Severe Thunderstorm Watch

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 174 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

CHRISTIAN             SHELBY

IN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS

CLARK                 COLES                 CUMBERLAND

IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS

CLAY                  CRAWFORD              EFFINGHAM
JASPER                LAWRENCE              RICHLAND

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF CHARLESTON, EFFINGHAM, FLORA,
GREENUP, LAWRENCEVILLE, MARSHALL, MATTOON, NEWTON, OLNEY,
ROBINSON, SHELBYVILLE, AND TAYLORVILLE.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
526 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Eastern Christian County in central Illinois...
  Moultrie County in central Illinois...
  Shelby County in central Illinois...
  Piatt County in central Illinois...
  Macon County in central Illinois...

* Until 615 PM CDT

* At 526 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Mount Auburn to 8 miles north of Ramsey, moving
  northeast at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Decatur, Taylorville, Monticello, Shelbyville, Sullivan, Pana,
  Mount Zion, Forsyth, Arthur, Moweaqua, Bement, Cerro Gordo,
  Harristown, Bethany, Long Creek, Atwood, Warrensburg, Assumption,
  Blue Mound and Macon.

This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 125 and 173.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
516 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Christian County in central Illinois...
  Sangamon County in central Illinois...

* Until 1115 PM CDT

* At 515 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is expected to
  begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Springfield, Taylorville, Chatham, Pana, Auburn, Sherman,
  Rochester, Riverton, Pawnee, Moweaqua, Kincaid, Williamsville, New
  Berlin, Waverly, Divernon, Assumption, Edinburg, Morrisonville,
  Stonington and Illiopolis.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 55 between mile markers 77 and 111.
 Interstate 72 between mile markers 80 and 124.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

Flash Flood Watch

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
416 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

...PROLONGED PERIOD OF HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND...

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 7 AM CDT MONDAY
MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois, and
  southeast Illinois, including the following areas, in central
  Illinois, Christian, De Witt, Logan, Macon, McLean, Menard,
  Piatt, Sangamon, and Shelby. In east central Illinois,
  Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie,
  and Vermilion. In southeast Illinois, Clay, Crawford,
  Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland.

* Through 7 AM CDT Monday morning

* Periods of heavy rainfall are expected through Sunday night. By
  Monday morning, a large area of 2 to 3 inches of additional rain
  is expected between the Illinois River and the Indiana border
  with locally 3 to 4 more inches of rain. The heaviest periods
  of rain are expected this afternoon into early Sunday as well as
  another period Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening as a cold
  front moves through.

* In addition to potential flooding of streets and roads in
  flood prone areas, area rivers and streams are also likely to
  experience flooding. This would persist for several days after
  the rain ends.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION,
especially if driving. Never drive across a flooded roadway. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

ILZ031-037-038-041>057-061-302030-
Cass-Champaign-Christian-Coles-De Witt-Douglas-Edgar-Logan-Macon-
Mason-McLean-Menard-Morgan-Moultrie-Piatt-Sangamon-Scott-Shelby-
Tazewell-Vermilion-Woodford-
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

Showers and thunderstorms will move over the area through tonight.
Some strong to severe storms will be possible. Large hail and
damaging winds will be the main threat, with a brief tornado also
possible. Localized heavy rain is possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...

More showers and thunderstorms will be likely Sunday through
Sunday night as a series of weather systems move through the area.
Rainfall amounts over this 3 day period could range from 3 to 5
inches, with the highest amounts falling Saturday night. The heavy
rain will produce possible localized flooding, as well as river
flooding across the region.

Strong storms will also be possible on Sunday. Hail and gusty
winds will be the main threat in the afternoon.

Moderate to major flooding is expected to develop along portions
of the Sangamon, Mackinaw, Vermilion and Illinois Rivers this
weekend into next week, as well as Salt Creek. Please see the
applicable flood warnings for details.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 174
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
602 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017

ILC021-023-025-029-033-035-049-079-101-159-173-300300-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.A.0174.000000T0000Z-170430T0300Z/

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 174 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

CHRISTIAN             SHELBY

IN EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS

CLARK                 COLES                 CUMBERLAND

IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS

CLAY                  CRAWFORD              EFFINGHAM
JASPER                LAWRENCE              RICHLAND

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF CHARLESTON, EFFINGHAM, FLORA,
GREENUP, LAWRENCEVILLE, MARSHALL, MATTOON, NEWTON, OLNEY,
ROBINSON, SHELBYVILLE, AND TAYLORVILLE.

$$

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
ILC021-115-139-147-173-292315-
/O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0064.170429T2226Z-170429T2315Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
526 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Eastern Christian County in central Illinois...
  Moultrie County in central Illinois...
  Shelby County in central Illinois...
  Piatt County in central Illinois...
  Macon County in central Illinois...

* Until 615 PM CDT

* At 526 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Mount Auburn to 8 miles north of Ramsey, moving
  northeast at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Decatur, Taylorville, Monticello, Shelbyville, Sullivan, Pana,
  Mount Zion, Forsyth, Arthur, Moweaqua, Bement, Cerro Gordo,
  Harristown, Bethany, Long Creek, Atwood, Warrensburg, Assumption,
  Blue Mound and Macon.

This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 125 and 173.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3922 8914 3935 8914 3935 8924 3977 8934
      3982 8925 3981 8922 3987 8922 4006 8879
      4006 8875 4008 8874 4020 8847 3935 8847
      3922 8896
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 245DEG 46KT 3978 8925 3926 8913

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH

$$

37

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning
ILC021-167-300415-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0004.170429T2216Z-170430T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
516 PM CDT SAT APR 29 2017

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Christian County in central Illinois...
  Sangamon County in central Illinois...

* Until 1115 PM CDT

* At 515 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is expected to
  begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Springfield, Taylorville, Chatham, Pana, Auburn, Sherman,
  Rochester, Riverton, Pawnee, Moweaqua, Kincaid, Williamsville, New
  Berlin, Waverly, Divernon, Assumption, Edinburg, Morrisonville,
  Stonington and Illiopolis.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 55 between mile markers 77 and 111.
 Interstate 72 between mile markers 80 and 124.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate
precautions to protect life and property.

&&

LAT...LON 3992 8971 3997 8970 3998 8949 3994 8948
      3993 8941 3992 8940 3992 8922 3981 8922
      3980 8914 3966 8914 3965 8902 3935 8902
      3935 8953 3952 8954 3952 8992 3972 8999
      3990 8999

$$

25

Flash Flood Watch

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
416 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

...PROLONGED PERIOD OF HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND...

ILZ038-042>046-048-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-300900-
/O.CON.KILX.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-170501T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
McLean-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Menard-Sangamon-
Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-
Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
Including the cities of Bloomington, Normal, Lincoln, Clinton,
Monticello, Champaign, Urbana, Danville, Petersburg, Springfield,
Taylorville, Decatur, Sullivan, Tuscola, Charleston, Mattoon,
Paris, Shelbyville, Greenup, Marshall, Effingham, Newton,
Robinson, Flora, Olney, and Lawrenceville
416 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 7 AM CDT MONDAY
MORNING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois, and
  southeast Illinois, including the following areas, in central
  Illinois, Christian, De Witt, Logan, Macon, McLean, Menard,
  Piatt, Sangamon, and Shelby. In east central Illinois,
  Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie,
  and Vermilion. In southeast Illinois, Clay, Crawford,
  Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland.

* Through 7 AM CDT Monday morning

* Periods of heavy rainfall are expected through Sunday night. By
  Monday morning, a large area of 2 to 3 inches of additional rain
  is expected between the Illinois River and the Indiana border
  with locally 3 to 4 more inches of rain. The heaviest periods
  of rain are expected this afternoon into early Sunday as well as
  another period Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening as a cold
  front moves through.

* In addition to potential flooding of streets and roads in
  flood prone areas, area rivers and streams are also likely to
  experience flooding. This would persist for several days after
  the rain ends.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION,
especially if driving. Never drive across a flooded roadway. You
should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

ILZ031-037-038-041>057-061-302030-
Cass-Champaign-Christian-Coles-De Witt-Douglas-Edgar-Logan-Macon-
Mason-McLean-Menard-Morgan-Moultrie-Piatt-Sangamon-Scott-Shelby-
Tazewell-Vermilion-Woodford-
324 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

Showers and thunderstorms will move over the area through tonight.
Some strong to severe storms will be possible. Large hail and
damaging winds will be the main threat, with a brief tornado also
possible. Localized heavy rain is possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...

More showers and thunderstorms will be likely Sunday through
Sunday night as a series of weather systems move through the area.
Rainfall amounts over this 3 day period could range from 3 to 5
inches, with the highest amounts falling Saturday night. The heavy
rain will produce possible localized flooding, as well as river
flooding across the region.

Strong storms will also be possible on Sunday. Hail and gusty
winds will be the main threat in the afternoon.

Moderate to major flooding is expected to develop along portions
of the Sangamon, Mackinaw, Vermilion and Illinois Rivers this
weekend into next week, as well as Salt Creek. Please see the
applicable flood warnings for details.

Farm Groups are breathing a sigh of relief, now that President Trump has decided not to withdraw the U.S. from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump assured the leaders of Canada and Mexico that the U.S. will stay in NAFTA for now, after earlier threatening to withdraw from the 23-year old trade agreement.

The decision announced by the White House to renegotiate NAFTA and not ditch it followed an uproar by farm groups and others over a possible withdrawal.

American Farm Bureau trade adviser, Dave Salmonsen…

Salmonsen says he is in favor of modernizing NAFTA after a 90-day notification of Congress, but not withdrawal of the trade agreement.

NAFTA has effectively quadrupled U.S. ag exports to Canada and Mexico. U.S. corn growers last year, exported $2.5 billion dollars of corn to Mexico, the top foreign market for US corn. Canada is also a top market.

National Corn Growers Association members grew so alarmed Trump was considering ditching NAFTA, the group issued a statement to remind the President its members helped elect him, and warned withdrawal would be a disaster, costing markets that would never be recovered. NCGA’s Lesly McNitt says they are pleased with his response.

But McNitt says uncertainty surrounding trade has impacts. NCGA and AFBF say they will watch the NAFTA talks closely, in hopes of protecting gains producers desperately need amid continuing tough times in agriculture.

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is taking charge of state liquor inspections in the county thanks to a new pilot program from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. With the Christian County Liquor Inspection Pilot Program, the sheriff’s office has begun carrying out Standard Liquor Inspections in the county on behalf of the State of Illinois.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp says the county is being reimbursed for conducting these checks.

Kettelkamp says the program is a win-win all the way around. He says it will help his officers have more of a presence in the community.

The program will include conducting checks in all jurisdictions of incorporated and unincorporated Christian County. Under the agreement, local officials are required to report their findings to the state commission, which may result in further adjudicative action for failed inspections.

The American Legion Post 73 in Taylorville wants to help Christian County veterans, and they need the community’s help to help the vets. That’s why they are hosting a scrap metal drive today and tomorrow.

Post 73 member Bill Yeaman says the idea came up while spending time at the post.

Last year, the drive raised about $2,000 for Christian County veterans. But that’s when metal prices were lower. Yehman says this year’s goal is 50 tons and $10,000 for area veterans. He says they will take almost any kind of metal.

The drive has already raised about 40 tons of metal this year. Yeaman says the cutoff for this year’s drive is Saturday at 4 p.m. If you have any scrap metal you would like to get rid of and donate, the collection site is at the corner of Webster and Market Streets in Taylorville.

There’s a new budget plan being floated at the state capitol. It’s called the Taxpayer Bargain Budget Plan, which includes 18 different legislative measures. One of the co-sponsors is Republican State Senator Kyle McCarter of Decatur.

The other co-sponsor is Republican State Senator Dan McConchie of Lake Zurich.

A property tax freeze is part of the plan, but hearings have yet to be scheduled on the proposal. 

Governor Bruce Rauner's transition from the Illinois Executive Mansion to the Director's Home at the Illinois State Fairgrounds may sound more like an episode of Green Acres....

Rauner's learned that the family that previously resides in the home is staying put....

Rauner will remain at the Director's Home through next summer as repairs continue at the Executive Mansion.

Agriculture producers have some opportunities with energy prices this spring. And if you need to fill up tanks on the farm, now may be the perfect time to do it says Growmark’s energy expert Harry Cooney. 

And crude oil is now trading under $50 a barrel.

Cooney says some charts have suggested that the energy market can fall even more.

Farmers across Illinois will soon need to scout their cornfields for the black cutworm. Todd Gleason has more on the pest and projected cutting dates.

A local communications company is expanding it’s fiber optic line system to give more Taylorville residents new options for high speed internet. Computer Techniques Inc. broke ground for installing the new lines in the Timber Lake subdivision on Wednesday.

CTI Marketing Coordinator Lucy Burtle says Timber Lake is the ninth phase of adding fiber optic lines in the city of Taylorville. She says it will bring many new and upgraded services to those residents.

Burtle says CTI is looking at adding lines to three areas, but Timber Lake was chosen as the first site.

To see if your area is serviced by CTI’s fiber optic lines, you can visit their website by clicking here. 

Lincoln Land Community College’s 50^th Anniversary in Taylorville celebration scheduled for Saturday has been postponed. With many events and activities scheduled, college officials decided to postpone the event because of wet weather in the forecast.

The event was set to run from 1-3 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Land Community College-Taylorville. No reschedule date has been set.

Hundreds of communities throughout Illinois participating in Take Back Day this weekend. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) effort aims to get rid of unused prescription drugs in a safe manner says Aledo Police Chief Chris Sullivan.

Take Back Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday. You can find a location near you by searching the DEA’s website. 

Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood is ready for comprehensive tax reform and that includes doing away with the “death tax”.

And LaHood says the Republican led House plan also calls for reducing the corporate tax rate from 35-percent to 20-percent.

On the personal side, the plan would reduce seven tax brackets down to three. The Trump administration wants to cut the corporate tax rate to 15-percent. 

Illinois Junior Senator Tammy Duckworth has delivered her first speech on the Senate Floor. Duckworth told her colleagues America’s Prosperity & Strength Depend On Our Values. One of the values she focused on was infrastructure...

While some of the themes are common with familiar complaints of President Trump, Duckworth begs to differ with Trump on other issues...

Duckworth told fellow Senators “The calls for bigger walls and closed doors… run counter to our society’s shared value for inclusion over exclusion.”

Over 120 people gathered at the Pillars Event Center in Taylorville Wednesday night, to kickoff fund raising efforts for the Hope House of Central Illinois, described as a refuge for grieving parents and their families to find hope following the loss of a child.

A non-profit organization was started earlier this year by 3 couples that had children that died—Michael and Teresa St. Louis, Randy and Gina Thompson, and Jon and Monica Wamsley.

Following dinner, Randy Thompson told the crowd of the 3 families' journeys following deaths of their children.

A couple of videos shown following Thompson's presentation gave these startling statistics:  There are nearly 600 reported deaths of children age zero to 24, within 100 miles of Taylorville, every year, and over 200 of them are infants.  Counting family members and relatives, the videos pointed out, that's over 5-thousand people a year affected by death of a child every year within 100 miles of the Christian County seat.

The evening ended with asking the crowd to pray, volunteer or donate toward the Hope House non profit organization, so that land can be purchased and the proposed house built.

More information can be obtained on-line at hopehouseofcentralillinois-dot-org.

Drug overdose deaths have nearly tripled over the last 15 years across the country. Christian County has seen its share of drug related deaths, and Sheriff Bruce Kettlekamp wants to do something about it.

