Kickball league forming in Tolono
Photo of the Day - October 15, 2020

Blaase qualifies for title race at state
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Photo of the Day - October 14, 2020

Up & Over
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
St. Joseph resident to send care packages to US troops abroad
A close friend, Alyssa Artola, deployed with the Urbana-based Illinois National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to the Ukraine in June. Artola and her unit of approximately 165 soldiers are part of a Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine deployed to support U.S. European Command operations.
Their mission is part of ongoing efforts by the U.S. to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term military reform and is provided at the request of the Ukrainian government. Observing a "train-the-trainer" approach, the Urbana based unit along with NATO allies and partners, are in-country to advise and mentor the Armed Forces of Ukraine Observer Controller / Trainers at the Combat Training Center located near Yavoriv.
They will not be involved in conflict operations.
Raised in a military family, Czerwinski, whose father retired at major after 20 years of service in the Army, wanted to send her friend a care package several weeks ago. In a conversation with Artola she learned that troopers "get excited when they get mail", no matter what it is.
"I thought it was sad that people don't get mail," said Czerwinski, who decided not only to send her friend a care package, but one to every trooper in the brigade. "I thought it would be nice, something for them to look forward to."
She hatched a plan to gather as many items and boxes as she could through the month of October and then ship them out in time for to be received on Veteran’s Day.
"I wasn't really sure where to start," Czerwinski admitted. She posted a couple of messages on Facebook asking for donations and was pleasantly surprised by the response. "It's been a wonderful experience so far. The number of people willing to donate has been touching."
A member from the high school student council reached out and after receiving approval from the school administration, boxes will available at St. Joseph-Ogden High School starting this week to collect donated items.
There is also a box at Chris Booth State Farm, where she works, on the corner of Fox and State in Champaign, for donations. Czerwinski has also had people drop off items at her home.
Suggested items include:Ramen
Seasoning salt
Hot sauces
Flavor packets for water
Energy bars
Beef jerky
Instant rice/Mac-n-cheese
Tea
Coffee
Small toiletries
Shower items
Board games
Playing cards
Pens
Paper
If residents have any extra holiday decorations or working lights lying around, she would love to ship them to the American men and women serving our country.
"They may not have a tree, but the decor and lights would be great," she said.
The cost of shipping a box weighing up to 10 pounds is $20. Czerwinski is also accepting monetary donations to help cover the postal fee. She plans to deliver all the boxes and parcels she can to the post office in St. Joseph on October 30.
For more information on you can help, residents can contact Czerwinski via Facebook or send an email to sendingwithsarah@gmail.com
"I really appreciate all the support from people."
Photo of the Day - October 13, 2020

Rockets blast the Bombers for playoff victory
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Spartans finish in top 3, Rockets in 4th at IPC meet

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Illini Prairie Conference meet results:
4 | Brandon Mattsey | SJO | 16:07.43 |
8 | Charlie Mabry | SJO | 16:22.22 |
9 | Carson Maroon | SJO | 16:25.25 |
10 | Connor O'Donnell | Unity | 16:29.35 |
11 | Jarrett Cox | Unity | 16:32.92 |
16 | Benjamin Gravel | Unity | 16:54.41 |
19 | Elijah Mock | SJO | 17:08.02 |
20 | Luke Stegall | SJO | 17:08.73 |
22 | Logan Wolfersberger | SJO | 17:16.19 |
28 | Nolan Miller | Unity | 17:40.45 |
31 | Thomas Cler | Unity | 17:48.72 |
44 | Spencer Wilson | SJO | 18:23.18 |
46 | Clayton Jamison | Unity | 18:46.65 |
50 | Bryson Denny | Unity | 19:33.67 |
Progressive income tax would put heavy burden on small Illinois business
by Bryce Hill, Senior Research Analyst
Illinois Policy
COVID-19 and state-mandated restrictions already damaged Illinois small businesses, but the extra challenge of a 50.3% marginal income tax rate awaits if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s "fair tax" is added to their state and federal income tax burdens. Despite wide-spread agreement that you should not raise taxes during an economic downturn, Pritzker insists Illinois needs his $3 billion income tax hike now more than ever. But massive job losses and stubbornly high unemployment rates mean there might not be a worse time for a tax hike. Hiking taxes during a recession, or just as the economy attempts to get back on its feet, would be a clear policy mistake. One reason is the income tax hike would hit the state’s largest job creators – small businesses – the hardest. Small businesses are responsible for 60% of the net job creation in Illinois and are the businesses most at risk from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Changing to a progressive income tax in Illinois could mean a massive tax hike for these businesses and create marginal income tax rates in excess of 50% when all state and federal income taxes are included. Research has shown an increase in the top marginal tax rate is associated with a decrease in hiring activity of entrepreneurs and lower wages for their employees. When considering all of the layers of income taxes Illinoisans face, small businesses – who pay taxes as individuals – could be left paying 50.3% of their top-end income in taxes. Total marginal income tax rates would range from 31.6% to 50.3% thanks to federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, state income tax, and Illinois’ Personal Property Replacement Tax. The increase in the state income tax from the current flat rate of 4.95%, to up to 7.99% under the progressive income tax, would mean that some small businesses would face a state income tax hike 5 times larger than big businesses. While the total corporate income tax rate – including the Personal Property Replacement Tax – will be hiked by 10% (from 9.5% to 10.49% when including the replacement tax), the tax hike for pass-throughs could be up to 47% (6.45% to 9.49% when including the replacement tax). Research from April showed fewer than half of all U.S. small businesses expected to re-open this year if the crisis lasted more than four months. For the small businesses that do manage to survive, the last thing their owners and employees need is a tax hike to crush them while they’re attempting to get back on their feet. Small businesses such as S-corps, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietors make up a large majority of business establishments in Illinois, representing 71% of all private for-profit businesses, totaling more than 210,000 establishments. These small businesses also employed nearly half of Illinois’ private for-profit workforce prior to the COVID-19 downturn, or more than 2.3 million Illinoisans. Contrary to the governor’s claims, a progressive income tax hike is the exact opposite of what Illinois lawmakers should be doing in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Nearly 700,000 Illinoisans remain out of work as a result of the pandemic. That is after the first year on record in which Illinois lost private-sector jobs amid a national boom. Imposing marginal tax rates exceeding 50% for Illinois’ largest job creators during the current economic crisis would be a painful mistake.
Originally published by Illinois Policy on October 8, 2020. Published by permission.
Photo of the Day - October 12, 2020

