TON-01-29-2016

1 Front Volume 142 No. 8

Friday, January 29, 2016

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Looking for easements in Tonica

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — Tonica’s sewer project, long in the works, is now one step closer to operation.

At the village board meeting on Monday, Jan. 18, village engineer Jack Kusek had some welcome news.

“I finally got the USDA to approve the agreement,” Kusek said. “Third time’s the charm. Actually, I should say fourth time’s the charm.”

The slightly revised

agreement comes with even more good news for the village.

“The interest rate,” Kusek said, “I think it’s going down.”

However, even with this agreement accepted, the project still has another barrier it must cross, and this one might be more difficult depending on how amicable negotiations turn out to be.

“We’ve been trying to put what they call a right of way map together,” Kusek said.

He said that since the USDA is funding the project, they want to know that all the sites are either on village-owned property or have easements to get to them.

This helps cover them in case of liability issues.

Kusek figured this would be the easy part, and as he said, “for the most part, that’s the case.” However, there are issues with some of the sewer.

“Nobody can find the easements,” Kusek said.

“I know they wouldn’t

have put the sewers in without easements ... I thought for sure they’d have a file with all this.

They might very well be in the courthouse, but we haven’t found them anywhere we’ve looked.”

He has figured out the time frame for when these documents would likely have been stored.

“All the design would have been done in the late ‘60s,” Kusek said, “so that’s probably when the easements would have been put in.”

Kusek plans to try to get the USDA to go ahead with the project, even if these easements have not been found.

“My goal is, since the major structures are on village property, and the sewers have been in place for almost 50 years, that the USDA will say they’re only really interested in the major structures.”

How easy it will be to get this project going is still unknown.

“That’s a bridge we’ll have to cross,” Kusek said, “and

I’m hoping it’ll be an easy crossing, but I won’t promise because I don’t know.”

Kusek provided further updates on projects. Certain plans have changed.

“The valves and motor operators is the next thing to get started. We were going to do that in the next week or so, but that’s being put off.”

The reason for the change is that the manufacturer said it is not a good idea to put power to the parts and then mothball them until the project’s completion.

Not a formula for success

Oh deer! It’s snack time!

Possible changes to funding would mean less money for Lostant School

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

President Jeremy Hillyer said. “We didn’t get the numbers we were hoping for.”

LOSTANT — Lostant School Superintendent Sandra Malahy talked to the school board at its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 20, about potential changes to Alternate formula funding procedures, which she says would be a loss for the school.

“We are an Alternate formula school,” Malahy said, indicating these possible changes would directly affect Lostant. She said the outcome will be unfavorable if the changes occur.

“If this passes, we’re on the losing end,” she said.

The impetus for change would seem benign.

“You keep hearing about how people want to make funding for schools more equitable,” Malahy said.

The proposed modifications, particularly in the context of the supposed fairness, bemused board members.

“I don’t understand how, when they redo the formula to be more fair, we get less and have to pay more money,” school board President Mike Phillips said.

Budget Page 3

Funding Page 2

Tonica News photo/Mike Vaughn

With a few inches of snow covering the ground, it’s a perfect time to see wildlife in the country or even in your own backyard, like this doe who couldn’t resist some cracked corn. Do you have a wildlife photo you’d like to share with other Tonica News readers? If so, email it to news@tonicanews.com along with information about who took the photo, where it was taken and any other pertinent information. Be sure to include your telephone number, in case we need additional information.

Studying kindergarten in Tonica School considers budget reductions

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — During its regular meeting, WednesVol. 142 No. 8 One Section - 12 Pages

© The Tonica News

day, Jan. 20, the Tonica School Board looked at possible reductions to help with its budget.

One of the items to be

considered is the kindergarten program. The school has been trying to keep the program running, especially since the

public has voiced a desire the program remain in operation.

“It didn’t work out the way we wanted,” board

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2 Local

2 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 29, 2016

Seeking Sources

Man charged in Bureau County Court Man allegedly failed to report an accident involving a death

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You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.

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Jose L. Torres, 20, of Oglesby is led by officers into the Bureau County Courthouse Tuesday, Jan. 19. Torres has been charged with failure to report an accident resulting in death, a Class 1 felony, in relation to an accident that took the life of a Mendota teenager last August.

Have some Swedish heritage?

You could land a part on an established Swedish television show

By Shannon Serpette news@tonicanews.com

Area residents with Swedish ancestry have been invited to apply to be contestants on a popular Swedish television show, “Allt För Sverige,” which is now casting for its sixth season.