Kettlekamp says he is calling a meeting to talk about creating a new program in the community to help drug users.

Kettlekamp says one of the issues those wanting to go to rehab face is a shortage of beds where they could receive funding assistance from the government.

The biggest thing Kettlekamp says the community needs to do is find a way to get drug users better help, and that jailtime is not the answer for getting users off drugs.

Summer is right around the corner, and residents in Shelby County are planning to celebrate. Eagle Creek Resort will be having “Eagle Fest”, an all-day event with fun for the whole family. Funds raised from the event will go towards AMBUCS and Shelby County Partners.

Shelby County Economic Development Director Anna Kiley says it’s an event to get people ready for summertime.

Kiley says there are plenty of reasons to come out to Eagle Fest.

Eagle Fest will be on Friday, May 26^th from 1 to 11 pm at the Eagle Creek Golf Course. Events and activities will include water games, a longest drive and closest to pin contest, concessions, a beer tent and more. The Feuding Hillbillies will perform starting at 7:30 p.m. to cap off the day.

A new drug has emerged that has been linked to multiple overdoes deaths in the area. Carfentanil is an incredibly potent opioid not approved for human consumption, that's being mixed with other drugs in an effort to make them more potent. The Christian County Sheriff's Office is warning the region of the drug hoping to save lives in the process.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp says the presence of the drug in the area is incredibly alarming to him.

The drug is responsible for multiple deaths in area, including several in Sangamon County. Kettelkamp is concerned that if it's in Sangamon County, that means it's possibly in Christian County as well.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

Rain gauges throughout Illinois will be getting a good workout over the next several days. A system will be moving through the state Wednesday with another one behind it for the weekend says State Climatologist Jim Angel. 

As far as temperatures are concerned, Angel says Illinois is about five-and-half degrees above normal for the month of April. 

A Friday deadline is looming in Washington D.C. to keep funds flowing to government agencies. US Senator Dick Durbin says that the message from Democrats is clear, stay away from funding a boarder wall and make sure Americans keep their health care funding.



The President has appeared to back away from finding funding for the board wall in the current government spending plan.

The possibility of a football alumni game has been talked about in the past, but now it is coming to life in Taylorville. Any Taylorville Tornado football alumnus is invited to sign up for the alumni football game scheduled for August 26^th against Chatham Glenwood at Taylorville High School.

Taylorville football head coach Jeb Odam says there could be some big names that play in the game come August.

Odam says Glenwood was a natural fit for the opponent in this alumni game.

To sign up to play in the event, click the link here. The first meeting for those interested in playing will be on May 20th, with more information on fundraising, spreading the word, and training for the game to come at a later date.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the director of the Christian County Emergency Management Agency, at the club's weekly luncheon on Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Mike Crews (left), who is also Taylorville Fire Chief, spoke to Kiwanis members about the history of tornadoes in Illinois and in Christian County.  Crews said that 30-percent of tornadoes happen at night, and that clouds that form tornadoes can tower some 60-thousand feet. 

He talked about some of the Illinois tornadoes that caused widespread death and damage, from the 1920's to the present day including the 2013 tornado in Washington, Illinois, which he and his local Damage Assessment Team assisted in the aftermath.

Kiwanis program chair for April is Patty Hornbuckle (center).  Will Perkins (right) presided over the meeting as president.

Kiwanis members are reminded of the May 9th Prayer Luncheon with guest speaker Bill Hope, and the May 16th cookout at Kiwanis Park at 5pm which will take the place of the noon meeting that day.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.

There will be a new way to get your craving for Mexican food across Central Illinois. Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant in Taylorville will start having a traveling taco truck to cater for special and private events.

Los Rancheros owner Hector Lopez says the truck will be a different experience from dining at the restaurant.

Lopez says although the truck will travel all over central Illinois, they will get the word out about where the truck will be.

To find the calendar for the truck’s schedule, visit Los Rancheros' Facebook page by clicking here.

More changes are coming to Good Sheperd Hospital in Shelbyville. After its name change in January and additional services announced last week, Hospital Sisters Health System announced Monday that Aaron Puchbauer will become the president and CEO of Good Sheperd Hospital on May 15. Puchbauer has been serving as the Interim President and CEO at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

Puchbauer says growing up, serving a small town hospital was what he wanted to do.

Puchbauer started with HSHS in 2009 at HSHS St. John’s in Springfield. He has been at St. Francis in Litchfield for five and a half years before taking the position in Shelbyville. Puchbauer says he hopes to bring positive changes to healthcare for Shelby County residents.

Puchbauer is originally from southeast Missouri. He, his wife, and three sons plan on relocating to Shelbyville.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to a vehicle burglary that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 16, 2017, person or persons unknown made entry into a vehicle parked at 812 East Stevenson Street.  While inside, the unknown subject or subjects took a black, 9 mm, Glock semi-automatic handgun and a loaded magazine.  The vehicle, a 2016 black Jeep Wrangler, did not suffer any damage when entry was made.  The total dollar amount of the theft is unknown at this time.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you have any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.

You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES (274632) and then your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous.  

The Christian County TRIAD program along with the AARP are warning citizens of possible tax scams where scammers try to get you to pay them money. The worry is due to the IRS now working with debt collection agencies in an effort to recover longstanding tax debts.

Brian Hile and Rich Peters with the Christian County TRIAD program want to get the word out about the scams. Peters explained how the process will work should you owe the IRS money, and have your account turned over to a debt collector.

Brian Hile with the TRAID Program and also Taylorville Police Chief says people should trust their gut, and if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

Hile and Peters both appeared as guests on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

The Taylorville and Pana Police Departments will be taking back unwanted prescriptions drugs anonymously and free of charge this Saturday. The Departments will once again be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administation’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. People can bring in their expired or unwanted prescription drugs by bringing them to the CVS Pharmacy in Taylorville or the Walgreens Pharmacy in Pana between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills and patches will be accepted. Last year, across the U.S., people turned in 350 tons of prescription drugs at more than 8,000 sites nationwide. Over the last ten years, the DEA and its partners have taken over 2,750 tons of pills back from the public and prevented potential health hazards created from usual methods of disposing medicines, including flushing down the toilet and disposing in the trash.

Turning in unused or expired drugs can prevent the opportunity for you or your family members to misuse or abuse the medicines. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

The News Talk WTIM and People's Bank and Trust Taylorville Students of the Month for April were presented with their awards recently.

From left to right:  Senior Jack Curtin, Junior Abigail Smith,

Sophomore Courtney Carr, Freshamn Carly Tracey, and Lindsay Lopian with
Peoples Bank and Trust.

Lawmakers in Washington are working to avoid a government shutdown. Jim Bohannon, host of the Jim Bohannon show believes that although lawmakers will most likely avoid a shutdown, they won't address several issues that he feels the country needs to address.

Bohannon appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and thinks lawmakers will simply do what they always have done to avoid a shutdown, and keep the status quo.

Bohannon feels the government needs to look at reforming the way several things work in Washington as a part of a new spending plan, saying that even if a shutdown is avoided, it most likely won't address several issues facing Americans for decades.

Bohannon says he feels that a constitutional amendment simply won't be added to the constitution without a constitutional convention.

Lawmakers in Springfield are back to work this week. If this was a typical time around the Capitol the final touches would be put on the state budget. But this is anything by normal as the state pushes towards a third year without a comprehensive spending plan. Governor Bruce Rauner says that he hears the Senate is getting close to another balanced budget.

Many place the blame right at Rauner for blowing up the Senate’s last attempt at a grand bargain budget earlier this year. 

The Taylorville Park Board met in their regular monthly meeting Monday night at the Manner’s Park Board Room. Several items on the agenda included approving the FY17-FY18 budget, inducting new board members, and hearing reports from the various park department heads.

One of the first orders of business was to adopt the annual budget for the FY17-FY18 year. The board heard some of the highlights of the budget from Board Member Quinn Broverman.

New board member Bob Steiner had a question about a particular line item on the budget.

Other items of business was discussion on the state of the fishing dock at the park. Maintenance Superintendent Gary Brown says the board needs to find time to address the dock, and may need to consider shutting the dock down in the meantime.

Another concern with the dock was with prom quickly approaching for area students, the hazard it could cause with those students taking pictures at the park.

Ultimately several members of the board elected to take a closer look at the dock, and discuss it in an upcoming committee meeting.

The United Way of Christian County have one of their biggest fundraiser of the year coming up. The Randy France Memorial Golf Outing on June 30th is a way for the organization to help raise funds to go towards the area organizations that the United Way of Christian County works to help throughout the year.

Susan Lawrence, Executive Director of the United Way of Christian County appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and discussed the golf outing. Lawrence says the golf outing has drawn a regular crowd, and has been growing in recent years.

Right now the United Way is accepting registration and sponsorship opportunities for the event. There are several ways a business can sponsor the event, from a hole sponsor, to a general event sponsor, to a gold sponsorship.

For more information on the Randy France Memorial Golf Outing, visit the United Way of Christian County online at United Way-of-C-C dot org.

This week is Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week across the state. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that  injuries from distracted driving crashes were up nine percent from 2014 to 2015.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettlekamp says putting the campaign together was a team effort at the state level.

According to the NHTSA, almost 3,500 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving in 2015.  Kettlekamp says distracted driving cannot be overlooked anymore, and his office will not be giving any more breaks.

About 14 percent of all reported motor vehicle crashes in 2015 involved distracted driving.

President Trumps Cabinet isn’t fully stocked. The United State’s Department of Agriculture is still without a Secretary. That’s set to change this week with a pending vote in the US Senate. One Illinois Senator says he’s leaning towards approving him. Democrat Dick Durbin says he’d like to know a little more about some business dealings that Sonny Purdue had. 



Purdue is expected to pass the test in the Senate. He was the last appointee selected by Trump.

///wfmb

Momentum building for an evidence based school funding formula. First year State Representative Tony McCombie of Savanna is supporting the cause. She held a joint press conference with superintendents from the northwest Illinois area on Thursday. 

The approach is being pushed by State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington and is the result of the Governor’s Education Funding Task Force. The group completed its work earlier this year. McCombie says the evidence based system determines a funding target for each district, and then takes into account funding inadequacies. She says the state would then fund the difference between the targeted funding and the local capacity. 

Illinois farmers have some new tools to protect crops from pesky, herbicide-resistant weeds this year. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has given a two-year window for some farmers to use soybean seed resistant to the herbicide known as dicamba. That means farmers can use it to kill weeds while the soybeans keep growing. The Senior Director of Commodities with Illinois Farm Bureau, Tamara Nelsen, says the new products provide benefits, but also require careful stewardship;



A murder took place in Arkansas last year over alleged illegal use of an old formulation of the herbicide that wafted into a neighbors field. Nelsen is not expecting that to happen here;



The Farm Bureau has what it calls a one-stop-online-shop with more information. You can find it at www.ilfb.org/steward.

The jobs picture in Illinois is better than it’s been for more than 10 years. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says that the state’s unemployment rate is 4.9 percent. But, the numbers aren’t always telling a clear story. The state also lost 8900 jobs says IDES Spokesman Bob 
Gough. 



The figure is the lowest its’ been since June of 2007.

The American Farm Bureau Federation this month launched a Market Intel webpage, featuring market analysis and information. AFBF market intelligence director John Newton says the analysis pieces will help farmers and ranchers make key decisions for their businesses.

Newton says the reports will cover a variety of topics important to farmers and ranchers.

Newton says AFBF expert economists will contribute regularly to the Market Intel section.

You can find the AFBF market intel reports online at FB.org/market intel.

Shelbyville Memorial Hospital recently became HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital, and part of the reasoning behind the merger was to give the hospital the ability to expand their services and improve the level of care for their patients.

Glenda Plunkett with HSHS Good Shepherd hospital said the merger have already resulted in lives being saved in Shelby County, as well as bringing in new technologies to the hospital.

The telemedicine program lets doctors all across the country have 24/7 access to patients at HSHS Good Sphered Hospital who need it. Plunkett said the first time they utilized the program, the doctor although from California, had a Shelbyville connection.

Plunkett appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our Downtown Shelbyville Studios.

The Shelbyville School District are looking forward at what they can offer students in the future. The district recently had three board members re-elected, and have a slate of projects lined up to help improve the facilities in the district for the staff and students in Shelbyville.

Denise Bence, Superintendent with the Shelbyville School District appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our Downtown Shelbyville Studios, and said she's happy with the school district's board of education, and thinks they have great people in place.

The end of the school year is on the horizon, and the Shelbyville School District has several projects ready to go, such as new siding on the temporary buildings at the Main Street School. Bense discussed one project that she's excited about, due to the effort put forth from the Shelbyville students. The auditorium at Shelbyville High will be getting some renovations, with the curtains set to be the first upgrade.

Bence said the students helped with the fund raising to replace the curtains, and have several other projects in mind to help make Shelbyville High School a better place to learn.

Last year the Illinois Legislature passed the Illinois Criminal Justice Reform act, which went into effect January 1st. The act expands the required training for those training to be law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Shelby County Under-sheriff Rob McCall appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our Downtown Shelbyville studios to discuss how the act has affected law enforcement in Shelby County. The act has meant better trained officers, who can serve the public better.

Many have a misunderstanding of what the police academy is really like. This act added mandatory training for officers in areas the public might not expect, such as more civil rights training.

McCall said the majority of the police academy is much different than the stereotypical view of the academy, with a majority of the training taking place in the classroom.

Five communities in Shelby County have joined together to undertake a county wide “Main Street Makeover” this weekend. The event is designed to help clean up and increase the curb appeal of the downtown areas in those participating communities, in an effort to make Shelby County a more attractive county for residents, visitors, and potential businesses.

Anna Kiley, Economic Development Director for Shelby County said the communities are doing everything they can to improve the exterior appearance of the businesses in the participating communities, to help entice customers out of their cars and into the businesses.

The event is utilizing volunteers to help make the event happen. Several businesses have stepped up to assist with the volunteers, from helping with the work, to providing food and beverages to help fuel the volunteer effort.

Kiley wanted to thank those involved for making the event happen, saying even businesses who don’t benefit directly from the makeover are stepping up to help out.

Shelby County Partners group is sponsoring the event.

Congressmen Rodney Davis, Darin LaHood and State Representative Tim Butler toured Route 66 communities in Central Illinois Wednesday. Davis talks about federal legislation preparing for the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

Davis referred to State Representative Avery Bourne who joined Davis earlier in the week for another Route 66 tour. Butler introduced legislation establishing a state Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Area superintendents from northwest Illinois are gathering this week to provide a common voice. All are in the same boat, expressing concern about delayed payments—mainly from categorical funds like transportation—which really impact rural school districts that have large geographic areas to cover. Scott Petrie is superintendent of the Mercer County School District and they’re currently owed $800,000 from the state.

Petrie along with other superintendents throughout northwest Illinois participated in a joint press conference on Thursday with first year State Representative Tony McCombie of Savanna. 

The odds of Comptroller Susana Mendoza making the cut on the Rauner family greeting card list shrink by the day. Mendoza continues to call for Governor Bruce Rauner and lawmakers to reach a budget agreement before the state gets hit with additional credit downgrades. She continues to make hay out of analysis from a political website on Rauner's claims he he has delivered a balanced budget proposal.

Some analysts maintain the Governor provided a budget that would be balanced if certain conditions were met. 

It's a jittery time in America with talk of growing nuclear capability for North Korea. Congressman Rodney Davis says President Trump is on target with recent moves involving the world's two biggest hot spots of the moment.

