People under 18 will be able to provide consent for contraceptive services and products in medical settings in Illinois.  The change comes after Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3341 into law on Friday, June 10.  Currently, minors must get permission from a parent or guardian to access these products.

The bill passed the State House and Senate largely along party lines.  State Representative Bill Hauter, a Republican from Morton, questioned the bill’s sponsors on the rights of minors compared to their parents on the House floor. 

General Assembly Republicans criticized the measure, saying it violates parents’ rights to manage the care of their children.  Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action advocated for the bill and praised its signing, saying it will meet the needs of today’s youth.

The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027. 

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees is preparing for elections to fill the seats of two members.  Gary Cadwell’s and Tom Wright’s six-year terms will expire in May of the coming year, and elections for their seats will take place April 6, 2027.

Those interested in running for the open seats must be U.S. citizens, aged 18 or older, and a resident of Community College District No. 517 for one year before the election. Candidates must present a petition with at least 50 signatures from residents in the aforementioned district.  They must also present a statement of candidacy and proof of having submitted a statement of economic interest to the Coles County Clerk’s office. Candidates may collect petition signatures starting Tuesday, August 25.  Completed materials must be delivered in person to Lake Land College’s Office of the President.

Election winners will assume office within 28 days of the election date.  Election packets are available by calling (217) 234-5222, emailing officeofthepresident@lakelandcollege.edu, or visiting the Office of the President in person. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will host a talk and exhibit focusing on the 16th president’s eldest son, Robert T. Lincoln.  The event is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m, with doors opening at 6.  Jason Emerson, a historian and the author of “Giant in the Shadows: The Life of Robert T. Lincoln,” will lead the discussion.

Attendees will also be able to take in a pop-up exhibition of artifacts from Robert Lincoln’s Life.  They include his photo in his mother’s watch case and a playbill for Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Club, in which he participated.  After the talk, Emerson will sell and sign copies of his book.  Outgoing Executive Director Christina Shutt says the ALPLM looks forward to highlighting what she describes as the former U.S. president’s eldest son’s “complicated” life.

Robert Lincoln served as secretary of war under Presidents James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.  He was then named minister to the United Kingdom in 1889, holding that role for four years.  Afterwards, he served as general counsel – and later president and chairman – of the Pullman Palace Car Company.

The event is free to attend, but interested attendees must register at www.PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov/events.

The Christian County Coal Mine Museum is expanding.  The museum will take in artifacts from the Moweaqua Coal Mine Museum, which will close.  Christian County’s museum will also organize a golf outing and a rummage sale to raise funds to benefit their operation.

The transition will happen closer to the fall.  Chuck Martin, the executive director of the Christian County Coal Mine Museum, believes the new artifacts will all fit in his space. 

The museum’s tenth annual golf outing will take place Saturday, September 12 at the Lake Shore Golf Course in Taylorville.  Those interested in playing or sponsoring can sign up to do so by calling Martin at (217) 526-4408.

Finally, their rummage sale will take place in early October, with the exact date still to be determined. 

More information on the Christian County Coal Mine Museum is on their Facebook page.

Chuck Martin appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Christian County 4-H participants are preparing to showcase their livestock and projects at the county’s fair, which is only days away.  On Monday, before the ribbon is cut, projects will be judged at the Extension’s office at 1120 North Webster Street.  On Wednesday, the livestock judging competitions will take place at the fairgrounds.  Then on the following day, the auctions will be held, with select animals and projects featured earlier in the week put up for bid.

Sara Marten, the Christian County director for the University of Illinois Extension, is overseeing the plans.  She says the judging times for each project are set based on category. 

The livestock shows will be held on Wednesday starting at 8 a.m.  Each subsequent species’ show will begin around a half-hour after the previous one has ended, in an “order of play” format akin to professional tennis tournaments. 

On Thursday at 6 p.m., the auctions will begin.  Generally, a participant who brings multiple projects/animals may only choose one to put up for auction, or alternatively not auction any of them. 

More information on the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H involvements is available at 4h.extension.illinois.edu.  The Christian County Fair’s schedule is available on their website, www.christiancountyfair.com.