“We know that there are lots of American/ Swedes in the Illinois area,” said Marika Gougaud, head of casting for Meter Television in Stockholm, which is conducting the search for contestants. “Since America has such a strong impact on the world through its politics, financial institutions, television, film, fashion and culture, it is interesting to turn the tables and bring

people back to their Swedish roots.”

If selected for the show, contestants would be treated to a trip to Sweden where they learn about their family, the history and the culture of Sweden.

They would compete in extreme cultural challenges. The grand prize for the winner of the show is a reunion with their living Swedish family.

“We have a genealogist who does the back check on all participants to find their lost family,” Gougaud said.

Fun, outgoing Americans, with some Swedish ancestry — even a little bit counts — may apply to be a contestant on the show at www. greatswedishadventure. com by Feb. 11.

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From Page 1 “Our property tax is more than a lot of schools over by Chicago, and we’re already getting less ... I think if our taxing base were wealthy, our school would look more like Dimmick’s.”

If the procedure and distribution changes, the school will have to adapt, however painful that might be.

“We’ll be keeping a careful eye on it,” Malahy said.

In other news, the board discussed situations with the school which demanded repair. One such issue is causing uneven heating throughout the building, but could lead to something worse.

The steam valves in the boiler are meant to last five years.

“Ours have never been replaced. That’s why some of the rooms are cooler and some are warmer because the valves aren’t working consistently,” she said.

Quillard Skinner noted the main problem is somewhat more important than the uneven heating itself.

“So you could boil all the water out of the tank and destroy it,” he said. “That

would not be good.”

Looking into the situation, Malahy discovered a rebate program which could help with the situation. However, there is a catch: “It is tied to the state of Illinois, and guess what’s going on right now,” Malahy said. “No budget, no money is being released.”

Malahy requested the school apply for the program in hopes it will work out by the time boiler repair will commence. If it does not, the school might have to pay for the maintenance itself.

“So you’re talking four days in labor and whatever cost in parts,” Malahy said.

“We’re estimating roughly around $5,000.”

“That seems low,” Skinner said.

Phillips suggested the lower-than-expected price could relate to the repairman’s advance knowledge of the school’s system.

“He might already know what needs to be done,” Phillips said.

Regardless, work will not be taking place immediately.

“We need to turn the boiler off to do the repairs,” Malahy said, “and we’re not turning it off in the dead of winter.” Malahy

said spring break could be a good time to do the work.

Other valves have been causing issues in the school as well.

“We had a small gas leak in the kitchen,” Malahy said.

“It was just a worn out valve leaking some gas. One of the pilots on the steam table wasn’t operating properly.”

Because the pilot in question was on the far end of the table, and the kitchen staff said they do not use all the pilots, the valve was capped off.

“If we ever need to use it, we can always uncap it and repair it,” Malahy said.

The board had a number of other finance-related topics to cover.

• Even though the school is still paying off tuition bills, Malahy says revenue will continue to increase.

“I’m guessing our gasoline is coming in under budget,” Phillips said. “And our heat.”

• As for the school’s financial profile, Malahy said the school has received a 3.65 score out of a possible 4.0. “That is due to our expenditure-to-revenue ratio,” she said. “We’re still in the highest recognition category, and hopefully we can bring that back up next year.”

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1 felony is four to 15 years in prison if found guilty, a two-year mandatory supervised release period where he could be released back into the community, and a maximum fine of $25,000.

Torres was barely audible in telling Hollerich he had hired private counsel for the arraignment, which was set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. The judge told Torres he could be released on bail by posting 10 percent, or $30,000, of his Bureau County warrant. Torres would still have to deal with the LaSalle County warrant, with 10 percent amounting to $10,000, before he could be released from their possession.

It was determined Torres would be remanded to the custody of the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Department while awaiting his arraignment, or until he posted bail for both individual warrants.

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PRINCETON — Family members of the deceased Jaquelin Martinez-Maldonado filled the Bureau County courtroom Tuesday, Jan. 19, for a preliminary hearing involving Jose L. Torres, 20, of Oglesby. Torres was charged with failure to report an accident involving death, a Class 1 felony, after allegedly striking Martinez-Maldonado, a 19-yearold Mendota native, with a vehicle while at a party in Leepertown Township on Aug. 30, resulting in her death.

Torres exited a Bureau County Sheriff’s vehicle and was escorted into the courthouse holding his orange jacket over his face Tuesday afternoon. He sat motionless until Judge C.J. Hollerich asked him to approach the bench. About 40 to 50

family members sat quietly on the left side of the pews, some of them wearing shirts in memory of Martinez-Maldonado.

