The City of Winchester is looking for grants to help fund two major capital projects in the near future.

Greg Hillis of Benton & Associates alerted the Winchester City Council on Wednesday that the city is in need of replacing several thousand linear feet of existing water lines: “We have talked about the USDA and the water mains [in the past] as far as a loan agreement and what we need to do. I met with [Public Works Superintendent] John Simmons one day and we walked through and looked at the whole city. He’s got great documentation of all of the water mains that’s under-sized and problems throughout. You’re looking at, if we look at them all, there’s about 11,000 lineal feet of water main that could be replaced throughout the City of Winchester.”

Mayor Rex McIntire says that some of the water mains and lines are original to the city’s water system: “It’s obvious that we have a lot of older mains in the community. We have been replacing some, but we have some that were put in when the system was put in originally in 1914. There are several that are in need, and obviously, again, we don’t have the money to do it without help. We will be applying for grants and low-interest loans in order to replace the ones that are in dire need of replacing.”

Hillis told the council on Wednesday he would be starting the grant application on the city’s behalf with the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office within the next few weeks.

Hillis also alerted the council that it was time to take another shot at a major grant to get their downtown square repaved. Hills says several million dollars are currently open through the USDA once again: “The downtown square grant – the application is out there now. Total funds available are $50 million. The minimum grant amount is $250,000 and the maximum grant is $3 million. No match if you are considered a community, which you are. If you do want to look at doing the downtown grant, we would be more than happy to assist you in that with the application. We have seen the application, and to submit that would be in the $3,500-$4,200 range. It is tied to Covid relief, and I think it is something that we can show that all of the downtown area was hurt during the Covid shutdowns, business-wise. This has to be a bondable project, so it cannot just be a resurface. It’s going to have to be a remove-and-replace of the pavement.”

McIntire says it’s a project he has worked on since his previous term; and it’s an item that the city has wanted to complete for several decades: “I’ve been pushing for it for 2 or 3 years. Obviously, nobody has gone through this situation like we’ve had in the last year and a half. We don’t know yet, but we aren’t going to be able to do it unless we get the money. Right now, we are just applying for the money and trying to get that grant that’s available.”

The city attempted to get the grant last year but was unsuccessful. Hillis told the city council that the project bid for the resurfacing was close to $1.7 million, but with current issues with the supply chain and rising material costs due to inflation, the project would likely cost more than $2 million to complete.

A Local representative has introduced a bill that would allegedly help with the state’s school bus driver shortage.

100^th District Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer says his new bill would change current law to allow for people who lost their licenses for circumstances unrelated to driving to get their bus driver’s permit: “Currently, the law says that an individual is required to have a driver’s license uninterrupted for the 3 years prior to becoming a school bus driver. What my bill does is that if you had your driver’s license taken away or didn’t have it for the full 3 years prior, as long as it wasn’t taken away due to a moving violation you are still able to apply to become a bus driver. So, if it was taken away, for example, because you got behind on paying child support or something like that, it wouldn’t count per say towards the 3 year requirement of having your driver’s license.”

Davidsmeyer says that safety will still be at the forefront of selecting bus drivers and says that the permit process will still have a background check: “For school bus drivers, there is still background checks and all the other requirements. This [bill] just specifically deals with an individual’s driving record, so if you had unsafe driving practices in your past, they are still going to see that and see exactly what your violations were, whether it was speeding or running stop signs…whatever it may be. This bill just says that if it’s not driving related and your license was taken away for a non-driving related issue, individuals can either get their bus driver’s license reinstated or apply.”

Davidsmeyer’s bill will be introduced to the Illinois House when it reconvenes for regular session in January.

The Village of South Jacksonville still has some details to iron out before a full-time fire chief position is created.

The initiative to create a full-time chief position dates back almost two years when current part-time chief Rich Evans, Jr. presented the board with a job description, comparable salaries, and his future plans if he were to be named to the full-time position.

Village Trustee Stacy Pinkerton motioned to table the action item last night during approval of the agenda for the village business meeting saying that the board simply wasn’t ready to vote on the creation of the position. The board voted 4-2 in favor of removing the item from the agenda, with trustees Tom Jordan and John Stewart voting no.

Jordan says that the position will help the village to continue its growth: “I think would be beneficial for the village moving forward for our growth, our protection, and our residents. [The creation of the position] could possibly be a step forward for having a full-time ambulance service, which is badly needed in this area.”

New trustee Jackie Killion says that there are some missing details that need to be filled in, but the village does want the position created: “First and foremost, we want to make it extremely clear, we all want a fire chief. Let’s just put that out there right now. We’re not against a [full-time] fire chief. I’ve never been against it. I think it’s a great idea. I think our community deserves it; but what I found out, and I have been doing my research, is that we don’t know anything about [the fire department’s] budget. I don’t know what the budget is. I don’t know how much is left. I don’t know how much is spent. I don’t have a timeframe over the last, say, four years of what the budget is, how much is spent, and if we can sustain it. We want the [full-time] chief. We like Rich, but I have to agree when [the other trustees] say that we are going to give him a job but not be able to sustain it. We are going to ask [Rich] to give up his job of all these years where I am sure he makes good money to come here and then we end up saying ‘Well, we sort of ran the money and this happened and that happened and now we don’t have it.’ Maybe if we can see that in hard copy and not just hear [that we can sustain the position], that would lead to it being created.”