Sara Marten appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Kiwanis members met Tuesday for their noon luncheon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  Beth Kuntzman informed the club about an organization known as Wreaths Across America.

Wreaths Across America was started in 1992 as an effort to honor our veterans while remembering the fallen.  Kuntzman, who is the location coordinator for Camp Butler National Cemetery, stated that Wreaths Across America is committed to teaching younger generations about the value of their freedoms.  

The program originated at Arlington National Cemetery.  Currently, 1,700 cemeteries participate in the annual holiday wreath placement recognizing those who served our country.  Wreaths are placed by volunteers and are displayed for four weeks.  The cost of the wreaths is $17 each.

For information on wreath sponsorship and volunteering to place wreaths, and to learn more about its mission to you can visit their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/IL0295

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization focused on supporting youth and the local community.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com or email the club at TaylorvilleKiwanis@gmail.com
 

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its involvement at the Christian County Fair, along with other events pertaining to its member businesses.  They will be present at the ribbon cutting on Tuesday and the senior citizens appreciation luncheon the following day.  April Wolfe, the Chamber’s operations coordinator, says its member businesses will also be heavily involved with respect to sponsorships and physical presence. 

Multiple member businesses are celebrating anniversaries at this point in the year, including some which are reaching notable milestones.  Among them is Sydney Lynn’s Little Book Shop & Vinyl, which will host a celebration on Saturday, August 1. 

Chillifest is just two-and-a-half months away.  Registration for the Chili Pepper Pageant will open on Saturday, August 1 at 9 a.m. 

The Business After Hours events continue, as well.  The next one will take place at Lake Lawn Inn in Pana in August; the Chamber has not yet announced the exact date. 

More information on the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce is available at www.taylorvillechamber.com.

April Wolfe appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

New road improvement work is set to come to Springfield.  State Senator Doris Turner announced on Thursday that $192 million in state funding will go towards the work. The money comes from the Rebuild Illinois program, which has seen bipartisan support.  State Senator Turner praised the move, saying it is an investment in transportation which in turn creates jobs and supports economic growth. 

The new funding will support nine projects.  One of them has already been completed. Five are expected to be completed within this calendar year, with the other three to follow inside the succeeding two years.  More information on the projects is available here. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will be looking for a new Executive Director.  Christina Shutt, the current executive director, announced Wednesday that she will leave the position at the end of the year.  The decision will bring an end to what will be five-and-a-half years in the role, the longest such tenure of anyone in the position in the museum’s history.

The ALPLM saw notable success in her tenure.  The museum attained national accreditation, won awards for new exhibits, and strengthened connections with the local community.  Shutt says she is proud of the landmark’s accomplishments in her time there, adding that these successes achieved the goals she set when she arrived. Gary Johnson, chairman of the museum’s board of trustees, thanked Shutt for her service, saying her work will shape the museum well for the future.

The board will work to nominate a new executive director.  The nominee must be confirmed by the Illinois State Senate to assume the role. 

Community members in Christian County can expect to see improvements and extensions to the Lincoln Prairie Trail in the coming weeks and months.  The Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy is orchestrating these changes to the trail, which runs between Taylorville and Pana.  They are looking to extend the route through to the northwest portion of Taylorville and have been in talks with the city on proposals. There are other efforts to improve and beautify the surroundings of what already exists, as well as events to inspire local youth to use the trail.

Steve Dennis is a member of the Conservancy’s board.  He says the route through the city will use side streets to take walkers and riders to where Route 29 meets 104. 

Another proposed project would see a more easily accessible crosswalk built for visitors to access the veterans memorial at Lake Taylorville from the trail and vice versa. 

The Conservancy has worked with Owaneco’s village board to add amenities there, similar to what currently exists at the trailheads. 

The organization has also partnered with the University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardeners to plant native sunflowers at the Pana trailhead and between Owaneco and Millersville. 

Students at elementary schools in Taylorville will be able to participate in a “bike rodeo.”  The Conservancy is organizing this event thanks to grant funding the city received from the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

More information on the Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy is available at www.lincolnprairietrailsconservancy.com and on their Facebook page.

