Online Lions Radio Auction Underway Now Through Saturday

This year’s Mt. Carmel Lions Club Radio Auction isn’t your traditional listen, bid, and buy type of auction. Instead, the pandemic has forced this year’s auction to go online according to Lions spokesman Larry Hodgson…

Bidding kicked off yesterday on the Mobley and Grant website and app and will continue until 7pm Saturday. To browse the items and bid, you need to visit the link below or download their free smart phone app. Lions officials hope the 2021 auction returns to the radio format on WSJD.

 Auction link: https://live.mobleygrant.com/auctions/4-18I6RQ/68th-mt-carmel-lions-club-auction

Operation Share Sign-Ups Now Underway

Signups are underway for the Operation Share program that aids Wabash County families during the holidays. WADI’s Debbie Meyer says that instead of going into the WADI office as in years past, you can simply call them at 262-4151 and register for the Thanksgiving and Christmas phases of the program…. 

The Thanksgiving distribution will be on November 24th at First General Baptist Church on West 12th Street while the Christmas food will be distributed December 22nd. Last 319 families were served Thanksgiving dinners while 383 families received Christmas dinners, and 350 children received toys. Operation Share is a joint venture between WADI and the Wabash County Ministerial Association. 

How Will Illinois Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine?

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently outlined in broad strokes the state’s plan for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine once such a vaccine is approved by federal regulators.

Without an actual vaccine ready, the governor only offered insight into who would receive the first wave of vaccines once available, NPR reported. The at-risk population, including healthcare workers and the elderly, will be among the first to whom the vaccine will be offered.

"The challenge of designing a plan now, of course, is that there's so much about the vaccines that we don't know," Pritzker said during a news conference. "The most defining characteristic of this plan is that it's adjustable as we go forward and learn more."

Health Department advisor and infectious disease specialist Dr. Don Graham said that the timeline for distribution will most likely not be available until early 2021.

He said vaccine developers are currently gathering data from volunteers who have taken the vaccine and are going about their daily life.

“But what’s being done now is to look to see if the antibody levels that are seen in the people who are volunteer subjects for vaccine testing – we’re looking to see now if those antibody levels are enough to protect against the disease,” Graham said.

Once testing is complete, the FDA will have to evaluate the data to ensure the final vaccine is effective and safe, Graham said.

“That kind of evaluation will take quite a bit of time; months and months to be sure,” he said.

With a vaccine likely a year or more out, infection numbers will continue to grow, which begs the question whether a vaccine will even be useful eventually. Graham said they are still studying the coronavirus to understand if those infected gain persistent immunity or not.

“COVID is another frankly unknown at this point whether you can get a second case of COVID. The CDC is trying to maintain a registry of people who may possibly have had second cases of COVID, and of course this is not limited to the United States, so other countries are keeping track of that too, but we really don’t know.”

Regardless, Graham said about 97% of the population has yet to be infected. He doesn’t expect that number to change enough to affect the efficacy of developing a vaccine.

“I think that the number of people who have had COVID will still be a tiny minority of the entire population,” he said.

Pritzker Ties BIG Grants To Compliance With Executive Orders

The state is providing hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars to businesses and local governments through the Business Interruption Grant program and Illinois CURE act, but they have to follow the governor's rules to keep the money.

The grants are for certain businesses with losses related to the pandemic or state restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19. Taking the money requires recipients to comply with the governor’s executive orders.

The business “Must have complied with all relevant laws, regulations, and executive orders from the State and federal government, including the social distancing guidelines as promulgated by the Executive Orders of the Illinois Governor,” according to the grant application.

Springfield Alderman John Fulgenzi also owns a restaurant in Springfield and cautioned those staying open against the governor’s orders.

“The hospitality grants from the state, they could be withdrawn if you’re not complying with the governor’s directive,” Fulgenzi said.

Attorney Thomas DeVore, who has several pending lawsuits against the governor’s orders, said he won’t give blanket advice, but said another catch should make businesses take a close look at whether they want to take that path.

“There’s language in there that says you waive any claims that you may have against the state of Illinois for damages, etcetera,” DeVore told WMAY. “Those are big inappropriate conditions, in my opinion, that are put in those grant applications.”

“It’s almost like ‘here’s a bribe that we’re offering, maybe you take it, maybe you don’t,’” DeVore said. “But asking them to waive those rights is completely inappropriate.”

Officials with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said it will address the issue with businesses that are not in compliance.

