Friday, January 19, 2018
Volume 144 No. 7
Single Copy Cost 50¢
EDUCATION
Teacher shortages being felt in area schools Regional superintendents release survey; fewer applicants seek open positions BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com TONICA — Illinois is losing more residents than anywhere else in the nation as families leave each year for more prosperous and better-run states. This exodus is resulting in a lack of educated and qualified job applicants, and schools in particular are feeling the effects.
The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS) has been warning the state about this issue for years, and they’ve recently released the results of a teacher shortage survey of more than 500 school districts. “If Illinois needs a wake-up call that we must do better to show our youth why teaching is such an important career, our
hope is this survey can provide the catalyst for real solutions,” Mark Jontry, president of the IARSS, said. “We’re committed to working with policymakers in Springfield and our districts around the state to support young teachers and help develop the leaders of our next generation,” Jontry said. He said the trends are troubling. The survey shows 78 percent of the districts identified a problem with shortages, and 89 percent of central Illinois school districts noted they’ve begun to
see significantly fewer qualified applicants for open positions. Additionally, more than half the state’s schools have been struggling with substitute teacher shortages, and only five percent reported no problems. More than 70 districts reported programs or classes have been canceled because of the teacher shortage, and some have converted to online instruction. Most schools reported having to shift teachers to other classrooms to cover absences or having to redistribute their students. Some administrators
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have also had to begin teaching in place of absent teachers. Locally, Tonica Superintendent Chuck Schneider reported Tonica Grade School began the year with its rosters filled with appropriately certified teachers. “Last year, this was not the case. We had three positions filled with temporary substitute teachers to start the year and then filled the positions,” he said. The time taken to fill those positions was longer than usual
See TEACHERS, Page 3
TONICA
Three sewer rate hikes coming; first on next billing cycle BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Lostant’s Corbin Shaver drives the ball past a Dalzell defender during the matchup against the Dalzell Indians, which gave the Comets a welcome 49-17 victory on Jan. 9.
OGLESBY
Facing the challenges together IVCC and the U of I Extension will partner for the 2018 Farm Outlook and Ag Leasing Seminar BY DAVE COOK news@tonicanews.com OGLESBY —With ice and snow still covering the Illinois Valley, spring planting may not be at the front of our thoughts,
Vol. 144 No. 7 One Section - 12 Pages
but being aware of 2018’s upcoming agricultural challenges and program developments is necessary if farmers wish to have a successful year. With that in mind, the
University of Illinois (U of I) Extension, which serves Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties, is inviting farmland owners, operators and others in the agricultural industry to attend an upcoming seminar at Illinois Valley Community College on Jan. 25. The seminar will provide in-depth and unbiased, research-based
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information regarding the economic agricultural outlook for 2018 and current ag leasing options. The program will be presented by Gary Schnitkey, a U of I professor of agricultural and consumer economics and Extension specialist. “Landlords on Class A, top-producing soils are going to more cash-rent leases with very little
See SEMINAR, Page 3
TONICA — Tonica has set the details for its USDA-mandated sewer rate increase, which must reach its target of a basic rate of $40.86 for 1,800 gallons within a year. The first increase, expected to be ready for the next billing cycle, will bring the basic rate of $12.61 to $18.32. There are two increases set to follow: one that will bring the basic rate of $18.32 up to $27.24, then one that will bring it to the final rate of $40.86. Because of the required timeline, the rate increases will occur in quick succession, roughly every four months, in order to fit in three increases by the required date. “We’re going to have to do them pretty quick,” Village President Kevin Sluder said. “We have to do that final payment a year after the sewer is online.” Despite the condensed time frame, the jumps in rate should still be less jarring than if the village had thrown the whole increase on at once, which was an option. “Your bill is going to go up roughly $30 in total at the end of this,” Sluder said.
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This rate includes the USDA-mandated items, such as short-lived assets, which will fund the replacement of system parts when needed, and the debt service charge, which is how the USDA loan is to be paid back. Another consideration was whether the village should add a capital projects fee on top of everything, which would be used for major work on the system not supported by the short-lived assets charge. However, the village opted not to add the additional fee at this time. Changes can still be made later, such as adding in the capital projects fee or adding a slight percentage increase overall, but the required $40.86 is locked in place. “Take a look at how the numbers turn out in a year,” Village Engineer Jack Kusek said, regarding the potential of making changes. He added that these results should be looked at annually, or at least biannually. Sluder said that Tonica used to receive these payments bi-monthly, but had switched to monthly because these changes were coming up. The idea was that making it every month would help people budget.
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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
Seeking Sources Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holiday trip? Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News. Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neighbors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews. com. You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.
Mush! Sledding without snow
Tonica News photos/Dave Cook
The Free Spirit Siberian Rescue sled dog group visited Starved Rock State Park near Utica on Saturday for a series of seminars and demonstrations. The cold temperatures didn’t keep the lively group from attracting hundreds of spectators who enjoyed interacting with the dogs and seeing them in action as they mushed through the park.
TONICA
Frozen fill pipe shuts down water tower (USPS 633340) Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370 Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail $22 In LaSalle County $25 Outside of LaSalle County
Contact Editor, General Manager Jim Dunn jdunn@bcrnews.com Associate Editor Rita Roberts rroberts@bcrnews.com
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Village learns of solutions to keep it working BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com TONICA — Tonica recently experienced a problem with its water tower that led to the tower being out of service for a period of time, and the village is taking steps to pre-
vent the same problems in the future. After a pipe froze, the water tower was unable to function properly, but the village has devised a method to keep the pipe heated for now and the future. “Basically, it was down all week,” Public Works Superintendent Marc Lemrise said. He indicated that the problems were caused by a frozen fill pipe. “It’s always the fill
pipe,” Lemrise said. “Part of the reason why it happened — we fixed all the leaks,” Lemrise said, explaining that the pipe was now full of standing water when nobody was using it. “When we had leaks, there was always movement,” he said with a laugh. This incident led to another discovery, that the pipe is not insulated, which then allows it to become colder in the winter.
For the time being, the village has circumvented this by heating the pipes with propane. Lemrise said that the process is going through a 100pound cylinder a day. To keep the pipe from freezing in the future, the village has ordered what Lemrise called an “industrial-type heavy-duty heat tape.” When the village is ready for installation, it is going to call Putnam County Painting to do the work.
