All Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facilities statewide are now closed as per recommendation by public health experts. Offices will not be open tomorrow and are expected to reopen on April 1.
Because of the closure, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, identification (ID) cards, vehicle registrations and other transactions as well as document filings will be extended by 30 days through an emergency rule.
In an attempt to utilize social distancing, Secretary of State Jesse White said in the release that his "...office will continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis. Expert advice, news and events involving the virus will influence the reopening date of offices and the Driver Services facilities."
There are three confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the Springfield area according to Sangamon County health officials. One patient is a 71-year-old woman who is in a intensive care unit, another is a Springfield Park Board member in self-isolation at home. On Sunday, another patient was revealed to be hospitalized in Springfield.
"After careful consideration, it is clear that this decision to close offices and Driver Services facilities is the right one to make for the health and safety of Illinoisans," said White on Monday. "This important action will help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus."
Across Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 105 individuals out of 1,143 cases tested positive for the Coronavirus. According to the University of Virginia Survellience Dashboard, two patients have recovered from the infection. Illinois has recorded no deaths at this time, while Indiana just reported its first COVID-19 death.
White is reminding residents that many transactions with the Secretary of State’s office may be conducted online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
During the closure Illinois residents are encouraged to go online where they can obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card; renewing a vehicle registration;renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program; and file Business Services documents.
Opening day on hold, here's what 3 Spartans had to say
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| April 24, 2019 - St. Joseph, IL - Jaden Miller watches a flyball sail overhead during SJO's road game at St. Thomas More in 2019. This year's prep sports season, including SJO baseball, is in danger of being completely canceled due to the Coronavirus spreading throughout the United States. As one of the top baseball programs in the state, Miller and the Spartans were looking forward to making another run deep into the IHSA postseason championships. (Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks) |
"It’s difficult for me to wrap my mind around the current situation as a whole, with everything changing rapidly and the whole aspect of not knowing. Having my senior season potentially stripped from me is hard to accept, and I’m not entirely sure how I’ll end up accepting it. I’m trying to remain optimistic and keep the big picture in mind."
~ Drew Coursey, Senior
"I am very emotional and saddened by this outbreak. This SJO team was the one to go all the way, but I am still hopeful for a chance to take the field one last time. "
~ Sam Wesley, Senior
"Well it’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling. It’s sort of like an emptiness because I had high hopes for the team. We were looking really really good this year and I’m just hoping it’s not wasted. We will be ready to go if and when we get the chance too."
~ Joey Acton, Senior
Five games you won't want miss on the 2020 SJO Softball Schedule
Hopefully, in 21 days time, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls softball team will back on the field.
When the spring sports season finally returns, seniors Zoey Witruk, Hannah Dukeman, Lindsey Aden and IHSA record-holding slugger Bailey Dowling will be a all-star foundation in head coach Larry Sparks' third campaign at the Spartan helm.
SJO finished the 2019 season with at 22-10 record logging three regular season shutouts in 2019 including a 4-0 win over Illinois Valley Central, besting Maroa-Forsyth 9-0 and booking a 17-0 victory over another conference rival, St. Thomas More.
As the #2 seed in last year's postseason run, the Spartans gobbled up bases in the quest for a trip to the 2019 state tournament blanking of Illini Prairie Conference foe Monticello 11-0. SJO beat the Sages earlier in regular season play, 13-1.
The Spartans then put the kabash on Maroa-Forsyth's season by way of 5-1 victory win for the regional title. Then came a heartbreaking loss and unexpected halt to their own season after a 4-2 sectional semifinal loss to Olympia.
This season's schedule is brutal, but should have the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team ready for a deep postseason run yet again if the IHSA reinstates the season.
The likelihood unfortunately looking more and more like a long shot after the CDC released a recommendation yesterday limiting mass gatherings for an eight week period. If the state's public health department follows that guideline, that could very well push the season's official start to May 15. With a mandatory 10-day practice period before the first game can be played, that puts the first possible pitch around the 25th of May, just 11 days before the first scheduled state semifinal game at Eastside Centre in East Peoria.
That said, if Illinois spring sports gets the go-ahead as currently planned, there are five regular season contests you don't want to miss. Each should test both players and coach staff.
It will be worth the road trip to Villa Grove, if it can be snuck in on April 7, and to Unity to watch SJO overcome the Rockets on their new turfed softball field.
You won't want to miss the April 16 home game against Bloomington Central Catholic and it would be sinful to skip out on watching what could be an intense rivalry showdown against Olympia at home on May 4.
