The quality of a photo still matters - especially now

Photo: Alan Look Photography

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by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

We live in an age where more photographs are made in a single day than were produced in entire decades not that long ago. Cameras are everywhere. Bursts are cheap. Storage is endless. And yet, for all this abundance, truly good photographs—images that stop you, hold you, and tell you something real—feel increasingly rare.

That’s because quality in photography has never been about volume or convenience. It has always been about intent.

At its core, photo quality is a convergence of three things: technical execution, visual composition, and emotional truth. Sharpness matters, but only when it serves the moment. Exposure matters, but only when it reveals what the image is trying to say. Timing matters most of all—because the decisive moment, once missed, is gone forever.

Nowhere is this more evident than in sports action photography.

A great sports image doesn’t just show what happened; it shows how it felt. The strain in an athlete’s face, the split-second elevation before gravity wins, the collision of effort and outcome. Anyone can point a camera at a game. Quality is found in anticipating the play, understanding the sport, and pressing the shutter at precisely the right fraction of a second. The difference between a usable frame and a memorable one is often measured in milliseconds—and experience.

So why does quality matter now more than ever?

Because we are drowning in images.

Social media feeds reward speed and frequency, not depth. Algorithms favor “good enough” visuals that keep the scroll moving. In that environment, mediocre images blend together into a blur of forgettable content. High-quality photographs, on the other hand, still cut through the noise. They pause the thumb. They invite a second look. They create connection.

Photo: Alan Look Photography

One quiet casualty of the social media era is context. Feeds are designed to give us just enough to keep us moving, often compressing images, cropping intent, and reducing photographs to disposable moments. The strongest work—the images with depth, detail, and story—often lives beyond the feed itself, where it can be seen at full resolution, in sequence, and as it was meant to be experienced. Taking the extra step to click through isn’t about consuming more; it’s about seeing better.

In sports especially, quality photographs become historical documents. The winning shot, the heartbreak, the underdog’s triumph—these moments don’t repeat themselves. When they’re captured poorly, they’re lost to time. When they’re captured well, they live on walls, in yearbooks, in archives, and in memory.

Quality also matters because audiences, whether they realize it consciously or not, can feel the difference. An image that is clean, well-composed, and emotionally honest carries authority. It builds trust. It tells the viewer that the moment was worth paying attention to—and that the person behind the camera respected it enough to do it right.

And this is where another modern complication enters the conversation.

Actions, presets, and one-click “looks” have become increasingly common, often marketed as shortcuts to professionalism. In capable hands, these tools can be useful—ways to maintain consistency or gently enhance images whose foundations are already sound. But too often, they are used to disguise shortcomings rather than support strengths.

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... the strongest photographs usually need less embellishment ..

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A poorly timed sports photo does not become meaningful because a preset adds contrast. Missed focus does not become intentional because the image is desaturated. Awkward composition doesn’t suddenly read as artistic because highlights are blown and shadows are crushed. Style, when used to compensate for substance, becomes a distraction.

In sports action photography, the consequences are magnified. Action demands clarity. Emotion lives in faces, hands, and body language—details that are often the first casualties of heavy-handed processing. Aggressive presets can smear motion, bury texture, and strip an image of the very information that gives it meaning. What remains may look dramatic at a glance, but rarely rewards closer inspection.

This is why buyers should be discerning.

Images built on excessive processing tend to have a short shelf life. What looks striking on a phone screen can fall apart when printed, enlarged, or viewed alongside truly well-crafted photographs. Colors break down. Artificial contrast reveals noise and artifacts. And the emotional connection—the reason sports images are purchased in the first place—often feels thin once the initial effect wears off.

Ironically, the strongest photographs usually need less embellishment, not more. When timing is right, light is understood, and composition is intentional, restraint becomes a virtue. The photograph carries itself. Processing supports the moment rather than competing with it.

In a visual marketplace flooded with stylized imagery, discernment matters. The best sports photographs are not the ones shouting for attention through effects. They are the ones that still work when trends fade—because the moment, captured with care and respect, was always enough.

Quality has always mattered.

It simply matters more now, because in a world full of images, it’s the only thing that truly endures.

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TAGS: photography quality, photo quality importance, high quality photography, professional photography quality, what makes a great photograph, importance of image quality, visual storytelling photography

Illustrious - Showcases and the stories behind Illinois’ most iconic high school gyms

From domed ceilings to legendary alumni, a new book explores the most unique high school basketball gyms in Illinois through stunning photography.