Davis says swift action by President Trump and the military after Syria's chemical attack on civilians sent a clear message to the world that America will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons. 

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce just wrapped up another successful Business After Hours event. This month's event was a bit of a last minute addition as the Chamber had to move the event to Alexander Lumber from the original location of Lifes Journey Senior Living due to unfinished renovations at Lifes Journey.

Patty Hornbuckle, CEO of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce said even with the short time frame to put the event together, it went on without a hitch.

Hornbuckle spoke highly of Alexander Lumber, saying if you haven't been there recently, make a point to go in.

Hornbuckle appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

Students wishing to get a better idea of what the college life is like and start to get an idea of what they'd like to do in life can get the opportunity to do just that with the Illini Summer Academy. During the Academy, students will have the chance to live on the University of Illinois Campus and study one of the offered subjects in the program.

Alicia Gullidge, 4-H Youth and Program Coordinator with the Christian County Extension Office appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and discussed the program, saying it's a way to give youth a first hand look at the college life.

The event takes place in June, and the deadline to register is in May. The Academy gives students the opportunity to get a glimpse at a number of different career options.

For a complete list of offered subjects with the Illini Summer Academy, as well as to register your child, contact your local extension office.

The Sangamon County Coroner’s office has recently confirmed carfentanil in two toxicology reports from overdose cases in the county. According to information from the Forensic division of NMS Labs, Carfentanil is a drug used to immobilize large animals, and is not approved for human use. It is estimated to be approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. In mid-2016 carfentanil appeared in the illicit drug market, usually mixed with heroin, fentanyl or another opioid compound. Its effects include analgesia and central nervous system depression.

There have been reports of numerous fatalities across the US from this drug, and the lifesaving administration of Narcan to a person overdosing on an opiate will most likely be ineffective if Carfentanil is present in their system. The Sangamon County Coroner’s office has had approximately 18 deaths this year due to opiate overdoses. They are constantly aware and concerned with both illicit and prescription opiate use.

Farmers have been a bit worried about getting into the field because of rains throughout the Midwest. It looks like those will clear out for the week, mostly, and even if they don't, there isn't much to worry about, yet.

Farmers have been itching to go to the field. They want to plant corn in the Midwest. There's also some rumblings about delayed planting. That's a little hard to swallow in mid-April says University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.

Hubbs is an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois. He's looked at the stats and the historical record. He says it is pretty concise…tape

It's a correlation that won't happen for about a month if it happens at all…tape

That’s University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs.

Governor Bruce Rauner is moving. The move is connected to the repair and renovation of the Governor’s mansion in Springfield. So that has Rauner shifting residences to the state fairgrounds where he will now live in the house that’s for the state’s director of Agriculture.

The work on the Governor’s mansion is expected to last about year and cost about $15 million. The repairs are being funded by private donations. 

A 30,000 gallon LP tank hit by lightning in western Illinois. It happened Wednesday morning as a storm rolled through the Gold Star FS plant—east of Aledo. Aledo Fire Chief Dennis Litwiler says thankfully, there were no injuries or major damage.

A portion of Illinois Route 17 was shut down for two hours as emergency responders handled the situation. The lightning strike caused a pressure relief valve to release and Litwiler says there’s no way to shut that off without emptying the tank. 

State lawmakers have a little over a month to put together a budget deal. But the prospects for a compromise aren’t too promising says Kevin Semlow—Director of State Legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau.

And Semlow says the debate continues to be “make cuts” or “raise taxes”.

State lawmakers return from a two-week break next Monday and will be in session through the end of May. 

A Peoria area state lawmaker has formed an Agriculture Advisory Committee. State Senator Chuck Weaver’s 37th District includes ten counties—and each county has one representative on the committee.

Livestock farmer Becky King represents Knox County on the committee….

The committee also includes representatives from Henry, Mercer, Bureau, Marshall, Stark, Peoria, LaSalle, Woodford and Lee Counties. 

Another new business is opening in Taylorville. Southern Ledge Pools and Patios opens for business soon and will be offering services with your pools and outdoor patio needs.

Teresa Wiltsie, President of Southern Ledge Pools and Patios spoke with Regional Radio News and said the company will be able to help you with your outdoor pools and patios, whether it’s installing an above or in ground pool, or servicing your pools.

Southern Ledge isn’t just limited to pools. If you’d like a unique patio, whether that means an outdoor pizza oven or complete outdoor kitchen, Southern Ledge can handle it.

Wiltsie said to expect Southern Ledge’s pricing to be very competitive with similar businesses in Springfield and Decatur, and will also offer delivery of necessary chemicals for your pool.

Southern Ledge will have a storefront location at 306 East Main Cross in Taylorville, and will have various displays and pictures of what they offer available. Wiltsie also said if Southern Ledge doesn’t have something that a customer may want, they will work to bring that item to their store.

April is Autism Awareness Month and a group in Central Illinois is working to help families with a child or family member with the condition. The Autism Society of Central Illinois works to increase awareness of the disorder, as well as providing activities and events to help families cope.

Tom Becker with the Autism Society of Central Illinois appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and said the ASCM works to improve the lives of families dealing with autism, and highlighted an upcoming fundraiser event the group is putting on.

Dealing with autism is a constant and never-ending battle for families, where families are constantly managing and trying to find ways to mitigate the disease.

If you would like to learn more about Autism as well as the Autism Society of Central Illinois, as well as donate to the group, and find a complete list of upcoming events, visit them online at autismcil.org.

The Friends of the Taylorville Public Library are inviting the public to attend a presentation and book signing with Claudia Quigg Thursday at 7pm at the Taylorville Public Library. Quigg is the founder of Baby TALK, and serves as an adjunct assistant professor at Millikin University.

Quigg writes a weekly newspaper column titled “Let’s Talk Kids”, records a weekly Illinois NPR segment, and has published three books for parents. She has stated that her goal in writing is to affirm parent’s best instincts with their children.

Her presentation and book signing will take place in the Community Room of the library, and will feature excerpts from her three books, with a preview of her forthcoming fourth book as well.

Many people looking to invest their money are looking to do so in emerging, overseas markets where stocks are trading much lower than in the United States, but have potential for huge growth. Some of these markets include China and India, where investors are looking for the best value stocks they can find.

WTIM Investment Professional Steve Henry said the term “emerging” is a bit of a misnomer, as many of these markets have already emerged, but still offer the possibility of large returns on relatively small investments.

Another market that Henry suggests people may want to look at is Russia. Russia is in the process of coming out of a recession, and could offer large returns in the future.

WTIM Investment Professional Steve Henry appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

The American Petroleum Institute is concerned about the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal program requiring transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels that was enacted in 2005. The API says the standard creates an unnecessary burden on the American consumer, and wants to see the federal government revisit the issue.

Frank Macchiarola with the American Petroleum Institute appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss the Renewable Fuels Standard, and said the standard could have potential costs impacts to consumers at the gas station. The API would like to see policy makers in Washington re-visit the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Macchiarola pointed out that several other industries are concerned about the future of the Renewable Fuels Standard, such as various groups in the agriculture industry.

Macchiarola did say that generally the agriculture industry has been a supporter of the Renewable Fuels Standard, and that he would like to see more discussion within the ag community about the possible pros and cons of the mandate.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker visited with representatives of the Illinois Coalition for Community Services at Springfield's Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church to discuss the impact of a lack of a state budget. Pritzker said Governor Rauner's turnaround agenda isn't turning around the state's fortunes.

While House Speaker Mike Madigan is absorbing much of the blame, Pritzker says Madigan has a track record of getting budgets done when the Governor isn't with the same party.

Illinois Coalition for Community Services provides programs for youth in need at the church.

Attorneys for former Governor Rod Blagojevich are once again seeking to cut his fourteen year prison term. Blagojevich's attorneys argued Tuesday before the Chicago based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the Democrat's record of good behavior since entering prison five years ago calls for a shortened sentence. Prosecutors object to the request, noting Blagojevich has never admitted committing major crimes.The three-judge panel will rule in the coming months.

Some warm temperatures for much of Illinois in the middle portion of this week with readings in the 70’s and 80’, but that will change moving toward the weekend. Meteorologist Eric Schmidt is with EJS Weather in Newton.

Schmidt anticipates more wet weather for Saturday for much of central and southern Illinois.

Action on amending the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act is on hold for now. Although the legislation was announced earlier this year, movement has stalled at this time says Bill Bodine the associate director of state legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Bodine says the legislation is not dead it’s just likely being fine-tuned by Koehler before being brought back to committee. The Illinois General Assembly returns to session next week. 

The Christian County Board held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night at the Christian County Board Room in the Christian County Courthouse. The meeting had a notably friendlier tone than March’s County Board Meeting, as the County Board discussed various issues ranging from some needed repairs to several county facilities and buildings, to taking an initial look at the county’s FY18 budget.

County Board Chair Tim Carlson spoke with WTIMTV following the meeting to further discuss these issues. One issue the county is looking to address is problems with the air conditioning units at the Christian County Courthouse. The current units tend to freeze over, which then causes leaks in the States Attorney’s office. The board is looking to make repairs to the unit, and Carlson says with the age of the courthouse, the board will continue to look to make needed repairs moving forward.

The board also took an initial look at the FY18 budget for the county. The county Finance Committee is proposing cuts in various department budgets ranging from 3 to 5 percent in an effort to correct the county’s budget deficit.

The board also reviewed and adopted ordinances to create policies for the use and sale of fireworks in the county. Carlson says the county will now issue permits to those wishing to sell fireworks.

The permits will have a $25 administrative fee payable to the county clerk, as well as a fee of $25 paid and deposited into the county’s general fund.

Officials from Quad County Home Health Care, spoke at Tuesday's Taylorville Kiwanis Club meeting.  From the left:  Kiwanis program chairperson Patty Hornbuckle; Carol Chandler, director, Quad County Home Health Care; Maureen Tarrant, Home Health/Hospice Nurse, Quad County; Larry Simon, Respatory Therapist, Quad County; Kiwanis president Will Perkins.

QUAD COUNTY HOME HEALTH FEATURED AT TAYLORVILLE KIWANIS MEETING TUESDAY

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard about the many services offered by Quad County Home Health Services based at Pana Community Hospital, during its weekly luncheon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Carol Chandler, executive director of Quad County Home Health, along with Maureen Tarrant and Larry Simon, spoke about the many services offered.  Chandler said their agency serves patients in Christian, Shelby, Fayette and Montgomery Counties with home health care, hospice, and medical equipment.  She added that their patients served has tripled in the past 2 years. 

Tarrant said the level of health care has changed at home over the years, with more given at home instead of the hospital.

And, Simon reviewed the many medical equipment choices offered by Quad County, including new models of C-PAP machines for those with sleep apnea.

Chandler also shared with Taylorville Kiwanis members, about a new hospice program Quad County offers called “No Veteran Will Die Alone”, which their agency offers personal veteran-to-veteran visits and visits from their music therapist among services offered terminally ill veterans.

Kiwanis members are reminded of annual Kiwanis Prayer Luncheon May 9th, and the May 16th dinner at Kiwanis Park in lieu of the noon meeting that day.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
 

Due to abuse, the drop-off recycling bin located at Midstate Salvage has been removed. The bins were put in place to give Christian County residents the ability to recycle their items through Midstate, however many ended up using the bins more as a waste bin than as a recycling bin.

Debbie LeVault, educator with the Christian County Solid Waste Management Department spoke with Regional Radio News and shared that people were putting things such as motor oil and carpeting into the bins.

There are still recycling options for Christian County residents. Midstate will still accept many recyclables with the exception of plastics and glass during their normal business hours. Residents can also sign up for Cleeton Sanitation’s curbside recycling program.

Midstate is open Monday through Friday from 8 until 4, and Saturdays from 8 until Noon.

The Christian County TRIAD program along with the AARP are alerting citizens of the potential for fraudulent phone calls regarding the collection of overdue tax debts to the IRS. The IRS is now using four private debt collection agencies to recover unpaid tax depts, and there is concern that scammers may try to emulate phone numbers and caller ID titles of these agencies.

Richard Peters, Director of the Christian County TRIAD program spoke with Regional Radio News and shared what the procedure is when the IRS refers someone’s debt to a collection agency.

TRIAD and the AARP are concerned that scammers may try to imitate the IRS or these collection agencies in an attempt to scam people out of their money.

Peters said people need to be vigilant, and understand that the collection agencies tasked with collecting tax debts will not call you out of the blue, demanding you purchase something such as a greed dot money card to pay the debt.

The Illinois State Fair is expanding its grandstand lineup. State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says a longtime country legend is joining the mix with the help of some friends.

Popular acappella group Pentatonix has also been added August 12th. Classic rockers Foghat will play a free concert on the opening night of the fiar August 10th. There will be a hush all over the fairgrounds august 14th as former Herman Hermits frontman Peter Noone will perform a free show. On August 18th, Montgomery Gentry will team up with The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and the Outlaws for the Southern Uprising Tour. August 15th is the lone remaning open date. Tickets for all shows will go on sale April 29th through www.ticketmaster.com.

The Trump Administration could finally have a Secretary of Agriculture in place as early as next week, however one commodity group suggests that's just the beginning of work to be done. NAFB Farm Broadcaster, Jared White, has more.

ON election night in the Springfield, Illinois area, the best drama came in one of the area's smallest towns. RFD's Shawn Balint has more.
 

Shawn Balint. RFD Illinois.

Farmers throughout Illinois continue to receive letters from solar companies offering cash in exchange for use of their land. And the interest continues to grow, especially during a period of low commodity prices.

Garrett Thalgott, an Illinois Farm Bureau attorney, said the number of solar companies looking for land in Illinois has increased in the last year. The number of farmers receiving offer letters has also increased.

IFB has held informational meetings in 12 counties throughout the state to explain solar agreements. He says landowners should consult their own attorney to handle details of a lease agreement.

A landowner may have a less productive area in mind for a solar panel, but Thalgott says solar contracts have some similarities to windmill land use.

Farmers should also contact the Farm Services Agency if the land is included in a government farm program.

A Springfield native swims with the sharks on ABC and walks away with a boost to his company. Springfield High Grad Adam Havey's company was successful in getting an investment from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank to help boost his Guard Llama personal security app and device. It allows a user to contact police without having to call 911. Havey and his co-founder partner were hoping to get 100-thousand dollars in exchange for a 5 percent stake in the company, but Corcoran gave Guard Llama a 100-thousand dollar loan in exchange for an 18 percent stake in the company. Havey did not appear on the episode. Corcoran saw potential in the product with her work in real estate, an area where workers often are concerned about personal safety. Havey explains that the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University in 2008 and a brutal kidnapping, rape and murder of a woman near campus two years later during his time at NIU inspired his invention.

Havey says the fledgling company is taking in about 500-thousand dollars a year in revenue and selling about 100 units a week. 

The Taylorville City Council met in their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night at the Taylorville Municipal Building. It was the final meeting for several city officials, including Mayor Greg Brotherton, who has served as Taylorville Mayor since 2009.

Mayor Brotherton spoke with WTIMTV following the meeting and discussed several items discussed during the meeting, including a possible TIF district that will be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting. Brotherton said a TIF district is simply a tax district where taxes go back into the TIF district.

Brotherton expanded on TIF districts, saying they can potentially help to bring new businesses to town, and give the area an edge over other competing municipalities for those businesses.

There was also several ordinances to purchase new equipment for the city. The new equipment had been a hot topic for the council, on whether or not the city should take out an additional loan to purchase the equipment. Brotherton said sometimes however buying new equipment is just the cost of doing business, and could potentially save the city money over paying additional workers.

