Community members are invited to attend a Shelby County Opioid Response and Education event later this month aimed at helping residents better understand and respond to opioid overdoses.
The event will be held Tuesday, February 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor’s Center, 1989 IL-16 in Shelbyville.

The evening will feature Narcan training, a discussion panel, and community resource information, bringing together local agencies, first responders, and community members to share knowledge and tools for substance use prevention and education.

Organizers say attendees will learn:

• How to respond to an opioid overdose
• How substance use is affecting Shelby County
• Information about the Good Samaritan Law

Those who attend will receive free Narcan kits, educational materials, and continuing education credits (CEUs).

The event is organized by the Shelby County ROSC Council and is funded in part by the National Opioid Settlement Funds, Shelby County, and the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Registration is encouraged and can be completed by scanning the QR code on the event flyer.
Anyone with questions can contact Shelby County ROSC Council Coordinator Landriah Hardiek at 217-254-4826 or by email at landriahh@hourhouserecovery.org.

A quick-thinking Montgomery County deputy helped save a family early Thursday morning after spotting a house fire in Witt.

The Sheriff’s Office says just before 2:50 a.m., a deputy on patrol noticed a large cloud of smoke coming from a residential area. After searching for the source, the deputy found a home on fire and immediately notified Montgomery County Telecommunications, which dispatched the Witt Fire Department.

The deputy, assisted by a second deputy, then worked to alert the occupants inside the home. A man, a woman, a four-year-old child, and a pet were all safely evacuated. Authorities say the residents had been asleep and were unaware the home was on fire. No injuries were reported.

Sheriff Rick Holshouser praised the deputies and first responders for their quick actions, saying their alertness likely prevented a much worse outcome.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Witt, Nokomis, Fillmore, Coffeen, and Litchfield fire departments, along with Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance, Montgomery County EMA, and the Red Cross.
 

Christian County’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony is now around seven months away, and specific plans are beginning to come together.  Speakers and musical performances have been arranged, while other positions are still to be filled.  The goal for organizers is to remember the unsung heroes in the minutes, hours, and even days after the tragedy.  September 11 of this year will mark a quarter-century since the attacks.  In addition, it comes in the United States’ 250th year of independence. 

Ted Chapman is again taking the lead in organizing the ceremony.  He has also organized funerals for first responders and plans to incorporate certain elements of these funerals in the remembrance ceremony. 

Retired New York Police Sergeant Andrew Nelson joined Chapman to share his experiences.  Sergeant Nelson held that role on 9/11 and was on the ground that day.  He had never seen anything like the scenes in New York City after the towers were hit.

He adds that the memories of the day build up in his mind each year as September 11 approaches.

While Sergeant Nelson finds these ceremonies difficult to be a part of, he says he feels an obligation to remind others of the stories of the first responders who died.

Sergeant Nelson points to current global affairs and the U.S.’s role in them as reasons among many others to continue to remember what happened on 9/11.

More information on the 9/11 remembrance ceremony is available by calling Chapman at (217) 827-4155 or the Taylorville Fire Department at (217) 824-2295.

Ted Chapman and Retired NYPD Sergeant Andrew Nelson appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

Teen dating violence affects far more young people than many families realize, and advocates say it often goes unnoticed because the warning signs can look like typical teenage behavior. February is “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month,” a national effort to educate communities about abuse that can begin as early as middle and high school. Research shows that one in three teens in the United States will experience physical, emotional or digital abuse from a dating partner before reaching adulthood.

Teen dating violence can take many forms, including: emotional manipulation, controlling behavior, verbal abuse, digital harassment through texting or social media, and physical or sexual violence. These experiences can have lasting effects on a young person’s mental health and in their future ability to form healthy relationships later in life. 

Throughout February, Sojourn Shelter & Services is encouraging parents, educators and community members to talk openly with teens about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors. The organization is also working to raise awareness about common warning signs, such as excessive jealousy, constant monitoring through phones or social media, pressure to isolate from friends or family, and fear of upsetting a partner.

Sojourn provides prevention education through school presentations, parent workshops and community outreach efforts designed to help teens recognize abuse and understand how to seek help. Free and confidential support services are also available to teens and families who may be experiencing dating violence or who are concerned about someone they know.

Sojourn Shelter & Services is a nonprofit domestic violence shelter and advocacy organization that has served central Illinois for more than 50 years. More information is available at www.help4dv.org, or by calling 217-726-5100.

Even eight months out, the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce is already thinking about Chillifest.  They have announced it will take place on October 3 and 4.  Vendors and sponsors will be able to sign up to be present at the 41st edition of this tradition.  The announcement comes with plenty of other happenings in the backdrop, as well.

GTCC Board President Krystal Baker is overseeing all of this.  She says vendors from the last Chillifest can already sign up to return.

The Chamber’s Tailgate Takeout Drive-Thru is in progress.  They have announced the charities which the promotion’s proceeds will benefit: Dinner Seasoned with Love, and the Shadow Home.

The Business After Hours events continue, as well.  The next one is set for Wednesday, February 18 at the Black Pub Speakeasy.

The Chamber also has two new members: Glenn Brothers Garage Door Company and Olde Towne Pub.

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

Krystal Baker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

A former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy has been convicted in the shooting death of Sonya Massey in July 2024, and was sentenced Thursday morning to 20 years in prison. Sean Grayson, 31, appeared before a judge for a sentencing hearing following his second-degree murder conviction. He will also serve two years of mandatory supervised release and will receive credit for time already served.

Grayson had already been found guilty of second-degree murder in October by a Peoria County jury made up of nine women and three men. The conviction stemmed from the July 2024 shooting of Massey inside her Springfield home.

The case drew statewide and national attention after body-camera footage showed Grayson firing his weapon after Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler. The video sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of police use of force, particularly during responses to calls involving mental health concerns and incidents inside private residences.

In the months following the shooting, the case helped fuel legislative changes about accountability and training in Illinois law enforcement. While the sentencing brings the criminal case to a close, the issues raised by Massey’s death continue to be reviewed  across the state.

South Fork schools are well into their spring semester, and there is plenty of change entering the new term.  The school has adopted new curricula, especially for math.  They are only slightly removed from renovations done to the gym where high school basketball games take place.  Amid the excitement, district administrators along with faculty, staff, students, and families have had to be flexible, with heavy winter weather forcing closures and adjustments. 

Chris Clark is the superintendent of South Fork schools.  He says the schools are using their half-days for fun STEM-related activities.

Early steps on renovating the gym began around ten years ago, before Clark even took up his current role.  He says it has an improved look and better heating and cooling.

Away from the changes, South Fork schools – like other school districts – have had to navigate the winter weather and decide on multiple occasions whether or not to close for the day.  The location of the schools in relation to where students live is different for South Fork compared to many other school districts, so this is a factor when potentially canceling school.

The district may also call for an eLearning day, where students will attend classes remotely.  South Fork schools aim for face-to-face, synchronous learning for at least a part of the day for students. 

More information on South Fork School District 14 is available at www.southforkschools.com.

Chris Clark appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Lincoln Land Community College will recognize African-American History Month throughout February with a lineup of public events focused on history and Black culture. This year’s theme, “A Century Strong: Black History Lives On,” marks 100 years since historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched the first organized observance of Black history in 1926. LLCC’s programming highlights the lasting influence African Americans have had on culture, food, art and social change, both nationally and in central Illinois. All events are free and open to the public.

Activities will take place in the Lincoln Commons on LLCC’s Springfield campus at 5250 Shepherd Road. Events are organized by the LLCC African-American History Month Committee in partnership with Student Engagement and Wellbeing. In addition to public programming, LLCC students will have access to other activities throughout the month that focus on self-care, reflection and understanding the influence of African-American history in the region.

The month begins Monday, February 2nd, with a kickoff celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature music, art-focused activities, food and opportunities to connect with members of the Black Student Union. Then on Thursday, February 5th, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., LLCC will host A Taste of Heritage, a documentary viewing and discussion centered on an episode of High on the Hog. The program explores how African-American cuisine shaped American food culture and history.

A Lunch and Learn event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local director and playwright Tim Crawford will discuss the creation of his play Outraged: Terror in Springfield 1908, which examines the Springfield race riots and their national impact. The month concludes Wednesday, February 25th, with Creative Contributions: Open Mic Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Students are invited to perform music, poetry, spoken word or participate as audience members.

Find out more information at www.llcc.edu.

Students in the Christian County CEO program have organized multiple group businesses and events so far and are already in progress with arranging the next one.  This endeavor is a food sampling event called “Men Who Cook.”  It’s scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at the Taylorville Moose Lodge, and the cost to attend is $35.

Ross Brown is a student in Christian County CEO.  He says his group is focused more on the general logistics of the event than on being directly involved at it.

CEO students Kendle Carter and David Schafer say the event – which returns after a nine-year hiatus – will feature many different food samples as opposed to one single meal.

The CEO class’s most recent group-organized event was the Bingo night in December, also at the Moose Lodge.  Students were happy with the turnout that evening.

Carter, Brown, and Schafer shared the personal businesses they are starting as part of the program.  They include car detailing, power washing, and 3D-printing.

More information on the Christian County CEO program is available at www.christiancountyceo.com.

Ross Brown, Kendle Carter, and David Schafer appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

Support for youth sports in Christian County got a big boost this week thanks to a local business with a big heart. The Christian County Youth Volleyball program received a donation for new supplies from Steve and Sherri Craggs with Fur Love, and organizers say it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Julie Solliday with Christian County Youth Volleyball accepted the check and says the program is about much more than just learning how to serve and spike.

Solliday says donations like this help make sure every kid has a chance to play regardless of their family’s financial situation.

She says community support is what keeps programs like this alive and growing.

Steve and Sherri Craggs with Fur Love say they’re happy to give back and support opportunities for local kids to stay active and involved.

The donation will be used to purchase new equipment and supplies. Solliday says anyone interested in supporting Christian County Youth Volleyball can watch for upcoming fundraisers or reach out to the organization directly.

Discussions surrounding lead testing and the Manners Park pool construction dominated last night’s January meeting of the Taylorville Park Board of Trustees.

Board members and other Park District staff spent most of the open portion of the meeting discussing color options for the design of the Manners Park pool.  Landmark Aquatic had presented them with a large booklet of the plethora of options for the various components of the space.  The components included the interior paint, lane lines for the lap pool, water slides, and more.  The board did not formally vote on anything in this regard.  However, board and staff members did come to a consensus on most such matters while tabling others for later.  Once these decisions are completed, the board intends to submit them to Landmark for them to produce renderings of the final design. 

Before the pool, the board discussed the previous findings of lead at Manners Park.  Board President Marlane Miller said she has contacted Midwest Environmental Consulting (MEC) Services regarding further lead testing.  Miller had sent previous reports from another firm to them as part of this consultation.  She said MEC had replied, saying these reports fell well short of what they needed to provide to the EPA.

The board voted to proceed with MEC’s services.

The board also discussed auditing firms.  The Park District will again require an outside agency to do an audit of their operations, per state law.  Sikich CPA LLC performed the audit last year.  Office Administrator Linda Moomey said the board had hoped to find a more local firm to run the audit, but to no avail.

The board voted to proceed on this matter, as well with Sikich.

Maintenance Superintendent Ben Dempsey gave an update on projects his team will work on at the Don Bragg Sports Complex.  They include work on pathways, a dugout floor, and the concession stand. 

Recreation Director Jessica Franks spoke regarding turnout and donations for Christmas in the Park and, in particular, traffic for the lights show at Manners Park.  The numbers are down slightly from last year but still around what they received in the three years prior. 

The next Park Board meeting is tentatively set for February 23.

Pana High School’s cheerleading team is headed to the IHSA sectional competition.  They will perform at Edwardsville High School this Saturday alongside 68 other teams.  Every team will be aiming to be among the few to qualify for the state finals, set for the following weekend in Bloomington.  For Pana, this is their first time at this stage of the season in 14 years, making the accomplishment extra special. 

Carly Bland, Bow Lenover, and Lila Wallace are among the members of the cheer team.  Their team had to place well enough in smaller competitions throughout the season to qualify for the sectionals.

The trio say the atmosphere at competitions is intense, but they feel supported, even by other teams. 

The belief among team members that they could succeed grew as the season progressed.

Lenover, Wallace, and Bland credit their coach, Gretchen Bland, for helping foster a positive attitude throughout the group.

The three team members also provide advice to those considering taking up cheerleading.  They say it’s important to remain committed to the activity.

More information on the state series in competitive cheerleading is available at www.ihsa.org. 

Carly Bland, Bow Lenover, and Lila Wallace appeared as guests on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the Dr. Chad Anderson and Payton Langen  with the Christian County Health Department at their Tuesday noon meeting at the Moose Lodge.

At this time the Health Department is conducting a IPLAN survey of Christian County residents.  The information collected with survey will assist the Health Department to plan for the future.  The survey is available by stopping by the Health Department office or completing the survey on line.

The Health Department assists Junior and Senior high school students through the Teen Mental Health Group.  Currently more than 40 individuals are utilizing this program which promotes mental health education, helps foster emotional well-being, helps develop healthy coping skills and encourages personal growth.

Another program that is promoted by the Christian County Health Department is CredibleMind.  This is a free online platform that brings together expert rated and vetted videos, podcasts, apps, online programs, books and articles in one “easy to use” location.  CredibleMind is confidential and available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club was thanked for a grant that was recently presented to the Christian County Health Department. 

For more information on these programs and what else the Christian County Health Department has to offer visit their web page at cchdil.org 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a 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 Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
 

As homeowners head into 2026, furniture choices are shifting away from matching sets and toward spaces that feel warmer, more personal and lived in. At Wright’s Furniture & Flooring, staff say customers are increasingly looking for pieces that reflect their own lifestyles while blending comfort and function with long-lasting design, rather than chasing short-term trends.

According to the Wright’s Furniture team, one of the biggest changes is a move toward individuality. Homes are being furnished with a mix of modern pieces, vintage finds, family heirlooms and custom furniture, creating rooms that feel collected over time instead of perfectly coordinated. The approach allows homeowners to design spaces that feel intentional without feeling staged.

Texture is also playing a larger role in furniture design this year. Softer fabrics such as bouclé, chenille and linen blends are being paired with metal, stone and wood to add depth and visual interest. Lighter finishes are giving way to richer wood tones, including walnut and deep mahogany, which bring a sense of warmth and durability to living spaces.

Color trends for 2026 lean toward earthy, grounded palettes. Deep greens, warm browns and muted, moody tones are being layered with neutral shades. Curved and organic shapes are also becoming more common, showing up in sofas, chairs, tables and even kitchen islands, to soften rooms and make them feel more relaxed.

Wright’s Furniture & Flooring is a fifth-generation, family-owned business celebrating it’s 136th year. The store offers a wide range of furniture, flooring and home décor, along with custom design services through its sister company, ‘Wright at Home.’ More information is available at www.wrightsfurniture.com.