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Photo courtesy Vincent D. Johnson

The view of Lewistown H.S. Gym on February 24, 2023 for Vincent Johnson's book Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois.

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by Clark Brooks
The Sentinel

CHICAGO - On a quiet Saturday afternoon in January 2012, at the Oak Park-River Forest field house, a simple thought refused to leave Vincent Johnson alone.

Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.

And as the sounds of voices, squeaking shoots and pound of the ball against the floor faded, so did an idea that would take more than a decade to fully come to life. A book. Not about players or championships, but about the gyms themselves.

"It would be cool to do a high school gyms book," he remembers thinking.

From Idea to Reality

The concept first emerged in the early 2000s when Johnson was running IHSFW.com, a website dedicate to high school football coverage around the state, and working on a project to photograph interesting high school football fields and stadiums. But he figured someone must have already done a basketball gyms book.

In December 2021, with high school sports returning to full capacity after the pandemic, Johnson found himself at Brother Rice covering a game. He started photographing their unique gym, and the old idea came roaring back. This time, he was determined to make it happen. It was game on.

His goal? Find and photograh the most unique basketball venues in Illinois but only the ones that pass his test to separate the wheat from the chaff.

"They had to look good empty," Johnson said. "If you can't walk into a gym when nobody else is there and aren't taken aback just a little, it probably didn't deserve to be in the book."

The road to publication proved rocky. Johnson signed with a publisher he considered the perfect fit, but creative differences ended the partnership before they got past the cover. Suddenly, funding became a major hurdle — he'd gone from paying for travel around the state to footing the entire bill for each copy.

"I thought I was dead in the water for a while about this time last year," Johnson said.

He decided on an ambitious page count and quality level anyway, determined to create something he was proud of. Pre-orders poured in, including bulk orders from schools. Family and friends offered zero-interest loans to cover the shortfall.

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Photo courtesy Vincent D. Johnson

Ottawa High School’s Kingman Gym, during a boys basketball game between Morris and the Pirates, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

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"From all the pre-orders by people who just trusted that some guy on the internet (me) was going to deliver on this book, to the people who knew me and that I was about to make a once-in-a-generation keepsake, I'm extremely touched," he said.

The Selection Process

Johnson keeps meticulous records. More than 800 schools have rows in a massive spreadsheet, each with at least eight different columns. Every school included in or considered for the book has a separate sheet with even more information, plus a 360-page Word document with stories on all the gyms.

As for hours spent shooting and editing? He can't even guess.

"I'd have needed an intern to follow me and track my time and miles," Johnson said. "It's a lot!"

While aesthetics drove most selections, logistics played a role too. Gyms with similar design styles sometimes came down to scheduling. Kankakee and Boylan Catholic made the cut because they had home games on nights Johnson was free. Bradley-Bourbonnais and Rockford East easily could have been chosen instead if the schedules had aligned differently.

The finished product is a sturdy, 264-page hardcover book with a striking dust jacket. Inside are more than 450 full-color photos of the 124 most interesting high school gyms in the state. Johnson highlights the year each facility was built, its seating capacity, and notable names such as Hugh Hefner, Glen “Doc” Rivers and Arthur “Buz” Sievers.

The book is full of tidbits and Illinois basketball trivia. Which gym was the home court for 10 NBA players? Do you know which gym legendary actor Harrison Ford did radio broadcasts from before making it to the silver screen? And which four gyms in Illinois were built with circular domes?

Can't get enough? Johnson's blog about his publishing journey has even more information like which seven gyms in Illinois have been hit by tornados.

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Photo courtesy Vincent D. Johnson

The Flames of Lycée Français de Chicago take on the Knights of Providence-St. Mel on February 19, 2022.

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A Photographer's Journey

Johnson's interest in photography began his sophomore year of high school - a story he saves for the book's author introduction. But the moment he realized photography could be a career came during a high school football game in his hometown of Joliet.

Taking a photography elective at Joliet Junior College as a credit-hour filler before transferring to Columbia College, Johnson bumped into Scott Lewis, a staff photographer for the Joliet Herald News.

"When he told me that he was working as a photographer and made a decent living working at the paper, I was absolutely shocked," Johnson said. "It never occurred to me that doing photography was a career."

His first published photo appeared in the Joliet Herald News' west edition, which served the Morris and Minooka areas. He photographed two women who had opened a crafts store in Mazon.