According to a Bureau County Sheriff’s Office press release, Torres was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 12, by the Oglesby Police Department and charged with concealing collateral, a Class 3 felony. He was being held in the LaSalle County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Allegations surfaced that Torres was the driver of the vehicle that struck Martinez-Maldonado and three other individuals in the early morning hours of Aug. 30, at a party outside of Bureau.

Torres presented himself to Hollerich without counsel Tuesday and acknowledged he understood what he was being charged with.

A warrant was issued in the amount of $300,000. The possible penalty for a Class

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Friday, January 29, 2016 • The Tonica News • 3

Budget

Area youth attend 4-H officer training

From Page 1

Photo contributed

A multi-county 4-H officer training was held at the University of Illinois Extension, IVCC Campus, to introduce youth to the importance of responsible leadership, how to organize a club meeting or activity, and how to practice their leadership skills in 4-H. Youth from Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties learned techniques to help their 4-H clubs successfully accomplish club goals and create a positive learning experience for their members.

Through fun, holiday-themed activities, youth learned about parliamentary procedure, facilitating group activities, and how to make 4-H meetings fun. The training helped prepare youth to become successful peer leaders with their 4-H clubs. The training also offered youth an opportunity to meet other 4-H members from other clubs and counties. To learn more about 4-H programs near you, contact the University of Illinois Extension Office, IVCC Campus, at 815-224-0889 or bsuarez@illinois.edu.

Extra coursework welcomed at Lostant School

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Students at Lostant School, given the opportunity to participate in additional coursework, are learning useful subjects and enjoying the program.

Superintendent Sandra Malahy updated the board on the program Wednesday, Jan. 20, and she is thrilled at the results.

While people might have concerns about the possibility additional work will cause the kids to fall behind, this fear has not materialized.

“Every one of the children is working ahead of schedule,” Malahy said.

“They’re doing a great job.”

One of the programs that has impressed her is the language program.

“We have three students enrolled in world languages, and they’re being introduced to five languages,” Malahy said. “I checked on them, and it was amazing. They’re speaking Chinese.”

Malahy is not the only person excited about these programs. The children are enjoying them as well.

“You could really tell the enthusiasm last month,” board member

Quillard Skinner said.

“I’m so glad we branched out,” Malahy said. “How many small, rural schools are able to offer Chinese and Spanish, and this biology and agriculture?”

In other news: • In the past, the school would work with a co-op, which would handle the additional funding received to help with the extra costs of servicing special education students. This co-op was then obligated to report how the money was spent.

The relationship between school and co-op has changed.

“Starting this past year,” Malahy said, “school districts have been required to compile this extensive report, give it to the co-op, which compiles those reports.”

The report shows the school has met requirements in funding comparisons between special education and other education.

Mike Phillips, board of education president, summarized the requirements: “The mandated amount says you can’t spend less per pupil than on your other students.”

“We spent more than we were mandated to spend,” Malahy said, “and therefore are not in jeopardy of

whatever they do to us.”

• “Every year we have an asbestos audit,” Malahy said, “but every three years we have a major audit.”

This major audit has now occurred.

There were two locations discovered which were deemed to be potential problems, so these areas required further investigation.

“When dealing with asbestos, you never want to ignore potential problems,” Malahy said.

• The school’s food program is also due for an audit.

“Every four years we have an audit from a state auditor,” Malahy said.

The auditor comes down for a few days and looks into operations relating to the program. One way the auditor does this, Malahy noted, is by watching the food workers do their jobs.

• The board recognized Paul Strack for donating his portion of the 50/50 money back to the school, St. Mary Hospital in Streator for donating some three-ring binders and the Little Angels program of Tonica for delivering food to two Lostant families in need.

Phillips also suggested the board recognize the basketball team for winning second.

If the program is cut, according to Hillyer, it was not for lack of effort.

“We did give it a chance,” he said.

Action on these proposed reductions will not take place immediately, however, Interim Superintendent Lawrence Carlton said action could come about as soon as March.

Even then, the action can be petitioned.

“Once this is announced, the organization does have the right to meet with the board and discuss the effect of reductions,” Carlton said.

There was a slight incongruence between the initially reported total in reductions and what was calculated when tallied up. Overall, Carlton said the combined amount in reductions, if the board were to accept the whole package, is around $76,000.

In other discussion, the school has been undergoing maintenance as various utilities and technological pieces are updated and replaced.

• A breaker in the gymnasium had been causing issues. It was

Referendum vs. bonds

Tonica Grade School looks at options

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — The regular time for the Tonica School Board meeting this month included a public hearing to discuss the intent of selling working cash fund bonds.