The work that keeps Taylorville Memorial Hospital safe and functional doesn’t always happen in plain sight, but it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Jake Simonton, a mechanic and locksmith in Plant Operations at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, has been named the Hospital’s 2025 Colleague of the Year, recognizing his commitment to safety, problem-solving and teamwork across the facility.

Simonton joined Taylorville Memorial Hospital in 2022 and was previously honored as Colleague of the Month in June 2025. Those that know him say he is known for putting safety first in every task, from routine maintenance to complex equipment installations. Simonton’s attention to detail and clear communication have made him a dependable presence within plant operations. His ability to address challenges efficiently while maintaining high safety standards has helped throughout the hospital.

Coworkers also praised Simonton’s responsiveness and willingness to step in when issues arise. Nominators noted that he regularly seeks clarification on larger projects, offers thoughtful solutions, and contributes ideas that improve outcomes. His approachable attitude and positive interactions with staff and patients were also cited as key reasons for his selection.

Colleague of the Year awards are presented at each of Memorial Health’s seven affiliates and are selected from employees who were named Colleague of the Month during that same year. For more information, visit memorial.health.

A new superintendent is coming to Nokomis schools.  Juletta Ellis, an administrator at the SCI Career and Technical Education Center in Litchfield, will take the reins in Nokomis.  The move became official last week when the school board voted in favor of the appointment.  She will replace Dr. Scott Doerr, who is retiring in 2027.  Ellis will shadow Dr. Doerr for the 2026/27 academic year as part of the transition process. 

Dr. Doerr’s retirement will end his long career in education administration.  He says the board of education hoped for an efficient hire to allow time for a comprehensive transition into the role. 

When looking back on his career, Dr. Doerr is most proud of the school district’s work in providing opportunities for students and, in his view, remaining fiscally responsible. 

Dr. Doerr admits he did not originally envision working in a higher role at a district level, but that’s where his career trajectory took him. 

With the extra time, he hopes to do more traveling after leaving his position at Nokomis.

More information on Nokomis CUSD #22 is available at www.nokomis.k12.il.us and on their Facebook page. 

Dr. Scott Doerr appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

Prairie Cardiovascular has added Brendan Dinga, PA-C, to its Carbondale clinic, expanding access to cardiology care for patients across Southern Illinois. Dinga is now seeing patients at Prairie Cardiovascular’s office at 409 West Oak Street in Carbondale, bringing experience in both hospital and outpatient settings to the growing practice. Appointments with Dinga are now available in Carbondale. Patients can learn more or schedule a visit by calling 618-529-4455 or visiting www.hshs.org/heart.

Dinga earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in physiology from Southern Illinois University, both in Carbondale. His clinical background includes work in acute care, emergency medicine, internal medicine and cardiology, giving him a broad perspective on heart health with patient needs in mind.

At Prairie Cardiovascular, Dinga focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and management of common and chronic heart conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and heart failure. He preaches patient education and works closely with individuals to help them understand their conditions.

Prairie Cardiovascular is the largest group of cardiology providers in Central and Southern Illinois, with nearly 100 clinicians serving patients at 30 clinic locations. The group also supports advanced research and treatment options through the Prairie Education and Research Consortium, helping bring new therapies to communities across the region.

Memorial Health has named Sarah Matlin as its new senior vice president and chief strategy officer.
Matlin will help guide the strategic direction of Memorial Health, which includes five hospitals, along with primary and urgent care clinics, behavioral health services, and home health care across central Illinois.

She is the founder and CEO of OKTO Strategic Advisory, a firm that focuses on helping healthcare organizations innovate and transform their operations. She previously served as chief strategy officer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, an independent health system based in northern Kentucky.

Matlin holds a bachelor’s degree in international business, economics, and German from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a master’s degree in business administration from Solvay Business School in Brussels, Belgium.

Memorial Health says Matlin will play a key role in shaping the organization’s long-term strategy as it continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of patients and communities across the region.

Average gasoline prices across Illinois climbed again over the past week, rising nearly 7 cents per gallon to an average of $2.94, according to a new survey of more than 4,300 stations conducted by GasBuddy. While prices are slightly higher than a month ago, drivers are still paying nearly 30 cents less per gallon than they were this time last year.

GasBuddy data shows a wide range in prices across the state. The lowest reported price in Illinois on Sunday was $2.34 per gallon, while the highest reached $4.29, creating a nearly $2 difference depending on location. Nationally, the average price of gasoline increased by 7.5 cents over the past week to $2.84 per gallon. That figure is slightly higher than one month ago but remains nearly 24 cents lower than a year ago, based on millions of weekly price reports from stations nationwide.

In central Illinois, prices showed mixed movement. Peoria averaged $2.83 per gallon, down slightly from last week. Champaign prices fell more sharply to $2.78, while St. Louis saw a notable jump, rising to $2.70 per gallon. Diesel prices also moved higher, increasing 7.8 cents over the past week to a national average of $3.543 per gallon. Rising oil prices, tighter global supply conditions and winter weather impacts are contributing to upward pressure at the pump.

Looking back, today’s prices remain well below levels seen in recent years. On the same date in 2023, Illinois drivers were paying an average of $3.66 per gallon, and prices exceeded $3.50 in both 2022 and 2025.

GasBuddy reports that rising crude oil prices, ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global supply, and cold-weather disruptions at refineries are all factors influencing fuel costs. Increased demand for heating oil during winter conditions has also contributed to higher diesel prices, which can ripple into gasoline markets.

GasBuddy is a fuel savings platform tracking real-time prices at more than 150,000 stations across North America.

Elected officials in Springfield will look to come to terms on a state budget for the coming year.  However, the process this time is expected to be more difficult.  Pandemic-era federal relief will soon expire, requiring officials to either make cuts or find revenue elsewhere.  Additionally, with elections for governor and many legislative seats set for this year, officials want to stick to their platforms and promises while also satisfying voters and their needs. 

Dr. Kent Redfield is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield.  He says if the legislature cannot pass the budget before the final month of negotiations arrives, a greater share of votes in favor becomes required to pass it.

In addition, the expiration of temporary pandemic-era funding creates new budget shortfalls.  With differences in priorities among party lines, legislators may struggle to come to agreements on certain terms. 

Dr. Redfield says the elections this year complicate the process even further in part because politicians must split their time between working on the budget and campaigning. 

Speaking of elections, the state’s general primary election is set for Tuesday, March 17.  The last day for “regular” voter registration is Tuesday, February 17.

If you do not register by then, there is a “grace period” for registration.  However, only a limited number of methods are available at that point. 

More information on elections in Illinois is available at the Illinois State Board of Election's website, elections.il.gov.  More information on UIS’s political science program is available at www.uis.edu/spia.

Dr. Kent Redfield appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Lincoln Land Community College’s Taylorville campus is focusing on bringing in its next waves of students.  They are investing heavily in raising awareness of the College Now program, which allows high school students to also take their classes and get a head start on college.  Upcoming information sessions will allow prospective College Now students to learn more about the program and many others offered at LLCC. 

On February 5, the school will host a Workforce Institute Showcase and College Now Night.  Elizabeth Fines-Workman, director of LLCC’s Taylorville campus, says the event will serve as a comprehensive introduction to both programs.

Fines-Workman says College Now helps students not only get ahead but also transition to the college experience.

As for current students, Fines-Workman is launching a new monthly social gathering with students called Foodie Fridays with Fines and Company.  She intends to bring unique food items to each event.

The event is designed to better connect students with campus administrators in a fun way and ensure students receive the support they need.

More information on Lincoln Land Community College is available at www.llcc.edu.

Elizabeth Fines-Workman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Much of central Illinois is digging out this morning after a significant winter storm dumped seven to eight inches of snow across many communities, making travel difficult to nearly impossible in some areas.

Some of the highest totals were reported in Christian and Shelby Counties, where around eight inches of snow fell in and around Taylorville and Neoga. Just east and north of there, communities like Morrisonville, Edinburg, Mattoon, Pana, and Tuscola generally saw six to seven inches of accumulation.

Snow totals reported across the region include:

• Around 8 inches in Taylorville
• Around 8 inches in Neoga
• Nearly 7.7 inches in Morrisonville
• Around 7.2 inches in Mattoon
• About 7 inches in Edinburg, Pana, Tuscola, Coffeen, and Macon
• Six inches or more in parts of Moweaqua, Windsor, and Decatur

The heavy, blowing snow and ongoing cleanup efforts have left many rural roads and secondary routes snow-covered and slick, with drifting still a problem in open areas.

Local officials and emergency agencies are strongly encouraging people to stay home if they don’t absolutely need to travel. Crews are continuing to work to clear roads, but conditions can still change quickly, especially on less-traveled highways and county roads.

Even where plows have been through, snow-packed surfaces and icy spots remain, making stopping and turning hazardous. Officials say if you must be out, you should slow down, leave extra distance between vehicles, and carry a winter safety kit.

The storm moved through late Sunday into Monday morning as part of a large winter system impacting much of the Midwest, but central Illinois appears to have been right in the zone for some of the heaviest snowfall.

With temperatures staying cold, melting and refreezing could keep roads slick into tonight and Tuesday morning, so drivers are urged to continue using caution — or better yet, delay travel if possible.
 

The Taylorville Park Board of Trustees will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow night rather than tonight due to extreme cold temperatures.  It will take place at its usual time of 7 p.m. and at its usual location of the Manners Park Dining Hall. 

The new business portion of the meeting will include discussions surrounding Sikich CPA LLC and MEC Consulting Service.  Sikich is the firm which carried out a mandatory general audit of the Park District’s operations last year.  The Manners Park Pool is the only agenda item in old business.

As is customary, before new and old business, the board will hear the treasurer’s report.  After the business sections, the maintenance superintendent, recreation director, and office administrator will make their reports.  The board is then expected to go into executive session for matters surrounding personnel and litigation.

Stay tuned for updates following this meeting.

Sean Hayes is in his 12th year as an athletic director within the Central A&M School District.  That time-frame includes his time at the middle school.  While at Central A&M, coaches of tenures both long and short have come and gone, and new co-ops have been formed.

Hayes says he uses his past experience as a coach to provide helpful tips to the current coaches he oversees.

Like most other high school athletic directors, Hayes is looking well ahead to the next school year.  He has begun coordinating officials for home events and other important logistics.

Speaking of next year, Central A&M’s football co-op arrangement with Okaw Valley runs for one more season.  Hayes says the extra personnel helped the program immensely last fall. 

More information on Central A&M High School is available at the school district’s website, www.camraiders.com.

Sean Hayes appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Central A&M.

The Christian County Board met earlier this week to discuss old and new business, review committee reports, and announce some appointments at their January monthly meeting.  Jake Janssen presented a dividend check. The county had switched over on health insurance due to issues with volatility and Hope Trust is their new carrier and with the ownership, the county received a check dividend for $5640.

 Sam Sassatelli has been appointed to District 1 to take the spot left by the retirement of Tim Carlsson. County Board Chair Bryan Sharp says that he is thrilled to have Sassetelli on board. 

Sharp says that the departments gave their yearly summaries and he says that over the last three years, the departments have all seen gradual improvement over the last few years and many departments have outstanding goals in 2026.  Sharp says that he is proud of their progress. Sharp discussed property taxes saying that it is something that is still heavily misunderstood and that they are doing their best to list the reasons why things are done the way that they are.

The Christian County Health Department has a new survey called the IPlan Survey.  It’s available on their website and helps the county with their grants.  The Christian County Health Department is one of the few health departments that is solely funded by grants and these surveys help with that. 

Under Highway building and grounds, Shawn Hammers, solid waste director, announced numbers for 2025: electronic recycling 55,245 lbs of electronics, 43,080 lbs of tires, and single stream recycling, 4440.  Bryan Sharp also announced the animal control numbers and things are progressing extremely well. 

Albert Niemerg, who is originally from the Teutopolis area has been pegged as the new County Engineer and will be moving to the Taylorville area soon. Sharp says it was a rigorous process and he’s glad to have it done. 

Jeff Stoner, Christian County EMA Director, announced that there were 14,000 calls this year.  Under new business, the board announced Tiffany Senger as the Public Defender through November 30, 2026, and Aaron Herkert and Jarred Rahar as conflict public defenders. The county received money back from their safety grant that they received $7745 for utilizing on safety upgrades in the county. The next meeting is set for Tuesday, February 17th, 2026.  

Pictures courtesy: Venise McWard

Central A&M High School’s FFA chapter has seen steady improvement in their competition results in recent years.  They look to continue that trend entering the spring semester, which will also feature enrichment trips for the many members. 

Adyson Lowrance is the FFA chapter’s president.  She says competitions in a variety of disciplines make up the spring semester schedule. 

The chapter’s competition record so far this academic year has been a positive one, with several high placings. 

For Lowrance, being the chapter president has placed her in a more public position than before.  This has been her most notable adjustment to the role.

Lowrance had been pursuing the role of president since beginning high school, having been heavily involved in ag-related activities since then.

She is set to attend Lincoln Land Community College before transferring to a four-year university to study animal science.

More information on Central A&M High School is available at the school district’s website, www.camraiders.com.

Adyson Lowrance appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Central A&M.

Taylorville Memorial Hospital is teaming up with the University of Illinois Extension office to offer a free cooking class focused on heart-healthy eating. The class, called “The Power of Protein,” will be held February 26th from 5:30 to 7 at the hospital. Participants will learn how different types of protein, both animal-based and plant-based, can support heart health and the body’s overall needs.

The class will be hands-on, with attendees cooking using a variety of protein sources. Lisa Peterson, a nutrition and wellness educator with the University of Illinois Extension, will also share tips on managing cholesterol and making smart, balanced food choices.

The class will be held in Conference Room 179 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. Registration is required, and parking is available in Lot 4 at the rear of the hospital. Two more free classes are also planned later this year. One on June 30th will focus on eating for brain health, and another on September 17th will teach ways to reduce food waste and stretch your grocery budget.

Hospital officials say these classes are designed to meet a need identified in Christian County’s Community Health Needs Assessment, where residents asked for more nutrition education and better access to healthy food information.

You can find registration links online, or for more information, contact Lisa Peterson at the University of Illinois Extension office.

Central A&M High School’s Student Council takes charge of organizing several school events throughout the year.  They include the typical traditions like Homecoming and senior week, but there are also unique initiatives to benefit special causes and support local businesses. 

One of these initiatives was a breast cancer awareness fundraiser.  Jesse Nielsen, president of the Student Council, worked the fundraiser into post-homecoming events in October, which is international Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The council will soon begin planning senior week.  Nielsen, along with vice president Emma West, are looking to include fun activities to counteract the sadness they say many seniors feel about leaving.

Both officers say their experience on the council has helped them develop leadership skills, especially when it comes to organizing major events and delegating tasks. 

More information on Central A&M High School is available at the school district’s website, www.camraiders.com.