Steve Dennis appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly are calling for ethics reforms in the state’s legislature.  This comes on the back of multiple investigations relating to state representatives which are making headlines entering the final four months before election day.  State Representative Carol Ammons, a Democrat from Urbana, was charged on July 8 with misusing campaign funds and scheming to receive financial kickbacks.  Also this month, another representative from the same party, Harry Benton of Plainfield, resigned amid bipartisan pressure to do so.  He had been accused of sexual harassment and other unethical conduct.

State Senator Steve McClure, a Republican from Springfield, is among those calling for reforms.  He says without them, investigating ethics-based claims is more difficult to do. 

Senator McClure cites campaign financing as one example.  He believes sanctions for violating related laws are too lenient and says candidates in many instances can avoid fines merely by closing related accounts. 

Away from the Capitol, the state senator’s staffers are organizing several ICash events in conjunction with the State Treasurer’s office within his district.  Constituents can attend and find out if the state owes them money.  These events have happened in Taylorville and Carlinville this summer, with another in Sullivan to follow. 

Interested attendees can simply show up; no advance registration is required.

State Senator McClure also recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for events as part of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.  He had the opportunity to view historical artifacts with deep connections to his district. 

More information on Senator Steve McClure is available at www.senatormcclure.com.

Senator Steve McClure appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Heartland CASA and Kemmerer Village are joining forces in the effort to recruit more court-appointed special advocates, as the acronym stands for.  Heartland CASA works to provide support and guidance to children in the foster care and child welfare system.  The Assumption-based Presbyterian child-care agency will host trainings for interested volunteers.  The move comes as local demand for advocates is far outpacing availability.
 

One training series will take place Mondays during the day starting July 27.  The other is set for Wednesday nights starting July 29.  Each series lasts six weeks.  Lori McDaniel, recruitment and retention manager for Heartland CASA, says the collaboration was inspired by a Kemmerer Village employee taking the training. 

Schäles Nagle, Kemmerer Village’s executive director, says the similarities in the two organizations’ missions played a notable role in their working together. 

Blaine Smith, Heartland CASA’s executive director, says new volunteer advocates could streamline cases for any of the over 250 children awaiting an advocate. 

McDaniel says the trainings cover all steps in the legal process, with the goal of ensuring prospective advocates know what to expect. 

Amid the collaboration, the organizations’ leaders call for the community to play its part to help children in need of support. 

More information on Heartland CASA is available at www.maconcountycasa.org.

Lori McDaniel, Schäles Nagle, and Blaine Smith appeared as guests on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.

The Autism and Movement Project, or AAMP, is reporting new levels of growth in interest such that there is now a waiting list for participants.  The Pana-based organization works with individuals of all ages who are neurodivergent.  With younger participants, they focus on Autism Movement Therapy which is believed to help the brain develop more easily.

Community members or their parents can express interest in the program at their website, www.aamplearningcenter.org.  Erica Matthews, the founder and owner, says accepted participants are placed based on individual needs and availability.

Matthews handles some of the instruction herself and generally does not hire others to teach due to the lack of turnover in staff.

AAMP is based at 11 South Locust Street in Pana.  They also oversee Brewin’ Hope Coffeehouse at 215 South Locust Street, which their adult participants run. 

Matthews says the opportunities across the age spectrum came about after early participants outgrew the youth activities but still wanted the connection with the organization.

More information on the Autism and Movement Project is available at www.aamplearningcenter.org and on their Facebook page.

Erica Matthews appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

Tuesday's meeting of the Taylorville CUSD #3 Board of Education saw school principal changes announced and a student cell phone policy approved, among other business.

Taylorville Junior High School will have a new principal in Grant Graham.  The North Mac alumnus has familial connections to the area and served as offensive coordinator for South Fork High School's eight-man football team.

Graham takes over for Stile Smith, who in turn will become the principal of North Elementary School.

