DeVore To Run for IL Attorney General
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 1:40pm
A Southern Illinois attorney that has made a name for taking on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Covid mitigations and the school mask mandate has informally announced he’s seeking a higher office. Thomas DeVore appears poised to seek the Republican nomination for the Illinois Attorney General’s office. According to the Cook County Record, DeVore has begun distributing […]
Jacksonville Farmer’s Market Moving to Pathway Plaza
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 1:27pm
The Jacksonville Farmer’s Market is changing locations this year. The farmer’s market has been at Lincoln Square since 1997. Michael Meyer, director of the market, says in communication today that the market is changing locations this year because the rate structure charged by Lincoln Square changed this year. Meyer says the increase would increase vendor […]
Hayes Cries Foul in DCFS Move Downtown
By Gary Scott on February 23, 2022 at 12:57pm
A downtown building owner is crying foul in an apparent move by a state office out of a north side building. There are moving vans stationed outside of the DCFS building, which housed the Sears store years ago. The building is owned by Mike Hayes. He says the building is safe, in good […]
Three House Republicans Again Escorted Off House Floor For Violating Mask Rule
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 9:30am
Masks continue to stand in the way of the Illinois General Assembly from doing business. In the first half-hour of House session yesterday at the Capitol the leaders of each party made calls for civility. House Speaker Chris Welch and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin had a message for all the members of the chamber: […]
IL Supreme Court to Lift Local Court Mask Requirement on Monday
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 7:22am
The Illinois Supreme Court it is removing requirements for masks in state courts on Monday. The court published the amended order yesterday afternoon making masks optional for attendance in state courts. The order’s wording defers to local circuits to set their own rules requiring the wearing of masks in accordance with public health guidance at […]
Jacksonville “Litter Getter” Campaign To Expand, City Block Clean Up Being Planned
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 5:50am
An initiative to beautify and clean up the City of Jacksonville is expanding. The “Litter Getter” campaign with several of Jacksonville’s service organizations occurred last summer. Ward 2 Alderwoman and Chair of the City’s Parks & Lakes Committee Lori Large-Oldenettel organized the initiative. She says this year the initiative is expanding in two different ways […]
Commissioners Pay Bills; Awaiting Engineer’s Plans For Upgrades to the Morgan County Jail
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 5:34am
The Morgan County Commissioners paid three major bills this morning in their lone action items. Chairman Brad Zeller asked for approval of a traunch of American Rescue Plan Funding to be paid out to R.D. Lawrence for the latest round of renovations at the former Putnam-Springer buildings on North Clay Avenue in Jacksonville for the […]
Davidsmeyer Weighs In on School Mask Mandate
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 5:26am
A local representative has weighed in on an Appellate Court’s ruling against an appeal to lift a temporary restraining order against Governor J.B. Pritzker’s mask mandate in public schools. Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer says that Democratic leadership in the General Assembly has abdicated its responsibility to be a check and balance against the executive’s power: “I’ve […]
Winchester Looking Toward GIS Mapping of Gas Utility
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 5:21am
The City of Winchester is looking to move its abilities to locate utility lines into the future. Utility Safety and Design, Inc. presented a proposal to the city to create a new master map of the city’s gas mains using the Geographic Information System technology or GIS. GIS connects data in an electronic format by […]
IC To Get Endowment From GROWMARK, Inc. in Honor of Spradlin
By Benjamin Cox on February 23, 2022 at 5:11am
Illinois College is getting a financial gift in honor of a retiring CEO of a major agriculture business. GROWMARK, Inc. is honoring the 40-year career of CEO James Spradlin with substantial financial gifts to IC. Spradlin is retiring from GROWMARK at the end of this month. The GROWMARK Foundation is providing $50,000 to establish the […]