“So nobody’s blindsided, 250 feet of heat tape is like eleven hundred dollars,” Lemrise said, but the price should be justified, as he insists on installing “the good stuff.” “The only thing I don’t like about that tape is you don’t know when it goes bad, but this stuff’s supposed to last,” Lemrise said. The tower should soon
See FROZEN, Page 3
POLICE REPORTS LASALLE COUNTY SHERIFF Traffic stops • At 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, deputies cited Kendra Klingerman, 23, of Leonore, for speeding 87 mph in a 55 mph zone following a traffic stop on North 18th Road and East 10th Road in Eagle Township. • At 8:34 a.m. on Jan. 10, deputies cited Gustavo Arroyo-Hernandez, 29, of Joliet for disobeying a stop sign following a traffic stop on Route 18 at Route 251 in Hope Township.
Two-vehicle accident • At 1:45 p.m. on Jan. 10, deputies investigated a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 18 and Route 251 in Hope Township. A vehicle driven by Erica Ware, 31, of Chillicothe was eastbound on Route 18 and proceeded through the four-way stop intersection without stopping. In the intersection, Ware struck a vehicle driven by Yochanon Kaker, 24, of Ottawa after Kaker
had stopped and proceeded into the intersection. Putnam County EMS was dispatched to the scene, and there were no injuries. Ware was arrested for driving while license suspended and cited for disobeying a stop sign.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE December calls for service LASALLE — Illinois State Police District 17 announced that during December, troopers handled 1,230 calls for service and assistance. Of these calls, 223 were to help motorists whose vehicles were disabled on area highways. Traffic enforcement activities resulted in 114 drivers arrested for speeding and seven cited for seat belt violations. Driving under the influence arrests totaled five. Troopers issued 239 traffic citations and 559 written warnings to motorists during the month.
District 17 troopers handled 59 traffic crashes within the three-county area of LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam. There were no fatal crashes handled by District 17 troopers.
2017 report for District 17 LASALLE — Illinois State Police District 17 announced that during 2017, troopers handled 15,982 calls for service and assistance. Of these calls, 1,849 were to help motorists whose vehicles were disabled on area highways. Traffic enforcement activities resulted in 2,423 drivers arrested for speeding and 630 cited for seat belt violations. Arrests for driving under the influence totaled 93. Troopers issued 4,820 traffic citations and 7,290 written warnings to motorists during the year. District 17 troopers handled 493 traffic crashes within the three-county area of LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam. There were seven fatal crashes handled by District 17 troopers.
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• SEMINAR
OBITUARY MARY ‘RITA’ KUNKEL LOSTANT — Mary “Rita” (Ehrnthaller) Kunkel, 91, of Lostant died peacefully at home surrounded by family at 1:11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. She was born May 18, 1926, to the late Frank and Mary Ehrnthaller of Toluca. She attended St. Ann’s Grade School and Toluca Community High School, receiving the Citizenship Award at graduation. Rita married Aloysius John Kunkel of Granville on April 22, 1950, in Toluca. She was a loving and devoted mother to John (Linda), George (Rochelle), Thomas (Laurel), Andrew (Debbie), Rosemary (James) Wall, Virginia (Steve) Jesiolowski, Stephen (Mary), Charles (Laurie), Paul (Debbie), Christina (Timothy) Corcoran, Daniel (Maria), William, Elizabeth (Herman) Emmerling and Dennis (Amy). She worked as a homemaker her entire life, using skills she learned from 4-H and jobs during and after high school, to sew her own wedding dress (as well as the dresses for the entire wedding party), process meat and vegetables, mend clothing and manage a large farm family. When her children got married, she made each one a patchwork quilt, which represented her labor of love. Rita served many years as president of the Altar and Rosary Society and as sacristan at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mt. Palatine, and was a member of Legion Auxiliary. In 1987, as Dennis, her youngest and last family member received his high school diploma from St. Bede Academy; she also received an honorary diploma so every member of the family, including
• TEACHERS Continued from Page 1 because, Schneider said, only two to three applications are received for each open position. He said adjustments to the state’s licensing system to include better reciprocity of credentials with other states, alternative licensing using a person’s prior professional experience, and more exemptions or pathways allowing teachers to work in a limited capacity outside their main certified area would all be helpful in filling vacancies. Lostant Superintendent Sandra Malahy reported no shortage of full-time educators, but said differently of substitutes. “There is a substitute teacher shortage, and occasionally we will have to double-up classrooms if a substitute cannot be secured,” she said. Schneider said the difficulty with substitutes can include multiple factors, such as the times when substitutes are needed to fill in during meetings, or when testing occurs at the same time as in other schools;
Friday, January 19, 2018 • The Tonica News • 3
waves of illness affecting either staff or their families; and the number of substitutes needed on any given day. “If we need more than three, then it becomes harder. Additionally, day of absences are sometimes harder to fill versus dates known ahead of time,” he added. The Putnam County School District is dealing with the same issues as well, with Superintendent Carl Carlson saying that although all positions are currently filled, the district has experienced a dramatic reduction in qualified applicants. “The biggest shortfalls usually end up in the specialized programs like foreign language, industrial arts, family consumer science, math, science, etc. However, even elementary classroom positions have significantly fewer applications as well,” he said. Carlson also said while a small, rural district such as Putnam County is fortunate and appreciative to have the talented pool of people they have who are willing to substitute, that pool isn’t as deep as it
her husband, now has a St. Bede diploma. In 1993, Pope John Paul II granted her the August Cross medal “for distinguished works and conspicuous devotion” to the Pontiff and Church. She loved to use her iPad to “Facetime” family members, was very passionate about preserving the family’s ancestry records, and made a trip to Germany to reconnect with family there. She is survived by 12 children, 33 grandchildren (15 of which are married), 24 great-grandchildren, six stepgrandchildren (four of which are married) and 18 stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Joseph; two sisters, Cecelia and Kathleen; two children, William and Paul; and a great-grandchild, Max Imilian Bowser. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at St. Ann’s Church in Toluca with the Franciscan Friars officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mt. Palatine. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at St. John the Baptist Church in Lostant with recital of the rosary at 2:45 p.m. Additional visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Ann’s Church in Toluca. Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be directed to St. Bede Academy, St. John the Baptist Church of Lostant, The Sisters of St. Francis in Clinton, Iowa, or Horizon House. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Lostant. The online guestbook may be viewed and memories shared at www.MuellerFH.com. needs to be. “A lot of times we find ourselves trying to fill the void by committee or even having a building administrator fill in, which takes that person away from their primary responsibilities as well,” Carlson said. Although he knows the state is looking for ways to address this shortage, Carlson has also made an effort to keep in contact with former students who’ve chosen a career in education to see how they’re progressing. “The overwhelming response I get is the intense stress level of having to pass extremely difficult content tests to actually get certified. The requirements that have to be met seem like a mountain compared to the compensation or respect for the position. Unfortunately, public education, or even educators in general, continue to be on the receiving end of jokes, attacked on social media, and continually questioned by people about the job they are trying to perform,” he said. “What we’re producing are people who can pass
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a standardized test, but who don’t have the ‘people skills’ or ‘natural talent’ to connect and lead students. Those potential teaching candidates are choosing other careers or careers in other states,” he added. He also said this is a difficult situation to correct because so much is out of the control of local school districts. He said he’s tried to encourage the development of future educators from within, and that as a former teacher and coach, he’s honored to be able to look back on being able to recruit his former students and players to join the educational field. “The biggest reward a person can do is give back to others and make a positive impact in someone else’s life. You can’t put a price tag on that. Unfortunately, with all the mandates and technicalities, the pride and joy in the profession is being lost,” Carlson said. Neither Tonica, Lostant or Putnam County schools have had to cancel any classes or programs because of the teacher shortage, but Carlson said if the current trends continue, that may change.
