By now, almost everyone in Illinois has heard that Jan. 1 will mark the beginning of a significant change in the state's criminal justice system – the elimination of cash bail. It's an issue that dominated the 2022 campaigns and has been both praised and criticized on editorial pages in newspapers across the state. It essentially means that starting Jan. 1, the decision as to whether a criminal suspect should be held in jail while awaiting trial will be based on public safety and the likelihood the suspect will flee rather than their financial ability to post bond. And while that criminal justice reform has received widespread attention, it is by no means the only new law that will take effect when the calendar turns over to 2023. For most people who work a minimum wage job, the new year will bring a pay raise to $13 per hour, a $1 increase over the current wage. That's the result of a law Gov. JB Pritzker signed in 2019, his first major legislative victory after being
The Illinois unemployment rate for November was 4.7%, slightly higher than 4.6% in October. Even though the jobless rate rose, nonfarm payrolls in the state increased by 17,500 as the number of workers rose. The industry sectors with the largest gains in employment included Leisure and Hospitality, Professional and Business Services, and Educational and Health Services. The industry sectors with the largest payroll declines included Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Government; and Manufacturing. The state jobless rate compared to the national unemployment rate of 3.7% for November, which was unchanged from October. A couple from Cisne is taking the lead on raising funds to replace the roof at the historic Nostalgia Theater in Flora (formerly the Town Theater). They have issued a challenge to others like themselves, who are so excited for the future of the Theater. This anonymous couple recently attended the North Pole's Got Talent Christmas Play at Nostalgia over the weekend a
A new law in 2023 will remove a long-standing stigma for people that earn an Illinois High School Equivalency Certificate. Starting January 1, that certificate will become the State of Illinois High School Diploma to more accurately reflect the equal value of that diploma and traditional diplomas earned at high schools across Illinois. The change will help Illinois graduates establish reciprocity with educational requirements in other states. City of Fairfield – Trash Service Reminder.The City's trash contractor, Sunrise Sanitation, will be running their regular routes during the weeks of December 26 and January 2. Residents should have their totes set out for service on their regular pickup day – there are NO delays during this time. Residents are allowed three (3) extra 13-gallon size bags setting alongside the tote; otherwise, all trash should be contained inside the tote. Fairfield Upward Sports will be holding Registration and Evaluations for the Upward Basketball and Che
Fairfield Upward Sports will be holding Registration and Evaluations for the Upward Basketball and Cheer Season for boys and girls enrolled in kindergarten through 6th grade. Evaluations will be held at Fairfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, January 4th and Thursday, January 5th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Registration forms can be completed prior to the mandatory evaluation. The Upward season will kick off with practices the week of January 29th. The first game day is February 11th and the season will conclude March 11th. Registration fee for the Upward Season is $40. Basketball players have the option to add shorts for an additional $12.00. The Edwards County School Board met in regular session on Monday and heard from Lisa Glover of the sports booster club. Glover would like to implement different levels of support for the sports programs in the schools. The board appointed Lora Holder as DCFS Liaison, and heard that the cafeteria program is in the red by 36-thousand dol
The District V Ag Education Career Development Event was held on Tuesday, December 6th at Mt. Vernon High School. Students participating submitted a lesson plan, prior to the event, that they would teach to an Introduction to Agriculture Education class. Participants then presented a ten minute segment of their designed lesson to a room of students while the judges observed. The individuals participating were scored on their lesson plan, delivery of lesson as well as follow-up questions in addition to their provided reflection and a written test. Chloe Iles, from Edwards County FFA, participated in the competition. She received 8th place. She also competed in the Section 23 Ag Education CDE and placed in 2nd. Congratulations to Chloe! Fairfield Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the Annual Senior Citizen's Christmas Light Tour Monday, December 12 th . To nominate a home for the tour, please call the Chamber Office on or before tomorrow. Locations must be within the city li