The board voted to approve a new universal cell phone policy for students at the high school.  The decision comes following the Illinois General Assembly's passing of Senate Bill 2427.  The legislation requires school districts to enact policies that prohibit the use of cell phones by students during classes.  Principal Matt Hutchison says the district's new policy, which he read aloud at the meeting, required only minimal alteration compared to last year to comply with the new state law. 

The board also approved a proposal for junior high-level track athletes at VisionWay Christian School to join Taylorville Junior High School's track team in a co-op.  The agreement is contingent upon approval from the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA).  Superintendent Brandi Bruley says VisionWay's staff will retain supervision responsibilities of their students during team activities. 

Other motions the board passed regard:

• A surety bond package,
• A facility usage agreement with the Christian County Board,
• A trade-in of two Dodge Caravans the school district had used for transporting groups of students to activities for two newer models,
• The allowance of inter-fund transfers. 

During the superintendent's report, Bruley spoke on the quickly approaching start of the 2026/27 academic year and several orientations and conferences ahead of the start of classes. 

The next meeting of the Taylorville School Board is set for Tuesday, August 11.

Gardeners in Christian County will have a number of sales and events to look forward to.  The Master Gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension are organizing these happenings.  The sales involve plants which can thrive when set at this time of the year.

On Sunday, July 26 from 12:30-3pm at the Washington Park Botanical Garden in Springfield, an iris sale will take place.  Later, a daylily sale will take place on Saturday, August 1 from noon to 3 p.m., also at the Washington Park Botanical Garden.  Master Gardeners Gwen Podeschi and Kathi Knope say local groups which specialize in these plants will be present. 

The pair add that vendors will be available and eager to share advice with attendees. 

Podeschi adds irises are typically planted earlier in the season but can do well at this point in the year, as well. 

The Extension was due to host a plant photography course in June, but it was postponed due to the heavy rains at that time.  A new date has not yet been set.  There will also be a tree walk, likely at Kitchell Park in Pana, at a date to be determined.

The Master Gardeners also remind the local public that their helpdesk is open Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Community members can bring their questions or samples to the Extension’s Christian County office at 1120 North Webster Street in Taylorville or call (217) 287-7246.  More information on the Master Gardeners is available at extension.illinois.edu/mg.

Kathi Knope and Gwen Podeschi appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

More events are on the calendar at Taylorville’s parks in the coming months.  They include Taylorville Memorial Hospital’s annual Glow Run 5K, more monthly senior lunches, and a youth fall baseball league.  The plans come amid new improvements at Manners and Jayne’s Parks.

The Glow Run 5K is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at Manners Park.  Evan Mitchell, the recreation director for the Taylorville Park District, says kids and adults will each have their own run. 

The next monthly senior lunch will take place on Thursday, August 13 at noon at the Manners Park Dining Hall.  Pulled pork is the main dish for this one, but attendees are asked to bring either a side or a dessert. 

An 8U fall baseball league known as Twister Sisters is coming to Taylorville’s parks.  Mitchell says the summer weather and its forced postponements of games was part of the inspiration for this league. 

In other developments, there are new disc golf baskets at Jayne’s Park.  Mitchell says this came about after issues replacing the baskets at Manners Park – which are bolted to the ground – amid Christmas in the Park. 

New batting cages are up by one of the baseball fields well ahead of schedule.  Jeb Odam, who currently serves as Taylorville High School’s head football coach, led the project.  Odam has also been an assistant coach for the school’s baseball team and played the sport as a student. 

Mitchell also spoke on the latest regarding the planned construction of the Manners Park pool.  The park district is still awaiting a response from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding the proposal, but they expect to begin demolition of the old pool in a few weeks.

Design renderings of the planned new pool are available on the Park District’s website, www.taylorvilleparkdistrict.com.  More information on upcoming events can be found at that site, as well.

Evan Mitchell appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

A potential junior high track co-op and a high school cell phone policy are among the agenda items for tonight’s monthly meeting for the Taylorville School Board.  As always, it will take place at 6 p.m. in the school district’s boardroom at 1100 North Sportsman Drive, next to the high school.