Continued from Page 1 change in the amount of rent paid. Class-B soils cash rents are moving slightly lower in our area,” Daryle Wragge, Extension program coordinator for Ag and Natural Resources, said. Crop-shares, flexible leases, cost centers, price projections and returns to land will also be covered. “Crop-share leases are at a stable rate, and some interest is developing in variable cash- rent arrangements. Land is still extremely competitive in our area, even though profit margins are lessening,” Wragge added. Additionally, Jonathan Coppess, a clinical assistant professor of law with the U of I, as well as the policy director of the Bock Agricultural Law and Policy program and Extension specialist, will be speaking about information on the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) crop insurance options reflecting 2018 pricing and risks. Wragge’s outlook for price improvements is currently minimal, but he added the overall outlook depends greatly on the supply factor supported by three years of record production from all major grain producing areas of the world, including the United States, which is unprecedented in the history of crop production record keeping. “This world production is due for a problem somewhere, and this supply situation can be used up rather fast. Four-dollar corn and ten-dollar beans is a goal that could be achieved if and when a problem of production arises, but hopefully it’s just not here,” Wragge said. Some of the risks Wragge is expecting area farm-
• FROZEN Continued from Page 2 see other work, as Lemrise noted different aspects that should be seen to, such as the main valve on the fill pipe. “Next summer, it
ers to be facing this year include high seed costs; no or minimal government payments; Gary a d v e r s e Schnitkey weather U of I and growExtension ing condispecialist tions; resistant weed control; low profit margins; and the high costs of land rentals or purchases. Coppess will also be discussing the current conservation programs that benefit the bottom line for ag producers. Wragge said federally funded Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP) have been highly successful and are continuing to develop. Additionally, local farmers are embracing an increased use of cover crops; variable rate fertility and seeding practices, pattern tiling; and sound water management practices. While these conservation practices have been steadily increasing in popularity, there are some that Wragge would like to see more of, including a broader use of fungicide applications; the introduction of simple cover crop programs into local soil management; split applications of nitrogen applied closer to the plant’s need; and more farm-based wildlife habitat introductions. The 2018 Farm Outlook & Ag Leasing Seminar presentations will begin at 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 at IVCC in room CTC 124, and preregistration is required by Jan. 20. To register, call 815-224-0889 or register online at https://web. extension.illinois.edu/ registration/?RegistrationID=17675. There is a $10 fee that can be paid online or at the door. For questions regarding the program, call Wragge at 309-364-2356.
would behoove us to replace that,” he said of the valve. To do so would require taking the tower out of service for a time. “It’s due for a cleaning, anyway,” Lemrise said. He also mentioned that the opportunity should be used for an inspection.
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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
The Editorial Page The Tonica News Jim Dunn Editor, General Manager
I think mice are rather nice Except when they get into the house!
I
think mice are rather COMMENTARY nice! Their tails are long, Earlene their faces small, Campbell They haven’t any chins at all; Their ears are pink, Their teeth are white, They run around the house at night; They nibble things they shouldn’t touch, And no one seems to like them much, But I think mice are nice! Mice get a bad rap! Honestly, if you were their size and lived outdoors, what would you do when it turned cold? If you say you wouldn’t seek a nice warm place, where there was a cupboard full of goodies to munch, and stacks of newspapers to turn into a cozy little nest, you’re lying. But cozy and warm comes with hazards, like seemingly harmless morsels (like yummy peanut butter or a healthy chunk of tempting cheese). Thinking kind thoughts about those huge humans who set out an irresistible little snack, you take the bait only to be snapped in a trap. Not a pretty sight. Then there’s things like d-CON — tasty but lethal. Okay, I have to admit — I know from firsthand use d-CON works. Our second home in Princeton on Hidden Lake Drive was backed up by a cornfield. Never having had to deal much with mice before, we never gave much thought to where they lived or went when it turned cold. When we moved into that house, we didn’t know we had signed up for a crash course in “Rodent Habitat 101.” Yes, they do leave their nasty little droppings around as evidence of their presence. And more than once, as I opened a cupboard door or drawer, I was startled by a dark little piece of fur scrambling out. “OOH!” I slammed the under-the-kitchen-sink door, and “bloop,” a cute little conked-in-the-head mouse gracefully fell out, nose first, onto the kitchen carpet – DOA. Time for d-CON! While d-CON – BEWARE. One never knows where the victims will burrow in to die. Your only clue may be a rotting-dead odor. I never did find the one in the hall closet. But never fear, the fumes last only four to five days. At least some of the little critters had the courtesy to come out in the open, or they kicked the bucket on the way to their hiding place. We would find them lying in the middle of the floor, either half or totally dead. Our daughter, Tracy, was in the early stage of learning to walk when she came wobbling down the hall, laughing and full of delight with the prize she was holding in her hand — tail up! UGH! “Jerry, come here quick!” I wasn’t about to touch them. After all, while mice are cute, they do carry diseases! As Jerry bent to take the mouse from Tracy, it tried to jump out of her hand. Heck, that furry little mouse was far more fun to play with than any of the hard plastic toys in her toy box. After Tracy’s incident, I was determined to find out why we were having such a problem with furry vermin. It was obvious: with their summer habitat plowed up, they were left homeless and hungry, but it seemed the whole community had taken up residence in our home, and my charity stretched only so far. After checking inside and out for the point of entry, I discovered a window in our rarely used basement storage room had been left open – easy-peasy! I closed it and — Shazam! — it was amazing how fast the mouse population diminished. OK, so now you know, I’m not above finishing off those little furry pests known as “mice,” but I can’t help but have a little heart for the cute, innocent-looking, little stinkers. It would be nice, however, if they spent the winter months in a cozy old barn nesting in a pile of hay instead of in my home. Now, I want you to think of all the little children’s picture books, and animated movies, featuring mice. You’ll never see anything cuter. Their image is not far from the actual living example. How can you not hold just a teensy little bit of compassion for one of God’s awesome creations? “I think mice are rather nice!” Don’t forget to F-R-O-G.
