including the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hull says she plans to stay in the Pittsfield area where she lives with her husband.

Hull told WGEM that Blessing is currently screening new candidates. She says the new administrator will have an office at Illini Hospital in Pittsfield but be under a different title. She said that her successor will likely be hired within the next few weeks.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is reminding the public that the Driver’s License and ID Card Expiration extensions granted during the Covid-19 pandemic are up at the end of the month.

To address the high customer volume caused by the pandemic, current Secretary of State Jesse White expanded online renewals for expired licenses and ID cards starting in 2020. Letters to those eligible to renew their licenses and and IDs online are still being sent out. The letter provides driver’s license and ID card holders with a unique PIN to renew online instead of visiting a facility. Customers may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility for online renewal or to obtain their PIN. They may also visit ilsos.gov/renewaldlid/eligible.jsp to look up their eligibility status.

White continues to encourage people to conduct other business online at ilsos.gov. In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services include obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, ordering a driver record, and purchasing license plate stickers.

Customers visiting a Driver Services facility to renew their driver’s license or ID card have the option to make an appointment at one of the 30 appointment facilities, or they can visit a walk-in facility. To determine what facilities require an appointment or to make an appointment, customers should visit ilsos.gov. Individuals without internet access may call 844-817-4649 to schedule an appointment. Only larger facilities require appointments. Many small, rural facilities do not use the appointment system because they do not experience the heavy customer volume that large facilities encounter. These facilities remain accessible to walk-in customers.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

Sangamon County Judge Adam Giganti has found the Illinois Department of Human Services and Human Services Director Grace Hou to be in indirect civil contempt of court.

Hou and representatives of IDHS filed their petition on a rule to show cause yesterday in Sangamon County Court after failing to appear before the court back on November 3^rd in the case of an inmate.

33 year old Breawna M. Miller of Auburn was arrested by Auburn Police on August 4^th on charges of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, Aggravated Assault of a Handicapped/Over 60 person, Domestic Battery, and Methamphetamine Possession. Miller was ordered to have a fitness evaluation on August 18^th and found unfit to stand trial on September 8^th and was recommended for treatment in the McFarland Mental Health Center.

By state law, the state has 20 days to place an inmate in state custody.

According to the contempt order, as of yesterday, Miller remains in custody at the Sangamon County Jail and has not been permitted to be transported for treatment. Giganti says that DHS has failed to satisfy burden of proof of why Miller has not been taken in to the IDHS facility, says that DHS facilities face similar staffing issues as that of Corrections facilities but Corrections are less equipped to provide psychiatric treatment which is DHS statutory duty, and by delaying Miller’s intake has impaired the defendant’s rights and interests in the administration of justice for her alleged crimes.

IDHS and Hou have been ordered to pay a fine of $100 per day until Miller is submitted into McFarland.

This is at least the second time the agency has been held in civil contempt over the issue.

A Jacksonville native has been selected to represent Blackburn College in the 48th Annual Lincoln Academy Laureates.

Senior Justice Administration Major Miriam “Mim” Wali-Uddin has been awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Students are recognized for demonstrating strong leadership aptitude, exhibiting a desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement, and displaying the characteristics of Abraham Lincoln that made him an inspiring national and world leader.

Wali-Uddin was nominated by faculty and staff at Blackburn. Wali-Uddin’s nomination was based up on her work in Blackburn’s unique student-led Work Program where she led others when two departments in the program merged and is now the student manager of the combined Student Success Center and Technology Services department. She was also recently elected as president of the Student Senate. She is also a member of Blackburn’s new women’s golf program.

Wali-Uddin’s plans after college include working in some capacity in the nation’s legal system.

An alleged serial grifter has been sentenced in another Central Illinois county on multiple charges.

27 year old Abigail L. Martin pled guilty on November 7^th in Fulton County Court to felony deception, felony theft, and use of a bank account with intent to defraud. The Fulton County Circuit Clerk’s office says that Martin received a concurrent sentence of 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, received a total of 31 days credit for time served in the Fulton County Jail, ordered to pay a total of $1,300 in fines, plus additional fees and court costs.

Martin is currently serving a sentence in IDOC after pleading guilty to forgery charges in Morgan and Greene counties back in March. She also received 2 years probation and over $6,400 in restitution on multiple forgery charges in Knox County in a sentence in April.

Martin still faces charges in Montgomery County for advanced practicing nursing without a license and identity theft. She is due in court for a pre-trial hearing on those charges on December 5^th.

Similarly, in Madison County, Martin was to appear last week for similar charges to those in Montgomery County, as well as theft charges amounting to at least $10,000. She is also due in Madison County Court on December 5^th.

Heartland News Feed reports that Martin also may be running into more legal trouble in a case out of DuPage County. Court records say that Martin, on the record as Abigail L. Angulo, is facing four charges that include identity theft, unauthorized control of property, forgery, and burglary.