In preparation for a potential property tax freeze, the Tonica School Board held a public hearing during its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 20, so it might move forward with its plan to help ensure the school maintains funding.

“In past years, it was a good thing for boards to

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not have debt,” Interim Superintendent Lawrence Carlton said. “I’ve worked with boards that don’t have any debt. It’s a good feeling, kind of like not having personal debt.”

However, he believes current actions taking place in Illinois might change the nature of these operations if the property tax freeze goes through.

“In April this year,” Carlton said, “it could become a bad thing for boards to not have debt.”

Carlton said if the school could take out these loans, it could access $300,000.

Bonds Page 4

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Illinois Valley Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, hosts Labor Summit Sieg Tire & Tube Repair Shop LASALLE — On Saturday, Jan. 30, the Illinois Valley Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, will host a Labor Summit for working people.

Featured speakers include Professor Robert Bruno, University of Illinois; Jerome Davidson, United Steel Workers Rapid Response coordinator; and Roberta Lynch, executive director of AFSCME Council 31.

They will be addressing issues that impact working families statewide.

The program will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 209 Gooding St., LaSalle.

replaced.

• Because of the technological issues the board has been discussing, six desktops have been purchased for the teachers.

• For the ongoing heater renovations, the school has ordered four new heaters.

“The bid came in nicely around $24,000,” Carlton said of the heating project. “We’re underway with our work.”

• Heat days can now be called earlier than before, saving faculty, parents and students hassle.

“We can now call school, related to heat, the night before,” Carlton said. “Used to be, we had to get to school, determine if it was too hot, and call it.”

• Carlton provided an update regarding the school’s finances. He said the school has $1.3 million in revenue.

“There are areas lagging behind,” he said.

“State aid is lagging behind.”

The areas of finance which have yet to catch up with where they should be do not surprise Carlton All funds were listed as $1,743,435.

“Right now, as of Dec. 31,” Carlton said, “this budget is looking pretty good.”

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4 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 29, 2016

A sharp idea

Tonica Village Board hears about program for sharp objects in trash

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — A representative of one of the waste management companies vying for Tonica’s business paid the Tonica Village Board another visit on Monday, Jan. 18, to talk about programs for the removal of sharp objects and electronic material.

Jim Pozzi of Republic Services spoke about programs the company offers residents for the removal of materials deemed unsuitable for the regular trash. These include “sharps,” such as hypodermic needles and electronic waste.

“This is one of the big concerns that our guys have, that any hauler has,” Pozzi said about sharps.

“It’s a huge risk for a guy to reach down and grab a bag; there’s a needle in it, boom, he gets hepatitis or something ... It’s a big part of why we’re moving to get people to use cans.”

Republic Services has a program for residents to dispose of these potentially hazardous objects, and Pozzi thought it would be good to bring it to the village’s attention.

Pozzi said the village can link to the program’s site, Republicsharps.com, from the village’s website.

“It really doesn’t cost the municipality anything,” he said.

The program bypasses the village and goes straight to the person who needs to dispose of one of these items. ”It’s a direct-to-the-resident program,” Pozzi said.

“We send them everything they need.”

A major aspect of this program is what happens to the waste after it is collected. If tossed out with the rest of the trash, it might sit in the dump,

Bonds From Page 3 “That doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and borrow $300,000 right now,” he said.

If the board does not follow through on this action, it risks needing to go to referendum in the future, something Carlton is not certain would be fruitful.

“If the working cash is exhausted in the fall of 2016, you would then have to go to the voters to borrow,” he said.

Carlton does not believe such a referendum would succeed in attaining more funds.

“I don’t have faith in the public voters to approve a referendum in the Tonica or many other school districts to borrow more money,” he said. “It just doesn’t happen very often.”

but these materials need special handling.

“It goes to one of our medical facilities that we partner with,” Pozzi said, “and they dispose of it properly.”

He also took a moment to talk about the company’s BlueGuard program, which is meant to deal with electronic waste. Like the sharps program, this is direct-to-the-resident and does not go through the village.

“It really takes the worry away from the village,” he said. “We give the resident everything they need to get rid of their electronics and their sharps.”

Trustee Bob Folty had a question on behalf of one of the residents. He said he was approached by someone who lives on a hill with an inconvenience. “If it gets to where he has to wheel a thing up and down the hill,” Folty said, “it’s going to be a burden for him.”

“In some cases, we do provide back-door service,” Pozzi replied. “If we can do a little extra for the residents, that goes a long way.”

The village’s current contract for garbage disposal is soon to end, and the board decided to open up for bids.