Regarding track, the board is expected to vote on whether to approve a co-op with VisionWay Christian School.  This would allow students from both schools to compete on a unified team.  The board is also expected to vote on a universal cell phone plan policy for Taylorville High School.

There is also a planned vote regarding facility usage by the Christian County Board. The county’s board has previously used the high school’s cafeteria as a meeting location due to a large number of attendees planning to offer public comment.

The board will potentially go into executive session for matters involving litigation.  There is a planned vote after the session for an agreement approval. 

Other notable agenda items include:

• Addressing twelve FOIA requests, 
• A vote on a bond package, 
• A vote on spending for vans to transport students, which would result in total expenses of $51,388,
• Inter-fund transfers.

As is customary, before new business, the board will hear public comment, review and approve claims, and hear the treasurer’s report.  Superintendent Brandi Bruley will present her report before the aforementioned executive session.

Stay tuned for updates after the meeting. 

For many in Taylorville, McDonald's has been more than just a place to grab a meal, it's been a first job, a gathering place, and a community landmark, thanks in large part to the leadership of Marty and Donna Davis.

A longtime Taylorville business couple is being recognized for decades of dedication to their employees, customers, and the community.

Marty and Donna Davis, longtime owner-operators of the Taylorville McDonald’s restaurant, are retiring after 67 years of service with McDonald’s.

A farewell celebration is planned for Wednesday, July 15th, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Taylorville McDonald’s. Community members, customers, and former employees are invited to stop by, share memories, and wish the couple well as they begin their next chapter.

In a message announcing the celebration, the McDonald’s management team, crew, and office staff thanked Marty and Donna for their years of leadership and dedication, saying the couple has shown care and concern for their employees and has been instrumental in the communities where they have operated.

The farewell event will also serve as an opportunity for those who have crossed paths with the Davises over the years to share stories and celebrate the impact they have made throughout the community.

Again, the public is invited to join Marty and Donna Davis at Taylorville McDonald’s Wednesday, July 15th, from 1 to 5 p.m. for their retirement celebration.

A man is in custody after leading Pana police on a brief foot pursuit Monday morning.

According to the Pana Police Department, officers were notified around 11:44 a.m. by Christian County Probation that a recently released individual had tampered with and was believed to have removed his electronic monitoring device.

Police attempted to locate the suspect at a residence in the 600 block of South Poplar Street, but the man fled on foot through several yards before officers contained the search to the 700 block of South Maple Street.

Authorities say the suspect entered an unoccupied home at 712 South Maple Street. Officers, with authorization to enter the residence, found the man hiding on the second floor and took him into custody without incident at approximately 1:05 p.m. The electronic monitoring device was not located, and no one else was inside the home.

The 31-year-old suspect was evaluated by emergency medical personnel due to the extreme heat inside the residence after refusing to answer questions about his condition. He was transported to Pana Community Hospital for further evaluation.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the area has been secured. The investigation remains ongoing.
 

A Shelbyville native is taking the next step toward living out a childhood dream.

Ty Brachbill has been selected by the San Diego Padres in the 14th round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, earning an opportunity to begin his professional baseball career. Brachbill was chosen with the 425th overall pick after pitching at High Point University, where he struck out 81 batters in just over 90 innings during the 2026 season.

While being drafted doesn't guarantee a spot in the major leagues, it represents one of the highest honors a baseball player can achieve. Each year, thousands of college and high school players hope to hear their name called during the MLB Draft, but only a select few earn that opportunity.

For the Shelbyville community, Brachbill's selection is a moment of hometown pride. Local athletes often dream of competing at the highest level, and his journey from central Illinois to professional baseball serves as an inspiration to young players throughout the region.

The San Diego Padres selected Brachbill on the second day of the draft as part of their 2026 draft class. He now begins the next chapter of his baseball career in the Padres' minor league system as he works toward the ultimate goal of reaching Major League Baseball.

Bank officials and fraud prevention services are warning about scammers that recently have been sending text messages that look legitimate and appear to ask customers about possible card activity. The messages may ask recipients to reply with “yes” or “no” to confirm whether a transaction is legitimate.