Heartland News Feed says that the DuPage County case is currently inactive but was prompted in January by an investigation by the Westmont Police Department. Martin was indicted on the charges on March 29^th. Court records say that Martin’s defense counsel has tried unsuccessfully multiple times to vacate from the case. Martin stated not guilty pleas on all four charges in a September hearing. She was due in DuPage County Court on November 1^st but a continuance was granted without any further status set on the case.

Martin remains held at the women’s correctional facility in Decatur where she is currently serving her sentences.

The former head coach of a Pittsfield youth football organization pleaded guilty on Tuesday to theft charges.

25 year old Matthew J. Robinson, formerly of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to Class 3 felony theft and misdemeanor theft. Robinson was arrested by Pittsfield Police back in September after an investigation into suspicious purchases being made from a checking account belonging to the Pittsfield Saukee Youth Football Club.

The investigation revealed that over $3,000 in personal purchases and checks were written to Robinson’s family members on the youth football account. Robinson allegedly endorsed and cashed the checks, then kept the cash.

The Pittsfield Police Department also alleges that Robinson was employed by a local business that donated services to a family in rural Pittsfield that suffered a house fire. Robinson is accused of defrauding the family after he allegedly collected money from them for the services provided when the business had donated them to the family.

Robinson was sentenced on Tuesday to 2 years of probation, a county fine, and full restitution. Pike County State’s Attorney Zachary Boren told KHQA that Robinson will also have to perform community service and attend drug and alcohol counseling.

Illinois College has announced a major expansion of its engineering program.

The newest major will allow students be prepared to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to begin their state licensure. The College is seeking accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The multi-step ABET application process is anticipated to be completed by 2026. Students at I.C. can choose coursework in environmental or biomedical engineering.

The new major will make it possible for students interested in pursuing an engineering degree to finish their degree at IC. Previously, engineering students followed the college’s Pathways to Engineering program and finished their degree at a second institution — an option that will still be available.

Vice President of External Relations for Illinois College, Stephanie Chipman, said in a press release that engineering is the school’s second most popular area of interest for students: “Adding the engineering major while continuing the College’s partnerships with 3:2 programs will continue to strengthen enrollment and provide our students with the tools they need for successful, 21st-century careers.”

The addition of the new major has been made possible with the fundraising-powered renovation of Crispin Hall. The planned revitalization of the building is returning it to its history as a science building by adding state-of-the-art learning spaces and technology, making it a home for the engineering program and other STEM majors, including computer science and physics.

To learn more, visit ic.edu/engineering.

The Jacksonville Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign is off to a very slow start this year.

The campaign officially kicked off on November 9^th. Captain Chris Clarke says he’s concerned that they are seeing less hours reserved for bell ringers this year: “Kettles are the biggest fundraiser that the Salvation Army has. It makes up more than 1/3 of our annual income, so it’s so important. We can put the kettles out, but we’ve found that if there is no bell ringers, people don’t put money in the kettles. It’s vitally important that we have bell ringers out there. We’re only at 10% occupied for the amount of available hours for bell ringers that we have through Christmas Eve. We’re definitely reaching out to the community that we need volunteers. We have 10 locations this year, which is actually double the amount of locations we’ve had in the past. We have several that are indoors. People can sign up at registertoring.com or they can give us a call at 217-245-7124 and we can tell them what’s available.”

Currently, there is still over 5,000 available hours of bell ringing available.

Clarke says that nearly 40% of the organization’s funding is raised in the final two months of the year annually: “It’s vitally important that we do make our goals. We have a long way to go. This year we need to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve. If people want to make donations or if they simply could take just an hour or two of their day and volunteer to ring the bell, that would be awesome. One of the great things about the Jacksonville community is that we definitely care about our people, so we get together regularly and help those who are in need.”

Clarke says if bell ringing is not something you wish to do, there are other opportunities to help as a holiday volunteer. The Jacksonville Salvation Army will need volunteers for serving both a Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meal at the citadel; or you can donate by purchasing a toy off of one of the many Salvation Army Angel Trees around Jacksonville.

To find out more information, visit the citadel at 331 West Douglas Avenue, call 217-245-7124, or visit their official webpage here or find the Jacksonville Salvation Army on Facebook.

Jacksonville may soon be home to a cannabis craft grow facility.

The Jacksonville City Council heard a presentation from representatives of Wyvern Botanticals, an Illinois-licensed cannabis craft grower who is looking to place a facility in Jacksonville.

Tim Dorsey, Managing Partner of Dorsey Ventures & Consulting, who is consulting on the Jacksonville project says the hope is to bring revitalization and jobs to Jacksonville: “We all have some roots here. We are looking to rehabilitate and retrofit the ACH property, to beautify that and bring sources of revenue and employment to Jacksonville. Part of that process, unfortunately for us, is a request for a variance or an amendment to an ordinance that exists with some residential easement. We’re requesting that variance or change be approved by the City Council to allow us to bring that economic improvement and job creation to the city.”