Mayor Brotherton also addressed the city of Taylorville, thanking them as well as those he’s worked with on the City Council during his time as mayor. Brotherton also urged those thinking about running for office to do so.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to criminal damage that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime between Wednesday, April 12, 2017 and Thursday, April 13, 2017, person or persons unknown used spray paint to damage a sign at the First United Methodist Church, located at 200 South Walnut Street.  The unknown subject or subjects painted a phrase and the number “666” on the sign.  The total dollar amount of damage is unknown at this time.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you have any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.

You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES (274632) and then your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous.  

Shelby Electric Cooperative has been running a program that’s designed to teach kids about energy use in their homes. As part of the program the kids also get to meet “CFL Charlie”, the Cooperative’s mascot.

Heidi Hall with Shelby Electric Cooperative coordinates the program, and shared how the program discusses two main topics with the kids. Electricity safety, and ways to conserve energy.

CFL Charlie gives the kids a curriculum kit that the kids take home, and analyze their own home’s energy use. Once that’s done, CFL Charlie gives the kids a certificate they can take home.

To get your school involved with the program, you can contact Heidi Hall at Shelby Electric Cooperative.

Many parents know of the various college savings programs that are set up with the Illinois Treasurer’s office. The Treasurer wants to expand the ability for parents to save for their children’s future to parents of children with disabilities who rely on things such as social security benefits, and have established the ABLE program to allow them to do so.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss the ABLE program. Because the program is so new, Frerichs wanted to inform the public of the program, and what it will allow parents of children with disabilities to do for their kids.

One issue many parents encounter when trying to save for their children is what those savings would do for their children’s social security benefits. Frerichs says this program will allow parents to put away money for their children’s future, without jeopardizing the social security benefits they may already receive.

To find out more about the ABLE program offered through the Illinois Treasurer’s office, visit the office online at IllinoisTreasurer.gov.

The world of mixed martial arts has a local flavor as a Central Illinois native continues to rise through the ranks of refereeing the sport. Taylorville native Bobby Wombacher has refereed events in promotions such as the UFC, and continues to officiate in various events across the country.

Wombacher will be officiating an event in St. Louis on April 22^nd, and invited people to attend. As for his officiating background, Wombacher has officiated fights in many notable promotions across the country.

Wombacher said for those looking to break into the sport, the first step is to find a reputable gym which can be a tough task in Illinois.

Wombacher originally tried to break into the sport as a fighter, and traveled to Salt Lake City to join a gym owned by former UFC fighter Jeremy Horn. A notable name in the world of MMA and a Hillsboro native helped spark the decision for Wombacher to make the journey out west to give his MMA dreams a shot.

To keep up to date with upcoming events that Wombacher is taking part in, you can follow his public Facebook page, “MMA Referee Bobby Wombacher”.

Shelby County often sees increased tourism during the summer months due to the many attractions in the area that benefit from the warmer weather. The Shelby County Office of Tourism has information on these different attractions, that can assist any visitor on what to do while in the county.

Freddie Fry with the Shelby County Office of Tourism says this time of year more is going on, and her office can assist visitors to the region. However, they’re not always open, but there are still ways to get information.

Those wanting to know what events are coming up in Shelby County can also visit the office’s website to see their calendar of events.

Fry appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our downtown Shelbyville studios.

Agriculture is a major industry in Illinois, and Ag in the Classroom is working to teach agriculture to students in the state on the importance of the Ag industry in our everyday lives. The Ag Literacy program is working in coordination with Ag in the Classroom to teach students who may not know how they interact with agriculture, the role it plays in society.

Kathleen Agney, Ag Literacy Coordinator for Shelby County, and better known as the Ag in the Classroom Teacher said although agriculture is big business in Shelby County, many students don’t know the reach it has, which is what the Ag Literacy program is looking to teach.

Agney travels to many different schools in the area teaching students about the ways agriculture impacts their lives that they may not know or even think of.

Agney appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show Live from our Downtown Shelbyville Studios.

The weather is getting warmer and many are looking forward to getting out to the various lakes in the area to fish. Many are heading to Lake Shelbyville to do their fishing, however have met mixed results.

Mike Mounts, District Fisheries Biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said although the number of fish may be down at the lake, the quality of fishing should be there.

Mounts expects the fishing for several different types of fish to either be good, or at least as good as last year. Fisherman have struggled to catch fish early on this year so far however, and the IDNR is unsure why.

Mounts appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our Downtown Shelbyville Studios.

Behind Locked Doors in Taylorville opened for business on Thursday evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce. Behind Locked Doors is an “escape room” attraction that challenges participants to figure out a series of puzzles in order to be able to “escape” a room.

Tyler Frump is the owner of the business and was excited about it’s opening. She said unfortunately the Taylorville location ended up being the second location of hers to open, however it provides much more freedom for her business.

The attraction can provide fun for the entire family, or serve as a great team building exercise for an office.

Behind Locked Doors costs $20 per person, and is open Friday from 5 until midnight; Saturday from noon to midnight; and Sunday from 1 until 9. They also take by appointment reservations.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum no longer features a prominent display of the man who ended Lincoln's life. Last week museum officials removed a statue of assassin John Wilkes Booth. Museum officials say they want to focus on the achievements of Lincoln's life, not the assassination that ended it.

Two Republican State Senators, Kyle McCarter of Lebanon and Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods, are teaming up for an alternative to talk of the stalled grand bargain in the Senate. The pair are promoting the multi-point "Taxpayer Bargain" plan for a balanced state budget. McCarter says they stand alone when it comes to offering a budget without a tax hike.

McCarter was referring to Bloomington State Senator Bill Brady's cut oriented budget plan. McCarter may remind you of Han Solo in Star Wars, who was known to say "don't tell me the odds".

The budget plan maintains 100% of General State Aid for elemenetary and secondary education. Medicaid spending for the most vulnerable would also be shielded. State agencies and departments would make 10% across the board cuts. Medicaid and pension reform are other highlights. More details can be found on www.taxpayerbargain.com. McCarter says a similar effort is ready

IDOT's Getting Around Illinois road conditions website has received a major upgrade. The new Getting Around Illinois site is versatile to function with smartphones, tablets and the traditional desktops and laptops. IDOT's Kelsea Gurski says information on road closures, construction and winter driving conditions will come much faster.

Gurski notes the information available to motorists has greatly expanded...
 

The new Getting Around Illinois site also features a number of cameras and weather stations across the state.

The Central Illinois Food Bank are highlighting a hunger problem that often gets overlooked. With summer vacation for area students quickly approaching, many deal with hunger during the summer months, due to no longer having access to free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts in school.

Krista Lisser, Public Relations Manager with the Central Illinois Food Bank appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss this issue. The hunger problem even causes many children to be saddened by the onset of summer break.

Many are also starting gardens this time of year, and Lisser said a good way to help your local food bank is to designate a section of your garden, strictly towards growing food to donate.

Lisser said by designating a row or section of your garden strictly for foods to donate to the food bank, you know you will have extra food items available to donate.

Taylorville is now officially the “Chili Capital of Illinois” after a resolution was passed in the Illinois House, which means that the town will have bragging rights for the next year over other towns in the state such as Springfield. Taylorville's claim to the title stems from the various sanctioned chili cook offs hosted in the city limits.

Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce CEO Patty Hornbuckle was in Springfield as part of a group that went in to show their support for the House Resolution, and is proud to get the title.

There was some fun banter on the resolution before the resolution was overwhelmingly approved.

Hornbuckle appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

The Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours Event most recently took place at J&R Collision in Shelbyville. With recent hail storms that have struck the Shelbyville area, J&R Collision has been hard at work helping people fix the damage that was done to their vehicles.

Daniel Norton, General Manager at J&R Collision Centers in Shelbyville wanted to thank the community that have come out in full support of the business, especially in recent weeks.

Sometimes damage to a vehicle can be difficult to spot. Norton urged people to bring their vehicles in so they can make sure if damage has been done, and will fix any problems that may arise.

With the weather getting warmer many are getting out and beginning to work on their gardens again. There are some tips to think about with your garden as you do your planting this season, such as keeping an eye on soil temperatures.

Andrew Holsinger, Horticulture Educator at the University of Illinois Extension Office said although many plant traditional gardens, another option you may want to consider is planting a raised bed garden.

One of the benefits a raised bed garden can have is warmer soil temperatures. Warmer temperatures can benefit many different types of plants, and the types of soil you can use in them can have other benefits such as reducing weeds.

Holsinger appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

This month’s Newstalk WTIM Central Illinois Smiles Family Dentistry “Big Smile for the Community Honoree is Mary-Kate Curtin, who is involved with 4-H, and is a member of the livestock judging team. Curtin said the thing that stands out to her the most about 4-H is the relationships that are built.

Curtin said she’s planning on being involved with 4-H in the future, even though it won’t be as a 4-H Officer.

To nominate someone for the Newstalk WTIM Central Illinois Smiles Family Dentistry “Big Smile for the Community” award, send your nominations to bigsmile@randyradio.com

Congressman Rodney Davis is unfazed by poll numbers that show growing support for keeping Obamacare. In a recent appearance on CNN, the Taylorville Republican said the GOP must proceed with addressing a key issue on the healthcare front.

President Trump plans to tackle the health care issue sooner rather than later, saying he wants to resolve the debate before moving on to tax reform.

State Senator Jason Barickman is offering his concept for school funding reform. The pending bill calls for the state to look at each district and their resources separately without a blanket funding formula. Barickman hopes to get legislation moving sooner rather than later.

Barickman calls his K through 12 funding plan an evidence based model, with 27 separate points figuring into each school district's funding formula.

The Governor has been touring the state, spending campaign fund cash to do so, but he says he’s not campaigning. 

Bruce Rauner finished his first day of stops around the state in Springfield on Tuesday and said the tour is to get his message directly out to citizens and voters. And that message is, the failure to get a budget done in Illinois is not his fault. 



Rauner has yet to formally announce a reelection bid in the Governor’s race but has already donated $50 million of his own money to his campaign fund. And he was using that fund to pay for tour stops. 

The effort to legalize marijuana is getting a more official push next week. Supportive lawmakers are going to hold committee hearings next week on how laws are working in other states. But State Rep. Kelly Cassidy says they aren’t in a big rush make Illinois the next state with legal recreational marijuana. 
 

Lawmakers say selling and then taxing pot could bring in more than $350 million in taxes each year for the state. The proposed law would make it legal to posses no more than 28 grams of the drug.

The Pana Fire Department has dealt with a series of fires in the town over the past few months, with the most recent of which being two fires within days of each other that resulted in the deaths of three Pana residents. The department is stressing that the two fatal fires were accidental in nature, and are not connected to a string of arson attacks that have occurred throughout the city.

Pana Fire Chief Rod Bland spoke with Regional Radio News to speak on the fires. He wants to inform the public the rumors that have been going around are not true, and these past two fires are not connected to the arson attacks plaguing the town.

Fires that result in death can be a tough thing for a department to deal with, let alone two of them in several days. Bland says his team is helping each other with the tough situation the department and it’s firefighters are dealing with.

There’s a new boxing gym in Taylorville that is designed to help those diagnosed with Parkinson’s cope with the disease. Rock Steady Boxing utilizes high intensity exercise to help control, and even regress symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Lisa Tarr, owner of Rock Steady Boxing in Taylorville appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss her business, and how it’s helping those in the community battling the disease. She shared how a 60 minute clip inspired her to open the gym.

The gym utilizes several different exercises and areas of focus to help it’s members manage the disease and live a better life.

While Rock Steady Boxing’s main focus is battling the onset of Parkinson’s, they welcome all to their gym, and offer classes for all ages, taught by certified instructors to improve overall health. You can find Rock Steady Boxing at 213 West Main Cross in Taylorville, online at RockSteadyBoxing.org, or by giving them a call at 820-1799.

Many involved with the Taylorville School district and around Taylorville have been breathing a sigh of relief after the passing of the School Tax Referendum in last week’s local election. The referendum will allow the district to keep staff and school extracurricular programs that were set to be cut if the measure had failed.

Taylorville Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau wanted to thank everyone who made the results of the referendum possible.

The district was able to reinstate all programs and staff that had been scheduled to be cut due to the results. The district will have to do some bridging with their budget however, as the money from the referendum won’t come in for several years.

Taylorville Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

March was National Nutritional Month, and many set health goals to live better and be healthier in their lives. Sometimes however those looking to make a change will set goals that are too big or complicated, which can make success in those goals difficult.

Joyce Fikri with the St. Louis Dairy Council joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and had suggestions for smaller changes people can make to eat better.

There are several ways to reduce the calories we eat on a daily basis. These can include limiting fat and sodium intake.

Fikri also suggested adding dairy products to many recipes instead of other, less healthy ingredients.

Christian County is now under the watchful eye of the newly formed Christian County Search and Rescue Team. The team is made up of dedicated firefighters and damage assessment team members is designed to give Christian County the ability to get a jump start on search and rescue operations before calling in additional help.

Christian County Emergency Manager Mike Crews spoke with Regional Radio News about the team and is happy the county was able to put the team together. A missing persons search several months ago in Taylorville identified the need for this kind of team.

Team members received training to help them better understand what may be going through the mind of a lost person, which can in turn, help the team locate that person faster.

The final portion of the team’s training was to locate a fictitious missing person at Lake Taylorville. The team was able to locate the “victim” within 90 minutes, after a search that the instructors had anticipated would last several hours.

The WSVZ and Family Drug, Shelbyville Students of the Month for April are Left to right:

Senior Torre Koontz, Junior Ben Stirrett, Sophomore Brianna Reed, Freshman Kaytlin Tucker, and from Family Drug Margaret Nees.

WMKR and Peoples Bank and Trust Pana presented awards at the Pana High School to the March students of the Month.

From Left to right are:  Sarah VanHuss - Peoples Bank and Trust - Pana, Senior Claudia Magnussen, Junior Danielle Epley, Sophomore Shania Schoonover, Freshman Danielle Bieber and far right Nick Epley from Peoples Bank and Trust Pana.

Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert Winans has informed Regional Radio News of a death investigation conducted following a death in Bulpitt on Monday afternoon.

On Monday at 4:36P.M. 911 received a call from a male subject that his wife was not breathing and unresponsive in the 300 Block of Garrison St, Bulpit.   Kincaid police responded to the scene and then ask that the coroner be notified.  75- year- old Nancy Snider of Bulpitt was pronounced dead in her home.  The scene was secured by Kincaid Police Department who took the lead on the investigation.  Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services responded and processed the scene.

An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday in Bloomington.  Autopsy results indicate she died from self-inflicted contact range gunshot wound of the head.  The Kincaid Police Department, Christian County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services are in charge of the investigation.  

Tax day is normally April 15 but this year you have a few more days to file. The deadline is April 18. And if your waiting to file you aren’t alone says Terry Horstman with the Department of Revenue. 

The state continues to see folks who do file do so electronically. Almost 9 in 10 are sent in that way. And the wait to get your refund is running about month. 

The Christian County Emergency Management Agency will be hosting a countywide tabletop disaster drill at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium on Wednesday. The exercise is intended to better prepare all relevant parties in the county for handling the effects of severe weather.

Christian County Emergency Manager Mike Crews spoke with Regional Radio News and said many different agencies in the county will be there, as well as what the groups will be going over.

These kinds of exercises allow all of the various agencies to interact with one another so they know what to expect once severe weather strikes.

