Kiley Beecher poses in his studio. Some of his illustrations are on display this month in the Fondulac District Library’s latest installment of the Fine Arts at FDL program. (Kiley Beecher Facebook photo)

COUNTY

Jail officers will get back pay raises

The Tazewell County Board unanimously voted to give county jail officers pay raises going back three years with the approval of a new contract. Members the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 98 had been working without a contract or pay increases since their last contract expired in December 2014.

Negotiations with the Sheriff’s Department required settlement by an arbitrator on several issues, including wages, insurance premiums, changes in compensatory time versus overtime and shift assignments involving women jail officers, who must perform certain duties involving female inmates under state law. The arbitrator sided with the department on the non-wage issues.

The jail officers will receive a 7.5 percent pay increase – 1.5 percent for 2014, 1.75 percent for 2015, 2 percent for 2016 and 2.25 percent for 2017. The new contract will last for four years.

Rural subdivision to get road project

The Tazewell County Board set the stage for a $4.35 million road repair project in the rural Heritage Lake subdivision, to be financed by its residents over 25 years. The board also voted unanimously to approve a development agreement that creates a special service area for the unincorporated Heritage Lakes community about a mile northeast of Mackinaw.

The board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. May 31 at the Tazewell County Justice Center to discuss a property tax levy to repay the bond issue.

PEKIN

New health care services provided closer to home

Pekin area patients no longer will have to travel far to get health care when the new OSF HealthCare Center for Health-Pekin opens April 17.

The new facility is in the former Big Lots building at East Court Village I in Pekin, and will provide non-acute care hospital intensive care services. The facility will offer primary care, pediatrics, obstetrics and similar types of services. It has a lab and X-ray facility. Other services will follow based on demand. However, emergency services will not be provided, so as not to duplicate services available at UnityPoint Health-Pekin’s emergency room.

A public open house for the new facility is set from 9-11 a.m. April 22.

Spring break program keeps children active

The Pekin Park District Easter Break Escape continues the rest of this week and April 17. The park district program is designed to keep children’s imagination fueled while on school break. Children – from kindergarten to 13 years of age – participate in activities with experienced counselors including, crafts, games, field trips and nature hikes. Field trips, breakfast and snacks are included in the fee, but children should bring lunch.

The program meets at Soldwedel Program Center, McNaughton Park off Route 98, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12-April 14 and April 17. The fee is $34 per day for residents; $37 for non-residents. For more information, call (309) 347-7275 or visit pekinparkdistrict.org.

EAST PEORIA

Local artist displays work at library

The work of area artist Kiley Beecher is on display at the Fondulac District Library as the latest installment of the Fine Arts at FDL program. His illustration series, The Art of Kiley Beecher, is on display throughout April at the library, 400 Richland St., East Peoria.

A lifelong Peoria-area native and Bradley University alum, Beecher is a freelance creative professional specializing in graphic design art and illustration in central Illinois. As a graphic designer and art director, Beecher has developed materials for clients such as Caterpillar, Ameren Illinois, LG Seeds and G&D Integrated. As an illustrator, Beecher has worked as a cover artist for independent tabletop game designers and story illustrator for Literary Orphans, in addition to individual commissions. He is an illustrator for licensed properties for Cryptozoic Entertainment and Topps Company, including trading card sets for DC Superheroes & Villains, Ghostbusters, Star Wars and The Big Bang Theory.

MORTON

Stargazing session at library April 17

A Peoria Riverfront Museum astronomy expert will explain the night sky using an 8-inch reflecting telescope at 8 p.m. April 17, at the Morton Public Library, 315 W. Pershing St., Morton. The telescope will show the moon, current planets and deep-sky objects.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–