Currently, the city’s zoning ordinance requires any craft grow or cannabis dispensary to not be within 1,500 feet of residential areas. The AC-Humko plant has a new subdivision neighboring the property to the southwest and the Blackhawk Apartments directly west of the campus. All told, the facility is within 295 feet of residential property. City Attorney Dan Beard says the original intent of the ordinance was to limit a dispensary or craft grow facility being placed near downtown or closer to residential areas in Jacksonville. Dorsey says one of the reasons why the ACH property was chosen was due to its size and the already existing security measures the property already has in place.

The variance and re-zone request for a special use permit will first have to be recommended by the Plans Commission prior to a vote from the City Council.

Dorsey says not only with the city benefit from extra tax revenues from the state, but local contractors, local dispensaries, and local products will be employed and produced from the facility. Dorsey says the campus will also be utilized for a secondary purpose: “Part of the scenario with the ACH property is that we have 56 acres of access to that we are looking at renewable energy resources to place and to power our facility. Inherently by doing that, we have an opportunity to give back some of those renewable processes and business contacts to the City of Jacksonville for other sustainable and renewable projects.”

Dorsey says the effort will also rehabilitate and restore the property from being a vacant eyesore. Dennis Werth, who has been a salesman in another industry prior to entering investment into cannabis cultivation, says he’s looked at the vacant property for the last two decades traveling into town. He knows its lengthy history with the city and it’s extremely long vacancy. Werth says through some “putty, paint, and glue” the group will beautify the property and make it look like a welcoming site for those who enter Jacksonville’s east end. Dorsey also noted they will hope to a retain a low nuisance level with operations all taking place indoors under heavy security, limiting noise and smell pollution through a sophisticated HVAC system, and keeping low traffic into and out of the facility.

Werth says if members of the City Council or residents of Jacksonville want an idea of what the facility’s appearance and operations will look like, to visit Revolution Enterprises medical cannabis cultivation center and laboratory in Barry.

Dorsey says the facility will initially have a canopy of 7,000 square feet with the ability to grow into a 14,400-foot flower canopy. He says the facility will employ about 20 people, with the hopes of “growing into” their license similar to what happened to Barry facility did over the last 7 years.

Dorsey says if the City Council and Plans Commission approves the zoning variance or changing of the ordinance in December, work on the facility will begin right away with the hopes of opening for operations after retro-fitting next summer.

Current owner of the property Mike Hayes says he’s already communicated with neighbors who are in favor of the project. He says he’s also done due diligence on the potential buyers: “I bought that property when it came up for auction. I stepped in because I wanted to have some control over what happens there because I wanted to make sure we had a good neighbor.” Hayes currently owns the 56-lot subdivision that butts against the ACH property to the southwest. Hayes says he’s had multiple inquiries since acquiring the property more than 5 years ago, many of which he says didn’t make sense: “The second highest bidder on the property at the auction was for a scrap yard. I’ve had scrap yards. I’ve had meat-butchering facilities. I’ve had all kinds of groups asking about it. As many remember the AC-Humko plant when it operated, it didn’t smell so great. It backed up all the sewers around the area frequently. I haven’t seen many things that I thought made sense. I think [Wyvern’s] proposal makes a lot of sense. Everything is going to be inside. All the cultivation is going to be inside. They are under strict regulations as far as security and cameras. I really wasn’t looking for something that was going to have a super high level of traffic, train traffic, trucks in and out all day. This group has done a high level of due diligence on the property. I think they are well financed. They are licensed. I’ve had two or three other craft growers come in there to look, none of which had licenses. They certainly have the capability. They’ve done it in other places.”

Hayes says that this opportunity with the craft grow also presents the city council with an amount of control of what goes into the facility, and if the city passes on the craft grow; future proposals for the site may not have to come before the board.

Dorsey said that submission of site plans and a rezoning request were available to the city directly after Monday night’s meeting in hopes of having it approved at the first city council meeting in December.

Jacksonville Downtown businesses are pushing for you to shop local with a special Pink Friday event and another shopping event this weekend.

Colleen Flinn of Nothing Fancy Supply and Gillham House explains the idea of the new national shopping trend: “I believe it started during Covid-19. This is the first year we are having it in Jacksonville. It is Pink Friday, which is the Friday before Black Friday. The goal is to get people shopping small and local before they decide to go to the big box stores on Black Friday.”

13 businesses will be participating in the first ever Pink Friday or Pink-Mas event including Flinn’s Gillham House. She says the retail holiday will carry over into Saturday with another event specifically at Gillham House and Nothing Fancy Supply: “Gillham House is participating in Pink-Mas. We will be having sales on Friday and Saturday. Then, we are also having our Christmas Market on Saturday, so we will have vendors; Proud Richards is going to be here with food and drinks; we’re going to have live music; and we will be open from 10AM-4PM. Nothing Fancy Supply will also be holding their annual Warehouse Sale Event, so all of our beeswax food wraps will be marked down super low. We hope that we can a bunch of people to come out to all of these events.”

Flinn says its an exciting time to be a part of the downtown businesses with all of the construction going on and new shops opening up. She says one way to ensure that all of the growth in Downtown Jacksonville continues is to continue buying from locally-owned and operated businesses.