Note to readers: Earlene Campbell lives by the FROG motto — Fully Rely On God. She lives in Princeton and can be reached at earlenecampbell@rocketmail.com.
Let’s prepare for climate change “N
othing is normal anymore. Something is going on.” So says Ron Oldeen of Kewanee. Ron has been putting on high-quality roofs and repairing old ones for half a century in the region between the Quad-Cities and Peoria. Ron is a man of few words, and these came unsolicited recently. Ron had stopped by to check a minor roof issue on the 1890 building where I live. I was intrigued. “We are noticing a lot of storms,” Ron added. “Last February we had six hail storms in the area – Peoria, Canton, Kewanee and elsewhere. Not a single hail storm hitting six places, but six different storms.” Coincidentally, the Washington Post reported this past week on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 2017 was the costliest weather disaster year on record. We think of increases in natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires as hitting elsewhere than right here in our good ol’ Heartland, but then again, we sure have our tornadoes. So, what does possible, even likely, climate change mean for Illinois? A 2015 paper by academics with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (a one-time professional haunt of mine) looked specifically at the Prairie State (“Preparing for Climate Change in Illinois,” May 28, 2015). They found that by mid-century, our habitat will become much warmer and wetter, and subject to increasing severity of storm and rain events. Just what Ron Oldeen thinks he is already seeing.
UNDERSTANDING ILLINOIS Jim Nowlan
Mid-century is not that far away. A 2018 high school graduate will be only 50 years old by 2050. As the professors observe, “Warmer summer temperatures will increase the rate at which local air pollutants like hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides combine with summer sunlight to form ozone.” All this is expected to contribute to more deaths from respiratory diseases. The authors also predict, as a result of our warming, reduced corn and bean production and more droughts and floods. Not a pretty picture. For example, the authors point to possible crop yield declines statewide of as much as 34 percent by mid-century. On the other hand, it is possible that Illinois will suffer relatively less from climate change than other states. It is crass, indeed, to ponder winners and losers from climate change. Yet ever since the development of the home air conditioner decades ago made the South and Southwest bearable yearround, those regions have promoted their states as winners. They have drawn scores of millions of Midwesterners south to bask in their sunny climes. I am definitely not a student of weather and climes; however, the maps I see of possible climate change impact in the U.S. show the South and Southwest becoming hot, hot, hotter, and parched for scarce water, which they are
already fighting over. I don’t wish anyone ill. But climate change, with all its negative consequences, may at the same time make our copious water supplies and warming temps in Illinois attractive enough to alter migration trends. Regardless, Illinois should begin now to mitigate the effects of future (present?) climate change, which appears more and more likely to be occurring. I am told (haven’t heard back as of deadline) that University of Illinois ag professors are investigating alternative crops to corn and beans, or to the modification of the latter crops to withstand more hot days, droughts and flooded fields. In addition, we in Illinois should invest now to upgrade our often century-old municipal drainage systems. Twelve-inch or so rain events may overwhelm the old systems, causing big damage to homes. And maybe we should think about a statewide building code that would require homes and other structures to be built to withstand more frequent and severe tornadoes. Of course, all the world should be moving much more rapidly to alternatives to coal. Indeed, from my perch in a rural community, I can already turn both east and west in the evening and see the blinking red lights atop hundreds of wind farm towers. Who knows, my friend Ron Oldeen may be smiling. He and those who follow him in the roofing business will likely have more business than they can handle.
Note to readers: Jim Nowlan of Toulon can be reached at jnowlan3@gmail.com.
Too many Illinoisans f leeing state T
he exodus continues. Illinois dropped from the fifth-largest state to the sixth, according to recently released Internal Revenue Service data. We’ve been edged out by Pennsylvania. In 2017, the Land of Lincoln lost about 33,700 people. That’s the equivalent of my hometown of Galesburg vanishing in 1 year. In fact, Illinois had the greatest numeric population drop of any state. And this isn’t some demographic blip. Illinois has been hemorrhaging people for years. In fact, since 2013, the state has lost 88,000 people. So that begs the question: Why? Since I began publishing this column more than 15 years ago, I’ve received letters, emails and phone calls from that diaspora of former Illinoisans scattered across the nation. They talk about the state’s high taxes and lack of job opportunities as the main reasons they left. Surprisingly, the weather is rarely mentioned. But, hey, don’t just take my word for it. The Paul Simon Public Policy
STATEHOUSE SCOOP Scott Reeder
Institute at Southern Illinois University conducted a study on the issue in 2016. It found that nearly half of the people living in Illinois want to leave the state. The most common reason cited was taxes. The exodus of Illinoisans is a problem that compounds on itself. When people leave, they take their pocketbooks with them, and that means less money is being spent and invested here. And that means fewer jobs. And companies are also moving out of state because they, too, don’t like the Prairie State’s taxation and regulatory policies. Illinois has high workers’ compensation rates. But when I’ve talked to some folks in the Illinois General Assembly, they’ll argue taxes and regulations have nothing to do with Illinois’ population loss. They point to the weather. I’ll be the first to admit Illinois has crappy winters. But, so do our
neighbors, and they are growing. The same IRS study found that in 2017, Missouri gained 22,356 residents, Indiana gained 32,811, Michigan gained 28,866, Iowa gained 14,840, Wisconsin gained 22,566, and Kentucky essentially held its own with a gain of 1,100. It’s worth noting that every one of Illinois’ neighbors are right-to-work states, where workers cannot be compelled to pay money to unions. (Kentucky, the neighbor with the most modest population gain, adopted a right-to-work law in 2017.) Businesses often prefer to operate in a right-to-work environment, so that puts Illinois at a competitive disadvantage when competing for jobs. Let’s face it, people follow jobs. And the job market isn’t what it should be in the Land of Lincoln. That won’t change until Illinois lawmakers take action to lower taxes and address workplace regulations.