These days, Johnson jokes that the pay doesn't always make photography feel like a career, but he loves what he does.

"My office is different every day," he said. "It's hard to be bored when you're literally out there capturing the news that someone will be asking if you heard about the next day."

Overwhelming Response

The feedback has stunned him. People tell him they're reading about a different gym each night and can't put the book down. One woman said it's the first time in more than 20 years she can remember her husband trying to get his Christmas present early.

"It's a humbling experience," Johnson said. Random people from across the state have asked to call him and talk about gyms and basketball. "It's been great just to hear other stories."

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Photo courtesy Vincent D. Johnson

The dust jack cover from Johnson's first book Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois.

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The book is available mainly at illustriousgyms.com. Reaching out to bookstores, even independent ones, hasn't been easy. Johnson is listing places where people can buy in person on the website, and he's doing book signings at high school gyms around the state. A calendar on the site lists dates and locations.

Johnson is most active on Twitter, Instagram and recently TikTok under the handle VincentDJohnson. He also runs an all-sports Instagram account at VDJsports.

His advice to aspiring photographers is simple: "If you see something interesting, take a photo. That moment is never going to be around again."

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Illinois high school basketball gym photography book, unique high school gyms in Illinois, Illinois basketball history book, high school gym architecture Illinois, Vincent Johnson Illinois gyms book

The Return of the King: Bald Eagles make a comeback to the Upper Mississippi

Photo by Alan Look Photography

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

A Conservation Victory and a Photographer's Paradise

There are few sights in nature more stirring than the white head of an American Bald Eagle gleaming against the slate-grey winter sky of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. For decades, this sight was nearly lost to us. Today, however, thanks to one of the most successful conservation efforts in history, the "King of Skies" has returned to the Heartland, reclaiming its throne along the icy waters of the Mississippi—specifically around the engineering marvels of the locks and dams.

This is the story of their comeback, and your guide to witnessing it firsthand near Gladstone, Illinois.

From Silence to Soaring: The Comeback Story

In the mid-20th century, the American Bald Eagle was teetering on the brink of extinction. The widespread use of DDT, a pesticide that caused eggshells to become dangerously thin, decimated populations across the lower 48 states. By 1963, there were only an estimated 417 nesting pairs left.

The road to recovery began with the banning of DDT in 1972 and the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act. It was a slow, steady climb, but nature is resilient. In 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from the endangered species list—a monumental victory for conservationists.

Today, the Upper Mississippi River acts as a critical wintering corridor. As northern waters freeze, thousands of eagles migrate south, seeking open water to hunt. This migration funnel brings them directly to our backyards in Illinois.

Why Locks and Dams? The Dinner Bell

You might wonder why these majestic raptors congregate around industrial structures like Lock and Dam 18. The answer is simple: it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

The turbulence created by the roller and Tainter gates prevents the water from freezing, even in the dead of winter. This provides eagles with constant access to the river.

As fish pass through the dam's gates, they often become disoriented or stunned by the pressure changes and turbulence. They float near the surface, making them easy pickings for the eagles waiting in the cottonwood trees lining the banks.

Destination: Gladstone, Illinois (Lock and Dam 18)

While many flock to larger cities for eagle watching, the area around Gladstone, Illinois, offers a more intimate, rugged experience. Located just north of Burlington, Iowa, Gladstone serves as the gateway to Lock and Dam 18.

Unlike the crowded festivals in larger Quad Cities locations, the Gladstone area is often quieter, allowing for a more reflective experience with nature.

The lock is situated roughly in the middle of the river, accessible via long embankments. During peak migration (December through February), it is not uncommon to see dozens—sometimes hundreds—of eagles roosting in the tall trees or riding the ice floes.

The best viewing is often from the Illinois side, where the "Great River Road" offers scenic pull-offs. The earthen embankments provide elevation, giving you a near eye-level view of eagles soaring over the river.

Capturing the soul of the heartland, photo tips for the amateur

For those looking to document this spectacle, the Upper Mississippi offers a masterclass in wildlife photography. The interplay of industrial steel, flowing water, and wild biology creates a unique visual narrative.

Bring the Reach: A 300mm lens or longer is standard. Eagles are large, but they respect their distance.

Watch the Exposure: The white head of an eagle can easily "blow out" (lose detail) against a dark background. Underexpose slightly to preserve those feathers.

Patience is Key: Wait for the "stoop"—the moment an eagle dives from its perch to snatch a fish.