The proposal now heads back to the public protection committee and the personnel committee to wrap up any remaining questions.

In other village business last night, the village approved a 0% increase to their tax levy; hired Michael Theis for the Public Works Department; and approved the promotion of Police Officer Dan Bormann to Sergeant and approved his appointment to be the department’s field training officer.

The board also voted to table Jose Lopez’s TIF agreement for the new Casa Real restaurant. Trustee Megan Davidson said that some details needed to be finalized on Lopez’s final TIF application with numbers before final approval.

The first taste of the Christmas season in Jacksonville kicks off this evening at the Governor Duncan Mansion. The Rev. James Caldwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be opening the mansion for twilight holiday tours tonight from 5-8PM and again on Saturday from 5-7PM.

Susan Hardin, Curator of the Duncan Mansion says that the mansion will really put you in the holiday spirit: “The Duncan Mansion and Duncan Park has been decorated. It’s absolutely gorgeous. You won’t believe how it transforms that house into something that is just unbelievable. At the mansion itself, in addition to the decorations, Nick Xamis is making his infamous baklava, and his wife Jeanie, is making Mary Todd-Lincoln’s sugar cookies; and we are going to have wassail along with some other treats. Then, after you have finished with your tour at the mansion, you can go over to Blessings On State Street, and they are having an afterglow party there. All of that is included in your ticket.”

Hardin says that a limited number of advance tickets remain for purchase at Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast at 1109 West State Street. She says tickets will also be available at the door the nights of the event. Cost is $20 per adult and $10 per child. Hardin says if you are fully vaccinated, you are welcome to not wear a mask at the event. However, if you are not, you will be requested to wear a mask inside the mansion.

Hardin says it’s important for the community to show up to help the DAR and the Duncan Mansion. She says that due to COVID-19, they have not been able to hold their normal fundraisers that go towards paying for the mansion’s upkeep and regular bills: “I really hope the community shows up and supports this event.”

Hardin says that members of the public will also be welcome to stroll the historic neighborhood and enjoy lights and decoration adorning the surrounding historic homes to get into the holiday spirit this weekend.

Another Springfield man has been charged for breaching the U.S. Capitol on January 6^th.

66 year old Roy Nelson Franklin was arrested yesterday and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Franklin was arrested due to his connection to his companion Thomas B. Adams, Jr. being charged back in April. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Springfield alleges an agent overheard Franklin tell someone the whole thing was fun. According to the 11-page complaint, Franklin said he took part in the breach because he felt the presidential election was stolen from incumbent Donald Trump.

According to the criminal complaint, Federal agents on April 13 searched a home where they believed Franklin lived and during the search an FBI Special Agent verheard a conversation between Franklin and his significant other. That’s when Franklin allegedly said the whole thing was fun and made his other comments. According to an attached affidavit, the FBI agent also wrote that Franklin said he wanted a copy of video of himself praying on the Senate floor with the recently sentenced Jacob Chansley, known as the Qanon Shaman. The agent wrote that “Franklin and Adams were several feet away from Chansley when he recited the prayer.”

Franklin is currently out on recognizance bond. According to the Sun Times, Franklin told the judge during his hearing yesterday that he had been out of work for four years. Franklin’s next court date in the Central District Court of Illinois has not been set.

Jacksonville Police cited a driver after they struck a house early yesterday morning.

Police were called to a car crash with injuries, with the vehicle striking a residence in the 1100 block of North Diamond at approximately 8:30 yesterday morning.

Upon arrival, police found a vehicle driven by 56 year old Anthony C. Garman of the 300 block of East Superior Avenue had left the roadway and hit multiple homes before come to a stop. Garman sustained an injury to his head and was treated at the scene by members of LifeStar EMS, but denied transport to the hospital.

Garman’s vehicle was towed from the scene.

Garman was later cited for improper lane usage.

Progress is being made on the Lewis & Clark Community College after a cybersecurity incident closed all of its campuses on November 23^rd.

College President Ken Trzaska told Riverbender today that the plan is to have the campus partially reopen on Monday with some operations.

Trzaska says that the college is taking a phased approach to the recovery, and that it may take up to 6 months to have the college’s systems fully restored online.

Trzaska explained that the college has to individually repair each of its 175 servers due to the incident. He says the focus is to be on classroom online services and the college’s Central Operating System.

The college’s cybersecurity personnel continues to investigate the origins of the ransomware attack that shut down the college.

It’s been 2 years since an email made available by an open-records request to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office set off alarm, resulting in John Sullivan resigning from the head of the State Ag Department. One of the individuals mentioned in the emails is finally speaking out.