Note to readers: Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. He works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area and produces the podcast Suspect Convictions. He can be reached at ScottReeder1965@gmail.com.
Write to us Letters to the Editor should not be more than 500 words in length. Only one person can sign a Letter to the Editor. The author of the letter must include his/her name, hometown and telephone number. The author’s name and hometown will be published, however, the telephone number is only used to verify the authenticity of the author’s signature and will not be published. Unsigned letters are never read or published. No letter will be published until the Tonica News contacts the author of the letter to verify the signature. The Tonica News reserves the right to edit or refuse any Letter to the Editor.
Friday, January 19, 2018 • The Tonica News • 5
December Braves of the Month recognized
BIRTH ANNOUNCED Zachary Dan Zachary and Brianne Justice of Tonica are the parents of a daughter born Jan. 7 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.
LOSTANT
TV raffle planned LOSTANT — The Lostant Athletics will raffle a Phillips 55-inch Class 4K Ultra HD TV. Tickets are one for $5, four for $10 and 10 for $20. The drawing will be held during the championship game of the boys Prairie Conference Tournament on Jan. 20, 2018. You do not need to be present to win.
The TV was donated by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Spring Valley. The item can not be returned/exchanged to any Walmart or Sam’s Club facility for a refund or exchange. Tickets may be purchased at home basketball games or from the school office during operating hours. Photo contributed
Tonica Grade School has announced its Braves of the Month for December, including second-grader Sophia Konczak, fifth-grader Alivia Payne and seventh-grader Coleman Rundle.
LASALLE
LIFT event Jan. 21 at Grace United Methodist Church LASALLE — Christian women of all ages are invited to attend a Ladies In Fellowship Together (LIFT) event at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Grace United Methodist Church in LaSalle. The theme for the afternoon is “Enter Stressed, Leave Revitalized.� Roxanne Cherpeske, massage therapist from Therapeutic Massage Professionals, will be the guest
presenter. All women in the Illinois Valley area are encouraged to come take a relaxing break, enjoy refreshments and share in Christian fellowship. The church is located at 1345 Chartres St. in LaSalle. RSVPs are encouraged but are not required to attend. For information, contact Lois at 815-663-1724 or vcroasdale@comcast. net.
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OTTAWA
Trivia Night set for Jan. 20 at Reddick Mansion OTTAWA — The Reddick Mansion Association announces “Trivia Night at the Mansion� will be Saturday, Jan. 20. The contest will start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Reddick Mansion Association and hosted by RMA board member and trivia expert, Steve Novario, the game will be composed of 10 rounds of questions with
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10 questions per round. According to Novario, categories will include “2017, Year in Review,â€? “Love and Marriageâ€? and “The Kids are Alright.â€? Teams are limited to 6 to 10 people and the cost is $10 per person. Cash prizes will be given to the firstand second-place teams. A 50/50 raffle will also be held. Space is limited. To reserve a table, call the Mansion at 815¡433-6100. Coffee, soda, water and
snacks will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Lorraine McAllister, president of the Reddick Mansion Association, said, ‘’We really enjoy hosting the trivia nights. In addition to raising money for the Mansion, it’s a great opportunity for people to get together for some friendly competition, to learn some interesting and obscure facts, and to enjoy the Mansion.�
All proceeds from this event will be used for the maintenance and restoration of the Reddick Mansion. The Mansion, at 100 W. Lafayette St. In Ottawa, was completed by 1858, the time of the first Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The building Is open for tours four days a week and Is also available for rent for special events.
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6 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
OTTAWA
2018 Young Performer’s Competition winners announced OTTAWA — The 2018 Young Performer’s Competition was held Jan. 6 in the Ottawa High School auditorium. The winners will perform with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra on March 11 at Ottawa High School. The runners-up and honorable mentions will also perform at the Westclox Fine Arts Factory at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9th. There were 10 entries in the junior division competition and 16 in the senior
competition. Winners in the junior division include: Aubrey Garretson, winner, freshman, Peru, at LaSalle-Peru High school, flute; Catherine Engels, runner-up, eighth grade, LaSalle, Trinity Catholic Academy, flute; Mary Whaely, honorable mention, freshman, Peru, LaSalle-Peru High School, trumpet; and Allayna Elnicki, honorable mention, eighth grade, Oglesby, Washington School, violin.
Winners in the senior division include: Jessica Znaniecki, winner, junior, Oglesby, LaSalle-Peru High School, flute; Robin Butler, runner-up, junior, Arlington, homeschooled, flute; Corrine Lindig, honorable mention, sophomore, Ottawa High School, voice; Noah Johnson, honorable mention, sophomore, Seneca, homeschooled, violin; and Billy Hawley, honorable mention, sophomore, Seneca, homeschooled, violin. Photo contributed
Junior division winners were Catherine Engels (from left), winner Aubrey Garretson, Mary Whaely and Allayna Elnicki.