Tips for planning your trip ~

• Best Time: Mid-January to early February.
• Time of Day: Early morning (active feeding) or late afternoon (roosting).
• Gear: Binoculars, warm layers (wind chill on the river is unforgiving), and a camera.

The return of the bald eagle to Gladstone and the Upper Mississippi is more than a biological success; it is a symbol of hope. It is proof that with care and effort, we can restore the soul of our wild places.

For over 25 years, Alan Look has documented the soul of the Midwest — from Friday night lights to roaring chrome, from agricultural grit to locomotive legends. See more of more thoughts and photos from Alan Look on his blog at Best Look Magazine.

Tags: American Eagle comeback, Gladstone IL eagle viewing, Lock and Damn #18, Upper Mississippi River eagle watching, tips for shooting photos of bald eagles

Visual storytelling; How one photographer gets the right image and tone

by Sarahbeth Maney
ProPublica

Last month, reporter Anna Clark and I hosted an in-person photo gallery and group discussion about what motivated us to tell stories of Flint, Michigan, residents 10 years after the start of the water crisis and to talk about how we work to understand the communities we serve. As a visual fellow at ProPublica, I’m focused on documenting the lives of people in our stories through photography. Throughout history, photography has been a powerful tool for recording moments in time, providing visual evidence and evoking emotions that urge us to understand experiences outside of our own. Here are suggestions for aspiring visual storytellers who may find themselves in similar situations.

Ask “Why Does This Story Need to be Told?”

Anna and I previously worked in Flint in different capacities: I interned as a photojournalist at the Flint Journal; Anna wrote a book, “The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy.” To us, Flint is not just a news story, it’s a complex place full of real people who have been and continue to be denied adequate resources and support. We wanted the public to know that generations of Flint residents still live with physical and psychological challenges. By sharing what Flint residents think accountability would look like, we were able to show how many feel betrayed by the failure to hold anyone criminally responsible. They also remain frustrated by how long it’s taking to fix the local water system and the lingering mental wounds that may never be repaired.

The photo essay gave a glimpse into the experience of three residents and how their present-day concerns, fears and decisions are shaped by the water crisis. Over about four months, I made frequent visits to Flint — stopping by nonprofits, churches, after-school programs and other places that are part of everyday life. I spoke with incredibly kind people. Some wanted to help me; others were hesitant, usually because they wanted to move on or felt things would never change. Robert McCathern, Teagan Medlin and Jacquinne Reynolds granted me a great deal of trust. They were able to open up and make themselves vulnerable because of their commitment to cultivating change for future generations. I tried to represent that through the environment in the photographs.

Be Sincere With Your Approach

During the discussion at the visual storytelling event at Totem Books in Flint, we asked residents to ponder what type of stories resonate with them most, what questions they wish someone would ask them and who is one person they would like to interview. We discovered a common thread of wanting to feel more connected as neighbors and fellow human beings.

Then we flipped the exercise to challenge ourselves as journalists and receive questions from residents. “Why Flint?” one participant asked us. We told her how we’d come to admire the community and wanted to present a multidimensional view of it to readers. “Something about this place seems to get in people’s blood,” the participant told us, and it does seem that for a city of its size, Flint has attracted a disproportionate number of storytellers — even before the water crisis. And yet, some residents still wonder: What has changed? Over the past decade, Flint residents have been in the public eye not by choice, but as a result of a disaster created and prolonged by public officials. So what does that mean for us and our responsibility as storytellers?

Being in the business of transparency requires us to also be transparent with the communities we document. Without transparency, it’s hard to build mutual trust, especially in communities that have faced betrayal and have had little control over how their stories are shared with the world.

During the early stages of the project, before lifting my camera to make any photos, I listened to Flint residents and learned about their stories, then let what they told me naturally guide the photos I made. Early on, I also stressed that I believe their stories are important to share because people outside of Flint should know that for many Flint residents, the crisis is still not over.

I also should note that our stories go through many layers of revisions and fact-checking. From beginning to end, I tried to communicate how the project was developing and made sure that our sources were aware of how the story would be framed, how they would be portrayed and how they would be quoted. Once the story was published, I followed up to gauge how they were feeling, and later made them aware that photographs of them would appear at our galley in Flint.

Look for Connection and Insight

The beauty of visual storytelling is that the story can always change shape. Let go of any assumptions and let the story lead you where it may. Anna and I learned so much by taking this approach.

