Disc Golf Course Idea Introduced In Mt. Carmel

Plans are expected to be unveiled next month on a proposed disc golf course in Mt. Carmel. If you’re not familiar, disc golf is played much like golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, though, players use a flying disc or Frisbee.. The sport was formalized in the 1970s and shares with golf the object of completing each hole in the fewest strokes-or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws. At this week’s city council meeting, city clerk Ryan Turner said he had met with Wabash Valley College president Matt Fowler exploring a 9-hole disc golf course. Turner said he hopes more details on the idea will be presented to the council next month.

Photo Credit: AARP

Franklin County Man Sentenced to Prison for Producing Counterfeit U.S. Currency

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal district judge sentenced a man from Christopher, Illinois, to 24 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to printing counterfeit money.

Michael A. Eskew, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of manufacture of counterfeit obligations of the U.S., one count of possession of counterfeit obligations of the U.S., and one count of possessing digital image of U.S. currency for counterfeiting.

“Making, using and possessing fake U.S. currency with fraudulent intent is punishable under federal law, and Michael Eskew was maintaining a full-scale, counterfeiting enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “He schemed to defraud local businesses and enrich himself with the fake currency, thus warranting this sentence to federal prison.”

According to court documents, Eskew used printers and electronic images of dollar bills to produce counterfeit U.S. Currency at his home. Following a search warrant of Eskew’s residence in July 2019, law enforcement recovered $33,826 in counterfeit bills.

Eskew distributed the counterfeit bills to at least five individuals within his community. In addition to imprisonment, Eskew was ordered to pay a $600 fine and serve three years of supervised release.

The U.S. Secret Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zoe Gross and Kathleen Howard contributed to the prosecution.

LAWRENCE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANNNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

Lawrenceville, IL – Lawrence County Memorial Hospital (LCMH) today announced that Keith Miller, CEO, has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer and Deaconess Indiana Region President, effective August 12, 2024. Mr. Miller will be stepping down from his role as CEO of LCMH, a position he has held since April 2023.

During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Miller has made significant contributions to LCMH's growth and strategic direction. Under his leadership, LCMH has seen expansion in services and facilities, including the addition of a new General Surgeon, introduction of new service lines, and the recruitment of additional healthcare professionals to enhance primary care offerings.

"We are grateful for Keith's dedicated leadership over the past 15 months," said Carl Aten, Chair of the Board of Directors at LCMH. "His strategic vision and collaborative approach have positioned LCMH for continued success in providing exceptional healthcare services to our community."

“Looking ahead, LCMH remains committed to its strategic initiatives, including further integration with our strategic partner, Deaconess Health System”, said Miller. “Moving forward with the Master Facility Plan and adding additional services will be key to the continued success of LCMH, and I am confident that our board’s ongoing contributions, alongside the strong leadership team in place, will ensure a seamless transition and continued growth.”

LCMH will begin a search for a new CEO immediately, with interim leadership arrangements in place to ensure uninterrupted operations and continued focus on delivering high-quality patient care.

Mobile Home Taxes Due August 2nd

Wabash County treasurer’s Angie Broster’s office is continuing to collect prepayments on the 2023 payable 2024 real estate taxes. She reported to county commissioners last week that to date, $73,206 had been collected. At this point, Broster said the cut off for prepayments will be August 30th, although that date may be extended. Mobile home taxes are due August 2nd with 47% being collected so far.

Keepes & Dean Spar Over Coroner's Vehicle Purchase

Wabash County coroner Shaun Keepes’s attempt to have county commissioners provide his office with a vehicle seems to be growing more contentious. Keepes has told commissioners that he has been using his personal and business vehicles for the last several years. But now, Keepes says it’s time for the county to step up and provide the coroner’s office with a vehicle.  At last week’s county board meeting, Keepes sparred with commissioner Rob Dean over how the vehicle would be used. Keepes said it would be utilized as an every day vehicle such as a sheriff’s department unit…

SHAUN KEEPES ON VEHICLE #1

Dean took exception to Keepes’ comments and said the vehicle should be used only for coroner calls. After the 15 minute back and forth ended, the issue was tabled as commissioners said they will check with surrounding counties to see what their vehicle policy is for their coroners.

City Looking To Rehab Market Street Sidewalks

Market Street sidewalks could see some much needed upgrades if a grant is successful. At yesterday’s City Council meeting, Mt. Carmel City Clerk Ryan Turner said Horner and Shifrin is looking to help the city land a grant for the improvements….

RYAN TURNER SIDEWALKS 7 22 24

Turner said the project would also include new landscaping and possibly lights.

City Taking Action Against Remaining River Camp Squatter

City Hall’s patience has run out on the last of river camp squatters who has refused to vacate the city owned property. At yesterday’s City Council meeting, city clerk Ryan Turner told commissioners that he is ready to take action today against the final remaining hold out….

RYAN TURNER ON RIVER CAMP 7 22 24

Turner said he would get legal advice from city attorney Derek McCullough before the city formally acts on the last river camp.

City Council Greenlights St. Mary's Fundraiser

The Mt. Carmel City Council yesterday gave the go ahead to St. Mary’s School to hold an Octoberfest type event on October 19th. The event will run from 6 to 11pm and feature food, music, and a beer truck in the St. Mary’s parking lot. City Clerk Ryan Turner said he would work with the group to make sure all necessary permits and licenses are obtained.