Jesse Nielsen and Emma West appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Central A&M.

Sangamon County Animal Control received the highest possible rating during a January 16th inspection by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, with state inspectors finding the facility in full compliance across all evaluated areas. Additionally, no citations were found as part of the report.

The inspection reviewed 12 required categories, including: animal welfare, sanitation, record keeping, daily operations, and more. Inspectors reported that the Animal Control Center met or exceeded all state standards in each category. The Illinois Department of Agriculture conducts routine inspections of animal care facilities statewide to ensure consistent compliance with regulations designed to protect animals.

Sangamon County Public Health Director John Ridley said the inspection results reflect the daily work of Animal Control staff and their drive to meet state requirements. James Schackmann, Chairman of the Sangamon County Board’s Public Health Committee, said the County Board’s continued investment in animal control operations has contributed to maintaining high standards and safe conditions at the facility as well.

Sangamon County Animal Control will continue to undergo regular inspections as part of the state’s ongoing oversight process. For more information, visit them at their Facebook page.

Students in Taylorville High School’s FFA chapter are picking up agricultural experiences on the road and even overseas.  Trips to Scotland and Colorado have given members the opportunity to witness farming in action, meet other ag enthusiasts of their age, and see interesting sights.  The chapter’s leadership has taken the lead in these experiences and more as they prepare for their future endeavors. 

Chapter co-president Ryker Beckmier was on the Scotland trip.  His group joined those from other states on the trip.

The trip to Colorado came as a result of the chapter’s performance at a livestock judging contest at the University of Illinois.  Beckmier, along with another co-president in Olivia Mizeur, say their team of five had spent years working for that opportunity

Mizeur and Beckmier, along with IT vice president Ty Winans and chapter reporter Elsie Williamson, each bring a unique set of interests and duties to the chapter to make it well rounded.

More information on Taylorville High School is available at ths.tcusd3.org. 

Ryker Beckmier, Olivia Mizeur, Elsie Williamson, and Ty Winans appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Taylorville.

Firefighters from several area departments were called out early Thursday morning to battle a grain bin fire in rural Shelby County.

The fire was reported around 6:47 a.m. on January 22 to the Assumption Fire Department. When crews arrived and assessed the situation, Assumption Fire Chief Palmer requested additional help, including a water tender from the Tower Hill Fire Department.

Firefighters initially attacked the blaze using two inch-and-a-half hoses and a deck gun, while also setting up portable water tanks to support incoming tanker trucks.

Mutual aid was provided by the Pana Fire Department, which sent a tower truck and tender, along with additional tenders from the Moweaqua and Shelbyville Fire Departments.

Assumption Fire officials thanked the assisting departments, along with Christian County 911 Dispatch, Gary Shuck, and the City of Assumption Street and Water Department for their help at the scene.

No injuries were reported, and there is no word yet on the cause of the fire.

Central Illinois is bracing for a dangerous stretch of winter weather, with extreme cold followed by a potentially significant snowstorm this weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for Christian and Macon Counties starting early Friday morning and running through noon Saturday. Wind chills are expected to drop to between 15 and 25 below zero, cold enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Forecasters are urging residents to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and bring pets inside.
Meanwhile, attention is also turning to the weekend, as a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for much of central Illinois, including Christian and Macon Counties. The storm is expected to arrive in two waves the first Saturday morning through early Saturday evening, followed by a second, stronger round of snow early Sunday through Sunday afternoon.

Right now, the Weather Service says 5 to 7 inches of snow is possible in areas including Taylorville and Decatur, with slippery and hazardous travel conditions expected.

Montgomery County is also expected to see impacts from the storm system, with forecasters warning that travel across the region could become difficult as snow and bitter cold combine.

Officials say now is the time to prepare — make sure you have supplies, check travel plans, and monitor the latest forecasts as the situation develops.

Taylorville High School’s Student Council takes charge of organizing several school events throughout the year.  Many of them are meant specifically for students, while others welcome the community as a whole.  Events already this school year include Homecoming and “SnowCo,” their name for the winter ball.  They are now preparing to host a state convention of high school student councils. 

Gabby Mireles is the president of the Student Council.  She says the convention will feature leadership workshops, motivational speakers, and lots of networking. 

Mireles has been on the Student Council each of her four years at the school, working her way up the ladder in a variety of roles.  As president, she works with many other members and advisors to carry out her duties.

Serving as president and her other various roles in the Student Council has helped Mireles develop a variety of leadership skills.  Notably, she had been reluctant at first to take on these opportunities.

Mireles is set to attend Lincoln Land Community College directly after high school.  She hopes to then transfer to a four-year university, all in pursuit of becoming a registered nurse.

More information on the THS Student Council is available on their Facebook and Instagram pages.  More information on Taylorville High School is available at ths.tcusd3.org. 

Gabby Mireles appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Taylorville.

What started as a routine renovation at the Taylorville Kroger quickly turned into a public health concern, and now a legal settlement with the State of Illinois. Under the settlement, the companies agreed to pay $108,000 in civil penalties while pledging to avoid future violations of state and federal asbestos regulations.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a settlement this week with The Kroger Co. and SSI Services LLC over the improper handling of asbestos-containing materials during renovation work at the Taylorville store. According to the state of Illinois, SSI Services was hired by Kroger to remove nearly 39,500 square feet of floor tile containing asbestos. While the company notified the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that the project had started, problems surfaced when broken floor tiles containing asbestos were reportedly left exposed while the store remained open to the public.

The issue was only known about following a citizen complaint, which was filed, prompting an inspection by the Illinois EPA. Inspectors found that asbestos materials were not adequately contained, including a failure to properly wet the materials. Wetting the tiles would have been the necessary safety step meant to prevent dangerous fibers from becoming airborne. As a result, the agency ordered the store sealed to protect customers and employees.

Raoul’s office later filed a lawsuit alleging the renovation work created a serious risk to public health. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause severe and often fatal illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, with higher risks for people who smoke. After the lawsuit was filed, Kroger and SSI Services completed a state-approved abatement plan to fully address the asbestos contamination. The Illinois EPA lifted its seal order in December 2022, allowing the Taylorville store to reopen.

This settlement now puts to rest a case which spanned roughly four years.

“Celebrate the students.”  That’s the motto by which administrators at Taylorville High School are looking to lead as the spring semester begins.  They are touting the variety of opportunities available to students, from TommyTV to trades-related courses.

The school is in its early stages of putting its new indoor athletic facility on the east side of the campus.  Principal Matt Hutchison says one of the most notable benefits is that it offers more space for sports teams to practice so they can do so at more reasonable hours.

Hutchinson speaks highly of the athletic programs themselves, as well.  He adds that his school’s organization of sporting events has received notable commendation. 

The school boasts a number of non-core academic programs.  They are designed to bring academics to a “classroom” which does not look like a conventional one.

More information on Taylorville High School is available at ths.tcusd3.org. 

Matt Hutchison appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Taylorville.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin visited Café Moxo in Springfield to meet with local small business owners and discuss his recent bipartisan ‘Credit Card Competition Act.’ The proposal is hoping to increase competition in the credit card market, where Visa and Mastercard currently dominate, while reducing the swipe fees that many merchants say continue to drive up costs for both their business and their customers.

The Credit Card Competition Act would require large banks to offer at least two network options on credit cards, creating competition that supporters say would lower fees and improve transparency. Durbin argues that increased competition would help small businesses keep prices down while easing financial pressure on consumers.

Durbin’s visit focused on how credit card processing fees affect everyday operations for small businesses. Visa and Mastercard control roughly 85 percent of the credit card market, leaving merchants with little ability to negotiate rates. As a result, swipe fees cost the average American family nearly $1,200 each year and generate more than $111 billion annually for banks.

Durbin was joined at the Springfield event by Café Moxo owner Mark Forinash, Cindy Frisina of Legendary Small Town Trading Co., Terry Boulander and Becky Baumgart of Girls in White Satin, and Rob Karr, President and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

Two suspects connected to a retail theft in New Berlin were identified within minutes after the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office used the Sheriff’s Department app to request help from the public. A notification was sent out shortly after the theft, asking residents for assistance. Tips identifying the suspects began coming in within five minutes.

The incident happened just after 11:20 p.m. on January 6th at the Road Ranger located at 700 King Drive. Investigators said a man and woman entered the store, where the man distracted the lone employee while the woman went behind the counter and stole more than $800 worth of cigarettes. The pair then left the scene in a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV.

Based on that information, deputies identified Christopher W. Rixner, 36, and Melissa A. Hubbard, 35, both of Springfield. Arrest warrants have been issued for both individuals on charges of retail theft. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rixner or Hubbard is asked to contact the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office at 217-753-6666 or Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427. Anonymous tips may also be submitted online at www.cashfortips.us.

The Sangamon County Sherrif’s Department app allows residents to receive alerts, submit tips, and access information directly from the sheriff’s office. It is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store by searching “Sangamon County Sheriff.”

TommyTV is not merely the name of Taylorville High School’s live sports streaming presence; it’s an academic program all about live television production.  Students can be involved in any area of the work, including cameras, graphics, video editing, and even being appearing on air.  They have had opportunities to visit professional TV production environments, which some are striving for in the future. 

TommyTV broadcasts all home football games and most such away games, as well as all home basketball games for both boys and girls.  They also broadcast select events in the school’s other sports.  Their football and basketball broadcasts carry the audio commentary heard on WTIM Your Information Station and 96.5 The Chill.

Broadcasts can be viewed from TommyTV’s YouTube and Facebook pages.  In addition to the traditional broadcasts, TommyTV provides a unique alternative viewing experience called “Director’s Seat.”  This stream shows all of the camera and graphics shots as the behind-the-scenes team sees them and also features their live communication as the broadcast plays out.

Ella Hohenstein, Hannah Nieders, Alexis Henry, and Noah Williams are among the students involved with TommyTV.  They say they most enjoy putting together well produced broadcasts they are proud of.

The group’s recent trip was to the Big Ten Network’s broadcast headquarters in Chicago.  They visited that along with the production facilities at Northwestern University, which operates as part of the network’s Student U program.

TommyTV has a tradition of hosting what it calls the Tommy Awards.  It’s an Oscars-style show honoring the best of Taylorville schools and the city as a whole.  TommyTV produces its own broadcast, much like how the Oscars and similar shows are televised.  This year’s Tommy Awards are scheduled for May 9.

More information on Taylorville High School is available at ths.tcusd3.org. 

Alexis Henry, Ella Hohenstein, Hannah Nieders, and Noah Williams appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Taylorville.

Illinois House Republicans held a Capitol press conference Wednesday morning to talk about the new word floating around the Capitol, affordability.  Radio Communications Analyst Dean Abbott says that House Minority Leader Tony McCombie says that affordability isn’t a new concept. 

Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) says affordability should be our number one topic of discussion here in Springfield to help working families and seniors.

Republicans have voiced concerns over policies of Governor Pritzker and the supermajority in Springfield continues to be one of driving up costs and more spending.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation Director Katie Champion Williams.

Williams stated that she is three months into the position as Foundation Director coming in with 21 years of fundraising experience. Williams worked with the American Cancer Society and UIS with her fundraising efforts and is looking forward to working with TMH.

She recently received her master’s degree and in doing so wrote her thesis on fundraising.  Williams is driven by Healthcare Philanthropy and believes that generosity turns into better health care.  

Williams went on to state that funds that are associated with the Butterfield Foundation are utilized to obtain lifesaving equipment for the hospital and first responders.  

Williams informed the club that a new fund has been created called the Kim Bourne Endowment fund focused on assisting emerging leaders.  Monies from both the Butterfield Foundation and Emerging Leaders Endowment are used locally.

For more information on supporting the TMH foundation call (217) 707-5271.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a 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 Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
 

Last week, approximately 40 County and city officials in Christian County gathered for the first time to meet and renew the multi-jurisdictional all-hazards mitigation planning committee.  The meeting took place at the firehouse. Ken Runkle, public involvement specialist and risk assessor, spoke a little about what mitigation is saying that mitigation helps reduce the long term risk to people and property.

These mitigation plans are extremely important.  While they won’t guarantee money if there is an incident, without having a mitigation plan in place, organizations and cities/counties will not receive any money. 

An all-hazards mitigation plan, details the natural and man-made hazards that have impacted the community and identifies activities and projects that reduce the risk to people and property. These hazards include natural hazards such as summer and winter storms, floods, excessive heat, and extreme cold, as well as man-made hazards like the transportation of hazardous materials, waste disposal, and hazmat incidents. 

Mitigation is extremely important as damages have risen substantially.  There were $182.7 billion in damages from just 27 severe weather events in 2024. Updating the mitigation plan provides access to federal mitigation assistance funds and gets many of the small municipalities talking to each other. 

The goal for this project is to update the plans to meet state and federal requirements and reduce long-term vulnerabilities. For more information on these plans and how to attend the next meeting, email Runkle at krunkle@aecspfld.com or Andrea Bostwick-Campbell at abostwick@aecspfld.com. 

For many Christian County residents, finding mental health support can be difficult; something the Christian County Health Department hopes to change with a new free online resource. The department has partnered with CredibleMind to launch a digital platform that gives practical tools you can use to support their mental health and overall well-being. The platform became available January 20th and is open to all Christian County residents at no cost. 

Users can create an account, complete a brief mental health assessment, and receive personalized resources focused on topics like stress, anxiety, sleep, relationships, and emotional health. Residents who sign up and complete the assessment by February 17 will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

The health department says the goal is to make mental health support easier to find and easier to use. Rather than replacing existing services, the platform gives residents another option they can access anytime, privately, and at their own pace. The tools are designed to help with early support and prevention, especially for people who may not know where to start or who are not ready to seek formal treatment.

CredibleMind offers access to more than 10,000 evidence-based resources developed by mental health professionals. The platform focuses on self-care and education, allowing users to explore credible information without needing a referral or diagnosis. In addition to helping individuals, the system provides anonymous data that allows the health department to better understand what types of resources residents are using and where future support may be needed.

The Christian County Health Department encourages residents to explore the platform and use it as one more tool to support their mental health. Additional information is available at www.cchdil.org or by visiting the CredibleMind site directly.

Sports programs at Lake Land College are seeing high levels of success this season and in recent years.  The shooting team – only a few years into its existence – finished as a national runner-up.  Several other teams have finished in top regional positions.  Lake Land has expanded their sports offerings in the last few years, ensuring more students can compete for the Lakers.

The school’s cross country teams are back after a hiatus of over two decades.  Athletic director Bill Jackson says there was enough local interest for the sport to merit its return.

The shooting team has only played three seasons since its creation.  The team finished as the runner-up at the USA College Clay Target national tournament.  They ended up behind only Lindenwood in a competition featuring schools across the various governing bodies and divisions in college sports.

Lake Land’s women’s volleyball team won their region this last fall.  It’s the first time they had done so in 11 years.  Bill Jackson credits the work ethic of the team’s head coach, Lainey Jackson.