Participants will work their way through a simulated disaster within Christian County, and will have representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Morgan County Emergency Management to assist with the exercise.

The Illinois State Historical Society's Symposium is right around the corner, and there is still time to register to attend. The event will be held at LLCC's Springfield Campus, and will take a look at various topics on World War One, and on Women's Suffrage.

Gwen Podeschi with the ISHS said the Symposium is focusing on World War One and Women's Suffrage, due to it being the centennial of both the US entering the war, and when Women's Suffrage was passed.

The Symposium will also be taking a look at several sub topics for each subject.

There will also be a play at the Symposium that visitors can attend. Podeschi appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

State Representative Avery Bourne is hard at work trying to bring a full state budget to Illinois, but is also working on several other items to help improve live for those in her district as well as the state of Illinois. One of the recent bills she's pushed deals with electronic hunting licenses, while another looks to study various ways to burn Illinois coal in Illinois in a cheaper and more environmentally friendly manor.

Bourne shared how one bill would allow hunters in Illinois to simply bring an electronic copy of their hunting licenses with them when they go out, allowing a convenient way to show officials that they're hunting legally.

Another bill would form a group that would take a closer look at how Illinois could burn it's abundant coal resources in a manor that would be both cost effective, and more environmentally friendly.

State Representative Avery Bourne appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

Blaise Bernardi (center), Outreach Coordinator for the Illinois State Treasurer's Office, was Tuesday's guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club.  President Will Perkins (left) presided at the meeting; Kiwanis program chair for April Patty Hornbuckle is at the right.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard about the many programs offered by the Illinois State Treasurer's Office, at their weekly luncheon on Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Blaise Bernardi, an outreach coordinator with the State Treasurer's Office, spoke about 5 programs among the many that office provides.

The “I-Cash” program administered by the State Treasurer's Office, helps them connect unclaimed property with their rightful owners.  Bernadi said that in Christian County alone, there's some 2-point-3 million dollars of unclaimed property, including one  item worth some 41-thousand dollars.

Bernardi said the “Bright Start College Savings Plan” administered by the State Treasurer's Office, allows people to save for college tax-free.  That program has over 400-thousand active accounts.

He went on to talk about the “Able-Act” account, which allows disabled people to open tax free accounts to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits.  Bernardi said people can save up to 100-thousand dollars thru this program without losing Social Security benefits.

The 4th program Bernardi talked about that's offered thru the State Treasurer's Office, is the Ag Invest program, which provides opportunities for qualified farmers to begin or expand farming operations, at low interest rates.

And the last program Bernardi spoke about at the Kiwanis meeting, was the “Illinois Funds and E-Pay” program offered to cities and towns across Illinois, enabling communities to get better returns on invested money.

Kiwanis members are reminded of the annual Kiwanis Park Clean-Up Day this Saturday morning at 9, the Interclub meeting with the Taylorville High School Kiwanis Key Club April 26th, and the May 16th dinner at Kiwanis Park in lieu of the noon meeting that day.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
 

Taylorville Memorial Hospital is offering a class for those who would like to get a better handle on managing their diabetes. The classes meet once a week for four weeks, and will focus on a variety of subjects on how to better manage diabetes.

Janelle Cornell, Clinical Dietitian with Taylorville Memorial Hospital spoke with Regional Radio News and had more information on the classes. The team at Taylorville Memorial worked hard to bring the classes to Taylorville, and have another round of classes coming up soon.

Those who take the class learn about all sorts of subjects pertaining to diabetes care, including diet, insulin management, and everything in between.

Those interested in taking the class can contact Cornell at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, at 824-1840 for more information.

Although the 2017 planting season has gotten off to a slow start in Illinois, it won't be long before farmers will be hitting it hard and heavy. That of course means big machinery on rural roadways. NAFB Farm Broadcaster Jared White has more on what you should be on the lookout for this spring.

Two years ago Governor Bruce Rauner told the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board that quote "Crisis. Crisis creates leverage.” But now he’s denying that he’s using inadequate funding for state universities and social service agencies as a leverage point for his turn around agenda items.

Rauner continues to say the state needs term limits, fair maps, property tax freezes and other structural reforms to fix the state for the long haul.

You can help in the fight against child abuse. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services says if you see something, say something. Veronica Reza says that you should report any concerns about child abuse to the child abuse hotline. From there in about 24 hours a social worker will reach out for help. And often the first step isn’t to take a child out of a home.

To help call 1-800-25- ABUSE.

The call is anonymous.

Some farmers and other landowners welcome a full US Supreme Court now that Neil Gorsuch has been sworn in to take the late Antonin Scalia's seat. Ellen Steen serves as general counsel and secretary of the American Farm Bureau Federation;

The U-S Senate confirmed Gorsuch after a bruising confirmation battle late last week. The American Farm Bureau's Steen expects the high court to continue to hear cases on land use, the power of federal government agencies and property rights.

Even with a record warm winter, a Western Illinois producer says it’s still about the calendar and not the weather when determining to plant corn.

Chad Bell farms near Viola, just south of the Quad Cities in Western Illinois.

The Taylorville School Board held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday night at the Taylorville School Administration building. It was a good night for the board as it was the board’s first meeting since the passing of the Taylorville Schools Tax Referendum, which allowed the board to reinstate all staff and programs that were slated to be cut should the referendum have failed.

Taylorville Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau did warn the packed house in attendance that the district wasn’t out of the woods yet, and there was still fighting left to do. Dr. Fuerstenau spoke with WTIMTV following the meeting and explained that even with the increased local revenue, the school still relies on the state for much of it’s funding.

The lawsuit gives the school district one more pressure point towards the state in an attempt to get the funding owed to the school.

The State has also told the district that they will receive a preschool grant for the coming school years. This made it much easier for the school district to reinstate the staff members who were slated to be cut should the local tax referendum have failed.

The board also reinstated the programs that were scheduled to be cut if the tax referendum had failed.

In closing, the Taylorville School Board honored several retiring board members, Rick Bryan, Seth McMillan, and longtime Taylorville educator Katie Fraley. Each member was presented with a plaque thanking them for their service to the district.

There's been plenty of budget discussions in Springfield however none of which that has lead to an actual, full and balanced state budget. State Representative Avery Bourne is looking to change that, but is disappointed in some of her fellow lawmakers for their inability to get things done and get the state back on track.

Representative Bourne joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss the ongoing budget issues in Illinois, and said the situation is frustrating. Senate Republicans and Democrats have come together to put together plans for a budget, however that's not the case for the Illinois House.

Whatever the solution is for the budget impasse, it needs to address all issues, with all parties in Springfield working together.

Bourne said ultimately nobody will be completely happy with whatever compromise will be made on a budget, but that shouldn't stop the state government from working on a full state budget.

Illinois' 200th birthday is quickly approaching and the Illinois State Historical Society has a fun program planned that calls back to an early American settler who made his mark on the state. The ISHS has partnered with Guy Sternberg with the Starhill Forest Arboretum to plant apple trees in honor of the man who inspired the story of Johnny Appleseed.

Gwen Podeschi with the Illinois State Historical Society joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss the partnership. Although many think Johnny Appleseed is just a legend, he was actually inspired by a real living person.

The two groups were able to grow a string of apple trees stemming from one of the original Johnny Appleseed trees, and hope to be able to plant one of those trees in every county in the state.

The trees are being sold for fund raising purposes only, and are available through the ISHS for $50 each. Trees will be sold on a first come, first serve basis, and come with a letter of authentication from the Society and Arboretum

The University of Illinois Extension Christian County Office is a good resource for many different subjects, and will soon re-open their gardening help desk. The help desk at the extension is a place that people can call with any of their gardening related questions or concerns.

U of I Extension Master Gardeners Linda Smith and Gwen Podeschi joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show, and shared more information on the help desk. Smith said the desk is manned by volunteers, and will be opening next week.

Questions for the help desk can revolve around a variety of subjects, and the help desk can research the topic for you if they don't immediately have an answer.

You can also bring plants to the help desk if you have any questions, and Podeschi recommended that you place those plants in a zip lock bag and place it into the refrigerator until you're ready to bring the sample in.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to a vehicle burglary that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime on Thursday March 30, 2017, person or persons unknown made entry into a vehicle that was parked at 813 Heights Avenue. While inside, the unknown subject or subjects took a purse from inside. The purse was multi-colored and contained a debit card, miscellaneous items, and over $100 in cash. There did not appear to be any damage done to the vehicle when entry was made. The total dollar amount of the theft is unknown at this time.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you have any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons. Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name. Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.

You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES (274632) and then your tip. As always, you will remain anonymous.  

The state of Illinois still doesn’t have a budget. A temporary spending plan took Illinois to December 31st, but nothing has been accomplished for January through June says State Senator Chuck Weaver of Dunlap.

Weaver has been in office since October of 2015, a period in which the state has not had a full operating budget. 

As Democrats rolled out a stopgap plan to fund colleges and universities and social service programs, State Senator Bill Brady was talking about his ideas for a budget. The Bloomington Republican continues to talk about a budget fix achieved with spending cuts.

Brady recently unveiled his plan for $5 billion in cuts and selling $6 billion dollars in revenue bonds to cut the state's backlog of unpaid bills and save the state millions of dollars in interest costs. 

Landmarks Illinois Thursday announced its list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. Frank Butterfield, director of Landmark’s Springfield Office, says the state budget issues have put many iconic sites in need of saving.

The list includes Ryan’s Round Barn in Henry County. The 80-foot-high structure was in the early stages of roof replacement before the state’s budget issues brought the project to a halt. The 107 year-old barn now has holes in the roof, leading to further damage within the structure.

Other places include Route 66, several iconic bridges, and the Norway Temperance Hall in LaSalle County. Landmarks Illinois visited Thursday with lawmakers in hopes of finding financial support.

You can find the full list at www.landmarks.org.

Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert-Winans late Sunday afternoon released to Regional Radio News, the name of the man who died in a structure fire in Pana on Saturday morning.
Calvert-Winans says 43-year-old John E. Beyers of Pana was pronounced dead at the scene at his residence at 10:25 Saturday morning. 
The coroner added that an autopsy was held in Bloomington on Sunday, and preliminary autopsy results indicated that Beyers died of carbon monoxide intoxication from inhaling smoke and soot in the house fire.  She added that toxicology testing is pending.
Pana Fire Chief Rod Bland tells Regional Radio News that their department responded to the fire Saturday morning in the 400 block of East 4th in Pana, to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence at 410 East 4th.
Bland said that Pana fire crews made entry into the house, started a search and tried putting out the fire, but were forced out by intense heat and smoke.  Bland added the first floor flashed over with firefighters upstairs, creating a dangerous situation and crews immediately evacuated the residence.  Bland said fire crews aggressively attached the fire and made entry back into the structure, and it was then that they located Beyers' body, called the Christian County Coroner and the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office.
Bland added that as a result of an investigation by Pana Fire, the Coroner, and the State Fire Marshall's Office, it was determined the fire was caused to be from discarded smoking material in a recliner chair in the first floor living room.  Bland said the fire then spread across the first floor rooms and into the second floor, then into the attic of the home.

The Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce has several events coming up for the month of April, one of which is their Business After Hours events. The events are designed for chamber members to have the chance to interact with one another, and build better relationships within the community. This month's event will be held at J&R Collision in Shelbyville, in conjunction with Caseys.

Vonda McConnell with the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce was a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our downtown Shelbyville Studios, and shared some details on this month's Business After Hours Event.

The Shelbyville Chamber was spared from the recent hail damage that much of Shelbyville suffered recently, so many around the community are familiar with J&R Collision.

The Business After Hours event will take place on April 11th, and will also feature members from the Illinois Lottery with a lottery wheel, food, drinks, and repair demos from J&R Collision.

The Okaw Valley School district has partnered up with the Army Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville, and recently received an award from the Corp’s Mississippi Valley Division Commander. The award honors the work that the school district has been able to do with the Army Corp of Engineers, in a unique partnership that Corp hasn’t done in the past.

Sarah Haslet with the US Army Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville appeared on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss various matters concerning the organization and the lake and commented on the award, saying it was great to see the school district honored on a national level.

The Corp was able to surprise the school with the award, as the school simply thought they were meeting with Corp to further discuss the partnership.

Haslet said the whole ceremony was fun to watch, as they flew the Division Commander in on a helicopter to present the award.

The Blue Mound Food Pantry recently received a donation from Monsanto, from the company’s Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program. The pantry will receive a $2,500 donation that will go to help restock the pantry.

Karen Wilson with the Blue Mound Food Pantry said Monsanto had contacted the pantry wanting to know what they could do to help the community.

The donation will go to purchase food to distribute to people in need in the Blue Mound, Boody, Stonington, and Macon communities.

The weather is getting warmer and that often means an elevated chance of severe weather. Often people associate severe weather with things like tornadoes, however in Central Illinois, things such as straight line winds pose a larger threat to those in the area.

Jared Rowcliffe with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show live from our downtown Shelbyville studios, and discussed the severe weather threats that come with the warmer weather. By far, the most common type of severe weather the area faces are severe thunderstorms.

Many first think of tornadoes when they think of severe weather, however Central Illinois experiences things such as straight line wind gusts more frequently.

Rowcliffe said the area does experience tornadoes, however they're often the weaker variety.

Another Democrat joined the race for Governor on this week and this one can, if he wants, outspend the current one. J.B. Pritzker who Forbes says is the third wealthiest person in Illinois fired his first shot of many at the Governor while kicking off his campaign in Chicago.

Pritzker says this race won’t be about money, although there are a number of very rich candidates already. Pritzker took on Rauner and fact that the Governor has gone two years with out a state budget.

Pritzker was quickly jumped on the by the Republican Party, calling him Mike Madigan’s billionaire.

Downstate schools are newest group to file a lawsuit against the state. 17 school districts say Governor Bruce Rauner and his administration are failing to provide the money required to deliver the high standards set by the state.

The lawsuit, naming both Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education, say the current system of funding is unsustainable and state’s reliance on property taxes is outdated and inadequate. Art Ryan, Superintendent of Cahokia Schools, says the state needs to start paying its bills in full. 



Ryan notes his district received last school year’s final payment in January of this year. And he’s expecting to see even less money in the future. 

The end goal of the lawsuit is for the state to change the model on how funding gets to schools. And then develop a formula that can put a price on learning standards the state is asking schools to achieve. But Dan Cox, superintendent of the Staunton School District, stress they don’t want the standards lowered, they just want the state to pay for what they are asking schools to accomplish. 

Repeat gun offenders are being targeted by Illinois lawmakers. The state senate passed a bill that will give longer sentencing to individuals who are caught over and over again with illegal guns. The push back from the legislature is in direct reaction to the ongoing gun violence in Chicago. Senator Kwame Raoul says the Safe Neighborhoods Act won’t lead to over-crowded prisons; rather it will protect people living in violent areas. 



There are criminal justice reforms as part of the bill. Non-violent offenders will be moved into rehabilitation programs. The house now gets to have say on the matter.

One of the most interesting races of election night in Illinois generated a few dozen votes. The battle for three Clearlake Village trustee spots, near Springfield, featured a third place tie between Robert and Sandra Warner, who each had six votes. That last name isn't a matter of coincidence. They are husband and wife and unless one of them steps aside in the name of marital harmony , Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray says a game of chance like flipping a coin or picking a ping pong ball from a hat will be used to pick the winner. 