Joe Judge Part Of Edgar Fellows Program 12th class

Forty-one leaders from across Illinois to meet in Champaign, August 4 through 8

URBANA, IL — In a highly competitive process, forty-one public policy leaders from across Illinois have been selected for the 2024 class of the Edgar Fellows Program. The group will meet for the first time at their Executive Leadership Training Program held August 4 through 8 on the University of Illinois (UI) campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Established in 2012, the Edgar Fellows Program is a leadership initiative designed by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to inspire respectful collaboration in addressing the state's major challenges. The Fellows selected for the class of 2024 reflect Illinois’ political, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity. They include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government; leaders of non-profit and labor organizations; and individuals who are influencing public policy in the business world.  

“Each year, the Edgar Fellows Program brings together a group of leaders with different backgrounds and different politics from across Illinois,” Gov. Edgar said. “Though they each have their own unique life experiences, they find out that they have more in common than they have that separates them.

 “With each class, it has been gratifying to watch people who were strangers on Sunday become good friends by Thursday. It’s what the Edgar Fellows program is all about, finding common ground and respect, so that our Fellows can work together to help shape a better Illinois.”

During their time in Champaign, the new Fellows will engage with experienced public policy practitioners who are experts in issues that include artificial intelligence, the SAFE-T Act, workforce development, climate change, philanthropies, Medicaid, and the state budget. More importantly, they will learn from each other and begin building relationships that will last throughout their careers.

The 2024 class will bring the number of Fellows who are part of the program to nearly 500. After completing the initial training seminar, Fellows continue to meet at alumni gatherings designed to increase their knowledge and help build their professional networks. The next time they will have this opportunity to gather is at the program’s annual fundraiser in Chicago on September 12 at the Hyatt Regency. This event is open to the general public. More information about the dinner, including how to sponsor the event or purchase individual tickets can be found at www.edgarfellows.org.

Donors to the Edgar Fellows Program include individuals, corporations, foundations, labor organizations, and others who are interested in promoting competent, ethical and solution-oriented leadership in Illinois. An advisory board led by Chair Emeritus Alexander Lerner, the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois State Medical Society, and Chair, Allen Grosboll, former senior policy advisor to Governor Edgar, helps to guide the program. Other board members are Fellows and long-time supporters of the program who, between them, have decades of experience in Illinois public policy.

Administered and funded through the efforts of the Edgar Fellows 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Edgar Fellows Program is housed at the U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs in Urbana.  

The Edgar Fellows Class of 2024 is listed below. Photos are available upon request.

Liandro Arellano, Jr., Dixon, Candidate for Senate, District 37 

Kevin Artl, Naperville, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois

Chris Balkema, Channahon, Candidate for Senate, District 53

Yasmeen Bankole, Hanover Park, Trustee of the Village of Hanover Park and Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Precious Brady-Davis, Chicago, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Chief Strategy Officer at The Center on Halsted

Representative Jason Bunting, Emington

Sydney Corryn Holman, Chicago, Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Chicago

Ryan Croke, Springfield, First Assistant Deputy Governor for health and human services

Christopher Curtis, Mayor of Kankakee

Regan Deering, Decatur, Candidate for State Representative, District 88

Yaacov Delaney, Chicago, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Justice Equity & Opportunity Initiative for Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

James Dillon, Peoria, Peoria County Board Chair and Associate Director of the West Central Building and Construction Trades Council

Isabel Dobbel, Chicago, Political Director for the Chicago Federation of Labor

Representative Laura Faver Dias, Grayslake

Kari Galassi, Hinsdale, DuPage County Board Member

Graciela Guzman, Chicago, candidate for Senate, District 20

Chynna Hampton, Chatham, Equity Director for Climate Jobs Illinois at the Illinois AFL-CIO

Carolin Harvey, Mayor of Carbondale

Jared M. Hawkinson, Knoxville, Knox County Board Chair and Knoxville Police Officer

Latoya Hughes, South Holland, Acting Director, Illinois Department of Corrections

Representative Hoan Huynh, Chicago

Representative Lilian Jimenez, Chicago

Elizabeth Johnston, Normal, McLean County Board Vice Chair and Owner of Johnston Financial Services

Joseph Judge, Mayor of Mt. Carmel

Jennifer Konen, Village President of Sugar Grove

Representative Nicole La Ha, Homer Glen

Eric Lind, Mayor of Eureka

Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, Shorewood

Chase McCall, Gibson City, Ford County Board Member and Government Affairs Coordinator at State Farm

David McEllis, Chicago, Illinois Legislative Director at the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest

SJ Morrison, Edwardsville, Alderman in Ward 4, Executive Director of the Agency for Community Transit and Managing Director of the Madison County Transit

Representative Kevin Olickal, Skokie

Jordan Powell, Rochester, Senior Vice President of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association

Gerson Ramirez, Chicago, Senior Government Relations Associate at Advance Illinois

Julia Ramirez, Chicago, Alderman, 12th Ward

Erendira Rendon, Chicago, Vice President of The Resurrection Project

Cassaundra Rouse, Flossmoor, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway

Carolyn Schofield, Crystal Lake, Legislative Assistant to Senator Don DeWitte, former Lt. Governor Candidate and former McHenry County Board Vice Chair

Patrick Schweska, Chicago, Manager of Public Policy for the Midwest Region at Amazon Web Services

Benjamin Taylor, Chicago, Vice President, Public Engagement for the Central Midwest Region at JPMorgan Chase

Representative Travis Weaver, Edwards