Shazam is a United States based interbank network and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) network headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, and operates primarily in the midwestern United States. Shazam is also a single-source provider of debit cards, automated teller machines (ATMs), merchant, marketing, training, risk, fraud prevention and Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network services.

Bank officials warn that responding to the message could lead to a follow-up phone call from scammers attempting to collect personal information. Customers are reminded that Shazam will never ask for sensitive information, including a full card number, account number, or Social Security number through a text message or phone call.

If you receive a fraud alert and are unsure whether it is legitimate, officials recommend not responding to the message. Instead, contact your financial institution directly to verify the information.

Bank officials also remind everyone to stay cautious when receiving unexpected messages about account activity. Taking a moment to verify a request before providing any information can help protect against fraud and identity theft.

Customers can call 217-824-2241 for assistance. For after-hours service, customers can also contact Shazam’s fraud service department directly at 1-833-288-1126.

Stay in the know about whats going on locally at taylorvilledailynews.com.

On April 30th and May 1st, Taylorville Junior High School (TJHS) celebrated students who went above and beyond during the recent Fannie May fundraiser by giving them a special VIP experience.

The VIP incentive was made possible thanks to the generous support of several community partners, including Angelo’s Pizza, BK Limo, and Perfect Pastries Fundraisers.

Students who sold 25 or more items were treated to a limousine ride and a lunch celebration at Angelo’s Pizza. The reward gave students a chance to enjoy a fun experience with their classmates while celebrating their fundraising accomplishments.

School officials said the fundraiser is an important opportunity to support students and provide resources that benefit the school community. They also expressed their appreciation to all of the students who participated, as well as the families and community members who helped make the fundraiser a success.

School officials also said the funds raised through events like the Fannie May fundraiser play a vital role in supporting students throughout the school year. The school extended a special thank you to the students who put in the effort to reach their fundraising goals, and to the local businesses that helped make the VIP experience possible.

TJHS says the celebration was a great way to recognize student achievement while highlighting the impact that teamwork and community support can have.

For more local news, weather, sports, and more, keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com.

Pictured below are the TJHS students who got to enjoy their VIP reward:

Taylorville Police are asking residents not to be alarmed after receiving several calls Friday about a man walking along Illinois Route 29 using a walker.

According to the Taylorville Police Department, the man was not in distress and was participating in an activity known as "Walkering Across America," a variation of the more commonly known "Walking Across America" journeys that have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Police say the individual is traveling safely and has a support vehicle accompanying him throughout his trip in case he needs assistance, supplies, or medical attention.

Cross-country walks like this have been completed by a number of people over the years, with participants traveling for months at a time to make the journey from one side of the country to the other. Depending on the route and pace, some of these trips can take eight months or longer to complete.

People who undertake these journeys often do so to raise awareness for important causes, promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles, or simply challenge themselves with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Taylorville Police Department says residents who happen to see the man along his travels are encouraged to give him a wave or cheer him on as he continues his trek through Illinois.

Police are also reminding the public to be mindful when contacting dispatch, noting that non-emergency lines should remain open for situations involving immediate public safety concerns.

For more local news and updates, visit taylorvilledailynews.com.

Taylorville Memorial Hospital has been recognized for its commitment to improving community health.

The hospital is the recipient of the 2026 Community Partner Award from University of Illinois Extension in Christian County.

Extension officials say Taylorville Memorial Hospital has spent the past decade partnering on programs that promote nutrition, healthy living, and chronic disease prevention and management.

The hospital has provided space for hands-on workshops, assisted with community events, and helped expand outreach efforts to make health education more accessible to residents of all ages.
Food and Nutrition Educator Lisa Peterson says the hospital's willingness to collaborate and its commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community has made a lasting impact on countless residents.

The award was presented to Community Health Consultant Jay Boulanger on behalf of Taylorville Memorial Hospital. Extension County Director Sara Marten says strong community partnerships are essential to the organization's mission and help make educational programs possible.

The Community Partner Award is presented annually by the University of Illinois Extension Council, which recognizes organizations across Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties for their support of Extension programs.