The women’s basketball team last season finished sixth in the NJCAA Division II tournament.  In addition, earlier this month, head coach Dave Johnson won his 600th game with the Lakers.

More information on sports at Lake Land College is available at www.lakelandcollegeathletics.com. 

Bill Jackson appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.

The Christian County Board is meeting tonight at 6 PM at the Christian County Courthouse. After public comments, there will be a dividend check presentation, followed by several appointments.  The board will look at a departmental 2025 summary and get a real estate tax summary.  Under committee reports, the board will review a resolution for certifying names to take the exam for county engineer, discuss IDOT projects in Christian County, review courthouse and building business. 

The board will also review a letter of support for the Village of Harvel Energy Transition Grant, discuss a Central Illinois Economic Development Authority Appointment, listen to a presentation from Shelby County PCOM to present the Annual Resigning of Intergovernmental Agreement for CIPT Mou, go over salary adjustments for elected officials, update language for the MOU and servicing agreements between Christian County and Central Commodity FS, and hear from the Veterans Assistance Commission.  

Under new business, the board will look to appoint Tiffany Senger as the public defender for Christian County until November 30th, 2026, appoint Aaron Herkert as second conflict public defender, review a safety grant, submit an advisory referendum to the voters regarding a Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, and review an ordinance to provide public transportation in Christian County.
The meeting is open to the public.  Stay tuned for more updates after the meeting is concluded.

Taylorville City Council is set to meet this evening at 7 PM for their regular city council meeting and second of January.  Several motions are going to be presented to the board for vote including a final payment for the Taylorville Food Center Project, amending the water rate for the city code, and a BDD agreement between Taylorville and Dustin Clark of 100-102 N. Main Street.  

Under committee reports, the council will discuss and potentially vote on purchasing a new John Deere riding mower for the cemetery, directing the Mayor to sign a plumbing change order, a pay application for a pump house project, a payment application from Plocher construction, and several lake and airport motions concerning work at the airport. Under finance, the council will discuss a motion concerning proposed industrial park incentives and the sale of property at the commercial and industrial park. 

The council will hear from the public, the city attorney, and Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry. 

The Illinois State Police say their ongoing crackdown on vehicle theft and carjacking is paying off, thanks in part to millions of dollars in grant funding aimed at fighting those crimes.

State police are using money from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP received a 10-million-dollar grant in the first fiscal year of the program, followed by another 677-thousand dollars in June of 2024 and 637-thousand-500 dollars in July of 2025.

From October through December of 2025 alone, state police missions targeting stolen and hijacked vehicles led to the recovery of 243 vehicles across Illinois.

During that same three-month period, troopers made 23 arrests connected to stolen vehicles and one arrest tied directly to a vehicle hijacking. Five firearms were also seized during those investigations.

In total, ISP conducted 35 missions focused on vehicle theft and related violent crime, using K9 units in 19 of those operations and Air Operations in 35 missions. The state police crime lab also handled more than 1,000 forensic assignments connected to stolen or hijacked vehicles during that time frame.

Several of those cases involved dangerous chases and multiple suspects. On October 31st in Chicago, state police located a stolen Nissan on Interstate 94. The vehicle fled, and two suspects ran into a residence, where troopers also discovered a stolen Porsche and two firearms.

On November 21st, another stolen vehicle fled from troopers on I-94. Five people ran from the vehicle and were all taken into custody. And on December 22nd in Carbondale, troopers attempted to stop an Audi that had been taken in an armed carjacking. The vehicle was later found abandoned in a field, and two suspects were arrested.

State police say these enforcement efforts will continue as part of their ongoing push to reduce vehicle theft, carjacking, and the violent crime that often goes along with it.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is once again offering college scholarships to students across the state. The association says it will award more than 58-thousand dollars in scholarships for the 2026–2027 school year. The money can be used for tuition, books, and fees, and students must be enrolled full-time at an Illinois college or university. Online learning is also acceptable.

In Christian County, Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp will award a 500-dollar scholarship. Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents and plan to attend school full-time during the 2026–2027 academic year, not including summer classes. There are no restrictions based on race, age, creed, color, sex, or national origin.

Applications are available at local sheriff’s offices or on the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association website. Students must complete the application, including an essay, and return it to their county sheriff’s office by March 13th.

For more information, contact your local sheriff’s office, your school’s guidance office, or the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association.

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake rattled central Illinois early Tuesday morning, centered near Ohlman in Christian County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  A 3.8 magnitude earthquake feels like a noticeable, often startling jolt or rumble that might be mistaken for a passing truck, minor explosion, or heavy impact, causing light shaking, rattling objects, and sometimes waking people up, though it's usually too weak to cause significant damage.

The quake occurred at approximately 1:27 a.m. CST and was recorded at a shallow depth of about 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) below the surface, a factor that likely made it more noticeable to residents in the surrounding communities.

Reports from the USGS “Did You Feel It?” system indicate that the shaking was felt not just in nearby towns but across a broad swath of central Illinois and beyond. Residents in Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Peoria, and even as far as Quincy and Terre Haute, Indiana reported feeling the ground move.

Many people were awakened by the shaking. Social media posts described short but noticeable tremors, from swinging ceiling fans to rumbling walls, as far away as Decatur and Champaign. So far, there are no reports of damage or injuries, and emergency officials have not issued any warnings or alerts related to the quake.

While this appears to be the first recorded earthquake in Christian County, Illinois does occasionally experience seismic events. The state is situated near regions with historical seismic activity, including the Illinois Basin–Ozark Dome region and seismic zones such as the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones, which have produced larger quakes in the past.

Illinois’ strongest recorded earthquakes have included a magnitude 5.4 near Mt. Carmel in 2008 and a magnitude 5.3 in 1968, both centered in southern parts of the state. According to seismologists, earthquakes of this size are generally considered minor and rarely cause damage, but they can still be felt across a large area, especially when shallow.

Officials remind residents that Illinois does have seismic risk, and preparedness, such as knowing how to “drop, cover and hold on” during shaking, is a good idea for all communities, even those that don’t see frequent quakes.

Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected on Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will represent throughout the 2026 Illinois State Fair season. Phillips was chosen from a field of 75 contestants during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

Phillips, 21, is a resident of Effingham and will graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2026 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing. She plans to return to the Effingham area following graduation with the goal of opening a small business and remaining active in her community. As Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, Phillips will serve as a summer employee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, travel to approximately 30 county fairs across the state, and act as the official hostess for both the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair.

The win is part of a long pageant journey for Phillips, who previously competed twice at the Effingham County Fair pageant and finished as first runner-up both times. She also followed in the footsteps of her two older sisters, who were past Effingham County Fair queens and state-level competitors. Phillips’ background in agriculture and fair participation includes hands-on experience on her family’s farm, along with involvement in county fair activities over several years.

Riley McDermott of Monroe County was named first runner-up, followed by Bella Evans of Morgan County as second runner-up, Ruby Mulvaney of Ogle County as third runner-up, and Laney York of White County as fourth runner-up. Contestants were evaluated throughout the weekend on communication skills, stage presence, and overall presentation.

The top 16 finalists also included representatives Lydia Repscher from Christian County, Allison Worman of Shelby County, and Kadence Smith for the Pana Tri-County Fair.

Intense spells of winter weather still await us, even in the back half of the meteorological season.  Heavy snow will continue to wreak havoc on roadways and walkways.  Likewise, cold temperatures can pose a threat to utilities.  Experts urge people to have the necessary equipment to stay safe and warm inside and outside. 

Kelly Marrs is a manager at Shelbyville Ace Hardware.  He says his store has a good supply of a variety of winter weather essentials. 

Experts often recommend salting concrete surfaces near your home.  However, some salt products are better than others depending on a number of circumstances. 

Marrs also encourages people to be proactive in ensuring that pipes do not burst.  Occasionally running water through the pipes when the weather becomes especially cold can help prevent this problem. 

The store also sells space heaters.  These come in different shapes and sizes to work for all areas of the home or office. 

The Ace Hardware in Shelbyville is located at 2114 West Main Street, Suite D.  More information is available at www.acehardware.com.

Kelly Marrs appeared as a guest on the WTIM Shelbyville Morning Show.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is inviting the public to become part of its volunteer team, with a new volunteer orientation session set for early February. The library and museum will host the orientation on Wednesday, February 4th, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the library building at 112 North Sixth Street in Springfield. The one-hour session will explain how the organization’s volunteer program works and how people can get involved.

Volunteers at the ALPLM help in a wide variety of ways; from greeting visitors and assisting at special events to helping researchers and supporting day-to-day operations. The museum says its volunteer team includes about 500 people. Those who decide to join will be asked to attend three additional training sessions on February 19th, February 26th, and March 5th.

Museum officials say volunteers contribute an average of about 35-thousand hours of service each year, helping improve the experience for visitors to one of Springfield’s most popular attractions. Volunteers also receive free admission to the museum and are invited to special lectures and presentations created just for them.

Mary E. Myers, one of the museum’s volunteers, says volunteering is meaningful to her because she gets to greet and assist people from all over the world, while also being part of what she calls a wonderful volunteer crew. In addition to the adult volunteer program, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is also launching its new VolunTEEN program. The program is designed for teenagers ages 13 to 15 and is being offered in collaboration with local schools and youth organizations.

The VolunTEEN program is aimed at giving young people a chance to serve others while gaining experience in a library and museum environment, with training focused on customer service, communication skills, and identifying individual strengths.

Anyone interested in volunteering or registering for the orientation is asked to contact Jeremy Carrell, the director of volunteer services, at 217-558-8984. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s mission is to inspire civic engagement through Illinois history and to share the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln with visitors from around the world.

The Springfield area is getting a major investment in local parks, thanks to nearly 1.8 million dollars in state grant funding supported by State Senator Doris Turner. The money comes from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program; a cost-sharing grant that helps communities improve parks and outdoor recreation spaces.

Senator Turner says neighborhood parks play a vital role in the community and that investing in them gives people places to gather, relax, and explore. Springfield is receiving two separate 600-thousand-dollar grants; one for improvements at Lake Springfield Center Park and another for the redevelopment of Dreamland Park.

Springfield Park District Board President Leslie Sgro says the Dreamland Park project will help create new memories for future generations while building on the park’s long history.

Meanwhile, the Village of Grandview is also receiving 600-thousand dollars to build a new outdoor sports complex. The project will include bocce ball and pickleball courts, soccer fields, a basketball court, and a walking path, along with stormwater improvements and new fencing.

Grandview Village President Maria “Mia” Ray says the project represents opportunity and investment in the community, adding that the funding helps turn long-held visions into reality. The OSLAD program has awarded more than 675 million dollars statewide since it began. More information is available through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

A new support group is coming to a Shelbyville church.  Celebrate Recovery was founded to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction using a religious perspective.  The initiative has since expanded to work with people in a variety of life situations, including grief and familial dysfunction.  Celebrate Recovery will now start a chapter at the First Assembly of God Church on South Oak Street.

Celebrate Recovery will become one of the many ministries the First Assembly of God Church supports and hosts.  Richard Hood with Celebrate Recovery says “ministry” is the right word to use for his group’s purposes as well because of the religious elements of his work.

Celebrate Recovery has operated for 35 years.  Hood says there are now over 50,000 chapters worldwide.

The organization welcomes people in many different life situations.  In fact, drug and alcohol addiction is the reason only about a third of participants join.

Don Jeffries is the pastor at the First Assembly of God Church.  He oversees the church’s work with a number of ministries already, including those which provide food to those in need.

More information on the First Assembly of God Church is available at www.firstag62565.org.  More information on Celebrate Recovery is available at celebraterecovery.com.

Richard Hood and Don Jeffries appeared as guests on the WTIM Shelbyville Morning Show.

Boaters at Lake Shelbyville are being advised to use extra caution as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues dredging operations on the lake. The Corps says the project will include the installation of a floating dredge pipeline across parts of the lake. The pipeline was originally planned to be submerged, but officials say current winter water levels are too low to safely allow boats to pass over it. Because of that, the pipeline will remain floating for this phase of the project.

The floating pipeline will run from the dredge to designated sediment placement areas and will be supported by foam-filled floats and anchored in place to prevent it from moving. Officials say the pipeline will be clearly marked for safety, with white buoys labeled “Danger Dredge Pipeline” placed about every 30 feet. Those buoys will include amber, solar-powered flashing lights that can be seen up to two miles away at night. Red buoys with red lights will mark the ends of designated channel crossing areas.

The Corps says the dredge itself will also be clearly marked with warning signs and lighting to alert boaters that it is restricted in its ability to maneuver. All-around white lights will be visible at night to help boaters spot the equipment and avoid the work area.

Pipeline crossings are not being installed at this time due to low water levels, but officials say that will be reevaluated as the lake rises closer to summer pool. Any changes will be announced. The floating pipeline and dredging operations are expected to remain in place for the duration of the project. The Corps will continue to monitor lake levels and conditions and provide updates as needed.

Boaters and other lake users are reminded to keep a safe distance from dredging equipment, obey all navigation warnings, and use caution when operating near the project area. For more information and updates, you can visit the Lake Shelbyville U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page or call 217-774-3951.

Many new mothers experience emotional changes after giving birth, often called the “baby blues,” but health experts say for some women, it can be much more serious.

Tiffany Waters, a charge nurse at the birthing center at OSF HealthCare, says up to 80 percent of moms experience some level of emotional difficulty after delivery. But doctors now use a broader term: perinatal mood, anxiety, and depression, or PMAD. That includes mental health issues that can develop anytime from pregnancy through a baby’s first year.

Waters says in the first few weeks after birth, most women deal with hormone changes, lack of sleep, and stress from adjusting to life with a newborn. She says traumatic births, like emergency C-sections, can make things even harder — and about one in three women experience that. Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, compulsive behavior, and in some cases, even suicidal thoughts. Waters says there’s no single cause.

Waters says doctors should screen mothers for mental health concerns during and after pregnancy using a short questionnaire that helps identify those who may need more help. These screenings are critical for being able to help mothers with the right treatment. 

She says many women are afraid to speak up because of pressure to be a “perfect mom” or fear their children could be taken away.

She says journaling or talking to a trusted person can help open the door to getting support.
If a mother is diagnosed with PMAD, treatment can include support groups, counseling, spiritual care, medication, and lifestyle changes. Waters also says it’s important for moms to prioritize themselves and ask for help when they need it.

Waters says untreated PMAD can affect the entire family, increasing stress and the risk of problems like substance abuse and domestic violence. But treatment can make a big difference.

For more information, visit the OSF HealthCare website. And if you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce is producing new initiatives to draw shoppers and diners to its many members.  Community members can potentially win prizes such as gift cards for taking part in one new program.  The Chamber is also working to better connect with member businesses and to facilitate collaboration between businesses.

“Dine, Drink, and Discover” is the name of the program offering gift cards to winning participants.  Board President Krystal Baker says those who wish to participate receive a “passport,” which is stamped at member businesses they visit.

