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Tuesday, January 27, 2015
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Illinois shrinks while the nation grows By Ken Schroeder Shaw Media Service
Does it seem like there’s been fewer people when you’ve gone to the mall or eaten at a restaurant lately? It turns out, it’s not just your imagination. The U.S. Census Bureau has released its annual U.S. and state population estimates, and Illinois is in a very dubious position. The
total population of Illinois shrank by almost 10,000 people since January 2014, according to Census Bureau estimates. That’s more than all the other losing states combined. The decrease represents a percentage loss of .01 percent. The only state with a higher percentage of emigrants is West Virginia with a .02 percent loss, just over 3,000 residents. Other states that lost population
were Connecticut (less than 3,000 people), New Mexico (more than 1,000) and Vermont (which lost less than 300 people). While five states lost population, the nation overall gained. The current U.S. population is estimated at 320,090,632, compared to last year’s 317,756,435, with a growth of .007 percent. The numbers are based off of the 2010 census,
and uses a formula which subtracts reported deaths from the collected population data. Births are added and immigration figures are factored in. The Census Bureau has been estimating annual population changes for some time with a reasonable amount of accuracy. Figures from the year 2000 to 2010 were off across the country by an average of 3.6 percent. Illinois’ rapid emigra-
tion follows four years of solid growth with estimated increases annually between 9,000 and 18,000 people. While all areas of the nation experienced growth, most of it occurred in the south and west portions of the country. More than half of the increase in population was in the southern states. The big winners were Texas, California and Florida with increases of
approximately 450,000, 370,000 and 290,000 people respectively. The Texas increase equates to 1.7 percent, while California’s influx measures at 1 percent, and Florida marked a 1.5 percent increase in population. By percentage, the biggest gain in population occurred in North Dakota. The Peace Garden State’s population rose by 15,625 people, which was an increase of 2.2 percent.
Hundreds helped in 2014 Hall Township Food Pantry reviews last year’s stats By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — Members of the Hall Township Food Pantry Board recently sat down to review their 2014 statistics. With a new distribution project, a supportive community and the ability to serve 184 new families — board members are calling 2014 a successful year. Looking back on year, the first basket distribution was for the Easter holiday. In 2014, the food pantry provided 270 families/812 individuals with an Easter basket. That was an increase of 38 families/130 individuals that were served in 2013. As summer vacation for students approached, the food pantry began prepping for a new service they provided to clients. Families with school-aged children were allowed to visit the pantry a second time during the month —for food only. The goal was to assist families who had hungry children at home during summer vacation. The Second Helpings Distribution was another way for families to help make ends meet before their next regular visit at the pantry. Hall Township Food Pantry Director Jan Martin said the program was a success, and many families gave positive feedback about how helpful it was to have that second helping for their children who were home from school. Second Helpings Distribution was provided from
July to September. The numbers increased with each month. In July, 79 families/376 individuals were served; In August 85 families/382 individuals were served, and in September, 161 families/483 individuals were served. Overall, 325 family /1,241 individual visits came from the summer program. Because of its success, Martin confirmed the food pantry will provide the summer program for its clients again in Summer 2015. As the holiday season quickly approached, volunteers at the food pantry began putting together the annual Thanksgiving baskets drive. The 2014 drive, again, provided food to more families/individuals than in 2013. The pantry served Thanksgiving baskets to 345 families/1,096 individuals, which was an increase of 26 families/89 individuals who were served in 2013. Following Thanksgiving, the food pantry turned around and began prepping for the annual Christmas basket drive. The 2014 project served 307 families/992 individuals which was again, an increase of 16 families/85 individuals who were served in 2013. One thing Martin stressed about the holiday baskets is the Hall Township Food Pantry not only puts together a basket of food, but a basket full of “festive food.” Volunteers at the food pantry work
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BCR photo/Becky Kramer
Pancakes, sausage and more ... Bill Politsch (from left), Al Taylor and Chuck Hanson serve up some great eats at the St. Louis Catholic Church Knights of Columbus all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast. The event was held Sunday in the St. Louis School gymnasium.
On the radio at the Bureau County Jail $150,000 radio room renovation begins By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Construction began Monday to upgrade the radio room in the Bureau County Jail with a $150,000 grant. “It’s a great improvement to the jail,” said Bureau County Sheriff Jim Reed. Reed said the grant was
secured by former Sheriff John Thompson and awarded to Bureau County through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He said Thompson had been working toward this grant throughout the last three years or more. Bureau County Board Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairman Kristi Warren said
Thompson had orchestrated this grant on his own years ago. The Buildings and Grounds Committee is just now getting involved, she said. The grant will be directed to a total renovation of the Bureau County Jail radio room. Former Sen. Gary Dahl awarded the grant to Bureau County and some surrounding areas before he left office, said Warren, however, the money is just now coming in. Warren said the money just may not have been avail-
able until this point. Reed said the financial side of the project is an intricate and complex process. However, all radio room renovations will be paid for by the grant. Thompson had previously authorized around $10,000 to pay for any overages, however, Reed said he is closely monitoring renovations to ensure no taxpayer money will be spent on this project. “We are lucky to have
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Year 169 No. 12 One Section - 16 Pages
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