With Governor Rauner dumping millions of his own money into his reelection campaign and billionaire J.B. Pritzker entering the race for Governor today, there will be lots of talk about money. Chris Kennedy's campaign has announced they've received more than $1 million from 3,000 individual contributors, since he launched his candidacy six weeks ago.
 

Kennedy's campaign reports he has raised more individual contributions in the first six weeks of his campaign than Governor Rauner did between announcing his campaign and the Republican primary in 2014.

The HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital Vicky Wagner Breast Cancer Assistance Fund recently received a little help in the form of a donation from the Shelbyville Lions Club. The Lions Club were able to raise $542 at their annual spaghetti dinner in February to donate to the fund.

Shelbyville Lions Club Board Member Jack Tynan was stated how appreciative he was the support received from the community, as over 150 people attended the fundraiser put on by the Lions Club.

The HSHS Good Shepherd Vicky Wagner Breast Cancer Assistance Fund was set up in 2011 to help Shelby County Women fighting breast cancer, who are seeking treatment with their out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses can include child care, travel, meals, wigs, mileage and parking.

Each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis for assistance from the fund. Those seeking to apply for assistance can contact the HSHS Good Shpherd Hospital financial counselor’s office to schedule an appointment.

Taylorville is home to a number of sanctioned chili cook-off events throughout the year, and will now officially be known as the Chili Capital of the State of Illinois. The Illinois House passed on Thursday House Resolution 35 that gives Taylorville the title.

State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) spoke on the house floor to present the resolution to house members, and invited her fellow lawmakers to Chilifest to get a taste of Taylorville Chili for themselves.

As a part of HR 35, chili world champions Tom Calvert and Bob Hall, both Taylorville residents, are mentioned. Officials from Taylorville who were in attendance also brought chili for all House members to try.

One of the many things the Christian County Senior Citizens Center cares about is the health of those who utilize the center. The Senior Center offers several programs such as the Health Insurance program and the Exercise Program to make sure that everyone who uses the center can be in the best health possible.

Gerry Mahr and Judy Gates with the Senior Center joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss these programs. While many may think that the health insurance program is only available for part of the year, it’s actually something offered year round.

The Senior Center also offers an exercise class that can be highly beneficial, especially with warmer weather right around the corner.

For more information on either the health insurance program or the exercise class offered at the Christian County Senior Citizens Center, you can call the center at 824-4263.

Local election results are in and Bruce Barry is set to become Taylorville’s next Mayor. Barry has a number of things he wants to work on once he assumes office, but also knows that he couldn’t have gotten to where he is today without the support he’s received.

Barry joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show and wanted to publicly thank a number of different people who made his campaign possible.

Barry also wanted to thank a close friend who gave her support early on, as well as anybody who went out of their way to support him.

Barry also said there’s a lot to do in town and he’s eager to get to work.

There has been a change in plans for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce when it comes to the April Business After Hours event. Originally the event was to be held at Lifes Journey in Taylorville, but due to renovations Business After Hours was moved to Alexander Lumber.

Patty Hornbuckle, CEO of the Greater Taylorville Chamber said when she got the call from Lifes Journey that they wouldn’t be ready to host the event, she wasn’t worried.

The process has been quick to change the venue and get everything ready, but Hornbuckle understands that sometimes the unexpected happens, and you just need to be ready for it.

Hornbuckle also discussed the passing of the Taylorville School Tax Referendum. She was especially happy to see the results, due to how uneasy she was leading up to the election.

Hornbuckle appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.

The Illinois House is once again pushing a stopgap spending plan. A house committee has approved a plan to devote more than $800 million to higher education and human services. The money would be taken from two state special state funds that are designed to help education and human services. Governor Rauner had a familiar take, saying no reforms, no stopgap.

Representative Greg Harris says the two special funds have about 800 million dollars sitting in bank accounts gathering dust. More than two-thirds of the money in the bill would go to higher education, the remainder would go to human services. More than half of the higher education money would go to grants for needy college students. Social service dollars would be devoted to domestic violence shelters that were left out of last year's stopgap budget. 

A Western Illinois state lawmaker wants to see a contractor reimburse a number of townships for damages caused to roads during a power line project over the winter. State Representative Dan Swanson of Alpha says a couple of road commissioners put damage estimates at $300,000 and $400,000 respectively.

Swanson met with the contractor this week. The work occurred throughout Mercer, Henry and Knox Counties. 

Hunters may soon be able to use a crossbow during archery season. The change was approved Wednesday by the Illinois House today. Red Bud Republican Jerry Costello says that allowing their use may get a diversity of hunters out for archery season. 



The measure needs to be taken up by the Senate.

A detention center in the western Illinois town of Kewanee is working to get prisoners better prepared for the world that awaits them upon release. Governor Bruce Rauner was at the Life Skills Re-entry center and says it’s important to get people ready to get their lives back on the right path.



The Rauner Administration has been pushing strongly to reform the criminal justice system and has a goal of lowering the state inmate numbers 25 percent by 2025.

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the Lincoln Prairie Bike Trail connecting Taylorville and Pana. The trail has been in a state of disrepair as of late, and Pana and Taylorville have jointly agreed to fund repairs to the trail along with help from the state. A new group of citizens have also joined together to form the Lincoln Prairie Trail Conservancy in an effort to assist the cities with the repairs and upkeep to the bike trail.

Bud Altman with the Lincoln Prairie Trail Conservancy spoke with Regional Radio News and said the group’s mission is to help maintain the trail in any way they can.

The group will be doing things such as fundraising and helping to repair some of the issues with the trail.

The group will be holding their initial event to connect with the community this Saturday from 9:30 to noon at both ends of the trail. The group will have more information on the trail as well as refreshments for those who attend.

As of March 31^st, recycling bins around Christian County will no longer be available through the county. Joe Stepping, Director of the Christian County Solid Waste Management Department spoke with Regional Radio News about the move and says the County Board elected to cut the program due to the program’s increasing costs.

Moving forward, various local, private sanitation service providers will handle recycling services across the county.

Authorities have arrested two individuals after a search warrant resulted in the seizure of nearly 5 ounces of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and various drug related paraphernalia. The state authorized search warrant was conducted by Agents from the Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Taylorville Police Department, and Christian County Sheriff’s Office.

Taylorville Chief of Police Brian Hile spoke with Regional Radio News and had more details on the bust.

The search resulted in the arrest of both Mary and Robert Scott, after authorities discovered a number of different drugs at the residence.

The bust is part of an ongoing investigation, and more arrests could be made at a later date.

Democrats in the US Senate have enough votes now to filibuster the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin says that a life time appointment should be done by getting broad bipartisan support. He notes it’s the way it’s been done in the past and should be done now.

Republicans in the Senate are prepared to change the rules surrounding the vote, the so called nuclear option. That would require just a simple majority to make the appointment. Durbin says it’s the nominee that might need to be changed, not the process to appoint them.

Local hospitals closely following a case involving tax exempt status and charity care. Ted Roglaski with Genesis Medical Center Aledo says the legal matter carries significant ramifications statewide.

The dispute is between the City of Urbana and Carle Foundation. The issue has traveled all the way to the state supreme court, but was returned to Champaign Country County Circuit last month.

A win for AFSCME in the battle between the union for the majority of state workers and Governor Rauner. The Illinois Supreme Court has rejected Rauner's request to hear a direct appeal to a decision regarding stalled contract talks between the parties. Anders Lindall with AFSCME is celebrating news that Fourth District Appellate Court will get to determine whether talks between the Governor and Union should be considered to be at an impasse.

The state’s high court offered no legal opinion and simply issued a one sentence ruling that the Rauner administration’s request had been denied. It could take months for the appellate court to rule. The Rauner Administration has released the following statement from General Counsel Dennis Murashko:

“We have gone as far as we can go in negotiations - and our last, best and final offer is all that our taxpayers can afford. It is therefore regrettable that AFSCME is continuously resisting every attempt for a quick resolution and wants to continue dragging this out in the courts. Every day of delay costs taxpayers over $2 million.”

Governor Bruce Rauner has had a number of battles with Comptroller Susana Mendoza and there is another one brewing. Last week Rauner was a guest on a radio show in Chicago when the host laughed that Mendoza should have her mouth taped shut to keep her quiet. Mendoza says Rauner laughed along. According to her it’s a pattern of behavior that shows Rauner has had the wrong priorities from day one.

Mendoza says the fact there is no budget shows specific groups that they don’t matter. She says that no matter what may be joked about on the radio she won’t stop being heard.

Christian County Election Results

These are the current results of the following contested races in Christian County. For complete election results visit...

http://il.christian.accessliberty.com

Assumption City Clerk

Precincts Reporting 100%    

Betty Reed  32%

Janet Waller  43%

Shana Redmon 13%

Jennifer Moore 10%

Assumption Ward 1      
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Derek Page  76%

Carl Puckett  24%

Assumption Ward 3 
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Jon Lowrance 51%

Courtney Hiler 48%

Bulpitt Village Mayor      
Precincts Reporting 100%

Harry Bandy Jr 35%

William Davis  13%
Ruth Ann Wicks 51%

Kincaid Village President     

Precincts Reporting 100%

Bill Jarrett  58%
Deborah Freeston 41%

Morrisonville Mayor      

Precincts Reporting 100%

Alice Downey  42%
Larry Tolliver  57%

Mt. Auburn Mayor     
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Bette Rankins 45%

Brent Milburn  54%

Pana Mayor        
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Donald Kroski 68%

Steven Sipes  31%

Pana Ward 1        
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Patty Zahradka 41%

Tim Eddy  58%

Pana Ward 4        
Precincts Reporting 1010%    

Leon Goff  69%

Lawrence Simon 30%

Taylorville Mayor       
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Bruce Barry  46%

Terry Wright  24%
Tim Calvert  14%
Rob Heberling 11%
Raymond Koonce 2%
Victor Pop  1%

Taylorville City Clerk       
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Robert Besson 15%

Julie Lilly  45%
Michelle Beck 25%
Tanya Reno  13%

Taylorville Treasurer       
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Billie Heberling 16%

Jacque Nation 45%
Kellie Hamell  37%

Taylorville Ward 2    
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Chris Skultety 15%

Lee Lanzotti  40%
Garret Ess  9%
Kurt Zeitler  34%

Taylorville School Tax Referendum    
Precincts Reporting 100%    

Yes   69%

No   30%

Shelby County Election Results

These are the current results of the following contested races in Shelby County. For complete election results visit...

http://il.shelby.accessliberty.com/

Herrick President

Precincts Reporting 100%

Jesse Smith 16%

Floyd White 27%

Anthony Mays 25%

Debra Allen 31%

Moweaqua Village President

Precincts Reporting 100%

D Boomer Neece 59%

Steve Ruot 40%

Shelbyville Comm Health/Safety

Precincts Reporting 100%

James Fogleman 50%

Martha Firnhaber 49%

Shelbyville Comm Public Property

Precincts Reporting 100%

Mark Shanks 82%

Roy Smart 17%

Sigel President

Precincts Reporting 100%

Doug Deters 74%

Phillip Fearday 25%

Tower Hill President

Precincts Reporting 100%

Peggy Sokolis 45%

Thomas Watson 54%

Windsor Commissioner

Precincts Reporting 100%

Tricia Miller 23%

Larry Wiback 25%

Carl Leasher 26%

Christopher Blythe 24%

Penn Twp Proposition

Precincts Reporting 100%

Yes 54%

No 45%

These are the latest election results for Montgomery County.

Please note: Unofficial results from the Early Voting and Vote By Mail Ballots cast at

the County Clerk's Office will be reported at the same time as the last Precinct of the 
County's 38 Precincts. All Write-In Vote Totals will be reported in a seperate report. 

Precincts Reported of 38 Total Precincts:
 
All 38 Precincts have now been reported including Early Voting and Vote by Mail Ballots
cast in County Clerk's Office.

All unofficial Write in vote totals will be posted in a separate report after tallied
from individual precincts,early voting and vote by mail totals. Any Write in totals on
Election summary and precinct reports should be disregarded since actual write in votes
cast for Declared Write in Candidates must be hand tallied by Election Judges and
provided to the County Clerk, who has compiled them in a separate report which
has been posted.

All results are unofficial until canvassed on or before Tuesday, April 25th, 2017.
_____________________________________________________________________


SUMMARY REPORT        MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ILLINOIS      UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
RUN DATE:04/04/17     2017 CONSOLIDATED ELECTION
RUN TIME:09:14 PM     APRIL 4, 2017

                                                       VOTES PERCENT

           PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 38) .  .  .  .  .        38  100.00
           REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL .  .  .  .  .    18,515
           BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL.  .  .  .  .  .  .     6,280
           BALLOTS CAST - BLANK.  .  .  .  .  .  .         5     .08
           VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL  .  .  .  .  .  .             33.92
           VOTER TURNOUT - BLANK  .  .  .  .  .  .               .03

          MAYOR CITY OF LITCHFIELD
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JOHNY C. LEONARD (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .       639   38.38
           STEVEN F. DOUGHERTY (IND) .  .  .  .  .     1,026   61.62
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,665

          CITY CLERK CITY OF LITCHFIELD
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           CAROL BURKE (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       978   59.56
           MARY ANN FRERICHS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       664   40.44
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,642

          ALDERMAN LITCHFIELD - WARD 1
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MARILYN SISSON (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .       226   66.86
           RUSSELL E. BEASON (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       112   33.14
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       338

          ALDERMAN LITCHFIELD - WARD 2
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MARK BROWN (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       208   76.75
           CHARLES JAMES RANDLE (IND).  .  .  .  .        63   23.25
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       271

          ALDERMAN LITCHFIELD - WARD 3
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JACOB PRANGE (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       355  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       355

          ALDERMAN LITCHFIELD - WARD 4
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RAY KELLENBERGER (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .       344   60.46
           WILLIAM E. BORKLUND (IND) .  .  .  .  .       225   39.54
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       569

          MAYOR CITY OF WITT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           GRETA J. AKERS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .       153  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       153

          CITY CLERK CITY OF WITT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           ANGELA R. LYNCH (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .       145  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       145

          CITY TREASURER CITY OF WITT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           REBECCA SUE MARTIN (IND)  .  .  .  .  .       161  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       161

          ALDERMAN WITT - WARD 1
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RANDALL L. LOWE (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .        12   36.36
           JOHN BAUERLE (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        21   63.64
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        33

          ALDERMAN WITT - WARD 1
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           CATHERINE L. CADY (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        26  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        26

          ALDERMAN WITT - WARD 2
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DONNA J. YESKE (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        46  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        46

          ALDERMAN WITT - WARD 3
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JAY L. MARTIN (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        79  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        79

          COMMISSIONER CITY OF COFFEEN
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           BRAD E. NAVE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       102  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       102

          COMMISSIONER CITY OF NOKOMIS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DEREK A. DURBIN  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       103   25.56
           ALAN B. HARD  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       175   43.42
           MATTHEW GOLITKO  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       125   31.02
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       403

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF BUTLER
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RICKEY LANE (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        24  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        24

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF BUTLER
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           DEBBIE (DEBRA) BEELER (IND)  .  .  .  .        23   44.23
           DARRELL DAMM JR. (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .        18   34.62
           DONALD WALKER (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        11   21.15
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        52

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF COALTON
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RICK CEARLOCK (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        62  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        62

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF COALTON
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           KAY COOK (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        55  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        55

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF COALTON
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           MARY SPEIER (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        42   42.42
           MIKE HAVERA (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        57   57.58
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        99

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF DONNELLSON
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DARRELL M. JETT (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .        28  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        28