We found that, after a decade, many residents are still waiting for the change they want to see. The flood of the resources and attention Flint initially received has dwindled. But one of the reasons I wanted to revisit this story is because of the people I’ve met and will continue to meet. The city has introduced me to people who care deeply about their community and embrace one another with generosity, care and compassion. And I learned about a host of local programs, from the Flint Rx Kids program that provides financial support for mothers to the McKenzie Patrice Croom Flint Community Water Lab, which trains youth to give back and provides free water testing. Although communities like Flint shouldn’t need to be resilient, we can learn from their empathy, advocacy and support for one another during hard times. My job is to make photographs, but a big part of the fulfillment I get is from making connections.

We closed out our event in Flint by making photographs of attendees that they could have as keepsakes. One woman, who told me she had recently been displaced from her home, said she was going to email the photos of herself to her grandchildren who live in another state. It reminded me that photographs are invaluable in many facets of our lives. They keep us connected.

5 Simple tips for taking great sunset photos

Photo: Nicole Avagliano/PEXELS

Creating breathtaking scenic photos when the sunset is easy. Use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) to achieve a greater depth of field when shooting sunset photos. This helps make a more dramatic image where both the sky and the intricate details of the landscape are in focus.

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BRANDPOINT - Golden hour is the most magical - and photogenic - time of day. Shortly before sunset, golden hour is known for warm, soft, diffused light; long, lazy shadows and an almost otherworldly glow that makes the landscape and everyone in it look their best. Professional photographers seek out this time of day because of its stunning natural lighting, and the rest of us with our smartphone cameras know it's the perfect time to snap a selfie.

Unfortunately, golden hour is also a peak time for mosquito activity. It's a little hard for you to capture the moment when you're swatting those buzzing pests. OFF!® repellents teamed up with Los Angeles-based adventure travel photographer Tiffany Nguyen to help you capture every sunset without mosquitoes, making it easier to enjoy the moment.

Here are Tiffany's best tips for getting great sunset photos.

Don't forget to check the forecast. I always like to double-check the weather forecast to make sure I'm not trekking to the perfect location just for it to start raining at the worst possible time. The Weather Channel app has always been reliable for me, plus it has everything I need in one place - weather forecast, sunset times, and now, the local mosquito forecast from OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast. Just pop in your ZIP code and you can see a seven-day forecast of mosquito activity in your area.

Don't miss the shot swatting away and dodging mosquitoes. I always apply mosquito repellent when I head outside to help ensure I'm not distracted by pests. My favorites to use are OFF!® Clean Feel insect repellents because they are fragrance-free, feel good on my skin and help keep the mosquitoes away so I can stand still long enough to capture the perfect sunset photo.

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Photo: Sasha Martynov/PEXELS

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Don't forget to check the lighting. Before deciding where to shoot, it's important to determine whether the lighting at a location is better for sunrise or sunset.

Don't use the wrong camera settings. When shooting in well-lit conditions, using a low ISO setting is best to prevent excess light from affecting your final image. Adjusting the ISO based on the available light will help ensure a clearer and more professional-looking result.

Don't shoot directly into the sun. If you're taking a sunset photo outdoors, you can enhance the quality of your picture by partially blocking the sun with an object or a person. This technique can help create a more balanced and evenly exposed image.

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Stay off the tracks: Pedestrian-railway accidents soar 35% in the past five years

Railroads are private property. People on the tracks for whatever purpose are considered trespassers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportion it "is illegal to access private railroad property anywhere other than a designated pedestrian or roadway crossing. Trespassers are most often pedestrians who walk across or along railroad tracks as a shortcut to another destination. Some trespassers are loitering; engaged in recreational activities such as jogging, taking pictures, hunting, fishing, bicycling or operating recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)."

Photo: Redd F/Unsplash

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by Mark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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There has been a 35% increase nationwide in the number of trespassing collisions on railroads.

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CHICAGO - Illinois ranks third in the nation for collisions at railroad crossings, and safety experts urged pedestrians and motorists to follow some basic rules to avoid tragedy.

Data from Operation Lifesaver showed overall, the incidents are much less common than they used to be but the number in Illinois is growing.

Buck Russel, manager of public safety for Union Pacific Railroad, said since 2018, there has been a 35% increase nationwide in the number of trespassing collisions on railroads. He explained railroads are private property, so people on the tracks are considered trespassers, not pedestrians.