"DCEO will take appropriate actions regarding applicants and grantees who are not complying with the statewide public health orders in coordination with [Illinois Department of Public Health] and [Illinois State Police]," a department spokesperson said by email.

It’s not just businesses that could be on the hook for grant dollars. In Springfield, Alderman Andrew Proctor worried about what would happen if the city codified restrictions that differed from the governor’s.

“That’s really like a written ‘here we are defying your orders,’” Proctor said. “And they could take that and say ‘hey, you’re defying our orders, you don’t get grant money, you don’t get this, you don’t get that.’”

While the governor has threatened to take liquor licenses away from businesses that don’t comply with his orders, it’s unclear what, if any, actions the governor will take against local governments that don’t comply.

As of late October, the state says it’s released more than $46 million to more than 1,200 businesses across the state. Nearly $50 million has been released to local governments to offset COVID-19 related losses.

Madigan Under Fire From His Own Party

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said he’s not going anywhere despite members of his own party saying it’s time for him to step down as party leader.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is making a bid to replace Madigan as speaker when the next term of the Illinois House begins in January. She also said he shouldn't be leading the Democratic Party of Illinois anymore.

“The Democratic Party cannot be defined as the party of Mike Madigan,” Kifowit said. “The Democratic Party is the party of the people and we need to put the people first.”

It’s not just a handful of lower-ranking or freshman members of the House who are planning to not support the speaker for another term. It’s party heavyweights such as U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who told WTTW the party is paying the price with Madigan at the top, and his presence as the party’s leader isn’t helping. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth told the State Journal-Register the party should find new leadership.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker agreed on Thursday.

“The Republicans and the billionaires that sided with them were effectively able to use the speaker as their foil and that hurt our ability, and the state’s ability, to get things done,” Pritzker said.

The Democrats progressive income tax failed Tuesday. Some believe the cloud around Madigan played a role.

“Opponents were able to tap into voters' concern about corruption and their lack of trust in government,” Pritzker said.

While he hasn’t been charged with a crime, Madigan has been implicated in a bribery scheme ComEd admitted to. The utility said it paid $1.3 million in bribes over nine years to Madigan associates in an effort to influence the speaker.

In a statement, Madigan said he’s proud of his record and looks forward to continuing as chairman of the party.

“I am proud of my record electing Democrats who support workers and families and represent the diversity of our state,” Madigan said. “Together, we have successfully advanced progressive policies that have made Illinois a strong Democratic state with supermajorities in the legislature. Illinois is the anchor in the ‘blue wall’ that has been reconstructed in the Midwest, and I look forward to continuing our fight for working families as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

Illinois Republicans See Positive Results From Tuesday's Election

Republicans are pleased with the way the 2020 election played out in Illinois.

With a cloud hanging over House Speaker Michael Madigan and COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Minority leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said Thursday during a news conference the voters of Illinois sent a clear message.

"The House Republicans were expected to lose up to 11 seats, and right now we are at a net gain of two,” Durkin said. “We were outspent five-to-one by speaker Madigan, and we still prevailed.”

The progressive tax amendment was voted down by a 55% to 45% margin. Pritzker blamed the defeat of the amendment on lies from the opponents of the measure. Durkin disagreed and said the amendment was shot down because the residents of Illinois are tired of the corruption in Springfield.

“You can’t go back and ask Illinoisans for a tax increase when there is zero trust in the leadership n Springfield, in the chambers and also under the roof,” he said.

Durkin said the Pritzker administration should start with 4% across the board cuts to the state budget. After that, Durkin said Republicans are willing to negotiate with the administration to make additional cuts that could be made.

The governor said Wednesday that he plans to meet with legislative leaders to make plans to move forward with a budget following the defeat of his tax amendment. He warned of “deep and painful” cuts because Illinois voters defeated the measure.

Pritzker has not ruled out asking for a tax increase to help cover the budget deficit. However, Durkin said the governor shouldn’t count on getting any votes from House Republicans.

“I am not going to talk about revenue at all,” Durkin said. “Why don’t we talk about reforms first.”

Police stepping up seat belt enforcement in November

 Indiana State Police Jasper Post will be increasing seat belt enforcement patrols now through the end of November as part of the national Click It or Ticket mobilization. The department will be joined by more than 250 law enforcement agencies around the state that will be working overtime to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries in Indiana.

The patrols are supported with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds provided by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“Over the years, we’ve had a number of incidents where someone wasn’t wearing their seat belt and was either injured or ejected that could have been prevented,” said Lieutenant Jason Allen, Jasper Post Commander. “Buckling up matters. It saves lives and is your best defense against injury or death. Don’t skip this simple step and pay for it later.”

