Look out, White Sox. It appears the Padres are serious about signing free-agent infielder Manny Machado.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Padres offer Manny Machado an 8-year deal worth at least $240 million: reports
February 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Back-to-basics approach for Joe Maddon and the Cubs starts Monday
February 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
After the principal talks to the students, the teacher will take a hands-on approach in the instruction of his students on the first full day of class.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois, Chicago leaders reach out after Amazon scraps New York HQ plans
February 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Illinois’ political leaders want the 25,000 jobs that Amazon was going to bring to a second headquarters in New York, but some progressives don’t want the company here.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Bill prohibiting lawmakers from leading state political party stalls in subcommittee
February 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
A new bill would prohibit state lawmakers from serving as the leader of a state political party while in office, but it wouldn’t affect House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has come under fire by Republicans and some Democrats for the power he has as the longest-serving state legislative leader and his control over campaign finances as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
$15 minimum wage hike legislation headed to Pritzker’s desk; to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions more
February 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Legislation to incrementally increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 is on its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. Despite objections from all Republicans and many in the business community, Pritzker is expected to sign it.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Jack E. Lohmann — Benton, IL
February 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Jack Ernest Lohmann, age 62, of Benton, passed away Monday, February 11, 2019 at his sister’s home.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Private family burial will take place at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.
Jack was born on January 22, 1957 in Benton, the son of Glenn Lohmann, Sr. and Ella Bell (Walters) Lohmann. He was married to the former Georgia Ezell for 34 years until their recent divorce two months ago.
Mr. Lohmann formerly was an over-the-road truck driver, driving for Shawnee Trucking out of Herrin, IL.
He attended the Whittington Church.
Jack enjoyed attending auto races, loved anything NASCAR, liked fishing, but most of all loved spending time with his family.
Surviving is a sister Bobbie Arnold of Benton; a brother Glenn Lohmann, Jr. and wife Janet of Benton; his ex-wife Georgia (Ezell) Lohmann of Benton; five step-children: Brandon Smith and wife Chelsea of Benton, Jamie Cornelison of Benton, Tiffanie Crabtree of Benton, Chastity Smith of West Frankfort, Zina Smith of Marion; eleven grandchildren: Jersey Smith, Halle Smith, Charli Smith, Reese Cornelison, Bradley Williams, Chasen Cornelison, Skye Carlyle, Zachary Hancock, Pierse Hancock, Brianna Ezell and Savannah Ezell; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, a step-son Scott Ezell; and a brother-in-law Eddie Arnold.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Jack, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Cynthia “Cindy” Sue McBride – Christopher, IL
February 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Cynthia “Cindy” Sue McBride, 73, of Christopher, IL passed away on February 11, 2019.
She was born on March 17, 1945 in Springfield, MO to Arthur and Gladys (Oliver) Cottengim. She married Gary McBride on January 27, 1967 in Springfield, MO and he survives of Christopher. She is also survived by two sons Todd (Dana) McBride of Royalton and Tim (Stacey) McBride of Carbondale; grandchildren Sophi Johnson, Maci Hoppers, Wyatt Hoppers, Jude Alvarez, Tatum McBride, Keinon McBride and Emma McBride and several nieces and nephews. She was a member of the Rend City Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Julie Hoppers, one sister Linda Baron, and one brother Bud Cottengim.
Funeral services will be on Saturday February 16, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Rend City Baptist Church with Rev. John West officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 Am until the time of the service at 1:00 Pm at the church. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier, IL.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the church.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Janet Marie Parker – Logan, IL
February 12, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Janet Marie Parker, 74, of Logan, IL passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 17, 1944, the daughter of Adam James & Pearl (Abbott) Schelsky.
Mrs. Parker was a Home Health Care Provider. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly & children.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband-Jesse Parker, Son-Kenny Parker and Daughter-in-law Angie, by 1 Daughter-Sandy and by a very special Niece Donna Johnson and by a Sister-Edith Baumhardt.