The Chamber of Commerce has an Ambassador Club.  It’s a group of volunteers who engage with member businesses on behalf of the Chamber. 

The GTCC is also collaborating with Small Town Taylorville for a fundraiser known as the Tailgate Takeaway Drive-Thru.  It’s designed to support local businesses, and proceeds benefit a local charity.

Two new businesses have joined the Chamber in recent weeks.  They include Lake Lawn Inn in Pana and Bella Roma Italian Restaurant in Edinburg.

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

Krystal Baker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The sports teams at Pawnee High School are bringing major successes to the school in the southern part of Sangamon County.  The baseball team finished third in the 1A tournament last spring, while the football team enjoyed a 9-2 season in the fall.  The girls basketball team is turning heads as well amid major changes in recent seasons. 

Blake Lucas is overseeing all of this as Pawnee’s athletic director and the head coach of the boys basketball team.  He says the longevity of some of his coaches has contributed in part to positive outcomes.

Lucas works with the coaches and the school’s principal, Nicole Goodall, to help foster positive traits in their athletes through sports. 

The secondary gym the high school teams use will undergo a remodel to modernize the aesthetics of it and give teams more space to use. 

Lucas joined Pawnee after serving for nine years as the athletic director at New Berlin.  He says bringing his experience to a new group of people has served everyone well so far.

More information on Pawnee Community Unit School District #11 is available at www.pawneeschools.com.

Blake Lucas appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Pawnee.

School days in Pawnee are now on a “traditional” class schedule across the board, meaning every class meets everyday.  This is a change from its use of the “block” system, where classes would take place in double-length periods on alternating days.  Scheduling and remodeling are among the many changes which have taken place within the school district, with many stakeholders involved in the arrangements. 

Nicole Goodall is the principal of Pawnee High School and Junior High School.  She believes the newer scheduling system is ideal for students’ learning habits and for matching up with the elementary school schedule. 

The school library has undergone significant renovations in the last year.  It includes several technological components to meet the logistical needs of learning today.

Goodall also references student leadership groups, saying she hopes to account for their thoughts in key school-related decisions.

More information on Pawnee Community Unit School District #11 is available at www.pawneeschools.com.

Nicole Goodall appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Pawnee.

Pawnee High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society is focused on local service.  In their latest service project, members did maintenance work at a local farm.  The goal is not just to serve the community but also to connect members to the world around them and shape their futures. 

Carson Contreras is the president of the NHS chapter and says he values the experience of giving back to the community. 

Contreras is also involved in the student advisory group.  This body advocates for the student body when discussing school-related issues with administrators

In addition to all of this, Contreras plays football, soccer, and baseball and is a basketball manager and member of the Scholastic Bowl team.  He hopes to study political science at either the University of Illinois or Southern California.

More information on Pawnee Community Unit School District #11 is available at www.pawneeschools.com.

Carson Contreras appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Pawnee.

High School football in Illinois will likely begin one week earlier this year. The IHSA or ‘Illinois High School Association’ sat down for a meeting on Wednesday to address concerns about player safety following changes coming in the 2026 football season. The proposed amendment would move the first official practice date from Monday, August 10th, 2026, to Wednesday, August 5th, 2026. This would restore the requirement that players complete 12 official practices before becoming eligible to compete in an IHSA game.

The Board approved action for IHSA President Dan Tully to call a special meeting of the IHSA Legislative Commission on January 27th, to also consider adjusting the start of football practice statewide. The proposal follows a recommendation from the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and is directly effected by the recent membership vote to expand the IHSA football playoffs beginning in 2026. That expansion pushed the season start back by one week, affecting both practice dates and the number of allowable preseason sessions. 

The Legislative Commission will meet January 27th to decide whether the proposal advances to a vote of the full IHSA membership. If approved, every member school will be able to cast one vote beginning January 29th. Voting will close on February 12th, and a simple majority would put the changes in place for the 2026 football season.

While football scheduling dominated the meeting, the Board also approved unrelated administrative items, including governance updates, policy revisions and a cooperative agreement in eight-player football. Those actions did not affect the proposed changes to the 2026 football schedule.

If adopted, the earlier practice start and restored practice requirement would be the final adjustments needed to align the football calendar with the expanded playoff format approved by IHSA members in December 2025.

More information can be found at www.ihsa.org.

Students at Pawnee High School are getting ahead in their academic journeys through dual credit courses.  These are courses in which students also earn college credits which can count towards the requirements of the degree they pursue.  This runs in part through Lincoln Land Community College’s “College Now” program, in which a number of Pawnee students take part. 

Mae McTaggart is one of those students and also serves as Pawnee’s College Now representative.  She anticipates earning nearly a year’s worth of college credits as she graduates high school.

Some Pawnee teachers are able to teach the dual credit classes themselves.  Otherwise, students simply take the courses through the College Now program.  Students may also be eligible to see their dual credit coursework financed by Pawnee High School, putting these opportunities within the reach of more students.

McTaggart has a busy extracurricular schedule.  She is the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and their Interact Club and also plays volleyball, basketball, and softball.

The basketball season is in progress and has been full of change, including new coaching and bringing in other schools for a co-op.

More information on Pawnee Community Unit School District #11 is available at www.pawneeschools.com.

Mae McTaggart appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Pawnee.

The City of Taylorville is reminding residents about several important changes made to water billing and service policies. Following the recent passage of Ordinance 4328 and Ordinance 4337, water service restoration fees, delinquent accounts, and the now lack of shut-off notices, have experienced the most change. These new ordinances are put in place after just seeing water usage fees raised in the city by 4%.

One immediate change involves water service restoration fees. For city residents, the restoration fee has increased from $35 to $50. For non-residents, the fee has risen from $70 to $85. City officials say the adjustments are intended to better reflect the cost of restoring service after a shutoff.

There are also updates to how delinquent accounts are handled. Water bills remain due on the 15th of each month. Any unpaid balance will be considered delinquent on the 16th and will incur a 10% penalty that same day. The city’s shutoff date is now the 29th of each month. If payment has not been received by 8 a.m. on shutoff day, water service will be scheduled for disconnection, and applicable fees will be charged whether or not service is ultimately interrupted.

The City of Taylorville will not send shut-off notices as of this month. Customers are responsible for tracking their due dates and ensuring timely payment to avoid penalties or service disruption.

Payments can be dropped off at any time in the secure box located in the alley behind the Municipal Building or inside the building’s entryway. Online payments are available through the city’s website at www.taylorville.net by selecting the ‘ePay’ option. Customers may also enroll in automatic monthly billing.

Residents with questions or concerns about their water bill may contact the Taylorville Water Department at 217-824-2919.

Students at Shelbyville High School are taking on unique academic experiences which are setting them up for future success.  These programs prepare students for their next step, whether it is employment, trade school, or a four-year university program.

Alex Jokisch is a senior who is in her second year of taking dual credit courses.  These are courses in which students also earn college credits which can count towards the requirements of the degree they pursue.  She anticipates completing one year’s worth of college courses upon graduating high school.

Jokisch says her favorite experience has been taking part in the “dinner theater” with the drama club.

Jokisch says juggling her extracurriculars with a rigorous academic schedule is a challenge, but she succeeds in doing so with careful planning.  This trait will come in handy at Western Illinois, where she plans to double-major in finance and marketing while also playing softball. 

Dax Metzger has received hands-on education and experience in electrical work.  He worked at Shelby Electric Cooperative and hopes to use his time there and his coursework to move further along in this career path. 

Metzger also played football and says being on the field was his favorite experience in high school.

Metzger intends to pursue an electrical program or a similar trade.  The school at which he will do so is still to be determined. 

More information on the Shelbyville Community School District #4 is available at www.shelbyville.k12.il.us.

Alex Jokisch and Dax Metzger appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Shelbyville.

The Village of Morrisonville has been placed under a boil order as of Thursday morning. This public mandate is in effect for all homes, businesses, or properties that fall under the Morrisonville water system. Laboratory testing is currently underway and will continue until the water is deemed safe for public consumption.

All drinking water or water used for cooking needs to be boiled for at least 15 minutes before consumption.

At this time, there are no additional details on this most recent boil order. 

Republican members of the Illinois Senate outlined a legislative agenda aimed at addressing rising energy costs across the state, following drastic rate increases on electric bills for households and businesses. Lawmakers said recent state energy policies, namely the ‘Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act,’ have mitigated consumer protections, effectively eliminated rate caps, and shifted billions of dollars in new costs onto ratepayers. Their argument against the bill claims it reduces local oversight while failing to improve grid reliability or lower prices.

The caucus’s proposals focus on restoring rate caps, expanding reliable power generation, paving the way for new energy projects, and repealing policies they say have reduced supply. Senator Terri Bryant of Murphysboro, Republican minority spokesperson for the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, said Illinois families are already struggling with higher utility bills and warned that current policies are only increasing financial pressure. 

Senator Sue Rezin of Morris emphasized the role of nuclear energy in maintaining consistent power generation and stable pricing. She is sponsoring legislation to speed up the permitting process for new power facilities by requiring state agencies and local governments to act within defined timelines. Senator Jil Tracy of Quincy highlighted two previously filed bills focused on reliability and transparency. Senate Bill 1234 would create the ‘Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force’ to evaluate how existing energy laws affect pricing and grid stability using data-based analysis.

Tracy also pointed to Senate Bill 1235, which would remove scheduled shutdown dates for coal and natural gas plants and allow construction of new natural gas peaker plants to support reliability during periods of high demand. Chapin Rose, a Republican Senator from Mahomet, focused on restoring protections for ratepayers and communities. His proposals would repeal the state’s battery storage program and work to restore local control over energy-related decisions.

Republican senators said the package is intended to lower costs, improve grid reliability, and encourage renewed investment in Illinois’ energy infrastructure.

Faculty and staff at Shelbyville High School are looking to drive home the importance that its students attend classes daily.  Data from the Illinois State Board of Education show chronic absenteeism in the state in 2025 was one-and-a-half times as likely among students in grades 9-12 compared to lower years.  The school looks to involve both students and their parents/guardians in the effort to ensure consistent attendance. 

Shelbyville High School assistant principal Katy Conder plays a notable role in attendance efforts.  She says attendance is a habit people develop at a young age, and her goal is that the habit remains through high school.

Conder says parents/guardians also have a role to play.  Her message to them is simple: Make regular attendance a priority. 

The push for consistent attendance is part of Conder’s wider aim of getting to know students and helping them see their full potential. 

On February 11, the school will host an experience for students known as “Rise Above Day.”  Students will be able to attend sessions discussing wellness in a variety of contexts including academic, social, and financial wellness. 

More information on the Shelbyville Community School District #4 is available at www.shelbyville.k12.il.us.

Katy Conder appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Shelbyville.

The Downstate Strings Quartet will bring an evening of music and candlelight to Effingham on February 14th, when CASA for Kids hosts “Lights & Strings” at the Keller Convention Center. The group blends classical and popular music in a setting intended to feel like a true concert experience, while hoping to generate funds to support children served through Court Appointed Special Advocates or “CASA.” 

The program will feature a mix of well-known classical works and familiar popular selections, giving the audience a very different musical experience than they’ve likely had before. Classical pieces will include works by composers such as Bach, Debussy, Mozart, and Vivaldi. The quartet will also perform popular music spanning several decades, with songs from artists like Frankie Valli, Journey, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Coldplay, among many others.

A live auction will be incorporated into the evening. The highest bidder will select a song and conduct the quartet, adding an interactive element to the concert while supporting CASA for Kids’ mission in our communities.

The evening will be emceed by Kate Passalacqua and Andrew Koester. Doors open with a cocktail hour featuring piano music beginning at 6 p.m., followed by hors d’oeuvres and a dessert buffet. The concert program will begin at 7 p.m..

Tickets are $50 per person, with tables of eight available for purchase. Proceeds from the event will benefit CASA for Kids, which works to advocate for the best interests of children involved in the court system. Additional event and ticket information is available at www.casa4change.org.

Shelbyville High School is striving to set students on the road to career success and positive outcomes in physical health.  Dual credit opportunities and partnerships with industry leaders are part of the career component, and the school is hoping to branch out even further geographically.  As for physical health, they lean on Lake Shelbyville and other organizational partnerships to provide ways for students to remain active. 

The school will host a career fair on April 14 with local companies interested in hiring their students.  Principal Kyle Ladd says the programs students have access to now provide them valuable skills for the jobs advertised at the fair.

The career fair seeks to reach students and employers across the entire county.  The school views it as an investment in keeping students local.

Ladd also talks about sports and recreational activities, noting that many high school athletes’ careers end after their senior season.  He says the high school is using Lake Shelbyville and programs there in hopes of helping students stay active and continue their passions.

The school’s overarching goal in this area has been to “build a better community.”  They highlight spaces, events, and projects in and around Lake Shelbyville.

More information on the Shelbyville Community School District #4 is available at www.shelbyville.k12.il.us.

Kyle Ladd appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of the WTIM High School Road Tour’s visit to Shelbyville.

A group of students at Pana Junior High School will be visiting Washington, D.C. and New York City at the end of the school year.  The trip is set for June 8-14.  Students, along with teachers and parents, will visit several notable museums and historical landmarks in both cities.  The school has run trips to the nation’s capital previously, but the New York City leg is new this year.  The trip is part of the WorldStrides program, and the group will be connected with a dedicated tour guide who brings close familiarity with every stage of the trip.  There is still room to register for the trip, and participants are looking to raise funds in the lead-up to take-off. 

Rosilyn Schutt, a sixth grade science teacher at Pana Junior High School and WorldStrides program leader, is organizing the trip.  She is most looking forward to visiting the 9/11 museum in New York City because of the vivid perspective it will provide to the students.

Schutt says her favorite memory from past editions of this travel experience came on a visit to the World War II Memorial, just south of the White House.  While there, they met a group of World War II veterans.

There is still room for interested students and parents to join, and there will be informational sessions to learn more

One fundraiser the students are organizing takes place on Thursday, February 5.  They are selling tickets for a contest taking place at a home game for the school’s volleyball team.

More information on Pana Junior High School and the wider school district is available at www.panaschools.com.

Rosilyn Schutt appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.

Cases of major respiratory illnesses are on the rise in Illinois, and the flu leads the way.  Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health show nearly 6% of hospital admissions from December 27 to January 3 were for the flu.  That’s only slightly away from the 7% peak from last year.  The IDPH classifies current flu activity as “high,” while the level for COVID-19, RSV, and respiratory illnesses in general is at “moderate.”  Hospitals and clinics across the state are noting the influx in patients and wait times at their locations and are urging community members to do their part to stop the spread. 

Kevin Collins is a nurse practitioner at Express Care Clinic, which is part of Pana Community Hospital.  He has seen the increase in traffic at his location, as well, and expects higher case numbers than recent years.

