Illinois Launches Campaign To Prevent Abuse Of Seniors
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois is launching a $2.1 million campaign to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors and adults with disabilities, a problem officials fear has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. The Illinois Department on Aging’s Office of Adult Protective Services received federal funds for the three-year Engage2Change campaign. It will include ads on television, online and via email that will encourage people to report suspected abuse of people age 60 and older and of disabled adults. Some funds also will be used for training caseworkers and legal professionals. – Associated Press
Crews Restore Power After Storms Hit Central Illinois
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Crews were working Sunday to restore power for thousands of customers in central Illinois after a series of storms brought high winds and hail. Ameren Illinois activated an emergency operations center Saturday evening to resolve the outages. By Sunday morning, more than 12,500 customers were without power, according to the company’s website. Storms hitting multiple counties brought strong winds and hail. The Pontiac Fire Department responded to several calls, including for damaged from downed trees and power lines. An 80-foot tree fell through the roof of a house in Lexington, the (Decatur) Herald & Review reported. There were also reports of flattened crops near areas including Mackinaw. – Associated Press
Murphysboro May Rename Park After Influential Black Educator
MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (AP) — The mayor of Murphysboro wants to rename a local park in honor of one of the first Black graduates from what was then known as Southern Illinois Normal University. Mayor Will Stephens says Carl Lee was a “trailblazer and pathfinder.” The Murphysboro City Council will consider renaming Town Center Park after him at the council’s Tuesday meeting, The Southern Illinoisan reported. Lee attempted to integrate Murpysboro Township High School in 1916, when he was 18. After graduating from college he became an educator, serving as principal of Douglas School in Murphysboro. – Associated Press
15 Normal Firefighters In Quarantine Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Four Town of Normal firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus and nearly a dozen co-workers also may have been exposed. City Manager Pam Reece told WGLT on Saturday that a firefighter who contracted the coronavirus while off-duty “unknowingly exposed colleagues when returning to work.” Reece said 15 firefighters remain under quarantine and those with negative test results will be eligible to return to work on July 18. Reece said no citizens or patients have been placed at risk of exposure by Normal Fire Department staff and service continues uninterrupted. She noted fire department staff members wears personal protective equipment on every call to protect the public and patients. – Eric Stock & Charlie Schlenker – WGLT
Fundraising Campaign Benefits Small Businesses in Macomb
The COVID-19 pandemic is hurting the bottom line of many small businesses. So a Macomb couple suggested an idea to help those businesses. Mayor Mike Inman said Laura and Ritchie Gabbei contacted his office, inquiring as to what they could do. After talking about it a bit, the couple worked with the Macomb Community Foundation to start a fundraising campaign. Donors could ask for their money to go to a specific business or several of them. The Foundation maintained the fund for the campaign, which brought in $4,850. Inman said he visited 15 businesses with Foundation President Jodi Pospeschil this past week to give them the money. – Rich Egger – WIUM