HENNEPIN
Marquis Energy will award scholarships Applications will be accepted until Feb. 16 HENNEPIN — Marquis Energy LLC announces a new scholarship for local college-bound students. There will be five $2,500 scholarships awarded to incoming and current colPhoto contributed lege students enrolled at a Senior division winners were Robin Butler (from left), winner Jessica Znaniecki, Corrine Lindig, Billy university, junior college or technical school for the Hawley and Noah Johnson. 2018-19 school year. This is a special opportunity for
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Friday, January 19, 2018 • The Tonica News • 7
SPRINGFIELD
White expands Organ/Tissue Donor Registry; 16- and 17-year-olds can become donors as of Jan. 1 SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State Jesse White’s legislation allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to register for the state’s First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry when they receive their driver’s license or identification card will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018. “Our main priority is to save lives,” said White. “Thousands of Illinoisans are waiting for an organ. Those who are waiting are someone’s mother, father, daughter or son. This new law is an important step in reducing the number of individuals on the waiting list.” Under current law, an individual must be at least 18 years old to join the First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry. The legislation amends the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act allowing
16- and 17-year-olds to join the registry. Those who join the registry will receive a letter of thanks from the Secretary of State’s office, and Secretary White encourages 16- and 17-year-olds to use this letter as a basis for discussing their choice with their parents. By joining the First Person Consent Organ/ Tissue Donor Registry, 16- and 17-year-olds will be giving consent to donate their organs and tissue at the time of their death with only the single limitation that the procurement organizations (Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network and Mid-America Transplant) must make a reasonable effort to contact a parent or guardian to ensure they approve of the donation. The parent or guardian will then have the opportunity to overturn the child’s
decision. Once the 16- or 17-year-old turns 18, that decision would be considered legally binding without limitation. There are 47 states that have enacted this legislation. In 2016, more than 350,000 16- and 17-yearolds in Illinois were issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. “Approximately 4,700 people are on the waiting list in Illinois and about 300 hundred people die each year waiting for an organ transplant,” said White. “One person can improve the quality of life for up to 25 people. Currently, 6.3 million Illinoisans are registered with the state’s registry.” Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at LifeGoesOn.com, by calling 800-210-2106 or by visiting their local Driver Services facility.
–––– Classifieds –––– General Terms and Policies The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion. CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept Call 815-625-3600 classified@bcrnews.com
232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is. Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number. Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis. The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader. If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500
PROMOTE JOB OPENINGS We can help get your business fully staffed. Call 815-625-3600
450 • Under $1000 Chicago Bulls Doll with Dennis Rodman #91 on it $10; Elvis Presley bell w/ birthday 1935/death 1977, $10; polyester t-shirt material, some print some plain $1/yd or offer. Leave Message 815-646-4741
************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines. Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week. No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales. E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) Weslow folding treadmill, non elect. $25 Call 815-872-6911
767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call, HUD tollfree at 800 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275
999 • Legal Notices 2018 NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DIRECTORS To All Owners And Occupiers Of Lands Lying Within The Boundaries Of The LaSalle County Soil And Water Conservation District: Notice is hereby given that an Election will be held on the 22nd day of February, 2018 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at USDA Service Center, 1691 N 31st Road, Ottawa, Illinois. Three (3) Directors will be elected to serve the LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District of the State of Illinois. All persons, firms or corporations who hold legal title or are in legal possession of any land lying within the boundaries of the said district are eligible to vote at said election, whether as lessee, renter, tenant or otherwise. Only such persons, firms or corporations are eligible to vote. Ken Dau Chairman LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District DATE: 8th day of January, 2018. January 19 & February 2, 2018
MENUS LOSTANT GRADE SCHOOL Breakfast Jan. 22 — Scrambled eggs, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk. Jan. 23 — Honey bun, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk. Jan. 24 — Biscuit and gravy, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk. Jan. 25 — Mini pancakes, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk. Jan. 26 — Toaster pastry, yogurt, granola, fruit, cereal, juice, milk. Lunch Jan. 22 — Mini corn dogs, green beans, chips, sidekick, milk. Jan. 23 — Fish tacos, slaw, shell, tartar sauce, tater tots, fruit, milk. Jan. 24 — Create-your-own chicken bowl (popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, chicken gravy), fruit, milk. Jan. 25 — Chili, corn bread, fruit, cookie, milk. Jan. 26 — Stuffed crust pizza, lettuce, fruit, milk.
TONICA GRADE SCHOOL Breakfast Jan. 22 — Biscuit and sausage gravy or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 23 — Waffle and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 24 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, hash brown, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 25 — Sausage, egg and cheese on English muffin or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.
999 • Legal Notices PERONA, PETERLIN, ANDREONI & BROLLEY, LLC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS ESTATE OF DAVID F. MEYERS, Deceased NO. 2018-P-1 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of David F. Meyers of Oglesby, Illinois. Letters of office were issued on January 4, 2018 to Paul W. Meyers, 354 Maple St. Oglesby, IL 61348 whose attorney is GARY L. PETERLIN of Perona, Peterlin, Andreoni and Brolley, LLC, 170 E. Walnut St. Oglesby, IL 61348. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of GREG VACCARO, CIRCUIT CLERK, Probate Division, Downtown Courthouse, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, or with the representative, or both, on or before July 19, 2018. If a claim notice is mailed or delivered personally to a creditor of the decedent, the creditor?s claim may be filed on or before the date stated in that notice, if later than the date shown above. Any claim not filed within the time allowed is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the Attorney within ten days after it has been filed. Attorney Gary L. Peterlin Perona, Peterlin, Andreoni & Brolley, LLC 170 E. Walnut St., PO Box 35 Oglesby, IL 61348 Tel: 815-883-4102 January 19, 26, February 2, 2018
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Jan. 26 — Cinnamon rolls or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Lunch Jan. 22 — Crispy or hot and spicy chicken patty, bun, french fries, lettuce, fruit, milk. Jan. 23 — Macaroni and cheese, carrots, fruit, graham cookie, milk. Jan. 24 — Hamburger, cheese slice, pretzel bun or hamburger bun, fruit, baked beans, onion rings, milk. Jan. 25 — Deli turkey, cheese slice, croissant, fruit and veggie bar, chips, milk. Jan. 26 — Pizza bosco stick, lettuce, fresh fruit, cookie, milk.
PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER Jan. 22 — Beef stroganoff, rotini noodles, corn, salad with toppings, applesauce. Jan. 23 — Baked chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered corn, apricots, dessert. Jan. 24 — BLT on wheat bread, cream of broccoli soup with crackers, carrot sticks, orange. Jan. 25 — Barbecue on bun, baked beans, stuffed celery, fruit, dessert. Jan. 26 — Country fried steak with gravy, baked potato, herbed green beans, biscuit, apple crisp. Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-757-4579 24 hours in advance of the day’s meal. The menu is subject to change. The meal program is partly funded by donations, so they have a suggested donation of $5 per meal. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.
Customer HHH Service HHH HHH HH HH Representative
HHH
The Bureau County Republican has a full-time opening for a Customer Service Representative in our Advertising Department. We are looking for an individual that possesses strong written and verbal communication skills, mathematical aptitude, multi-tasking ability, computer and typing skills, effective time management, strong organizational skills, and a positive team building attitude. Duties for the position include fielding phone inquiries from advertisers, proofing ads, delivering materials to clients when necessary, designing some promotional material, scheduling, and assisting the ad team in achieving revenue goals.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Must possess and maintain a valid Drivers License, Proof of Insurance, Reliable Transportation and Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record. Pre-employment background check and drug screen required. If you are interested in joining our team, send your resume to: Donna McDonald, Advertising Operations Manager Bureau County Republican 800 Ace Rd, Princeton, IL 61356 email: dmcdonald@saukvalley.com
This posting does not necessarily contain all of the actual or essential duties of the position. Sauk Valley Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-free Workplace.
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8 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
E-mail items for sale to: classified@bcrnews.com
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FINANCE MATTERS
Friday, January 19, 2018 • The Tonica News • 9
A Publication of
CONSUMER ECONOMY
How millennials spend their money Those born between 1980 and 2000 have similar traits Metro News Service Millennials include people born between 1980 and 2000. Millennials have become an influential demographic, changing the way business is conducted. While influencing technology, social norms and mores, millennials also are affecting the economy. Forbes says that many millennials have a shaky relationship with money, due in some part to the fact that they lived through one of the worst recessions the United States has experienced in decades. Couple that with staggering student loan debt, and it’s easy to see why millennials may be facing an uphill battle when it comes to their finances. Millennials are falling particularly short in regard to saving money. According to a 2017 GOBankingRates survey, 57 per-
cent of Americans have around $1,000 in savings. Sixty-seven percent of young millennials, between ages 18 and 24 have less than $1,000, says the survey. Many millennials spend more than they earn and live above their means, according to a report by American Express Business Insight. This, along with school debt, has compromised millennials’ ability to purchase a home or even get married. Just how are millennials spending their money? Here’s a look at the common patterns. • Experiences: Funding experiences is a high priority for Gen Y. This includes concerts, sporting events, live performances, and other social events more so than possessions or career status, offers Forbes. • Retail goods and dining: TD Bank found that millennials
make more retail purchases and dine out more than other generations, but generally spend less money overall. • Health care: Millennials spend about $1,000 more on health care expenses than the generations that preceded them, states financial resource Mother Jones. Housing and education costs also have risen, contributing to a smaller pool of savings. • Same-day delivery: A Shop. org survey indicated that millennials are twice as likely as other generations to pay extra for same-day delivery of online purchases. • Tattoos: Surveys conducted for Pew Research found that 40 percent of millennials have at least one tattoo. • Organic foods: A Gallup poll from the summer of 2016 found 53 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 actively try to include organic foods in their diets. Millennials have grown up during a period of rapid change. Their large numbers are shaping the economy in myriad ways.
Metro News Service
Millennials, who have grown up during a period of rapid change, are shaping the economy in many ways because of their large numbers.
PERSONAL FINANCES
Here are 8 ways to start saving more money now Metro News Service Saving money is difficult for many people across America. According to a 2017 GoBankingRates survey, 57 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts, and 39 percent have no savings at all. With such little room for error, even minor unexpected bills can pave the
way to financial hardship. Fortunately, many people do not have to make drastic changes to save more. Here are several ways to start saving more now. 1) Plan meals. Decide what you will make in advance and list all the ingredients, enabling you to shop for the lowest prices. 2) Cut the cord. Cutting ties with traditional cable television providers can
save consumers substantial amounts of money. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime provide a slew of content for a fraction of the cost of mainstream cable. 3) Establish a goal. It’s easier to save when you have an end goal, whether it’s financing a vacation, buying a home or growing your family. Establishing a goal gives men and women
something to strive for. 4) Make coffee at home. Make your daily coffee at home rather than paying several dollars per day for that morning cup of Joe. 5) Wait before checking out. Impulse buys can quickly add up. Store that online item in the shopping cart for a day or two to really think about whether it is a necessity or just an impulse buy.
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6) Shop quality, not quantity. Bulk buys may seem advantageous, but not if the items break or wear out prematurely. When shopping, opt for quality merchandise that may cost more initially, but thanks to its durability, will save money in the long run. 7) Don’t worry about your neighbor. Trying to keep up with the Joneses, Smiths or Murphys is a recipe for
overspending. Stick to your budget and make improvements or upgrades as you can afford them. 8) Rely on automatic deductions. Set up automatic deductions so a predeter mined amount of money is deposited into a designated savings account each paycheck. Chances are you won’t miss it, and the savings will add up.
www.CyrFinancial.com CYR FINANCIAL, INC. IS A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR
FINANCE MATTERS
10 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
RETAIL ECONOMY
PERSONAL FINANCES
When to use credit, debit cards Traits of a good what you have left. This isn’t as easy when using credit to make purchases. Some shoppers feel they are more likely to overspend when using credit than having money deducted from their bank accounts via debit cards. Bank of America says record-keeping is made simpler with debit cards and they are a great way to avoid spending more money than you have available.
