STATE

Tickets for bicentennial celebration on sale July 6

Illinois is the Land of Lincoln and of the Ferris wheel, cellphone, zipper, skyscraper, dentistry, the NFL and the Tootsie Roll. All of these accomplishments and more will be celebrated Dec. 3, during the state’s 200th birthday party.

The bicentennial celebration will be held at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. The evening will honor the people, places and things that were born and bred in Illinois.

Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. July 6 at the United Center box office and ticketmaster.com, and will cost $50 and $75. The celebration is part of a yearlong commemoration of the anniversary that includes a U.S. Route 66 motorcycle ride, festivals and more.

The gala will be emceed by television journalist Bill Kurtis, and will feature talent including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Styx, the Chicago Bears, Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and actor Joe Mantegna.

Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy, who came to Illinois almost 61 years ago to pursue a music career, will perform in the grand finale of the evening that will also feature historic moments and figures such as the birth of the NFL, the four presidents who hailed from the Prairie State and state military veterans.

Nominations for 200 Illinois veterans to be honored for their service will be accepted through Aug. 31. Nomination forms and additional events celebrating the milestone can be found on the Illinois Bicentennial’s website, illinois200.com.

Jennifer Zammuto

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Former Caterpillar staffer to head United Way

Jennifer Zammuto, who has spent 10 years with the Caterpillar Foundation, will be the next president of the Heart of Illinois United Way.

Zammuto will join United Way on Aug. 1 and replace current president Michael Stephan, who will retire Aug. 31.

Heart of Illinois United Way is the largest non-governmental funding source of health and human care programs in central Illinois.

The money it raises stays in the community funding programs in Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, Stark and Woodford counties that help one in three people in central Illinois each year.

Court-appointed special advocates needed; training to begin

The public is invited to attend an informational meeting to learn about the role of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) 5:30 p.m. July 9 at the Tazewell County Justice Center, Community Room, 101 S. Capitol St., Pekin.

With CASA expanding to the full Tenth Judicial Circuit, which includes Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties, the need for volunteers is great.  More than 1,000 abused and neglected children need someone to speak up for them in court.

Weekday morning training will start July 9 at the East Peoria Festival Building, 2200 E. Washington, East Peoria, and a Saturday and evening training session will start Aug. 18 at the Tazewell County Justice Center Community Room, 101 S. Capitol St., Pekin. CASA programs have been successfully implemented across the United States and in several communities in Illinois. The program aims to reduce the amount of time children spend in foster care and help ensure that the child’s best interest is served during the court process.

For more information, call (309) 669-2939.

MORTON

Downtown Super Cruise, Tractor Show July 7

Morton’s Downtown Super Cruise & Tractor Show will be held at 4 p.m. July 7. The Downtown area will be filled with cars, and the village lot off Adams, Plum and Washington Streets will be filled with tractors. Local retailers and restaurants will also be open. 

The public may bring their favorite classic cars and/or tractors.

This event is hosted by Rusty Rockers Car Club and Morton Tourism Association & Friends.  Additional details can be found on mortonmagnet.com and/or Facebook facebook.com/events/691911604531903.

Contact Morton Tourism Association at morton.mta@gmail.com with questions. Rain date is July 14.

Household hazardous waste to be collected

Morton will hold a household hazardous waste collection from 7:30 am.-2:30 p.m. July 7. Residents can drop off items at the school bus lot at 250 W. Courtland St.

Proof of Morton residency will be needed. For a list of approved materials that will be collected, go to Morton-il.gov.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–