Beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss’s birthday is approaching, and the Pekin Public Library will celebrate the occasion by presenting a skit based on one of his books performed by the Pekin Community High School Student Council. Festivities including stories and crafts will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 25, at the library, 301 S. Fourth St.

STATE

Lawmakers want higher minimum wage for teachers

The Illinois Senate education committee is pushing again to raise the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 a year by the 2023-24 school year. The bill to raise the teacher minimum salary was approved last year, but it was vetoed by former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Democrats have majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate.

The current minimum wage for teachers in Illinois is $10,000, or $9,000 for those without a bachelor’s degree. That standard was set in 1980.

If the bill is signed into law, teachers would see a new minimum salary of $32,076 for the 2020-21 school year. The salary would increase every year until hitting $40,000 in 2023.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Lincoln’s intellect is focus of new exhibit

In its continuing mission to study Abraham Lincoln, the man, the Lincoln Heritage Museum at Lincoln College is opening a new exhibit about his intellect, including Lincoln’s focus on education and knowledge and his interest in how inventions worked.

The new exhibit, opening on Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb. 12, focuses on the Young America movement of the 1840s and 1850s.

Among the items to be displayed in the exhibit is the plat map for the incorporation of the Logan County town named for Lincoln, which Lincoln helped survey and christen with the juice of a watermelon.

Although the Young America movement was primarily a Democratic movement — the exhibit includes documents featuring two Democratic presidents, James Polk and Franklin Pierce — Lincoln also made references to it. In his speech “Second Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions,” delivered Feb. 11, 1859, at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Lincoln said, “Young America … Is he not the inventor and owner of the present and sole hope of the future?”

The exhibit asks visitors how they are going to grow their intellect, exercise their voice and take a stand for a movement.

In an upcoming event at the museum, author Tim Pletkovich will discuss and sign copies of his book, “Civil War Fathers: Sons of the Civil War in World War II,” 3 p.m. Feb. 28.

Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $4 for children 6 and older. Children younger than 6 are admitted free. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-4 pm. Monday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed on Sundays and Lincoln College holidays and breaks.

PEKIN

High school students perform for Dr. Seuss’s birthday

Would you? Could you? Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s coming birthday with a skit, based on one of his books, performed by the Pekin Community High School Student Council at 6 p.m. Feb. 25, at the Pekin Public Library, 301 S. Fourth St. The event also will include stories and a craft. All ages are invited. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904. Better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, he was a writer and cartoonist who published more than 60 books. He published his first children’s book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” under the name of Dr. Seuss in 1937.

MORTON

Chamber 101 attendance is free

The Morton Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to its Chamber 101, to be held at 12 p.m. Feb. 12 at the chamber’s office, 415 W. Jefferson St.

This one hour, informal get together will include a review of free member services, promotional opportunities and an explanation of chamber events and programs. The session is designed for prospective and current new members, new managers and current members who would like a quick reminder of the benefits of their chamber membership. Admission is free, and lunch will be served. For more information, call 309-263-2491.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–