Metro News Service The decision of whether to use a debit card or a credit card can affect consumers’ credit ratings and make it easier or more difficult to manage one’s personal finances. This decision often depends on the situation and understanding how each of these cards works. Credit cards allow customers to borrow money from the credit card company up to a certain limit with the intent to pay back the amount used at the end of the month. If that balance is not paid in full, customers will be charged interest fees. Debit cards are a direct link to the money a person has in the bank. Debit cards withdraw cash straight from a checking account, so no interest will ever need to be paid on purchases made with debit cards. Since 2004, use of debit cards has exceeded credit cards for purchases made in the United States, reports the Federal Reserve. In 2012, debit cards were used to make 47 billion payments, compared to 26.2 billion payments made with credit cards. But debit cards might not always be the best choice in certain situations. Here are a few ways to weigh the options of what payment method might be best.
ity is $50, though many credit cards offer zero liability. Debit cards offer some protection, but it may take a little longer to get your money back, and loss responsibility amounts may be higher.
If you’re concerned about fraud: Credit
If you don’t want to overspend: Debit
Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection than debit cards. If unauthorized purchases are reported, the consumer’s maximum liabil-
Staying on budget and not overspending can be challenging when using credit cards. When cash leaves your hand, it is easy to keep track of
If you like incentives: Credit
Metro News Service
For consumers, debit and credit cards are secure and convenient ways to shop. In certain instances, one card may be better than the other.
Credit cards are still the best way to earn rewards on purchases made, and credit card companies recognize the rewards market is more competitive than ever before. From airline miles to cash-back bonuses to points toward vacations, credit card companies now offer a host of benefits that debit cards do not offer. But industry analysts at CreditCards.com say the industry is so competitive that many banks are trying to attract new customers and keep current ones happy, so debit card users may be able to earn some perks if they are not doing so already.
If you’re shopping at small businesses: Debit Business Insider says it costs small-business owners more to process credit transactions than transactions in which customers use a debit card or cash. By using debit cards when patronizing local businesses, consumers can help small business owners keep more money in their pockets.
How do you plan your financial future? We will help you with a personal and local approach based on your needs. Come in and see us! * Steve Bouslog Senior Financial Advisor steve@kbelliott.com
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*Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an afďŹ liate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS are not afďŹ liated with KB Elliott Financial Advisors.
WIT TH GREAT RATES Call our lenders to oday! HOME-AUTO-B BUSIN NESSAGRICULTURAL-P PER RSONAL Ladd, IL 815-894-238 Hennepin, IL 815-925-7373 www.ncb-ebanc.com
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financial adviser Metro News Service
Professional financial advice can be a valuable asset for men and women focused on their futures. E f f e c t ive f i n a n c i a l advisers help their clients navigate the sometimes confusing waters of personal finance, helping them to achieve both short- and longter m goals. Financial advisers can help men and women protect their savings, make smart investments and grow their wealth. What defines the right financial adviser depends on the client. Some financial advisers’ strategies may not appeal to all prospective clients, so it’s important that men and women vet financial professionals before trusting them with their hard-earned money. The following are a few things adults can look for as they begin searching for someone to help them secure their financial futures. • Credentials: Consumers may benefit by selecting a person who is just a financial planner,
and not an accountant or insurance adviser. A financial adviser who is a certified financial planner (CFP) is licensed and regulated, and he or she has taken mandatory classes on the various aspects of financial planning. • Humility and an ability to listen: Financial advisers need to be in-tune with their clients’ needs, rather than putting their own best interests first. Northstar Financial Planning notes that good advisers lend support and will ride out the ups and downs of financial decisions. • Recommendations: Advisers who have a reliable track record likely have clients willing to vouch for them. • Wealth of experience: An adviser who has many years’ experience under his or her belt has likely worked with clients from all walks of life and men and women whose comfort levels regarding risk have run the gamut. That wealth of experience can prove invaluable to clients.
FINANCE MATTERS
Friday, January 19, 2018 • The Tonica News • 11
ONLINE SECURITY
What consumers can do after hackers breach data Metro News Service As the summer of 2017 drew to a close, news broke of a data breach at the credit monitoring agency Equifax. Reports sug g ested the breach might have compromised the sensitive personal information of as many as 143 million Americans, or roughly half the adult population of the United States. In the digital age, consumers are more vulnerable to such breaches than ever before. Data stolen as part of the Equifax breach included names, Social Security numbers and birthdates, among other personal information. Consumers concer ned about data breaches can take cer tain ste ps to determine if they have
was not compromised, they can monitor their credit reports for suspicious activity. I f r at i n g s s u d d e n ly plummet despite relative inactivity from consumers, they should contact one of the major reporting agencies for a thorough report. Such reports are typically free once per year.
been compromised while also taking measures to s a f e g u a rd t h e m s e l ve s against future breaches.
When breaches happen News of the Equifax breach understandably inspired panic among consumers, and future data breaches will be no different. Hackers who gain access to consumers’ personal information can steal identities, file false tax retur ns, take out loans in unsuspecting consumers’ names, and commit a host of other crimes that can ne gatively affect consumers’ credit ratings and compromise their ability to secure loans in the future. When a breach happens, consumers should do the following. • Contact the agency
Future breaches Metro News Service
Knowing what to do when consumer data breaches occur and how to reduce the risk of being victimized can help consumers when the next breach occurs. that was affected. After acknowledging it had been breached, Equifax set up a website (https:// tr ustedidpremier.com/ e l i g i b i l i t y / e l i g i b i l i t y. html) where consumers
could find out if their infor mation had been c o m p r o m i s e d by t h e breach. • Examine credit reports. Even if individuals’ personal information
Breaches are seemingly inevitable in the digital age. Concerned consumers can take steps to protect themselves against future breaches. • Continue monitoring credit reports. Individuals should take advantage of the monthly credit rating reports offered by their credit card companies even if no breach-
es have been reported. Hackers may sell consumers’ information, which thieves can then sit on for years before ultimately using to commit financial fraud. • Place a fraud alert on all accounts. Fraud alerts warn creditors that individuals may have been compromised by past data breaches, forcing them to verify that credit or loan applicants are legitimate before they can open any new accounts or take out any loans. • File taxes as early as possible. Criminals with access to consumers’ personal information can file false tax returns and steal their refunds before consumers even realize they have been victimized. File early, before thieves have had a chance to file false returns.
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FINANCE MATTERS
12 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 19, 2018
Reaching your goals Whatever goals are on your horizon, we can offer products and services that can help you work towards achieving them. Together, we can make sure your plan is keeping pace with your changing lifestyle, and can work to help you protect what matters most. We may even find ways for you to save more money. Call today to get started!
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