Someone experiencing symptoms of an illness may wonder whether to visit a walk-in clinic or the emergency room first.  Patients are recommended to call their provider first as there is a better understanding of the patient’s medical history.

Colds and similar illnesses tend to last seven to ten days.  Illnesses longer than that can be a sign that it is more serious.

While Collins encourages anyone with more serious symptoms to seek emergency care, he urges others to use more restraint to avoid overcrowding emergency rooms.

More information on Pana Community Hospital is available at www.panahospital.com.

Kevin Collins appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.

The Taylorville School Board of Education conducted a brief meeting Tuesday night for their first meeting of 2026. All Board members were present for the meeting. As expected, a moment of silence was called to acknowledge the passing of long-time teacher Jim DeWilde and Dr. David Giovagnoli, a previous school board member. Additionally, Janet Rappe was recognized for her time within the district. A time for public comments was allowed although no comment was made to the Board.

Starting with the consent agenda, the Board quickly approved the minutes from the December meeting and the public hearing concerning the tax levy. The treasurer’s report was then heard and consideration of overnight trips by both the boys and girls bowling teams were approved. TommyTV was slated to give a presentation following a recent trip of their own. TommyTV students were invited to tour the B1G Network studios in Chicago and stopped in to Northwestern University during a sports broadcast of their own. Three students that took on the trip discussed the experience to the Board saying how impressed they were with the resources available to them at the high school level.

Following this, the Board approved the PRESS Policy Update as it had been laid out in prior sessions. Sports Boosters will no longer house the Hall of Fame Activity account, instead, the Board of Education has moved this under their umbrella of various funds. Brandi Bruley, Superintendent of Taylorville Schools, gave her Superintendent’s report discussing the start of the new semester for staff in particular.

Some good news has been passed by down from the Illinois State Board of Education as they approved a maintenance grant application that was recently submitted. The grant will be used towards new lighting and key fobs at the Taylorville High School Football field. Bruley says the elementary schools are also working to adopt new English curriculum.

The meeting would last only 16 minutes before moving into executive session. The first portion of the executive session was concerned with giving the Superintendent’s evaluation. The second surrounds litigation or action taken against the district that has either been filed or is pending before a court. No additional details are had at this time.

The next Taylorville School Board of Education meeting will be February 10th, 2026.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is once again offering college scholarships to students across the state.
The association says it will award more than 58-thousand dollars in scholarships for the 2026–2027 school year. The money can be used for tuition, books, and fees, and students must be enrolled full-time at an Illinois college or university. Online learning is also acceptable.

In Christian County, Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp will award a 500-dollar scholarship.

Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents and plan to attend school full-time during the 2026–2027 academic year, not including summer classes. There are no restrictions based on race, age, creed, color, sex, or national origin.

Applications are available at local sheriff’s offices or on the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association website. Students must complete the application, including an essay, and return it to their county sheriff’s office by March 13th.

For more information, contact your local sheriff’s office, your school’s guidance office, or the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association.

President Donald Trump is again voicing support for legislation that would require AM radio to be included in all passenger vehicles, a pledge he first made during his 2024 campaign. Trump has framed the issue as one of “access and public communication,” arguing that AM radio continues to play a role for millions of Americans, particularly in rural areas and during emergencies. He described the proposal as a significant policy matter that is often overlooked, adding that he expects movement on the issue, though he did not provide a timeline.

The ‘AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act’ has drawn strong bipartisan backing in Congress, with more than 300 members of the U.S. House and over 60 senators listed as co-sponsors. Despite that support, the measure has yet to receive a floor vote, as congressional leadership has been cautious about advancing legislation outside of broader, must-pass packages among other priorities.

Supporters argue that maintaining AM radio access in vehicles is critical for public safety, especially in rural communities where AM stations remain a primary source of local news, weather updates and emergency alerts. Those in favor of the bill also point to AM radio’s role during natural disasters and infrastructure failures, when other forms of communication may be unavailable or unreliable. The National Association of Broadcasters has expressed optimism that growing awareness among lawmakers and the public is building momentum for the bill’s advancement.

If brought to a vote, it is widely expected to pass given the size of the bipartisan support behind the piece of legislation. The bill would require automakers to include AM radio in passenger vehicles for the next decade, prohibit manufacturers from charging extra for the feature, and direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue warning labels on vehicles that do not include AM radio.

More than 125 organizations have endorsed the measure, including emergency management agencies, agricultural groups, labor organizations and advocacy groups representing older Americans.

State Senator Steve McClure is once again asking the community to help spread some Valentine’s Day cheer to seniors living in long-term care facilities across the 54th Senate District. McClure has kicked off his annual “Valentines for Seniors” card drive, encouraging students, scout groups, churches, and other organizations to create homemade Valentine’s cards that will be delivered to nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and other long-term care facilities throughout the district.

McClure says the goal of the project is to make sure seniors know they are not forgotten and that their community is thinking about them, especially during the winter months.

Cards can be dropped off now through February 6th at any of McClure’s offices. In Montgomery County, cards can be dropped off at his district office at 410 North Monroe Street, Suite 200, in Litchfield. In Effingham County, cards can be dropped off at his district office at 208 North Fourth Street, Suite B, in Effingham. They can also be dropped off at his Capitol complex office in Springfield, located in the A-Section of the Stratton Building.

Drop boxes will be available inside each office during normal business hours, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Once the collection is complete, the cards will be delivered to nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the 54th Senate District in time for Valentine’s Day.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact McClure’s office for more information.

Taylorville Community Credit Union says the ballots are already rolling in for its 12th annual “Stop. Shop. Vote!” scholarship program, but there’s still plenty of time for shoppers to take part. The program, which encourages residents to support local businesses while also helping area high school seniors earn scholarship money, runs through February 28th. Shoppers can cast votes for students simply by shopping at participating local businesses in Taylorville, Pana, Hillsboro and Litchfield.

In all, eight graduating seniors, two from each community, will receive one-thousand-dollar scholarships to help pay for their continuing education at a trade school, community college, or four-year university. Taylorville Community Credit Union President Will Perkins says the concept is simple.
Shoppers receive one vote for every ten dollars they spend at a participating business. There’s no limit to how many stores you can visit — or how many times you can shop. Perkins says the program is designed to benefit both students and small businesses across the region. Voting will continue through February 28th. 

In Taylorville alone, 25 seniors from Taylorville High School are taking part in this year’s competition, all hoping to be named one of the two local scholarship winners. Those students include: Gabriella Appel, Rye Bliler, Hudson DeMichael, Cash Dye, Brody Garrett, Colton Gatton, Maxx Grieme, Josie Heberling, Kaylie Hendrickson, Ella Hohenstein, Selena Johnson, Madelyn Lamb, Mia Lyons, Ellee Mateer, Emlyn Mateer, Owen Mateer, Gabby Mireles, Olivia Mizeur, Carleigh Owens, Ella Reiss, Karlee Rexroad, Meadow Shinneman, Jaylee Smith, Meredith Spears, and Charlotte Stickel.

Participating businesses are helping promote the program by displaying large posters featuring the students’ photos in their windows and inside their stores. A full list of participating businesses in all four communities can be found on the credit union’s website at TCCU dot org.

Taylorville Community Credit Union, which has been serving the area since 1956, is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving members in Christian, Montgomery, and Shelby counties.
Anyone interested in learning more about the scholarship program — or about joining the credit union — can visit TCCU dot org or stop by one of their branch locations in Taylorville, Hillsboro, Litchfield, or Pana.

The Christian County Emergency Management Agency is set to take the first step in updating its All Hazards Mitigation Plan.  Today at 2 p.m. at the Taylorville Fire Station, officials from the CCEMA and dozens of other agencies in the county will convene to begin the process.  The meeting is open to the public, as well.  A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is funding this effort.  This will be the first time the document is updated in six years, and officials hope to cover a wide variety of emergency situations. 

Jeff Stoner, director of the Christian County Emergency Management Agency, is leading the charge in this process.  He says the purpose is for agencies and their staff to know exactly what to do in any emergency to keep people and property safe.

Over 40 agencies are expected to be part of the document-writing process.  For the previous edition of the plan, only 11 agencies were involved.  Stoner values their input but expects it to lengthen the process.

The All Hazards Mitigation Plan will cover weather events like severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, along with other commonly overlooked situations like disease outbreaks.

A third-party company is assisting the CCEMA with the legal particulars.  Stoner says his role is to ensure the right people are in the room at the right times. 

The Christian County Board would have to vote to approve the plan for it to go into effect.  The process is expected to take around a year before a final draft reaches the Board.

More information on the Christian County Emergency Management Agency is available on their Facebook page.

Jeff Stoner appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Taylorville School Board of Education will meet tonight, Tuesday, January 13th, at 6 p.m.. The meeting will open per usual with time for public comments. Additionally, Board members will observe moments of silence in memory of Jim DeWilde, a former Taylorville High School teacher, and Dr. David Giovagnoli, a former Board member.

Under the consent agenda, the board will consider approval of minutes from the December public hearing on the tax levy and the regular Board of Education meeting held that same evening. Board members will also review and approve claims, hear the treasurer’s report, consider overnight trip requests for boys and girls bowling teams and take action on personnel matters. A presentation from Tommy TV is scheduled during the meeting as well.

In new business, the Board will also conduct the second reading and consider adoption of their PRESS Policy update. Additional action items include consideration and approval of a Hall of Fame activity account at Taylorville High School and approval of a facility usage agreement.

Following the public portion of the meeting, the board plans to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters of specific employees, as well as the superintendent’s evaluation. The executive session may also include discussion of pending or potential litigation involving the district, as allowed under Illinois law.

More information will be available following the conclusion of tonight’s meeting.

Lake Land College will host hundreds of area high school students next month for a brand-new academic competition designed to celebrate classroom achievement. On Friday, February 6th, the college will hold the first-ever Laker Academic Invitational, bringing together more than 300 students from 17 local high schools.

Students will compete in a series of multiple-choice exams covering subjects like biology, chemistry, computer science, software applications, English, math, and physics. Organizers say the goal of the event is not just competition, but giving students a chance to challenge themselves, build confidence, and explore future college and career paths in a supportive environment.

The new invitational was created to replace the long-running ACES academic competition, which had been held at Lake Land College for many years before being discontinued. Lake Land officials say the community response made it clear the event was missed.

Tessa Wiles, Director of Dual Credit and Honors Experience, says they heard loud and clear how much ACES meant to students and schools, and wanted to make sure a similar opportunity continued. She says the college is thankful for the support that made the new event possible and is looking forward to the positive impact it will have on students and the community.

More information about the Laker Academic Invitational is available through Lake Land College’s Dual Credit office.

A large share of tourists into Shelbyville find their way to the city thanks to the visitor guides placed in businesses, rest areas, and other locations.  The Shelbyville Office of Tourism creates the guides and spreads them far and wide, even into neighboring states.  Office leadership works with businesses to offer copies of the guides and to bring in their advertisements to show as much as possible of what Shelbyville has to offer.

The Shelbyville Office of Tourism is located at 315 East Main Street between the courthouse and the railroad tracks.  They are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Director Freddie Fry says the guides, along with flyers for specific events and organizations – are available at their headquarters.

Fry adds that some performers at local events have done their part to spread the guide to others.

The guide features a prominent centerfold all about Lake Shelbyville.  The Office of Tourism develops the centerfold and the full guide in-house.

Businesses who would like to offer the guides to their patrons and/or advertise themselves in the guides can reach out to the Office of Tourism. 

More information on the Shelbyville Office of Tourism is available at www.shelbyvilleillinois.net. 

Freddie Fry appeared as a guest on the WTIM Shelbyville Morning Show. 

Illinois Republicans are sharply criticizing Governor J.B. Pritzker after he signed a sweeping new energy bill into law, warning the measure will drive up electric bills, weaken reliability, and hurt jobs and farmland across the state.

The legislation, known as the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, was signed this week and is being touted by the governor and Democrats to modernize Illinois’ energy grid and expand clean energy production. But Republican lawmakers say the plan will do the opposite.

State Representative Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville calls the bill a costly, centralized energy scheme that could cost Illinois ratepayers more than eight billion dollars.

Halbrook warns the law also shifts control over Illinois’ energy future to unelected bureaucrats appointed by the governor, limiting the role of lawmakers and local communities in major energy decisions.

He also criticized the legislation for moving away from traditional energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, which he says could otherwise provide reliable, affordable power and good-paying jobs in Illinois. Another major concern raised by Halbrook is the impact of expanding solar and energy projects on farmland.

Meanwhile, State Senator Steve McClure of Springfield says this new law follows the same pattern as the last major energy package passed a few years ago, which he says was promised to lower rates but instead helped push electric bills to record highs.

McClure says this new law is likely to make the situation even worse for families. He argues the bill weakens local control over controversial energy projects, including allowing battery storage facilities to be built as close as 150 feet from homes. He also says the legislation removes rate caps that protect consumers and shifts the financial risk of costly, unproven technologies onto ratepayers.

McClure says many families in central Illinois are already struggling with high utility bills, and he believes this new law will only add to that burden. Halbrook says Republicans support an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that focuses on affordability, reliability, domestic energy production, and protecting Illinois farmland.

Supporters of the bill argue it will help modernize Illinois’ energy grid and expand clean energy development, but Republicans say the true impact will be higher bills and less local control.

The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Springfield. Springfield Police say they requested the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation to take over the case.

It happened Saturday evening around 5:13 in the 2400 block of Neil Road. Officers were attempting to stop a vehicle as part of an investigation when four people armed with guns got out of the car. Police say shots were fired and one person was hit. Officers immediately provided first aid and called for EMS. The injured person was taken to a local hospital and is listed in serious but stable condition. No officers were hurt.

Several firearms were recovered at the scene. State police special agents will conduct an independent investigation. Once it’s complete, the case will be turned over to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office for review. The investigation remains active, and no additional information has been released.
 

Voters in Shelbyville will see a referendum question on their spring primary ballot relating to the city’s public school district.  That primary election day is set for Tuesday, March 17.  In December, the Board of Education voted to approve the addition of the referendum to the ballot.  They are asking for the public’s support for the construction of a new building to house the elementary school.  The price tag for this project would be $40 million.  The school district would like to hear voters’ input and will provide opportunities to do so. 

The ballot question reads: “Shall the Board of Education of Shelbyville Community Unit School District #4, Shelby County, Illinois, build and equip a new Shelbyville Elementary School Building, alter, repair, renovate, and equip portions of the existing facilities of the district and improve sites, and issue bonds of said school district to the amount of $40,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”  Voters will choose either “yes” or “no.”

Shelbyville school superintendent Shane Schuricht is overseeing this process and would continue to do so for the project if the vote passes.  He says the current building is over a century old and short on space.

If the vote passes, the district would then face the question of what to do with the “old” elementary school building when the new one is ready for use.  All options are on the table, including selling it and demolishing it.

