Area News
Some Final Thoughts On The Races Involved In Tuesday’s Election
Tuesday, April 2, is Election Day and we will find out which candidates for Decatur Mayor and City Council, Decatur School Board, Richland Community College and the Decatur Park Board are elected (although with two candidates for two seats on the park board, we already know who is going to be elected in that…
Read MoreLetters To The Editor On Election, Candidates, Misc
Population Decline, Neighborhood Revitalization, and Video Gambling Dear Editor: Decatur’s greatest challenge is its population decline. Since 2010, our population has decreased over 5% and the city is one of the ten fastest shrinking cities in the U.S. Population decline leads to reduced economic growth, labor shortages, and decreased revenue to provide public services. To…
Read MoreLetters To The Editor About School Board Election
Regan Lewis For Decatur School Board Dear Editor: I write to share my experience with Regan Lewis and to offer my endorsement for her candidacy for school board for Decatur Public School District 61. Ms. Lewis is highly qualified for school board, and we should accept her offer of public service. I met Regan Lewis…
Read MoreWhat’s Going To Happen To The Decatur Celebration?
AS MOST OF you know by now, Decatur Celebration Producer Lori Sturgill resigned her position last week. Now, everyone is wondering what is going to happen to the event that is held on the streets of downtown Decatur during a weekend in August each year. Even more important, will this summer’s Celebra-tion be held…
Read MoreBits And Pieces From The Races For Mayor, Three City Council Seats
I made it a point to chat with several of the candidates who were in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday’s sunny morning in Decatur. I didn’t get to talk to all of the candidates who were there before the parade started but following are some bits and pieces of information I learned…
Read MoreManar seeks Senate oversight of ALPLM foundation
SPRINGFIELD – The director of the foundation that supports the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library would be appointed by the governor and subject to Senate approval under legislation proposed by State Senator Andy Manar. “Frankly, I believe there needs to be a better relationship between the presidential library itself and the foundation that was established…
Read MoreElection Day April 2: Campaigns For Local Offices In Final Stretch
• MACON County Clerk Josh Tanner informed me that, near the end of last week, only 96 people had voted early. Considering that early voting started on Feb. 21, less than a hundred voters taking advantage of voting early in two weeks, doesn’t sound very encouraging for a huge turnout. Of course,…
Read MoreLetters: School Board Member’s Vote Opposed To What Members Are Elected To Do
Dear Editor: Serving children is a major reason one becomes a teacher or runs for political offices that address children. One runs for the school board to make sure that the educational environment and learning atmosphere are such that children’s educational needs are being met. Children are always first. Board vice-president, Beth Nolan,…
Read MorePritzker releases initial rates in push for income tax overhaul
By Jerry Nowicki Capitol News Illinois Jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker framed Illinois’ $3.2 billion structural budget deficit as having three possible solutions Thursday: a 15 percent across-the-board cut to state spending, including education; a 20 percent income tax increase on every Illinoisan; or his preferred solution of a graduated income…
Read MoreAttracting More Businesses To Decatur In A Tax Crazy Illinois Is Difficult Task
Years ago, when I was talking to Craig Coil, who was then head of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, he told me something that really stuck in my mind. He said that, many times, when he would set up his booth at trade shows and events across the nation, in…
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