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Hannah Dukeman takes a swing at a Rantoul pitch during the Spartans home game in 2019. With the threat of Coronavirus infecting much of the US population, high school sports around the nation has been put on hold. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) |
2020 St. Joseph-Ogden Softball Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Home Away |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March | Mahomet-Seymour High School | H | 4:30 |
| 17 March | Normal West High School | A | 4:30 |
| 21 March | TBA @ Casey Westfield (round robin) | A | TBA |
| 23 March | GCMS High School | H | 4:30 |
| 24 March | Westville High School | H | 4:30 |
| 25 March | St. Thomas More High School | H | 4:30 |
| 28 March | Illinois Valley Central High School | H | 12:00 |
| 1 April | Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School | A | 4:30 |
| 4 April | Rantoul Invite (DH) | A | TBA |
| 6 April | Maroa-Forsyth High School | A | 4:30 |
| 7 April | Villa Grove High School @ Richman Park | A | 4:30 |
| 8 April | Heyworth High School | H | 4:30 |
| 11 April | Tri-Valley High School | H | 10:00 |
| 13 April | Rantoul High School | A | 4:30 |
| 15 April | Bishop McNamara High School | H | 4:30 |
| 16 April | Bloomington Central Catholic High School | H | 4:30 |
| 17 April | Mattoon High School (DH) | A | 4:30 |
| 18 April | Herscher High School | H | 10:00 AM |
| 20 April | Unity High School | A | 4:30 |
| 21 April | Mattoon High School | A | 4:30 |
| 22 April | Mt. Zion High School | A | 5:00 |
| 23 April | Pontiac High School | H | 4:30 |
| 25 April | Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School (DH) | H | 10:00 AM |
| 27 April | Prairie Central High School | A | 4:30 |
| 4 May | Olympia High School | H | 4:30 |
| 6 May | Fisher High School | H | 4:30 |
| 7 May | Monticello High School | A | 4:30 |
| 9 May | SJO Softball Triangular (DH) | H | 10:00 AM/2:00 PM |
| 11 May | Tuscola High School | A | 4:30 |
| 12 May | Danville High School | H | 4:30 |
| 14 May | Clinton High School | A | 4:30 |
| 15-16 May | Galesburg Tourney (Alexis Fieldhouse: 3 games) | A | TBA |
| 18 May | Charleston High School | A | 4:30 |
| 19-22 May | IHSA Regionals | A | TBA |
| 23 May | IHSA Regional Championship | A | TBA |
2020 JV Softball Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Home Away |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March | Mahomet-Seymour High School @ St. Joseph Community Park | H | 4:30 |
| 17 March | Normal West High School | A | 4:30 |
| 23 March | GCMS High School | H | 6:00 |
| 24 March | Westville High School | H | 6:00 |
| 26 March | Urbana High School | H | 4:30 |
| 28 March | Illinois Valley Central High School | H | 2:00 |
| 1 April | Champaign Centennial High School | H | 4:30 |
| 6 April | Maroa-Forsyth High School | A | 6:00 |
| 9 April | OPEN DATE | H | TBA |
| 11 April | Tri-Valley High School | H | 12:00 |
| 13 April | Rantoul High School | A | 4:30 |
| 15 April | Bishop McNamara High School | A | 5:00 |
| 16 April | Bloomington Central Catholic High School | H | 6:00 |
| 18 April | Herscher High School (DH) | H | 12:00 |
| 20 April | Unity High School | A | 6:00 |
| 21 April | Mattoon High School | H | 4:30 |
| 22 April | Mt. Zion High School | A | 5:00 |
| 23 April | Pontiac High School | H | 6:00 |
| 24 April | Champaign Central High School | A | 4:30 |
| 27 April | Prairie Central High School | A | 6:00 |
| 4 May | Olympia High School | H | 6:00 |
| 5 May | Champaign Central High School @ St. Joseph Community Park | H | 4:30 |
| 6 May | Fisher High School | H | 6:00 |
| 7 May | Monticello High School | A | 6:00 |
| 8 May | TBA @ St. Joseph Community Park | H | 4:30 |
| 11 May | Tuscola High School | A | 6:00 |
| 14 May | Clinton High School | A | 6:00 |
| 18 May | Charleston High School | A | 6:00 |
Happy trails await in Vermilion County Parks
Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the closure of state parks until further notice citing the Coronavirus pandemic as the underlying cause for the decision.
Today, the Vermilion County Conservation District announced that its Kennekuk, Forest Glen, Lake Vermilion, and Heron County Park properties are still open to the public. The parks will remain open until 8pm daily but with reduced services.
Camping, especially at Forest Glen is not permitted until further notice. The Conservation District will not accept shelter or building reservations at this time. Also, all facilities will be closed to the public. Closed facilities include Visitor Centers, Education Centers, Maintenance Buildings, Ranger Station, and inside and outside Restroom Facilities at all four parks.
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