"It's not a place to take wedding pictures, graduation pictures, record albums," Russel stressed. "They have that nostalgia feeling, the train tracks; you know, they continue on forever into the sunset. But when you get on the train tracks, you're exhibiting those bad behaviors that our little ones are going to pick up on."

Interstate Commerce Commission statistics for 2021 indicate Illinois had 124 collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians at highway-rail crossings. Twenty-one people were killed and another 30 seriously injured. The state ranks fifth for trespassing casualties.

Illinois has more than 7,300 miles of track, with 7,500 public and almost 4,000 private rail crossings. Russel noted a recent report by the Safe Kids Worldwide campaign found a majority of parents do not realize the importance of addressing railroad safety, despite the statistics. Whether it is a railroad crossing or a collision on the tracks, he said nearly all incidents are preventable.

"Approximately every three hours, either a person or a vehicle is struck in the United States," Russel pointed out. "I know personally, when I pass it on to my family members, they're just like, 'There is just no way it can be every three hours.' And it, unfortunately, really does come down to that."

Russel said most of the collision incidents take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Last month, the Biden administration announced it has allocated more than more than $1.4 billion to improve railway safety.

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Village Crier: January 6, 2021

Village community garage sale date set for April

With warmer weather still months away, the first date for community garage and yard sales is on the books. The St. Joseph Community Garage Sale will take place on April 8 - 10.

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Billy Bob's settles case with the county

On New Year's Eve, Billy Bob's was issued a temporary restraining order by Judge Roger Webber for operating without a valid health permit. To avoid further unnecessary litigation, the Ogden eating establishment signed off on a settlement agreement with county public health agency on Tuesday to remain open for scaled back business operations.

After paying $50 reinstatement fee for their health permit and submitting to an inspection, starting Friday the restaurant under the water tower will be open for carryout service only. The establishment posted on Facebook their new hours for service will be Sunday thru Wednesday from 11a to 7p and Thursday thru Saturday from 11a-8p.

The settlement also included a provision that Billy Bob's submit a written plan detailing its plans to operate under current county ordinance and state COVID-19 mitigation restrictions.

Health authorities suspended the permit on December 11 for continuing indoor service for remaining open in defiance of the state mandated mitigation plan which forbid indoor dining. Billy Bob's continued to operate without a valid health permit before receiving court summons.

For more information on carryout service call (217) 582-2277.

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St. Joseph youth baseball registration opens next week

Player registration for the St. Joseph Youth Baseball Little League opens on Saturday, January 23. Eligible players have until February 6 to sign up. A birthday chart to help determine which level a child will play can be found here.

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Tolono studio photographer offers mini sessions

Give that special someone in your life a photo on Valentine's Day. Photographer Madeline Wilson is offering Valentine's Day mini sessions with families, kids, couples and/or pets in her studio located at 104 Main Street in Tolono. Sessions will begin on January 31 and run through February 14.

For more information visit Wilson's Facebook business page or call (217) 621-4159.

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Tier 2 on the horizon

Earlier this week Governor J.B. Pritzker said any region below the required metrics can move into Tier 2 restrictions a week from tomorrow on January 15. That is welcomed news for athletes and restaurants in regions around the state, especially those that have done well at slowing the spread of the COVID-19 pathogen.

"We are watching closely in this incubation period post-Christmas and New Year’s. I am cautiously optimistic as there are some early signs that some regions have made real progress," Pritzker announced during an afternoon press briefing. The news comes after he extended the emergency COVID restriction Monday, requiring people to wear a mask for another 150 days.

In order for a region to move back to Tier 2 mitigations, a region must experience less than 12 percent test positivity rate for three consecutive days, have more than 20 percent available intensive care unit (ICU) hospital bed availability and have declining COVID hospitalizations in 7 of the last 10 days. The Governor's team is waiting to see if there is a surge or spike of COVID-19 cases seeded from New Year's gatherings.

Locally there have seventeen new case identified in the past 48 hours. The Sentinel area saw the lowest number of active cases in over 51 days on Tuesday with 59. The number of infections have climbed to 71 likely from New Year's Eve revelry.

As of Wednesday night, 3,921 patients in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. According state records, 783 of those patients were in the ICU and 450 patients on ventilators.

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The Sentinel will help promote your business

If you own and operate a business located in Tolono, Sidney, Philo, Ogden, St. Joseph or Royal, fill out the form below to list your business or the services you offer in The Sentinel Business Directory. To list your business' contact information complete the online form here...

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Send your business, social or community organization's press release or event information to The Sentinel at editor@oursentinel.com.