Tazewell County news briefs

Annie’s Project courses have reached more than 9,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states.  The next Annie’s Project is being co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, and Fulton County Farm Bureau starting in March.  (Photo courtesy of Annie’s Project)

MORTON

EDC holds annual breakfast symposium

The annual meeting of the Morton Economic Development Council will be held on Thursday, Jan.30 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Caterpillar Global Parts Distribution.

The agenda will include updates on the EDC initiatives and the 2020 Venture Award recipient will also be announced.   Keynote Speaker will be Darren Martin, dealer and customer services manager, and the topic will be “Caterpillar: The Razor and Blade Business.”

Doors open at 7 a.m. with breakfast served.  Facility tours will be available at 8:45 a.m. and 10 a.m.

 

 

PEKIN

Park District gets state grant for park improvements

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced $29.7 million in grants for 85 local projects which will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois.

Pekin Park District will receive $400,000 for Mineral Springs Park improvements.

“Investments in local park projects are good for families and recreation enthusiasts, helping them enjoy outdoor activities and making Illinois communities better places to live and work,” Governor Pritzker said. “Parks projects also boost local economic development efforts and spur additional investment throughout the state.”

The grants are funded through the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The OSLAD program can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds. When combined with the investment of local matching funds, the grants announced today will support more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

The OSLAD program has invested $403.2 million in 1,729 local park projects since its inception in 1987. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

PEORIA

ICC Solar Pipeline “Boot Camp” & Training Program for spring

Illinois Central College will offer a free Solar “Boot Camp” for its Spring 2020 Solar Pipeline Training Program on the ICC Peoria Campus, located at 5407 N. University St., Peoria.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about occupations in the growing Illinois solar market are encouraged to attend this session to determine interest in solar occupations and the program.

Call 309-690-6913 to reserve your spot.

ICC’s Solar pipeline Training Program Prepares individuals to compete for solar entry-level positions. Students will gain the fundamental knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to analyze, design, sell and install photovoltaic systems.

To be considered for the next class of 15 participants in the ICC Solar Pipeline Training Program, complete the pre-application at icc.edu/solarapp and return it (mail, in-person, or email) to either of the following organizations:

Tri-County (Peoria) Urban League

317 S. MacArthur Highway

Peoria

Uleague1@tcpul.com

309-673-7474

Jobs Partnership Peoria

602 W. Richmond Ave.

Peoria

Jobspartnershippeoria@gmail.com

309- 404-9095

PEKIN

Park District hosts Ties & Tiaras Daddy/Daughter Dance

Come out and celebrate your princess.  While meeting other dads and daughters you will have a date night with fun, food, games, photo booth and some lifetime memory making. $25/couple and only $8 for each additional princess.  Princesses may bring Dads, Uncles, Grandpa’s or another special adult male.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Center, 551 S. 14th St., Pekin. For tickets, go to https://pekinparkdistrict.maxgalaxy.net. 

Mineral Springs Park in Pekin has been tabbed for state grant money for planned improvements. (Photo courtesy state of Illinois)

REGIONAL

 Annie’s Project presents spring seminars for women in farming

Annie’s Project courses have successfully reached more than 9,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states.  The next Annie’s Project is being co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit, and Fulton County Farm Bureau starting in March.

Annie’s Project is designed to help farm women develop their management and decision making skills in the dynamic, complex world of agriculture.

Pre-registration is required by Feb. 1.

Dates for the six-session series will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, and April 2, with each session running from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fulton County Farm Bureau, 15411 N IL 100 Hwy, Lewistown.

Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a lite supper being served each evening.

The cost of the program is $50 and is payable by the registration deadline on March 2. If you are an Annie’s Project Alumni and would like a refresher, the cost is $30.

Checks should be payable to the University of Illinois. Online registration is available at https://go.illinois.edu/AnniesProject2020

For more information contact, Christine Belless at cbelless@illinois.edu or call 309-547-3711.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event listed in this news

release, contact your local Extension office.

Red Cross urgently needs donors for type O shortage

The American Red Cross has extended its urgent call for donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets. With influenza escalating across the country and preventing some donors from giving, and winter weather threatening to cancel blood drives, the Red Cross now has a critical shortage of type O blood and urgently needs donors to restock the shelves.

Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O blood available for patient emergencies and medical treatments. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and can be given to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

While just 7 percent of the U.S. population has type O negative blood, it can be transfused to patients with any blood type and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Every day, the Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood donations and more than 2,600 platelet donations for patients who rely on blood to survive. Shortfalls in donations can cause delays in essential medical care for patients like 12-year-old Dagan Hawkins.

Donors of all blood types — especially types O positive and O negative — are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

STATE

Pritzker signs bill allowing students to vote during school day

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Jan. 22 signed legislation allowing students to be excused from school for two hours to vote in a primary, general, special, or any election for two hours to vote in a primary, general, special, or any election in Illinois at which propositions are submitted to a popular vote in Illinois.

Students can be excused to exercise their right to vote on a day in which early voting is offered or on the day of the election. Under the legislation, the school may specify the hours in which students may be excused.
“With this new law, our voting-eligible young people will have the freedom to fit voting into their school day without fear of repercussion for engaging in the very civic education we should all be proud to encourage, said Pritzker. “The young people who advocated for this legislation recognized how important it is not only to vote, but to make the act of voting as accessible for all who can vote as possible.”
Senate Bill 1970 takes effect June 1.