The governor’s office released a 2012 email exchange between now-indicted former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist Michael McClain of Quincy and two top aides to then-Gov. Pat Quinn. McClain was seeking leniency for a former state employee, Forrest Ashby of Quincy, in a pending disciplinary case at a Department of Human Services facility in Rushville where Ashby was an administrator.

McClain vouched for Ashby, then an Illinois Department of Human Services executive, as “loyal” to the Quinn administration and noted, as apparent attributes, that Ashby had “kept his mouth shut” about “ghost workers” and a “rape in Champaign.”

WBEZ in Chicago released an interview yesterday with Ashby discussing the email, the ensuing scandal that followed, and criminal investigations and legislative hearings. In the interview, Ashby told WBEZ he knew nothing at all about the alleged rape or what it entailed, said he was “shocked” to learn of McClain’s reference to it and only learned about the assertion when McClain himself reached out as WBEZ was making the email public. “The rape in Champaign” continues to be a mystery, as McClain has refused to speak to investigators and Ashby says he doesn’t know what it’s in reference to.

Ashby said fallout from the allegation has taken a toll on him and his family in Quincy. Ashby, whom he considered McClain to be a close friend, has dissolved the relationship. Ashby has faced no criminal charges as a result of the email. Ashby, who was working as consultant with the state Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board at the time the email came out, had his contract terminated with the state the next week. Ashby told WBEZ that he, like many of the public, are still awaiting McClain to explain himself about what he exactly he meant by the email.

A Chicago man with ties to Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey was arrested yesterday by federal authorities for his role in the January 6^th Capitol Riot.

62 year old Lawrence Ligas of Logan Square was charged with four counts in a criminal complaint released by federal authorities yesterday. Charges include entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building and parading in a capitol building.

According to an FBI affidavit, someone was able to identify Ligas who saw him quoted in an NPR article at the riot. Block Club Chicago reports that authorities were later able to identify Ligas based on YouTube videos and surveillance footage of him inside the capitol. The FBI also interviewed Ligas in 2017 about a separate matter, and the special agent who conducted the interview confirmed his identity, as well.

A picture of Ligas with Bailey was found on the gubernatorial candidate’s Facebook page on October 31^st as a part of an organized fundraiser in Barrington.

Ligas has also been identified as a Bailey supporter by several members of the local television media who was harassed by Ligas at the Illinois State Fair Republican Day press event. According to reporter Hannah Meisel, Ligas yelled at ILGOP Chair Don Tracy while fellow reporter Amanda Vinicky was questioning why gubernatorial candidates weren’t given time to speak at the event.

UPDATE: Bailey campaign spokesperson Joe DeBose said in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times that the Bailey campaign is “shocked by this news and we do not condone any illegal activities. [Ligas] has never been a member of our campaign staff. We support law and order and trust the court system to ensure anyone breaking the law is held accountable for their actions.” Ligas’ telephone number was listed on Bailey’s campaign website for an October fundraiser at McGonigal’s Pub in Barrington. The number is listed in the FBI affidavit of Ligas’ arrest. Ligas is currently free on recognizance bond. Ligas is at least the 18th individual identified from Illinois to have taken part in the Jan. 6 riot.

Two people charged in a November carjacking, burglary and sexual assault in Adams County have pled not guilty to their crimes.

34 year old Bradley Yohn of Springfield pled not guilty for 11 counts across 3 cases that include counts of home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated criminal sexual assault, theft, and criminal sexual abuse. According to WGEM, Yohn pled not guilty in front of Adams County Judge Amy C. Lannerd on Tuesday. Due to Yohn’s previous criminal history, Yohn could face consecutive sentences if found guilty on multiple charges.

32 year old Karen Blackledge pled not guilty to 6 charges yesterday afternoon in front of Adams County Judge Robert Adrian. Blackledge is charged with two counts of home invasion, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking, one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault, and residential burglary. According to court records, Blackledge has a prior conviction of burglary, and will have a higher qualifying sentence to prison if she is convicted of that charge alone.

WGEM says that Judge Adrain indicated to Blackledge that because the two counts of home invasion were “separate and distinct” from the remaining counts, a conviction on either or both of those counts, as well as a conviction on any of the remaining counts, could qualify for consecutive sentences.

Both Yohn and Blackledge face from 4 to 40 years in prison on each of the charges. A jury trial has been set for both on January 10^th, with final pre-trial hearings marked for January 3^rd. A status hearing is set for Yohn on December 14^th, with Blackledge’s status set the following day on the 15^th.

WICS Newschannel 20 reports that Springfield Police continue to investigate whether Yohn & Blackledge are connected to the shooting death of 30 year old Derek Banker Barnett of Virden, whose body was discovered in a vehicle in a nearby alleyway in Springfield on November 10^th while U.S. Marshal’s apprehended the pair at a residence n the 1900 block of Cornell Avenue. Yohn & Blackledge have submitted to DNA testing per orders of the court. No charges have been filed yet in that case in Sangamon County.