Mrs. Parker is survived by her children Jesse Parker, Jr. and wife Lori of North Dakota, Robert Parker and wife Cynthia, of Seattle, WA, Jan Parker, of Logan, IL and Donna Parker, of San Diego, CA; 14 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, including special ones, Ladybug and Precious; sisters Joyce Watkins, of Benton, IL and Mary Carroll and husband Jack, of Columbia, MO; several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer for When You are Battle Weary
February 12, 2019 By Leave a Comment
A Prayer for When You are Battle Weary – Your Daily Prayer – February 12, 2019
A Prayer for When You are Battle Weary
By Bobbie Schaeperkoetter
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. – 2 Chronicles 20:17
Do you feel the tension that seems to permeate the air of this world lately? Things just feel heavy. Hearts are hurting. People are discouraged and dissatisfied. It seems as if this whole world is worn down from struggles and it would be so very easy to just give in to the pull of weariness and discontent.
In the middle of the strife and struggles, we can start to feel overwhelmed, worn, and just plain weary. When these feelings come, and they linger far past their welcome, what can we do to keep our heads up? How do we remain hopeful when things just seem so difficult?
Maybe a good place to start is to look at someone else who was weary in the battle and see how they overcame it. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat is facing a multitude that has come against him. He’s going to have to fight his enemies. However, when he seeks God’s battle plan, he sees that it is a little different than the one he might have been considering.
Maybe like Jehoshaphat, God’s plan to overcome our battles looks a little different than ours.
Battle weary friend, we do not need to be overcome by the strife and the difficulties that surround us. Let’s give up our battle plan with all of the fear, worry, discouragement, wobbliness, and struggling that it brings and follow God’s plan instead. We can embrace the peace, hope, and assurance He offers. After all, His record for victory is pretty solid.
Let’s Pray:
Lord, I admit, I am weary. Life is going a million miles an hour and I am just trying to hang on. I am tired and I am afraid when I look to the future and think about all that is coming. Lord, I know You want me to trust You through this. I know You want me to surrender this weariness to You. I surrender now. Fill me with Your strength. Fill me with Your presence. Help me find moments today of rest and rejuvenation. Thank You that You never abandon us in the midst of the battle. Thank you for your everlasting faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
IHSA Board of Directors Meeting Recap
February 12, 2019 By Leave a Comment
February IHSA Board of Directors Meeting Recap
The IHSA Board of Directors met for their regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, February 11, 2019, where the Board approved three action items.
ACTION ITEMS
1. The Board approved a recommendation to provide a waiver request to IHSA By-laws 3.021 and 3.022 for Champaign (St. Thomas More) due to their move to a five-class block scheduling system.
2. The Board approved a recommendation to move 2019 IHSA Boys Golf Regionals to Monday of Week 14 and 2019 IHSA Girls Golf Regionals to Thursday of Week 14 based on the date of Yom Kippur.
3. The Board approved a recommendation to set its meetings dates for the 2019-20 school year:
Monday, August 26, 2019
Monday, September 16, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Monday, June 15, 2020
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Minutes from all Advisory Committees can be viewed by clicking here.
1. The Board approved the consent items from the Advisory Committees in the following sports & activities: Boys/Girls Cross Country, Football, Boys/Girls Golf, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Volleyball, Sportsmanship.
Consent items are recommendations that received approval from the sport/activity advisory committee, the Athletic Administrators Advisory Committee and the IHSA staff. Consent items can be viewed by clicking here.
Non-consent items are recommendations from sport or activity committees that did not receive a majority vote from the Athletic Advisory Committee or IHSA staff.
Two non-consent item was/were approved.
Volleyball
1. The IHSA will create a webinar to help train line judges, while encouraging schools to begin experimenting with assigning adults to serve as line judges for conference matches.
Sports Medicine
2. The Committee recommends that for all IHSA postseason contests, each host school must have an AED immediately accessible at each venue.
Some consent items of note include:
Tennis
1. Three rounds from the main draw will now be played on Thursday to provide greater flexibility in scheduling as tournament progresses in the event of weather.
Golf
1. Circle 10 rule may now be applied in the Regional and Sectional rounds.
APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
No appeals or rulings.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the February 11, 2019, agenda:
1. The Board discussed the IHSA Girls and Boys Basketball State Final hosting contracts, which are set to expire after the 2020 state tournaments. The Board intends to seek feedback in the coming months on a potential schedule change beginning in 2021 that would shift the IHSA Girls Basketball State Final Tournament to playing all four classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of IHSA Week 34 (March 4-6, 2021). The IHSA Boys Basketball State Final Tournament would play all four classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of IHSA Week 35 (March 11-13, 2021).
2. Representatives from Country Financial and Findley provided the Board with an update on IHSA investments, financial planning and retirement plans.
