Scott County Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020
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Times NEWS
Water rises quickly at Naples. See page A2
Rahe receives scholarship. See page A2
Farmers State Bank says Small Business Association clarifies PPP funding is open to farmers. See page A7
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, MAY 8
55 34 High
Low
SATURDAY, MAY 9
61 45 High
Low
SUNDAY, MAY 10
55 38 High
Low
Scott County Times /RFDOV $ 2ELWXDULHV $ 0DUNHWSODFH $ 1HZV $ $ 5HDO (VWDWH QRQH Š 2020
Scott County Times Obituaries listed in this issue: None
WINCHESTER, IL 62694
VOLUME NO. 153 NUMBER 19
Scott County State's Attorney won’t prosecute offenders of Executive Orders County State’s Attorney.â€? By CARMEN ENSINGER These oaths he has taken have Scott County TImes remained at the forefront of his thinkWhen it comes to the COVID-19 ing. pandemic, there are two schools of “A lifetime of commitment to thought – that the threat is real and we upholding and protecting our rights should all stay indoors unless abso- has created in me the belief that those lutely necessary and those who think rights must be always protected,â€? Hill the restrictions put upon Americans to said. “It has served to remind me that stop the spread of the virus are infring- those rights are meant to constrain ing on our Constitutional rights. the government – not the other way Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the around.â€? stay-at-home order another 30 days at The issue currently before the the end of April making the mandate Illinois Courts is whether or not the run through May 30. But what about Governor has improperly exercised those who choose not to follow the his authority to issue an emergency Executive Orders handed down from proclamation beyond a 30 day time the Governor. Will they face prosecu- period. According to Illinois Statute tion? Not in Scott County. 20 ILCS 3305/7 it says “upon such Scott County States Attorney a proclamation of a disaster, the Michael Hill said he had been asked by Governor shall have and may exerlaw enforcement agents cise for a period not to and the Scott County exceed 30 days the folEmergency Services “This is not a lowing emergency powand Disaster Agency matter for law ers‌â€? Coordinator about the “This is the question current status of the enforcement that will ultimately be Governor’s Executive to arrest and answered by courts of Orders in light of the review in Illinois as Gov. successful suit filed by prosecute.â€? Pritzker has announced Rep. Darren Bailey. that his administration “Criminal enforcewill seek to have the Michael Hill ment of any of the ruling of the court in Scott County Executive Orders Clay County overturned States Attorney issued by Gov. Pritzker as swiftly as possible,â€? would be problematHill said. “I await that ic, to say the least,â€? Scott County decision.â€? States Attorney Michael Hill said. Hill said the issue that causes him “Accordingly, this office will not concern with the Executive Orders is prosecute any persons arrested or on that has not been determined yet cited under the Executive Orders by but concerns him. Gov. Pritzker to date.â€? “There is a constitutional concern “More specifically, Hill said he inherent in these orders,â€? he said. had been asked how the various “In this nation there is a carefully mandates or suggestions contained in scrutinized prohibition against the the Executive Orders will be enforced restriction of fundamental constitusince a second suit has been brought tional rights such as the freedom of against. Gov. Pritzker by John assembly, freedom of religion, the Cabello, a State Representative from right of just compensation under emithe Rockford area.â€? nent domain and the right to liberty Both suits attack the legal authority and the pursuit of happiness.â€? of the Governor to issue the Executive In (Klein v. Department of Orders. Registration and Education, 1952), “Additionally, two colleagues and “An inherent feature of our form of fellow prosecutors, States Attorney government is that every citizen has Greg Minor of Woodford County and the inalienable right to engage in any Denton W. Aud, of White County legitimate trade, occupation, business have stated they will not enforce the or profession which he sees fit. His Executive Orders,â€? Hill said. “I will labor is his property and bulwarked add that it is my intention not to pros- by the full and equal protection of ecute offenders of these Executive the law afforded by the due process Orders.â€? clause of the Federal Constitution. It Hill had several personal reasons is also embraced within the constiwhy he is choosing not to prosecute tutional provision which guarantees offenders of the Executive Orders. to everyone liberty and the pursuit of “I took an oath to defend this great happiness.â€? nation of ours when I entered military The United States Department service,â€? he said. “I took an oath to of Justice has filed a “Statement of uphold the laws and the Constitutions Interest in Support of the Temple of the State of Illinois and of these Baptist Church.â€? United States when I was a police “In that case, the members of the officer and have continued to take that oath during my three terms as Scott (See, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, A2)
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SPRING
Submitted photo
IS HERE
Spring is finally upon us (we think) and its time to get those flower gardens planted to beautiful the cities. The Neighborhood Guys and Gals 4-H Club spent some time Saturday planting flowers at the Winchester Public Library, making sure to wear their protective masks while doing so. Left to right: Marissa Galloway and Lilly Blakey.
