City Beat
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Decatur, IL – Heritage Behavioral Health Center, in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), dedicates March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Problem gambling is defined as “all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal,…
Read MoreDURBIN, DUCKWORTH ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL $51.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP ILLINOIS FAMILIES SAVE ON HOME ENERGY BILLS
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced an additional $51,817,305 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Illinoisans pay the rising cost of home heating bills this winter. This…
Read MoreCentral Illinois Regional Political Action Committee (CIPAC) Releases Local Candidate Endorsements
Decatur, IL- Central Illinois Political Action Committee (CIPAC) has announced its support of candidates for the local election to be held on April 4, 2023. Legislative incumbents are largely considered based on their voting record with the business community, however, all candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire on issues of importance to local…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: COMMUNITY STEPS UP TO HELP AKORN’S BETRAYED EMPLOYEES
Last week’s shoddy announcement and shutdown of Akorn’s Decatur facilities, and all other United States operations — and the way over 400 local employees were given the boot — was downright disgusting. While the news of closing down was bad enough, the shock of the announcement was compounded by the apparent lack of concern…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: Early voting for the April 4th Consolidated Election starts Thursday, Feb. 23
Early voting for the April 4th Consolidated Election starts Thursday, Feb. 23 and it will be interesting to see, in the weeks before election day, how much interest there is in the candidates and the questions put before the voters. Seven candidates are running for the three seats up for election on the…
Read MoreCity Beat: Some Confusion Over Referendum On The Macon County Auditor
When Macon County residents vote in the April 4th election, they will be asked if they want to eliminate the office of the Macon County Auditor. The reason for the referendum being on the ballot is confusing — but here’s some clarity. Macon County Administrator Tamara Wilcox informed me that “A resolution was passed…
Read MoreCity Beat: U. S. Reps Reaction To State Of The Union Speech, Illinois’ Financial Picture Impacts Decatur
How was President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech Tuesday evening received by the two Congresswomen who represent Decatur and Macon County? U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield stated: “Tonight’s speech from President Biden laid out a number of priorities that lower costs, support good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree…
Read MoreCity Beat: Some This And That From Here And There
VALENTINES — Last week Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski launched her “Valentines for Veterans” program, encouraging families across Central and Southern Illinois to show appreciation for local veterans by making homemade Valentine’s Day cards. Congresswoman Budzinski will distribute the cards to veterans in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. I think that is a great idea,…
Read MoreCity Beat: Memories Of Famous Decatur And Central Illinois Bandleader Tiny Hill Remain Strong
The reaction to my Jan. 11th “Scrapbook” feature in the Decatur Tribune about famous bandleader Tiny Hill was a sure indication that, even though Tiny passed away over a half century ago in 1971, memories of him remain strong among Tribune readers. Jack Fleener, my basketball buddy from years ago and the “Fleener”…
Read MoreCITY BEAT: DID YOU GET A $12,000 RAISE THIS YEAR?
THE ANSWER to the question in the headline is — you got a $12,000 raise for 2023 if you are an Illinois lawmaker. Illinois lawmakers voted themselves a 17% raise, to $85,000, which is nearly triple the median salary of wage earners in the Decatur area. • WIREPOINTS is an independent, nonprofit company delivering original research…
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