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF DONNELLSON
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           JOHN L. HUDDLESTON (IND)  .  .  .  .  .        24   33.80
           NELDA F. ADKISSON (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        23   32.39
           ROBERT L. HOXSEY (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .        24   33.80
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        71

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF FARMERSVILLE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JOE TISCHKAU (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       115  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       115

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF FARMERSVILLE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           DOUG ORR (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        85   25.84
           SUSAN AHERIN (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        90   27.36
           TABITHA PRITCHARD (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        78   23.71
           GREG NIMMO (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        76   23.10
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       329

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF FILLMORE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           REXDON BOLIARD (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        81   78.64
           RICHARD ROTH (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        22   21.36
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       103

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF FILLMORE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           BRITTANY MARSHALL (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        91  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        91

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF HARVEL
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF HARVEL
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MAX L. NEUNABER (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .        16  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF HARVEL
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           HAROLD TURNER (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16   69.57
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         7   30.43
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        23

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF HARVEL
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF IRVING
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           KENDA CAULK (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        57   36.31
           AARON McCARTY (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        51   32.48
           CARL TAYLOR (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        49   31.21
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       157

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF OHLMAN
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JACQUELINE RAKERS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        34  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        34

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF OHLMAN
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MYRA MATHIAS (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        35  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        35

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF OHLMAN
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           MARK RAKERS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        33   32.67
           JASON KLINE (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        30   29.70
           NICK PRESNELL (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        25   24.75
           RONDA WAREHAM (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        13   12.87
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       101

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF PANAMA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JOSEPH McCARIO (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        39  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        39

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF PANAMA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           LEEA KNIGHT (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        24   28.92
           MIKE KNEBEL (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        28   33.73
           MARVIN MILLER (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31   37.35
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        83

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF RAYMOND
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DENNIS HELD (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       169  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       169

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF RAYMOND
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SUSAN L. GREENWALT (IND)  .  .  .  .  .       189  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       189

          VILLAGE TREASURER VILLAGE OF RAYMOND
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SALLY A. BROADDUS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       195  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       195

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF RAYMOND
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           BRUCE POGGENPOHL (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .       154   31.69
           GREGORY BERNHARDT (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       153   31.48
           ROBERT K. PENNOCK (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       179   36.83
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       486

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF SCHRAM CITY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           W. ALBERT OBERLE (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .       135   79.88
           BERNARD GROVES (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        34   20.12
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       169

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF SCHRAM CITY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JANET K. STEWART (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .       150  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       150

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF SCHRAM CITY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           KELVIN L. STEWART (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       113   33.43
           JERRY E. WOODS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .       107   31.66
           SAMUEL J. WHITLOW (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       118   34.91
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       338

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF TAYLOR SPRINGS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           ELWIN L. SAATHOFF (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       125  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       125

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF TAYLOR SPRINGS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           PATTY RUFUS (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        99   83.90
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        19   16.10
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       118

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF TAYLOR SPRINGS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RANDY RICHARDSON (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .        98  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        98

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF WAGGONER
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RONALD H. SEATON (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .        12  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        12

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF WAGGONER
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           RONALD ELIASON (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        15   34.09
           BILLIE ROBINETTE (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .        14   31.82
           ANGELA DYER (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        15   34.09
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        44

          VILLAGE PRESIDENT VILLAGE OF WALSHVILLE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           WILLIAM D. SYKES JR. (IND).  .  .  .  .         8  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         8

          VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE OF WALSHVILLE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           LYNDA M. MOORE (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        14  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        14

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF WALSHVILLE
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           BRENDA HEGEL (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        10   47.62
           MYRNA JOY McDONALD (IND)  .  .  .  .  .        11   52.38
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        21

          VILLAGE TRUSTEE VILLAGE OF WENONAH
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           TAMARA WAGGONER (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .        11   45.83
           MATT BOLYARD (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        13   54.17
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        24

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR AUDUBON TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           HELEN M. ARCHIBALD (REP)  .  .  .  .  .        98  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        98

          TOWNSHIP CLERK AUDUBON TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           JACQUELINE RAKERS (REP).  .  .  .  .  .        95  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        95

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER AUDUBON TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           GARY BARKER (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       100  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       100

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES AUDUBON TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           CONNIE MARLEY (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        71   22.98
           ROBERT E. BURRUS (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .        73   23.62
           KENNETH JUSTIN GERMAN (REP)  .  .  .  .        81   26.21
           CHARLES E. GRADEN (REP).  .  .  .  .  .        84   27.18
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       309

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR BOIS D'ARC TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           ROBERT G. WAGAHOFF (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       155  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       155

          TOWNSHIP CLERK BOIS D'ARC TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MEREDITH YARD (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       148  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       148

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER BOIS D'ARC TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DAVID STIEREN (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       157  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       157

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES BOIS D'ARC TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           ANDREW AHERIN (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       138   25.51
           GARY A. LOTT (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       124   22.92
           JOHN WELSH (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       137   25.32
           ELIZABETH BROWN (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .       142   26.25
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       541

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR BUTLER GROVE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           SCOTT NIEHAUS (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       166  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       166

          TOWNSHIP CLERK BUTLER GROVE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MARY C. FUCHS (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       173  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       173

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER BUTLER GROVE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           RICKEY LANE (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       159  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       159

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES BUTLER GROVE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           DANNY EICKHOFF (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .       170   31.66
           KENDRA LANE (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       120   22.35
           BOB ADAMS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       135   25.14
           BRIAN LAURENT (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       112   20.86
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       537

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR EAST FORK TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           PENNY L. HARBERT (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .       417  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       417

          TOWNSHIP CLERK EAST FORK TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MARY L. BONE (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       433  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       433

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER EAST FORK TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           STEPHEN VOYLES (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .       428  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       428

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES EAST FORK TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           DONALD L. HUBER (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .       349   27.24
           SCOTT N. SNOW (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       277   21.62
           JOHN "JAKE" BLANKENSHIP (DEM).  .  .  .       330   25.76
           STEVEN L. TRAYLOR (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .       272   21.23
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        53    4.14
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,281

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR FILLMORE CONSOLIDATED TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SCOT USHER (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       190  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       190

          TOWNSHIP CLERK FILLMORE CONSOLIDATED TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JEANNA LORTON (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       177  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       177

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER FILLMORE CONSOLIDATED ROAD DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           BRENT HARRISON (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .       193  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       193

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE FILLMORE CONSOLIDATED TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           GENE SMITH (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       124   17.25
           CAROL MORAL (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        49    6.82
           JOHN CHUMLEY (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        82   11.40
           WADE MOORE (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       102   14.19
           BRAUNDA HOPWOOD (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .       117   16.27
           DEBBIE DAVIDSON (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .       144   20.03
           DALE NOBBE (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       101   14.05
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       719

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR GRISHAM TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           PHYLLIS (VOLKMAR) IRVIN (DEM).  .  .  .        97  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        97

          TOWNSHIP CLERK GRISHAM TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           ROBERT A. VERES (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .       101  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       101

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER GRISHAM TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           THOMAS M. CHAPPELEAR (DEM).  .  .  .  .       101  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       101

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES GRISHAM TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           JIM CARROLL (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        89   26.25
           MIKE LAUGHLIN (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        90   26.55
           TRENT LAUGHLIN (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .        88   25.96
           SHANE IRVIN (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        72   21.24
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       339

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR HARVEL TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DAVID LEONARD (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        36  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        36

          TOWNSHIP CLERK HARVEL TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SHARON FUNDERBURK (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .        35  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        35

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER HARVEL TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           ROBERT MATLI (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        36  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        36

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES HARVEL TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           SHARON LYONS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        27   23.28
           MARY JANE KRAGER (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .        25   21.55
           MARK J. MEISNER (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .        34   29.31
           TIMOTHY E. LEBECK (IND).  .  .  .  .  .        30   25.86
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       116

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR HILLSBORO TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DAVID LOUCKS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       952  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       952

          TOWNSHIP CLERK HILLSBORO TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DONALD HAMBY (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       922  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       922

          TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR HILLSBORO TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           MILES HARRIS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       883  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       883

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER HILLSBORO TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JUSTIN CHAPPELEAR (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .       923  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       923

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES HILLSBORO TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           JENNIFER ANDERSON (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .       766   22.97
           JIM MOORE (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       653   19.58
           BEN HEMKEN (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       579   17.36
           LENNY HOMA (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       628   18.83
           MARK HUGHES (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       709   21.26
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,335

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR IRVING TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           RANDEL SINGLER (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .       219  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       219

          TOWNSHIP CLERK IRVING TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           DENISE WISE (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       211  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       211

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER IRVING TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           ROBERT G. BELL (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .        39   16.12
           SHAWN A. MURRAY (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .       203   83.88
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       242

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES IRVING TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           KENT TUETKEN (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       189   26.69
           LARRY REINCKE (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       191   26.98
           DEON YOUNG (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       166   23.45
           PHILLIP J. SPEISER (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       162   22.88
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       708

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           BRENDA J. MATTHEWS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       496  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       496

          TOWNSHIP CLERK NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           GLORIA J. WENDLING (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       449  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       449

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           PHIL BAILEY (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       498  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       498

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           ROGER BATTLES (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       396   20.28
           DARYL KEISER (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       366   18.74
           JAMES BROOKSHIRE (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .       282   14.44
           PAT EPLEY (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       314   16.08
           RUSS FOSTER (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       311   15.92
           DENNIS K. MATTHEWS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       284   14.54
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,953

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR NORTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           CHRISTY JOHNSON (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,082  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,082

          TOWNSHIP CLERK NORTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MARY WERRIES (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,096  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,096

          TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR NORTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           THOMAS BAKER (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,059  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,059

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER NORTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           DANIEL PETERS (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,134  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,134

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES NORTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MARY BETH TAYLOR (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .       908   24.10
           DAVID HELGEN (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       915   24.28
           JEFF THORNTON (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       907   24.07
           LARRY PEZOLD (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,038   27.55
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,768

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR PITMAN TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MARLA HITCHINGS (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .        70  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        70

          TOWNSHIP CLERK PITMAN TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           LEANNE N. FARRAR (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .        62  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        62

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER PITMAN TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           PAUL A. KRAGER (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .        78  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        78

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES PITMAN TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           KEN J. GERLACH (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .        61   22.68
           GLENN ROVEY (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        78   29.00
           CHARLES TRAVIS MATTHEWS (REP).  .  .  .        66   24.54
           CHAD D. MILLBURG (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .        64   23.79
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       269

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR RAYMOND TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           GERALD L. WAGAHOFF (IND)  .  .  .  .  .       241  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       241

          TOWNSHIP CLERK RAYMOND TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           SHELLY CRAWFORD (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .       227  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       227

          TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR RAYMOND TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER RAYMOND TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           KENNETH L. MONDHINK (DEM) .  .  .  .  .       233  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       233

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES RAYMOND TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           LARRY WERNSING (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .       174   20.42
           DARRELL PITCHFORD (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .       159   18.66
           WILLIAM HELD (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       193   22.65
           CAROL SUE ROSSI (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .       180   21.13
           KAYLA LANTER (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       146   17.14
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       852

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR ROUNTREE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           KENNETH FOLKERTS (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .        88  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        88

          TOWNSHIP CLERK ROUNTREE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MICHAEL FRANZEN (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .        79  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        79

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER ROUNTREE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JAY DEWERFF (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        58   65.91
           JOE BUGG (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        30   34.09
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        88

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES ROUNTREE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           JOHN DEWERFF (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        74   27.31
           MARK SCHWEIZER (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .        73   26.94
           MICHAEL HAND (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        60   22.14
           KRIS REYNOLDS (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        64   23.62
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       271

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SHARON KUCHAR (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       573  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       573

          TOWNSHIP CLERK SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           TAMI JETT BURDELL (IND).  .  .  .  .  .       583  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       583

          TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           L. TOM CURRIE (IND) .  .  .  .  .  .  .       594  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       594

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RAYMOND AKEMAN (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .       355   52.36
           RICHARD WENDEL (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .       323   47.64
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       678

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES SOUTH LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           LOUIS P. TAYLOR (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .       399   22.00
           DUSTIN ELLINGER (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .       432   23.81
           STEVE HEYEN (IND).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       510   28.11
           TODD BERGMAN (IND)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       473   26.07
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,814

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR WALSHVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           FREDDY WESSON (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31

          TOWNSHIP CLERK WALSHVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           SANDRA PEZOLD (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER WALSHVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           KENNETH PEZOLD (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .        31  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES WALSHVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           CHARLES S. ROCHE (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .        27   26.73
           DAVID EILERT (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        26   25.74
           GARY SEWING (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        25   24.75
           ERIC BARNSBACK (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .        23   22.77
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       101

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR WITT TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JOE LOWE (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       207  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       207

          TOWNSHIP CLERK WITT TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           CAROL DURBIN (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       216  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       216

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER WITT TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       203  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       203

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES WITT TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           ROGER MILLER (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       200   26.01
           MICHAEL P. GOLITKO (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .       193   25.10
           BERNARD HAND (DEM)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       192   24.97
           RUSSELL L. ULRICI (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .       184   23.93
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       769

          TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR ZANESVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RANDI RIEMANN (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .  .        60  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        60

          TOWNSHIP CLERK ZANESVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           AMANDA STEWARD (REP).  .  .  .  .  .  .        59  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        59

          HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER ZANESVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DENNIS ROSENTHAL (REP) .  .  .  .  .  .        64  100.00
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        64

          TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES ZANESVILLE TOWNSHIP
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           JEFF HAMPTON (REP)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        58   27.23
           MELVIN WEMPEN JR. (REP).  .  .  .  .  .        54   25.35
           WILLIAM E. BEELER (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .        48   22.54
           JAMES LITTRELL (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .        53   24.88
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       213

          MULTI-TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR AUDUBON/NOKOMIS MTA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          MULTI-TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR BOIS DARC/HARV/PITMAN/ZANES MTA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           DOROTHY MARSHALL (DEM) .  .  .  .  .  .       302  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       302

          MULTI-TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR BUT GR/IRV/ROUN MTA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          MULTI-TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR E FORK/GRISH/WALSH MTA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          MULTI-TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR FILLM CONSOL/WITT MTA
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           RITA MILLER (DEM).  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       369  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       369

          PARK COMMISSIONER LITCHFIELD PARK DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           BRIAN F. KULICK  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       634   24.73
           SHERRY L. BERGSCHNEIDER.  .  .  .  .  .       786   30.66
           JEFF HEYEN .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,144   44.62
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,564

          PARK COMMISSIONER NOKOMIS MEMORIAL PARK DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           ROBERT G. BATTY  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       381   35.77
           TYLER BATTY.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       365   34.27
           EDWARD M. HASSEBROCK JR.  .  .  .  .  .       319   29.95
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,065

          PARK COMMISSIONER PITMAN TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        31

          PARK COMMISSIONER RAYMOND PARK DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           TY HERMAN  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       181   52.77
           KENT SORRELLS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       162   47.23
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       343

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE DOYLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           AMANDA CALDERINI .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       261   83.12
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        53   16.88
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       314

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE FARMERSVILLE-WAGGONER LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           ASHLEIGH ROCKWELL.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       208  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       208

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE FARMERSVILLE-WAGGONER LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           GAIL A. KRAUS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       216  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       216

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE GRAND PRAIRIE OF THE WEST LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           MARTHA BRAY.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   33.33
           SHARON ELDERS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   33.33
           STACEY HUGHES .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   33.33
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         6