Last year, out of the total number of motorists involved in passenger vehicle crashes, 90 percent were wearing a seat belt. Despite this, unrestrained motorists accounted for over half of all vehicle fatalities in 2019 (308 out of 565), according to data from the criminal justice institute.

Drivers under the age 34, particularly young male drivers, were more likely to be found not wearing a seat belt. Additionally, individuals not buckled up in crashes were three times more likely to get injured when the driver was speeding and seven times more likely when the driver was impaired.

Indiana has a primary seat belt law, which allows law enforcement officers to stop and cite drivers and passengers for failing to wear a seat belt. Drivers can also be cited for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16.

“Every time you go somewhere in a vehicle, whether you’re a driver or passenger, you should always wear a seat belt,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Not only is it the law, but it’s the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself on the road.”

When it comes to seat belt safety, the department recommends making sure the lap belt is properly secured across the hip and pelvis, below the stomach. The shoulder belt should be positioned across the middle of the chest and away from the neck – never behind the back or under an arm.

If the seat belt doesn’t fit, or the car is older and only has lap belts, ask the car dealer or vehicle manufacturer about seat belt adjusters, extenders or retrofits.

Additionally, children under eight must be properly restrained in a federally approved child or booster seat. Parents and caregivers can choose the safest car seat for their child by visiting TheRightSeat.com, or to find a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, who can inspect and assist with the installation of a car seat, visit www.childseat.in.gov.

ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT FRESH AT WVC

The Wabash Valley College food assistance program, FRESH, needs your help with its annual food drive through the month of November.

FRESH makes non-perishable food items and other necessities, such as personal products and paper goods, available to all WVC students in need, with no exceptions.

Thanks to the generosity ofBuy Low in Mt. Carmel, a shopping cart has been placed at the front of the store. Shoppers may purchase items to donate to FRESH and leave them in the designated cart.

Those wishing to make a donation of non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, or a cash donation may contact Jill Winter, WVC FRESH Faculty Coordinator, at winterj@iecc.edu or at (618) 262-8641.

Pritzker Warns Tighter Restrictions May Be Coming

More COVID-19 restrictions may be in the future for Illinoisans.

During his daily news briefing on Thursday, Gov. J.B Pritzker said his administration may implement new, more stringent restrictions statewide if virus numbers continue to increase.

“If the numbers keep going in the wrong direction, we will need to impose further mitigations,” Pritzker said. “I think we all remember what Phase 3 looked like, or Phase 2 looked like. Those are all things that are under consideration.”

In Phase 2, Illinoisans were under a stay-at-home order with all non-essential businesses closed.

The governor has already prohibited indoor service at bars and restaurants in all regions of the state, but some business owners are staying open in an effort to stay afloat and some local leaders have said they won’t intervene. Pritzker said he was aware of the problems and put the blame on local leaders.

“They know if there was enforcement – if there were actual consequences for their actions at the local level,” Pritzker said. “They are supposed to enforce state laws, and when they don’t enforce them, people die.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported in the last week that the state has seen its case positivity rate climb from 6.9 percent to 9.1 percent. (Wabash County is now at 15.1% positivity). The number of hospitalizations in the state has more than doubled in less than five weeks.

"If Illinoisans don’t change their behavior we are going to experience a surge in hospitalizations much greater than we are seeing now,” Pritzker said.

The governor also said that Illinois has passed a grim milestone. After the largest single-day increase in deaths since early June, Illinois surpassed more than 10,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The state also shattered the single-day record for new cases of COVID-19 with 9,935. The previous high was 7,899 reported less than a week ago on Oct. 31. That brings the 7-day average of cases in the state to more than 7,400.

City Council Addresses Trash Pickup Complaints

Trash pick-up issues took up a big part of Monday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting. Garbage Commissioner Chandler Madden kicked off the discussion by advising residents that taking to Facebook with your trash problems isn’t the quickest way to get it resolved.

Mayor Joe Judge said Republic Service representatives had told him many of the recent problems stemmed from new employees and a “few bad apples” were the cause of the problems.

As for residents who claim their trash isn’t picked up, City Clerk Rudy Witsman said the issue might not be with Republic and instead, the resident themselves…. 

Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire said the current issues with Republic mirror the quality of service that was offered during the life of the previous trash contract. He said the contract term starts off with good service, and then lags for awhile, before rebounding in the final stages of the contract.