SJO piles on the TD
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Village sewer rate increase goes into effect in St. Joseph
The schedule rate increase, approved in April 2019 by the St. Joseph Board of Trustees and put on hold due COVID-19 pandemic, will pay for upgrades as the aging plant nears its maximum operating capacity according to a release from the village.
The 15-year plan created last year is a detailed road map to ensure costs, operating expenses and plant capital maintenance needs are met to keep pace with the community's growth. The plan included incrementally increasing rates, which will be determined annually by the board, on a yearly basis rather of one or more large jump in monthly fees.
While the increase will impact low volume users minimally, heavy users will see likely see a noticeable change on their statements.
The new rate, starting on October 1, is $17.50, up from $15.00, for the first two units. Each additional unit used will be billed at at $1.75 more then the previous amount of $5.25 at $7.00 each.
Unity takes 2nd at conference meet, SJO girls 5th

Photo: PhotoNews Media
Individually, Rockets' Erica Woodard paced all area runners around the course closing out her race in 18 minutes, 18 seconds for a fourth place overall finish. Nearly a minute later, teammates Caelyn Kleparski (8th) and Taylor Joop (9th) crossed the finish line at 19:12 and 19:15, respectively.
Ava Knap let the Spartan contingent finishing the 3-mile course with a time of 20:19.21. She was followed over the line by Helene Jones and Chloe Burkholter to round SJO's top three finishers. Jones finished two spots behind Knap in 23rd place overall. Meanwhile, Burkholter ended her run 30th out of 56 runners on Saturday.
This year's meet champion was Monticello with 29 points. Olympia won third place honors with a score of 90 points.
Illini Prairie Conference meet results:
4 | Erica Woodard | Unity | 18:18.00 |
8 | Caelyn Kleparski | Unity | 19:12.99 |
9 | Taylor Joop | Unity | 19:15.09 |
11 | Elizabeth Hulick | Unity | 19:26.23 |
13 | Olivia Shike | Unity | 19:38.08 |
16 | Malla Fairbanks | Unity | 19:55.97 |
20 | Ava Knap | SJO | 20:19.21 |
22 | Helene Jones | SJO | 20:28.93 |
26 | Audrey Remole | Unity | 20:45.34 |
29 | Chloe Burkholter | SJO | 20:58.85 |
31 | Malorie Sarnecki | SJO | 21:03.39 |
34 | Kailyn Ingram | SJO | 21:11.77 |
35 | Addie Allen | SJO | 21:22.56 |
39 | Ashlyn Lannert | SJO | 21:49.06 |
Village Administrator job on St. Joseph board agenda
The Village Administrator would be responsible for day-to-day operation of village services, keep track of financial health and capital projects, assist in zoning enforcement as well as ensuring permit fees are collected.
"The way we do things now, we are far from being efficient," said Tami Fruhling-Voges, Village President/Mayor. "The Village should be ran like a business."
She said the Village Administrator is needed to help her and the trustees with research and policy recommendations. The person in the new position would also actively apply for state and federal grants.
"It will truly be a benefit to the community."
According to agenda for Tuesday, Mayor Fruhling-Voges will present a new Village Public Works calendar and announce the recipient of the St. Joseph's first Employee Appreciation Award. She will also unveil a Halloween Proclamation as well as tax levy comparisons and late distributions from the County Treasurer's Office.
The board will also hear and vote to approve an audit report from Feller & Kuester CPAs LLP, receive an updated from the recent Sewer Committee meeting and an update on the Linden Street retention pond.
If you have something that you want to bring up at the Village Board Meeting but do not want to attend, residents are encouraged to email the information to tasmetzer@gmail.com. Your email should include your full name, address and phone number.
If you would like to attend the meeting in person, please use the side door which enters directly into the Village Board room. It will be the only door available for entry. Visitors may address the Board /Committee on subjects listed and not listed on the agenda during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Speakers will must state their name and address for the meeting records. Masks and social distancing will be observed.
You can find the October 13 agenda here.
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