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE GRAND PRAIRIE OF THE WEST LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           SANDRA HELMERICHS.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE LITCHFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           NANCY DRESSEN-KREFFT.  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,419   52.36
           EVELYN LANTER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,291   47.64
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,710

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           DEBORAH A. DAWSON.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       488  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       488

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE NOKOMIS TOWNSHIP LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           CYNTHIA CROWE .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       406   51.98
           WILL SHALTER  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       375   48.02
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       781

          LIBRARY TRUSTEE WITT TOWNSHIP LIBRARY
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           JOYCE BRENGARD.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       210   52.24
           BETTY HADLEY  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       192   47.76
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       402

          BOARD OF EDUCATION AUBURN CUSD 10
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           MATTHEW KERN  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1   14.29
           C. FRED JESSUP.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   28.57
           JOSH J. SMITH .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   28.57
           SCOTT NORRIS  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1   14.29
           MARK KILLAM.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1   14.29
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         7

          BOARD OF EDUCATION BOND COUNTY CUSD 2
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           DAN SIDWELL.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           EDMAR P.W. SCHREIBER.  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           ASHLEY DRIEMEYER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           LAURA WALL .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          BOARD OF EDUCATION HIGHLAND CUSD 5
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           RENE' P. FRIEDEL .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           DUANE CLARKE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           ZACHARY LEWIS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           JAMES GALLATIN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          BOARD OF EDUCATION HILLSBORO CUSD 3
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           BRYCE RUPERT  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,596   52.26
           DEAN LEE.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,458   47.74
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,054

          BOARD OF EDUCATION HILLSBORO CUSD 3
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           THOMAS DeVORE .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       438    8.12
           EARL MEIER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,742   32.31
           GREGORY J. BELLAVER .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,695   31.44
           DAN WILSON .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,516   28.12
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,391

          BOARD OF EDUCATION LITCHFIELD CUSD 12
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           JENNIFER REID .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,623  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,623

          BOARD OF EDUCATION LITCHFIELD CUSD 12
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           GREGG D. HIRES.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,300   34.55
           EDWARD SCHUMACHER.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,168   31.04
           RON ANGLIN .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,295   34.41
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,763

          BOARD OF EDUCATION MORRISONVILLE CUSD 1
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           ROBERTA HARKER.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         7  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         7

          BOARD OF EDUCATION MORRISONVILLE CUSD 1
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           ROBERT E. GOWIN  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         6   40.00
           BRYAN L. FESSER  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         7   46.67
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   13.33
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        15

          BOARD OF EDUCATION MOUNT OLIVE CUSD 5
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           TAMMY L. SIEVERS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        12   22.22
           JEFFREY ADAM OSMOE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        15   27.78
           MIKE MARKEZICH.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        11   20.37
           MATTHEW DeVRIES  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16   29.63
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        54

          BOARD OF EDUCATION NOKOMIS CUSD 22
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           STEVEN JANSSEN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       486   14.46
           CARL FESSER.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       521   15.50
           DENNIS BAUMAN .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       539   16.04
           BRIAN CHAUSSE .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       411   12.23
           JIM EISENBARTH.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       496   14.76
           JOHN S. CROWE .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       378   11.25
           JAKE L. LEONARD  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        52    1.55
           BRUCE L. COX  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       194    5.77
           TAMI CLYMER.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       284    8.45
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,361

          BOARD OF EDUCATION NORTH MAC DISTRICT 4
          NORTH MACOUPIN CUSD 34 - SUB 4
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           TERESA M. WORTH  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2

          BOARD OF EDUCATION PANA CUSD 8
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           KYLE ANDERSON .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         4   28.57
           AARON SCHAFER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         5   35.71
           WILFRED C. "BILL" BEYERS III .  .  .  .         5   35.71
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        14

          BOARD OF EDUCATION PANHANDLE CUSD 2
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           RICHARD BORMIDA  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       436   50.58
           SCOTT COWDREY .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       426   49.42
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       862

          BOARD OF EDUCATION PAWNEE CUSD 11
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           SCOTT PHILLIPS.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         3   18.75
           JOE FISHER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         4   25.00
           GARY P. STARR .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         4   25.00
           KRISTINA L. SHELTON .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1    6.25
           SCOTT HOWARD  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1    6.25
           JOSH ADCOCK.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         3   18.75
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16

          BOARD OF EDUCATION RAMSEY CUSD 204
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           SHANE HADLEY  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           JULIE MORELL  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           KEITH CASEY.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           KATIE HAYES.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          BOARD OF EDUCATION VANDALIA CUSD 203
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  4
           CONNIE GOLDSMITH .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        12   25.00
           JOE LAWSON .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        13   27.08
           JOHN W. CAMPBELL .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        12   25.00
           CHRISTOPHER A. PALMER  .  .  .  .  .  .        11   22.92
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        48

          TRUSTEES KASKASKIA COMMUNTY COLLEGE
          KASKASKIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 501
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           DEE CHARLES BOSWELL .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1    5.00
           KELLY BENNETT .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         8   40.00
           MALIA BOOZER  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         6   30.00
           BRYAN S. HOLTHAUS.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         5   25.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        20

          TRUSTEES LAKE LAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE   -
          LAKE LAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 517
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  3
           ROBERT LUTHER .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   22.22
           MIKE SULLIVAN .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   22.22
           DORIS REYNOLDS.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         4   44.44
           MATT FORCUM.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1   11.11
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         9

          TRUSTEES LINCOLN LAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
          LINCOLN LAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIST 526
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           KENNETH BRIAN ELMORE.  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,147  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,147

          TRUSTEES SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
          SOUTHWESTERN IL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 522
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           PHILIP L. SMITH  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOL  (BCEFM)
          (BOND/CHR/EFF/FAY/MONT)
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  7
           DON SCOTT  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,517   22.42
           JIMMIE RICE.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,287   20.37
           J.D. VIEREGGE .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,070   18.43
           ABBY BAYLES.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,320   20.66
           EUGENE A. LOGUE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,035   18.12
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    11,229

          REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOL CAL/GRE/JER/MAC
          (CALHOUN/GREENE/JERSEY/MACOUPIN)
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOL (MADISON)
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           LAWRENCE J. CURRY.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           MARGARET "PEGGY" CADAGIN  .  .  .  .  .         0

          REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOLS (MADISON)
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

          REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOL MENARD/SANGAMON
          (MENARD/SANGAMON)
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  7
           STEVEN R. FLYNN  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   12.50
           TIMOTHY E. SEIFERT  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         4   25.00
           M. PATRICK DAVIS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1    6.25
           RICHARD M. HADFIELD .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2   12.50
           LAWRENCE L. EIMER.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1    6.25
           RICHARD A. (RICK) PETERMEYER .  .  .  .         1    6.25
           MATT BUTCHER  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         5   31.25
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16

          FIRE DISTRICT TRUSTEE
          MORRISONVILLE-PALMER FIRE PROTECTION DIS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  2
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         2

          FIRE DISTRICT TRUSTEE
          MORRISONVILLE-PALMER FIRE PROTECTION DIS
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           NO CANDIDATE FILED  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
           WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1  100.00
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         1

          COUNTY SCHOOL FACILITIES SALES TAX
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           YES  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,144   51.58
           NO.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,951   48.42
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     6,095

          COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX
          (VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN )  1
           YES  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,034   33.66
           NO.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,008   66.34
                   Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     6,042

Unofficial results- all results are not final until canvassed by County Clerk.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club held their monthly business meeting to review current Kiwanis Club activities for children and youth in the community, at their weekly luncheon Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Kiwanis members will be assembling on April 15th for their annual spring clean-up of Kiwanis Park.  2 new 12-foot-by-24-foot concrete pads have been poured as additional locations for events in the park.  Further plans are to build covers over both of the pads.  The boat dock has also been put in the water for the season at Kiwanis Park.

Kiwanis Spiritual Aims Committee chair Dick Wamsley announced that the annual Kiwanis Prayer Luncheon is set for May 9th, will Bill Hope as the speaker.  Wamsley and his committee are accepting nominations for “Outstanding Spiritual Leader” that will be recognized during the luncheon.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Kiwanis Park cookout on May 16th at 5pm.  Kiwanis high school scholarship winners, along with Taylorville High School Kiwanis Key Club members, will be invited to this event which will take the place of the club's noon meeting that day.

And, in Tuesday's Kiwanis Club board meeting, the board approved holding their annual Radiothon fund-raiser on WRAN groovy 97.3.  Proceeds from this long-running event benefit local Kiwanis projects for children and youth.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to criminal damage that occurred in Taylorville.

At around 6:50 pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, unknown subject or subjects threw an item off of the overpass above Route 48, South of Lincoln Trail.  The item struck the driver’s side window of a white, 2013, Ford pick-up that was traveling below.  The occupants were not injured.  The unknown subject or subjects then fled from the scene.  The total dollar amount of damage is unknown at this time.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you have any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.

You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES (274632) and then your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous.  

Gordman's is emerging from bankruptcy under new ownership. About half of the company's stores are being closed. The following Illinois stores will keep their doors open: Fairview Heights, Moline, Champaign, Springfield and two locations in Peoria. Among the 48 stores closing are stores in Vernon Hills, Naperville, Normal, Rockford and Machesney Park.

Legislation has been introduced in Springfield that would require state agencies to purchase only vehicles made in North America. The sponsor is State Representative Mike Halpin of Rock Island.

House Bill 795 passed out of State Government Administration committee last week and now moves to the full House. It requires all vehicles purchased, leased or used by the State of Illinois to be assembled in the United States or Canada. 

If you think Women's History Month would go out with a wimper in Illinois, think again. On Friday, Comptroller Susana Mendoza wasn't handing out awareness ribbons when she took on what she called "rape culture" language and other actions directed at her last week.

Mendoza is seeking an apology but she says that apology won't just be about one person.

Cochran has since apologized for the comment. 

The Taylorville City Council held their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night at the Taylorville Municipal Building. One of the items on the agenda was purchasing a new vehicle for the street and sewer department. There was discussion from the council on whether or not the city should continue to approve borrowing money for additional equipment for the city.

Alderman Larry Budd raised concerns he had with with taking out another loan for the vehicle, saying the city should consider paying off current loans before taking out additional ones.

Budd said he thought the matter shouldn’t have been brought up at the nights meeting, and instead should of waited until after local elections have occurred so the city knows where it’s finances will look like in the future.

Alderman Shawn Burtle, who ultimately voted for the purchase, did say that Budd made a good point, and suggested the city take a closer look at the current loans the city is paying down at the next finance committee meeting.

The motion to allow waive the bidding process and to allow Superintendent Wiseman to purchase a new international truck passed by a vote of 5-2.

Regional Radio News has learned that as of Saturday, April 1st, Kriegers Sports Bar and Grill in Taylorville has closed for business. There is currently no word behind the decision to shut down.

Often when it comes to medical care, the ability to heal at home can be a tremendous boost. CareLink is a company that is looking to help bridge the gap between hospital care and home living, and can help give families and patients peace of mind while they recover

.

Jennifer Brooks with CareLink joined the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show to discuss the services that Care Link provides. Brooks shared what CareLink's mission is, as well as some history behind the company.

CareLink works to provide the best possible experience for it's clients and their families as they go through the recovery process.

To learn more about CareLink and the services they provide, visit them online at CareLinkHomeServices.com.

A house fire in Pana resulted in the deaths of two children Sunday morning. In a press release, Pana Police Chief Daniel Bland informed Regional Radio News that Christian County 911 received a call of a structure fire in the 800 block of East Second Street in Pana. A Pana Police Officer first arrived on scene and observed heavy smoke coming from the residence. The officer was informed by family members outside the residence of two small children still inside, and attempted to gain entry inside but was denied due to the intense heat and smoke.
 

The Pana Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after, and attempted to gain entry into the front of the residence but was also denied due to the extreme heat and smoke coming from inside. Upon arrival by additional Pana Fire personnel, crews made entry into the home to search the residence where the children were reported to be located. During the search, heavy fire vented throughout the upper-level area of the structure forcing fire personnel to work to bring the fire under control before continuing the search. During the search, the two children were located deceased on the second level of the residence.
 

Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert Winans has since released the names of the victims. Two year old Ellaina Graves Emerson was found in her bed in an upstairs bedroom, while 3 month old Keith Emerson was found in his crib in another upstairs bedroom. Preliminary autopsy results show that both died from carbon monoxide intoxication due to inhalation of smoke and soot due to the fire.
 

It is currently unknown if the fire was in connection to a series of arson attacks throughout the city. Pana Fire Chief Rod Bland has stated the cause of the fire is undetermined, but may have been electrical in nature. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

Another week drew to an end without a state budget or any meaningful reforms to the budget process. A pension reform bill died last week that would have provided a one-time $215 million payment to the Chicago Public Schools pension fund. The effort never made it out of a committee and Secretary of Education Beth Purvis says she’s disappointed that the proposal didn’t make it to the Senate floor. 



Democrats on the other side say they did a better job of fixing CPS’s pension problems in a bill that’s tied to the grand bargain.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is prepared to support a filibuster effort against the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Last night, Duckworth announced her opposition to Gorsuch based on her belief that Gorsuch had put corporate profits ahead of people in the past and would continue to do so. She also cited differences with him on his rulings on disability rights, civil rights, reproductive rights and other issues. Duckworth also noted Gorsuch did not meet with her in person and says he cancelled a previously scheduled meeting with her.

The state is adding a few jobs here and there but overall more than half of the cities in the state lost jobs. That’s the latest from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Bob Gough with IDES says that job gains are limited to a few areas of the state. 

A top bond rating agency delivers more threats against state leaders. Moody's Investors Service says Illinois needs a budget by the end of May or the state could see its lowest in the country credit rating sink further and and risk long term damage to colleges and universities as well as social service providers. Moody's urged lawmakers to renew efforts to pass the grand bargain compromise in the Illinois Senate.

April 4^th is fast approaching and that means that local elections are right around the corner. One of the candidates running for Taylorville Mayor is Terry Wright. Wright said above all else, what makes Taylorville great is the people living here.

Each candidate had the chance to address potential voters at the Taylorville Mayoral Forum. While many gave backgrounds on themselves and what they would do to fix some of the problems around town, Wright took a different approach, and instead focused on what he feels is great about Taylorville. The people.

Wright said there’s many people to thank over the years for making Taylorville what it is today, and said the town should continue to take pride in things like a great school system.

Finalizing his opening statement, Wright thanked those who helped make Taylorville what it is today, and highlighted what’s going on in the community to continue making Taylorville a great place to live for the future.

Quad Cities area State Senator Neil Anderson is co-sponsoring legislation that provides greater flexibility to place priorities, like funding for hospitals, human services, and universities, ahead of legislator and constitutional officer pay. The bill follows a recent court ruling that put legislator paychecks ahead of other outstanding financial obligations.

Under the bill, the Comptroller is authorized to delay monthly salary payments to legislators if there are insufficient funds in the state's General Revenue Fund to pay all other obligations within 90 days after a voucher requesting reimbursement has been submitted to the Comptroller.

State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) had publicly explored the idea of running for Governor, but announced on Friday that he will not be making a run in 2018, and will instead continue to serve as State Senator from the 48^th Illinois District.

Manar said in a statement released Friday that he had concerns about his family, and what a campaign for the top position in the state would do. Manar also stated that he intends to continue working on the problems those in his district, and in Illinois face.

Manar was also critical of Governor Bruce Rauner in his statement, stating that Rauner “has failed to grow into the leadership role the state desperately needs”.