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Floral arrangements Submitted photo
Scott County Nursing Center resident Mary Smith proudly shows off the floral arrangement she made. The staff at the nursing home are always coming up with different projects to keep the residents busy and their minds off the fact that their loved ones can’t visit until after the pandemic is over.
Submitted photo
Lillie Burton, a resident at Scott County Nursing Center in Winchester, is busy making a floral arrangement for Spring. This is one of many different activities the residents partake in. Not only does it keep them busy but it also gives them a pretty floral arrangement for their room.
Filling out 2020 census is very important By CARMEN ENSINGER Scott County Times If you have not already filled out and mailed off your 2020 census, or filled it out online – please do so because your community is depending on you. The census is not just the government being nosy, which is a common misconception. So many things depend on the data taken from the census including federal funding for local programs. “The census is not just important in determining how many seats Illinois will have in the U.S. House of Representatives,� Scott County Treasurer Mark Ford said. “The census is critical to the everyday operation of not only the cities in Scott County but the county itself.� Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and municipalities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. “By responding to the census, you are helping your community and county to get its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal appropriations,� Ford said. “These funds are distributed to schools, roads, public works and other vital programs.� Businesses also benefit from the data collected from the census. This data is used to decide where to build factories, offices and stores which in turn creates jobs. Developers us the information to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods. At the local level, governments use this data for public safety and emergency preparedness along with receiving revenue through the Local Government Distributive Fund, Motor Fuel Tax, Personal Property Replacement Tax and others. The census is not an option – the U.S. Constitution mandates that a census be taken every 10 years, which has occurred since the first census was taken in 1790. The information collected include how many people live or stay at a residence, along with the sex, age and race of each person. This information is to ensure that everyone is counted only once. Another important factor decided by the census is the impact on federal representation. Every decade the
census dictates the number of U.S. Representatives that each state will have representing them in Congress for the next 10 years. It is up to the individual states to determine how those district maps are constructed, based off the census data. According to information from the Illinois Municipal League, in 2015, the State of Illinois received more than $19.7 billion in federal assistance for 16 programs, or approximately $1,535 per person. However, had more people taken the few minutes it would take to fill out and submit the census form, even more money would have been allotted. “This funding is based off the 2010 census numbers where only an estimated 76 percent of Illinois residents participated,� Dunlap said. “This means our State and our city could have received more if every resident was counted.� Currently, according to data from the U.S. Census website, less than 60 percent of the residents of the state have submitted their information. Statewide, only 58.4 percent have sent in their data. Scott County has done a bit better than its neighbor, Greene County, with 50 percent of its residents turning in their data. In Winchester, 54.3 percent have fulfilled the requirements; Bluffs, 61 percent; Glasgow 50.7 percent but Alsey is at a paltry 26.9 percent self-response rate. As a county, Greene County residents have only a 44.6 percent self response rate. Carrollton is slightly above the state average and well above the county average with 58.2 percent in; Greenfield, 58.8 percent; Roodhouse, 46.6 percent and White Hall, 56.1 percent. The self-response rate for Calhoun County is only 19.5. Hardin is showing 27.7 percent reporting; Batchtown, 19.4 percent; Brussels, 19.6 percent and Kampsville residents are at a very low 13.3 percent. The government has made it easy to get the information to them. Packets were sent out to every household, there is a website where the information can be entered online or it can be done via the phone. To do it by phone, call: 844-3302020. By internet, log into 2020census.gov.