As for how the work would be financed, the school district would have five years to access up to $40 million in bonds.  Schuricht believes the district has managed finances well, saying in part that the use of taxpayer funds has saved them money and kept them out of debt.

The school district plans to hold information sessions to discuss the referendum and answer voters’ questions.  Dates have not yet been determined, but they plan to reach out to voters when the sessions are scheduled. 

More information on the Shelbyville Community School District #4 is available at www.shelbyville.k12.il.us.

Shane Schuricht appeared as a guest on the WTIM Shelbyville Morning Show. 

Police in Findlay are searching for a suspect after a traffic stop turned into a foot chase. The Findlay Police Department says officers conducted a traffic stop in the village Friday. During that stop, two people inside the vehicle ran from the scene on foot.

One of the suspects was caught a short time later. The second suspect, identified as Kelsey Agney, is still at large. Police say there is no known threat to the public related to the incident.

Authorities are asking anyone who may know where Agney is to contact the Findlay Police Department or the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 217-774-3941. Findlay Police also thanked the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during the incident.

Emergency crews spent more than two hours rescuing a trapped driver following a serious crash involving two semi trucks south of Taylorville. The Taylorville Fire Department says the crash happened just before 9 Friday morning on Route 48 near Clarksdale.

Dispatchers were alerted to a possible entrapment while crews were on the way. When firefighters arrived, they found two semi-tractor trailers hauling soybeans that had been involved in a significant collision. One person was trapped inside a vehicle and had to be extricated.

Fire crews launched an extensive rescue operation, using multiple extrication tools at the same time to safely free the victim. Because of the severity of the injuries, a medical helicopter was called in to airlift the patient to a trauma center. The Taylorville Fire Department says the incident required a large-scale response and used all available extrication equipment and personnel.

Several agencies assisted at the scene, including the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, IDOT, Dunn’s Ambulance, multiple area fire departments, and Air Evac Lifeteam. Fire officials also gave special thanks to Steve Kerwin of Kertows for his on-scene assistance, saying his expertise played a key role in the rescue.

The Taylorville Fire Department says the incident shows the importance of strong cooperation between agencies and thanked everyone involved for their professionalism during the response.

The year may have changed, but the Shelbyville Public Library is still offering its many events to the community.  The goal in recent years has been to get people out of their homes and through the library’s doors.  From true crime talks to paint nights and story times for kids, they have accomplished just that.  These activities and many others will continue in the early months of the year and well beyond. 

For preschool-aged children, the library hosts a story hour on Wednesday mornings at ten.  Library director Monica Cameron says other social activities help supplement these sessions.

The paint nights for adults are back, as well.  The next such event is this Thursday from 5-7 p.m.  Participants will use acrylic paints on canvasses. 

Cameron credits her staff for turning these plans into reality.  In addition, they are spearheading a craft event happening on January 22. 

The Shelbyville Public Library’s true crime talks have been a fan favorite.  Author Bob Cyphers is set to give a presentation called Midwest Cold Cases on Thursday, January 29 from 6-7:30 p.m.

For those looking to offer a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day, a doughnut decorating class will take place on Tuesday, February 3 from 5:30-7 p.m.

More information on the Shelbyville Public Library is available at www.shelbyvillelibrary.org.

Monica Cameron appeared as a guest on the WTIM Shelbyville Morning Show.  

This winter season in central Illinois has seen both heavy snowstorms and tornadoes, but the seemingly unlikely combination is not new.  Winters in the last decade in the area have consisted of this variety of severe weather events, and meteorologists expect this trend to persist.  With the wide range and high potential for natural disasters, experts are calling for a “culture of preparedness.”

While both extreme heat and cold can be deadly, federal data show 63% of temperature-related deaths came from extreme cold.  Carl Baker, Assistant Director of the Moultrie County Emergency Management Agency, says cold temperatures increase the risk of house fires as people look to warm up.

Experts often recommend putting together an emergency supply kit for the home for those who get stuck.  For travel, they also urge having a similar kit in the vehicle.

Baker says in the long term, conditions in Illinois will continue to be volatile.  He adds that the humidity also adds to the extreme nature of temperatures. 

As for “summer” storms like tornadoes, meteorologists have observed an increase in this threat in Illinois.  Some have even suggested that Tornado Alley – the high-risk region long believed to run through states like Texas and Oklahoma – has shifted in our direction.

More information on the Moultrie County Emergency Management Agency is on their Facebook page. 

Carl Baker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Eastern Illinois University graduates are finding success after commencement and new statewide data shows they’re doing it at a higher rate than anyone else in Illinois.

According to the latest report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, EIU posted a 91-point-2 percent placement rate, meaning more than nine out of ten graduates were either working or continuing their education within six months of earning their degree. That figure is the highest among public universities in Illinois and sits more than four percentage points above the national average.

EIU Vice President for Enrollment Management Josh Noman says the numbers reflect the university’s commitment to student success. Noman says EIU graduates are leaving campus prepared, credentialed, and ready to succeed in their careers and communities. The placement data is based on national standards and tracks students from the previous graduating class. A new update is expected next year.

EIU Career Services Director Bobbi Kingery says Eastern’s focus on outcomes, career readiness, and student support plays a big role in those results. She says students benefit from hands-on help both inside and outside the classroom and even after graduation. University leaders say EIU’s emphasis on personalized learning, close faculty mentorship, and strong career support continues to set it apart.

More information on admissions and academic programs can be found at EIU.edu.  
 

We’re taught from a young age to keep ourselves clean, but when it comes to our ears, doctors say you might be doing more harm than good. OSF HealthCare audiologist Chris Workman says earwax or cerumen actually plays an important role in keeping your ears healthy. Workman says earwax is produced naturally in the ear canal and is made up of oils and dead skin.

He says earwax acts as a barrier, protecting your ears from dirt, debris, bugs, and even infections, and it helps keep the ear canal from drying out. In most cases, doctors say you shouldn’t do anything about it.

But if earwax builds up too much, Workman says the safest option is to visit your primary care provider or an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who can remove it safely, sometimes with warm water irrigation. And whatever you do, Dr. Workman says, don’t use cotton swabs.

Not cleaning your ears at all can lead to itching, pain, and even dizziness, but instead of digging inside, Workman recommends wiping only the outer part of your ear with a damp cloth. Some over-the-counter products can soften earwax, but he says you should check with your provider before using them. For people who wear hearing aids, earwax can cause extra problems.

If that happens, Workman says it may be time for a visit to your audiologist.  The bottom line, Dr. Workman says, is when it comes to ear care, less is more… and when in doubt, leave it to the professionals.

Students at Taylorville High School are getting hands-on experience in homebuilding.  It’s part of their Building Trades program, consisting of multiple comprehensive courses for students beyond their freshman year.  In the program, students use the skills they’ve gained to work on building houses which can then be bought and moved into.  Organizers have used community support and donations to help make the program and its positive outcomes a reality. 

Matt Blomquist runs the Building Trades program.  He says the first step for students is an introductory course.  They can take one of two courses which cover the necessary concepts. 

The homebuilding process takes longer than the length of the main course to complete.  As such, cohorts will simply aim to make as much progress as possible, and the next cohort continues from there.

Blomquist says learning how to build homes is not the only learning outcome.  By witnessing the finer components of a home, students learn that the fine architectural elements and energy efficiency can add more quality than the aesthetics.  This experience can be valuable for students who house-hunt for themselves later.

The school acquired the lots for many of the constructed homes through donations or low cost from several businesses and community members. 

Blomquist has been honored for his work.  In 2022, he received the Harbor Freight Tools For Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. 

More information on Taylorville High School is available at ths.tcusd3.org. 

Matt Blomquist appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of our monthly Taylorville Schools Good News Segment. 

Illinois could soon feel the impact of a major federal funding freeze affecting child care and family assistance programs. The Trump administration announced late Tuesday it is freezing the distribution of about 10 billion dollars in federal child care and family assistance funds to five Democratic-led states including Illinois.

The move means Illinois and four other states; California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York, will now be required to submit additional documentation and justification before any of that money is released.

The freeze applies to three major federal programs overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: the Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as TANF, and the Social Services Block Grant program.

Governor JB Pritzker’s office says the decision affects about one billion dollars in funding for Illinois programs, including subsidized child care for low-income working families and funding for licensed child care providers across the state.

According to the governor’s office, about 100,000 Illinois families and more than 150,000 children are served through the state’s Child Care Assistance Program. The TANF block grant supports child care providers in every county, while the Social Services Block Grant helps fund more than 275 organizations that provide services for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families facing poverty and food insecurity.

In a statement, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office called the move “particularly callous,” saying tens of thousands of Illinois families depend on the services affected by the freeze. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the action is tied to what it calls serious concerns about fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars in state-run programs. The agency says it is also concerned some benefits may have gone to people who were not eligible under federal law.

However, no specific examples were cited in the announcement.

Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill says the move is about protecting program integrity and ensuring federal funds are used properly. Governor Pritzker strongly criticized the decision, saying it puts working families at risk.

In a statement, Pritzker said the funding freeze strips child care away from families who are just trying to go to work and make ends meet, calling the move wrong and cruel. He says the state will explore every option to protect families who rely on the programs. For now, state officials say they are reviewing their options as they work to restore the funding.

The University of Illinois Extension wants to help you care for trees, whether at home or elsewhere.  To that end, they are again hosting a series of webinars in their Community Tree Care Series.  The sessions take place on Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m.  Attendees can join live or watch the closed-captioned recordings later.  The cost to attend the webinar series is $10 for general access or $50 for those seeing Continuing Education Units. 

Andrew Holsinger, horticulture educator with the Extension, played his part in organizing this series.  He says the first talk, scheduled for this coming Tuesday (January 13), is about planting the right trees for pollinators and other species in the habitat.

The second session is set for January 20.  This one is about managing pests and keeping them away from trees.

With many construction projects happening in warmer conditions, the next webinar is about protecting trees from such work.  This class is scheduled for January 27.

Tree work often entails the use of chainsaws.  The February 3 session focuses on chainsaw safety.

The penultimate session, on February 10, focuses on how to help trees adapt to a changing climate.  Pests come up again in this course, as well. 

The final class – scheduled for February 17 – is all about caring for trees after they are planted.

More information on these courses and the University of Illinois Extension more broadly is available at extension.illinois.edu.

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

Starting Friday, January 9th, Cheney Street and Main Cross Street in Taylorville will be closed to through traffic for water main installation and additional contractor work.

Drivers are advised to use alternate routes and allow extra travel time. The closure will remain in place until the project is completed.

Updates will be provided as soon as the streets are ready to reopen.

Lincoln Land Community College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning or “ALL” is partnering with financial experts from Fidelity, J.P. Morgan, and Capital Group, offering a free, three-part virtual speaker series focused on cryptocurrency and the digital economy. The series will be presented via Zoom and is open to the public.

The series begins January 21st, 2026, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., with Fidelity’s presentation, “Bitcoin and Digital Assets – Understanding the Digital Ecosystem.” The session will explore how the Bitcoin network operates, what drives its value and how factors such as adoption, volatility, and more, influence the market.

On January 28th, 2026, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., J.P. Morgan representatives will present “Understanding Cryptocurrency,” offering an overview of the digital currency landscape with a focus on Bitcoin. Additional topics include blockchain technology and the growing role of ‘stablecoins.’

The final session will be held on February 4th, 2026, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., when Capital Group presents “Implications of Investing in Artificial Intelligence.” This course will examine how rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are shaping global markets and investment strategies.

Lincoln Land Community College say the series is designed to provide timely information on emerging technologies that are increasingly influencing our economy. For additional details and registration information, visit www.llcc.edu/ALL-special-events.

Even with low temperatures at this time of year, nutrition experts are emphasizing the importance of including milk in daily diets.  The dairy beverage can be included in hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.  It can even be heated and enjoyed on its own or with other ingredients.  The St. Louis Dairy Council is among many organizations encouraging these lifestyle changes, and dairy is part of some activities they are hoping to run this year. 

Monica Nyman is a senior nutrition educator and registered dietitian with the St. Louis Dairy Council.  She says milk added to hot beverages like coffee contributes both flavor and nutrition, and it’s easy to do from home. 

For those who do not drink coffee, milk can also go well with hot chocolate.  Other add-ons can increase the flavor and sweetness even further.

Another option is to warm up plain milk for a drink similar to hot chocolate, but not with the chocolate flavor.  Nyman recommends adding vanilla, cinnamon, and honey for a richer drink. 

Milk contains a number of key healthy ingredients.  They include calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D.

The St. Louis Dairy Council is beginning a new program called Get Moving With Dairy.  It’s designed to fit into after-school programs and instill good habits around dairy consumption with kids.

The Mobile Dairy Classroom is also returning.  It’s a trailer designed to carry live cows and allow guests to practice milking them. 

More information on the St. Louis Dairy Council is available at www.stldairycouncil.org. 

Monica Nyman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

A new art exhibit is now on display at Lincoln Land Community College that challenges viewers to think about fear, division, and the world we live in.

The Trutter Museum and Murray Gallery at LLCC is hosting an exhibit called “The Neophobic Kingdom,” featuring the work of sculptor Thad Duhigg. The exhibit runs through February 12th and is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Menard Hall on the Springfield campus.
Duhigg’s work explores the intersection of tradition and modern-day anxiety. He’s known for using bronze which is usually associated with strength and permanence, to tell stories about fragility, uncertainty, and decline.

In this exhibit, familiar landscapes are transformed into scenes of quiet tension. Empty settings feature unsettling elements like a tornado, a bomb crater, or a lone raft; images that reflect both vulnerability and resilience in today’s world.

Organizers say the artwork invites viewers to think about what fears define us, and how we decide which and whose stories get remembered and preserved. A public closing reception for the exhibit will be held Thursday, February 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and everyone is invited to attend.
Duhigg has more than 30 years of experience teaching sculpture and is currently a professor of art at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His work has been shown in major venues across the U.S. and internationally, including in Florence, Italy.

“The Neophobic Kingdom” is free to view at the Trutter Museum and Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College through February 12th. You can find more information at llcc.edu/murray. 

As Illinois heads into a new year and a new legislative session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie is calling for what she describes as a major change in direction for the state — one focused on affordability, public safety, and job growth.

McCombie says her message reflects what many Illinois families are already dealing with every day — rising costs, safety concerns, and uncertainty about the state’s future.

McCombie says affordability goes far beyond just balancing the state budget. She says it also includes improving education outcomes, addressing what she calls failures of the SAFE-T Act by putting victims first and cracking down on repeat offenders, and rethinking energy policies that she says are driving up utility bills and pushing families and businesses out of Illinois.

Infrastructure and job growth are also a major focus. McCombie notes that Illinois drivers already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the country, while recent policy changes have shifted road funding away from downstate projects.

She says when money is diverted from local roads and bridges to other areas, it slows job growth and hurts local economies.

