As of Jan. 1, a new law names corn as at the official state grain.

STATE

Corn officially becomes state grain

Illinois has a state bird, a state tree and even a state song. As of Jan. 1, 2018, it will have a state grain: corn. The legislation was sponsored by State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville and was inspired by the Pittsfield High School agriculture development class, which did extensive research on corn’s impact on the state. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the legislation into law in August, and the law becomes effective Jan. 1.

As of February, Illinois had 72,200 farms. Most farm acreage in Illinois is devoted to grain, mainly corn and soybeans.

COUNTY

CASA honors Par-A-Dice

The Judy Morris Memorial Kappa Alpha Theta CASA Community Award was presented recently to Cori Rutherford of Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino in appreciation of the casino’s extraordinary service and devotion to CASA of Peoria County. The mission of CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – is to ensure that every abused and neglected child is placed in a safe and permanent home while the child is going through the court system.

Par-A-Dice was honored because it has been an asset to the development and growth of CASA of Peoria County. Par-A-Dice has provided a legacy board position, filled with employees who share their business skills and talents. Also, Par-A-Dice’s continued involvement with sponsorships and in-kind resources have increased CASA of Peoria County’s revenue, which has helped CASA to expand its services to more children.

For more than 25 years, Kappa Alpha Theta and National CASA have worked together in a shared belief that every abused or neglected child should be safe and have an opportunity to thrive. Thetas have been advocates, contributing countless hours and millions of dollars in support of national and local CASA programs. Sara O’Brien and Colleen Splitter, Kappa Alpha Theta representatives, presented the award to Par-a-Dice.

Auditor decision to go to voters

The decision of whether the Peoria County Auditor position should be elected or appointed will go to the voters in the upcoming March primary.

The Peoria County Board voted 16-2 Dec. 14, to let the public decide whether to  eliminate the auditor office or replace it with a professional county auditor appointed by the County Board with a five-year term.

The auditor position has been a topic at the county since Carol Van Winkle abruptly resigned the position late last year, complaining that the position was understaffed.

CPA Kent Rotherham was tapped to fill the post for two years until an election could be held.

Bob Grogran, the DuPage County Auditor, addressed the board before the vote, appealing that the county keep the auditor position an elected one. He said an appointed auditor is no longer a neutral arbiter.

The only other appointed auditor in the state is in Cook County.

PEORIA 

Hospice needs volunteers

How would you like to make a difference in the lives of others? Compassus Hospice is seeking caring, dedicated volunteers who would enjoy being a part of its hospice team. Those choosing to volunteer will do so in their own community and on a schedule to fit their availability. 

Compassus offers a free training program that provides information needed to have a rewarding volunteer experience. Some volunteer activities include: patient and family visits, holding a hand, providing caregiver relief, reading to patients or playing music for them.

Compassus’ office is at 2000 W. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria. Patients live in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Mason and Stark counties. For more information regarding this volunteer opportunity, contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Gorman at (309) 691-0280.

Park will be site of July 3 fireworks

The fireworks show at Glen Oak Park will be held July 3, as part of the recently approved Peoria Park District 2018 budget. Park district trustees restored the traditional attraction while approving a budget with deep cuts aimed to wipe out a $325,000 deficit.

The fireworks program costs $14,000. The district will work with the community to cover costs involved. 

Cuts that were approved included the elimination of Lakeview Aquatic Center, the nine-hole Detweiller Golf Course and Glen Oak’s seven clay tennis courts. Changes were required to deal with mounting deficits that have plagued the park district for the past five years.

Church presents Christmas show

Northwoods Community Church will present a contemporary family Christmas tradition, Follow the Star. The free performances of the program will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 20-Dec. 23, and 10 a.m. Dec. 24, at the church’s Peoria campus, 10700 N. Allen Road. The show is family friendly, but free childcare is available for those who want the service. For more information, call (309) 243-1550.

EAST PEORIA

ICC gets $1 million for solar job program

Illinois Central College will use a $1 million grant to develop a program that will train people for jobs in solar energy. ICC is one of four organizations throughout the state selected to create the job-training programs. The grant, funded by Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, will be used to train 120 people as solar installers. Ex-offenders and the chronically-unemployed are among the groups that will receive priority during the application process.

Tri-County Urban League, Peoria; Heaven’s View Christian Fellowship Church, Peoria; and Illinois Peoples’ Action, Bloomington, are the program’s partners. 

Santa visits children in Enchanted Forest

The Enchanted Forest, set in East Peoria’s Levee District shopping area, will be one of Santa’s last stops before Christmas Eve. He will greet children from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Free popcorn and hot chocolate will be served. The forest is a popular backdrop for selfies, and the Festival of Lights Snapchat filter will be available through Dec. 22. The Enchanted Forest features the festival’s 35-foot Christmas tree, a 30-foot inflatable snowman and the Terry the Tractor parade float.

–Peoria County News Briefs–