Looking ahead to 2026, McCombie says the state needs to change course without raising taxes or expanding government. She says strong schools, safe communities, reliable energy, and smart infrastructure shouldn’t be partisan issues — but the foundation for a stronger future in Illinois.

As Illinois faces growing budget pressure, a ‘graduated income tax’ is unlikely to advance in 2026, with Governor JB Pritzker claiming the issue is not a “legislative priority” despite his continued support for the concept. Pritzker, who championed the original proposal during his first run for office, has acknowledged the growing financial challenges ahead for Illinois. However, he has stopped short of pushing to place the question back on the ballot. 

Illinois has operated under a flat income tax system for decades now, charging the same rate regardless of income level. In 2020, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed lawmakers to implement a graduated tax structure, falling well short of the necessary votes needed. Since that defeat, state officials have largely avoided reopening the debate, pointing instead to balanced budgets achieved through significant federal government funding following the COVID pandemic. That nest egg has now vanished.

Budget projections show Illinois is facing a nearly 2 billion dollar shortfall in the coming years as federal relief expires. Those pressures have renewed interest among some Democratic lawmakers in revisiting tax reform. They say this reform would stabilize revenues and shift more of the tax burden toward higher earners, while potentially providing relief for middle class households.

Several legislators have introduced resolutions in both chambers seeking to again place a graduated income tax amendment before voters. A current Senate proposal has attracted multiple co-sponsors, while a similar House resolution has drawn support from more than two dozen members. Earlier attempts in recent years failed to advance, either lacking sufficient backing or never being called for a vote before election deadlines.

Despite that renewed legislative interest, the political hurdles remain significant. Pritzker is running for reelection in 2026 and continues to be mentioned as a potential national candidate in the years ahead. Reviving a proposal voters rejected just four years ago carries large political risk.

Drivers could finally see some real relief at the pump in 2026. GasBuddy is forecasting the national average price of gasoline will drop below three dollars a gallon for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The fuel-tracking company says the average price next year is expected to be about 2 dollars and 97 cents per gallon, down 13 cents from this year and the lowest yearly average since 2020.

GasBuddy says while prices are trending lower overall, drivers should still expect some ups and downs throughout the year due to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, hurricane season, and ongoing global tensions. Prices could briefly spike into the low three-dollar-and-twenty-cent range in the spring, but are expected to fall in the second half of the year, with December prices projected to average around 2 dollars and 83 cents a gallon.

Diesel prices are also expected to ease slightly, averaging about 3 dollars and 55 cents per gallon in 2026. GasBuddy analysts say fuel prices have been steadily improving since 2022 as the global economy recovers from the pandemic and energy markets stabilize following the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They say tighter economic policies and new refining capacity have helped push prices down year after year, and that trend is expected to continue into 2026. While it’s not a return to ultra-cheap gas, analysts say conditions are improving enough that averages below three dollars a gallon could become more common if there are no major disruptions.

Overall, U.S. drivers are expected to spend about 11 billion dollars less on gasoline next year compared to this year, with the average household spending just over 2,000 dollars on fuel.
 

Average gasoline prices in Illinois dropped by 3.6 cents per gallon over the past week, bringing the statewide average to $2.86 per gallon. Prices are now 21 cents lower than a month ago and nearly 32 cents lower than this time last year, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 4,378 stations. GasBuddy reports the lowest-priced station in Illinois was selling gasoline at $2.28 per gallon, while the highest price reached $4.49, creating a statewide spread of $2.21 per gallon. The national average price of diesel also declined, falling 2.3 cents over the past week to $3.50 per gallon.

In Central Illinois and nearby markets, prices continue to vary. Peoria averaged $2.82 per gallon, up slightly from last week. St. Louis averaged $2.65, while Champaign came in at $2.69, both having slight declines in cost. Historical data shows Illinois gasoline prices averaged $3.18 per gallon at this time in 2025, $3.03 in 2024, $3.35 in 2023, $3.39 in 2022 and $2.35 in 2021.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline dipped 1.2 cents this last week to $2.74 per gallon. That figure is down 21 cents from a month ago and 29 cents lower than a year ago, based on more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 stations nationwide.

GasBuddy petroleum analysts say seasonal trends continue to push prices lower across much of the country, despite some short-term increases in markets that typically experience price cycling. Analysts expect prices to reach their low point in the coming weeks before beginning a gradual seasonal increase heading toward March.

GasBuddy is a fuel savings platform providing real-time pricing data for more than 150,000 stations across North America. Learn more by heading to www.gasbuddy.com.

Off a successful 2025, the Christian County YMCA is looking to bolster its offerings even further.  They are looking to organize more tournaments such as a basketball tournament scheduled for this month.  The Y expects to make use of their fundraising haul from last year for activities, equipment, and scholarships.

The basketball tournament is set for January 17 and 18.  Bruce Blanshan, CCYMCA Executive Director, says he hopes this will spur more similar events throughout the year. 

There are also efforts to expand teen center and grade school events, which have declined in recent years. 

The Y would also like to improve their stock of training equipment, especially for various sports.  To that end, they recently acquired a pitching machine for baseball.

The Christian County YMCA has struggled at times with staff shortages.  As part of this, they have had to close the pool at certain times each week to alleviate these problems. 

More information on the Christian County YMCA is available at www.ccymca.org.

Bruce Blanshan appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Lincoln Land Community College has launched its new ‘Professional Development Institute,’ offering a range of training and continuing education courses for employers and working professionals across Central Illinois. The Professional Development Institute acts as LLCC’s center for workforce and professional learning, businesses and organizations with targeted training, and customized solutions aligned with our region’s employment demands.

The ‘PDI’ offers both in-person workshops and online classes, with programming designed to adapt to a changing world. Areas of focus include: leadership and management, technology and computer skills, workplace safety certifications, entrepreneurship and small business development, professional skills, and continuing education for health care and K-12 education professionals.

In addition to open-enrollment courses, the Professional Development Institute works directly with employers to create unique training plans geared towards their specific goals and challenges. Training can be delivered onsite, at LLCC locations, or online, allowing organizations to upskill employees without disrupting day-to-day operations.

To celebrate the launch, the Professional Development Institute is offering 50 percent off Spring Professional Development courses through January 30th using the code: EARLYBIRD. The discount is supported in part by a ‘Noncredit Strategies at Work’ grant from the Illinois Community College Board.

Courses available this Spring include CompTIA certifications, AI at Work, Power Automate Jumpstart, Supervision Essentials, Small Business Finance, Navigating Generational Differences in Today’s Workplace, among other offerings.

Find out more about Lincoln Land Community College’s ‘Professional Development Institute’ at www.llcc.edu.

The city of Taylorville is preparing for construction projects expected to take up much of the year.  They include the work to be done on West Main Cross as well as within the city square.  In addition, there is an opening in the city council, and eligible residents will have the opportunity to put their name forward for consideration. 

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry is keeping an eye on the construction plans.  He expects the work to take about a year to complete. 

The mayor adds that this year’s work is just part of a larger effort to improve the city’s aesthetics ahead of its bicentennial.

In city council news, Alderman Chris Skultety’s seat will open up as he announced his resignation last month.  He represented the second ward, which is in the northwest part of the city.  The council is looking for residents in that ward who are interested in serving on the board.

The replacement would serve until May of next year. 

More information on the City of Taylorville is available at www.taylorville.net.

Bruce Barry appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.
 

The Taylorville City Council met on Monday evening to review ordinance, go over committee reports, and hear from the public at their first regular meeting of 2026. The Council accepted the resignation letter of Chris Skultety, approved the low bid of $10,000 for the city-owned property at 305 E. Poplar Street, and approved the engagement letter with Hart Southworth & Witsman.  

The council also approved a non-bargaining pay increase of 4% or $3,000, whichever was less, beginning January 1st.  Assistant Fire Chief Cody Rogers was not thrilled and spoke in public comments concerning the pay increase, saying that when it came to cutting costs, it was always people who got cut first. 

The city is behind on a pending audit and after filing an extension, City Attorney Rocci Romano insisted that the city get it taken care of sooner rather than later. 

The city approved a water rate increase.  It is the first water rate increase since 2017, and Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry says that it was well overdue, but the cost was extremely negligible. The vote was 4-3, with Aldermen Larry Budd, Kathy Driskell, and Jim Olive voting no. 

Mayor Barry says that some projects that they are looking at in 2026 include work on W. Main Cross Street, Safe Routes for School, and work on the downtown square.  He says he’s very optimistic that the industrial park will see activity very soon. The next city council meeting is set for January 19th. 

Mental health professionals say the winter months can be a challenging time for many people, as shorter days and colder weather can take a toll on emotional well-being.

One common condition this time of year is Seasonal Affective Disorder, often called SAD. It’s a type of depression linked to changes in seasons, most often appearing in late fall and winter when daylight hours are limited. Symptoms can include low energy, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of sadness or irritability.

Local health providers say help is available. Many clinics, hospitals, and counseling centers across the area offer mental health services, including counseling, therapy, and crisis support. Community health departments and school districts also provide resources for those who may need assistance.

Professionals recommend a few simple steps to help manage winter-related stress. Getting outside during daylight hours, even briefly, can help. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying physically active, and keeping social connections are also important. Experts say anyone experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms should consider reaching out to a healthcare provider.

If you or someone you know is struggling, mental health professionals stress that support is available, and seeking help is an important first step. Local mental health resources can be found through area hospitals, community health centers, and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
 

Taylorville City Council set to meet this evening at 7 PM for their first regular meeting of 2026.  The council will review several motions including one to accept the resignation from Alderman Chris Skultety, a low bid of $10,000 for property at 305 E. Poplar Street, an engagement letter with Hart, Southworth, & Witsman, and a motion to approve a non-bargaining pay increase of 4% to reflect the AFSCME Union Contract on January 1st. 

Under committee reports, the council will look to approve the water rate increase on January 1st.  The council will hear from the city attorney along with Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry, and any comments from the public.  Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for more following the conclusion of the event. 
 

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has released its 2025 Year in Review, and it shows Central and Southeast Illinois experienced a year of significant weather extremes. According to the report, temperatures finished above normal for much of 2025, particularly during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Winter temperatures were closer to normal, though precipitation during the winter months ran below average 

January brought one of the year’s most impactful winter storms, with six to ten inches of snow south of a Rushville-to-Lincoln-to-Peoria line. That storm also led to a massive pileup involving up to 50 vehicles on Interstate 70 near Effingham. Later in the month, bitter cold settled in, with temperatures dropping to 10 to 15 degrees below zero, and wind chills reaching as low as 35 below zero in some areas 

Spring turned active quickly, with multiple tornado outbreaks across the region. In early April, an EF-2 tornado tracked nearly 50 miles along the I-70 corridor, while additional outbreaks in April and May brought large hail and damaging winds. One of the more unusual events of the year occurred on May 16th, when a powerful dust storm reduced visibility to near zero and closed portions of I-74 between Bloomington and Farmer City 

Summer continued the trend of extremes, bringing dangerous heat and flash flooding. Heat index values climbed to between 105 and 110 degrees in late July, and one heat-related death was reported in Peoria. Heavy rain events caused flash flooding in several communities, including Bloomington-Normal and parts of southern Illinois 

Fall turned unusually dry, with much below-normal rainfall across much of Central Illinois. Peoria recorded its second driest September on record, as drought conditions expanded and burn bans were issued in multiple counties by early autumn 

The year wrapped up with another round of severe weather and a major Thanksgiving weekend winter storm, which dropped up to a foot of snow in some areas and set a new November snowfall record in Springfield.

Overall, the National Weather Service reports 53 tornadoes across its Lincoln coverage area in 2025, underscoring what forecasters say was an exceptionally active and impactful weather year for Central and Southeast Illinois.
 

Hundreds of new laws are now on the books in Illinois as 2026 gets underway, bringing changes that will affect everything from gun ownership and schools to grocery prices and the workplace. One of the biggest changes this year centers on public safety.

Under Illinois’ new Safe Gun Storage Act, firearm owners are now required to keep guns locked if children or at-risk individuals could access them. The law also shortens the window to report lost or stolen firearms, now requiring gun owners to notify police within 48 hours.

Another public safety update removes waiting periods for missing persons reports, meaning police must now accept reports immediately, a change advocates say could save lives.

In education, new laws expand protections for students and families. Public schools are now prohibited from asking about or sharing a student’s immigration status, and new guidelines strengthen how schools handle bullying, including cyberbullying and harmful AI-generated images.
Colleges and universities must also provide access to licensed mental health professionals, while substitute teachers will receive additional safety training for emergencies like evacuations and lockdowns. 

For many families, one of the most noticeable changes will come at the checkout line. Illinois has eliminated the state’s one-percent grocery tax, cutting costs on everyday food purchases. However, local governments can choose to implement their own grocery tax, meaning the savings may vary depending on where you live.

New workplace laws are also taking effect in 2026. Employers must now disclose when artificial intelligence is used in hiring decisions and are barred from using AI systems that discriminate against applicants. Nursing mothers will also receive expanded protections, including paid break time to pump breast milk.

Some changes won’t kick in until later this year. Starting July 1st, new rules will update driver’s license renewal requirements for older adults, adjusting age thresholds and testing procedures. Lawmakers say the wide-ranging updates reflect changing technology, public safety concerns, and everyday cost-of-living issues facing Illinois residents.

Residents are encouraged to review how the new laws affect them and reach out to local officials with questions. More than 400 new Illinois laws are now in effect, with additional changes scheduled later this year.

Taylorville Memorial Hospital has named Kaitlyn Micek, a surgical technologist, as its Colleague of the Month for December in recognition of her consistent dedication to patient care.

Micek is known for her reliability in both surgery and sterile processing, where her attention to detail stands out during safe procedures. Her responsibilities include sterilizing instruments, preparing operating rooms, ordering supplies, and assisting surgeons during procedures. Micek’s strong understanding of surgical processes allows her to anticipate needs and maintain an organized environment. She is also recognized as a knowledgeable educator and effective communicator within the department.

Micek has been with Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2018. Learn more about Taylorville Memorial Hospital at memorial.health.

Illinois’ Office Of The Treasurer returned six Purple Hearts to military veterans and their families in 2025.  The Purple Heart is the military decoration dedicated to service members wounded or killed in combat.  The six returns – part of an initiative called “Operation Purple Heart” – brings the agency’s total of returned Purple Hearts to 18.  Whereas financial returns are made by mailing a check, the Office Of The Treasurer holds a ceremony to hand over the Purple Heart, and these instances were no exception.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs began Operation Purple Heart.  He recounts the latest such ceremony, which recognized a World War II veteran. 

These honors can go missing if, for instance, the recipient or a relative stores it in a safe deposit box and later dies.  This is where the Treasurer’s Office steps in.

Frerichs began this initiative when he found the recovered Purple Hearts in his agency’s vault.  He developed a determination to see the honors end up back with their rightful owners. 

You can visit icash.illinoistreasurer.gov to see if there is unclaimed property waiting for you.

Michael Frerichs appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.