The village of Tonica has recruited a new EMT for the fire department.

Al Stremlau, Tonica’s fire chief, talked to the board at its meeting Monday, Jan. 18, about the new recruit, Sarah Williams, who passed the EMT exam during the first week of January.

“Nice to get another EMT,” Stremlau said.

“That’s awesome.”

Stremlau says the department now has 33 members. “We can always use more members,” he said. “We have a good

core, but some of those are aging.”

He says younger recruits are extremely helpful.

As another update, the department received a grant from FEMA for allnew bunker gear. This grant is much appreciated.

“Our previous gear was 13 years old,” Stremlau said, “and it’s supposed to have a 10-year useful life.”

• In other discussion, a broken tile had been flooding the ditch and sending water out over the road, which could have been especially disastrous in the recent cold temperatures. This issue has been rectified.

“It’s running steady right now,” Marc Lemrise said. “It’s still broken upstream, but it’s flowing.”

• This does not indicate the end of Tonica’s water issues.

“We’ve got two water mains leaking at the same time,” Lemrise said. “It doesn’t look like a lot,” Lemrise said, “but our pump had just gone up quite a bit.”

The plan is to work on this issue this week, and Lemrise hopes it will not take long to fix.

“Hopefully they can get that resolved quick,” he said, “because once it starts, people will be out of water.”

• Bob Folty brought up the matter of some old pumps that are sitting around unused.

“I’ve got three pumps,” Lemrise said. “One’s a spare, but I can’t see having three spares. The other two are just taking up floor space. ... “I don’t think I could even see two spares. One spare, sure.”

Village engineer Jack Kusek noted a location in the new plant where the pumps could be of use.

Jeremy Hillyer, board president, expanded upon the statement.

“If your community is older people, they don’t want to bring their taxes up,” he said. “They’ve already paid for their kids to go to school and everything.”

“It’s not that I don’t have faith in Tonica because I do,” he added.

If the freeze passes, its length of effect remains uncertain. However, the general sentiment seems to indicate it could be indefinite.

“It could be three years, could be five years, could be forever,” board member Marty Wiesbrock said.

“Two years for certain,” Carlton replied.

Brian Marcinkus clarified the situation being discussed.

“So by having the ability to borrow by April,” he said, “if they don’t pass this, we

don’t have to do anything.”

Carlton explained this is a cautionary measure, not requiring the board to take further action if unnecessary.

“You don’t have to borrow money,” he said. “You just have authorization.”

“In this situation, we don’t have to have a referendum,” Hillyer said. “We could borrow the money if we have to.”

“I hope we don’t have to,” Hillyer added.

Some disagree this would be the best solution.

“I think we’d have to let the voters decide,” Marcinkus said. “I guess I have faith in the residents of Tonica.”

The tax freeze bill looming overhead, many school districts that would not have otherwise considered working cash bonds have opened conversation. Tonica falls under this category.

Illinois State Fairgrounds to host summer country concert Tickets on sale now at Boondocks Pub

SPRINGFIELD — The summer concert season kicks off with a bang on June 17 when Chase Rice takes the stage at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena. Joining the up and coming county music star is a man who is no stranger to the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Jon Pardi returns to the fairgrounds for this amazing concert.

Rice got his start in country music as a songwriter. He will forever be linked to one of the biggest country chart singles in Billboard music history. Rice is one of the co-writers of Florida Georgia Line’s mega-hit “Cruise.”

Now, setting off into new territory as a

recording artist, Rice is rising in popularity with his hit song, “Ready, Set, Roll.”

Joining Chase Rice on stage on June 17 will be Jon Pardi. The singer/songwriter is best known for songs, “Up All Night,” “Head Over Boots” and “What I Can’t Put Down.” Pardi most recently played at the Illinois State Fair in August 2015, opening for Justin Moore.

Tickets for this 7 p.m. concert on June 17 are on sale now. The tickets can be purchased at Boondocks Pub in Springfield (www.goondockspub.com). Tickets for this concert will be $30 for VIP Party Pit and $25 for general admission.

Hennepin Marine awarded 10th consecutive Mercury Marine Service Award

HENNEPIN — Mercury Marine has presented Hennepin Marine of Hennepin its Service Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for 2015.

Mercury Marine’s Service CSI Program measures the satisfaction of consumers after having service work done on their Mercury outboard or MerCruiser Sterndrive or inboard. Hennepin Marine won the Service CSI Award for its ongoing commitment to providing exemplary customer service based on the responses of customers who had warranty work performed at the dealership during the past year. A total of 125 dealers across North America qualified for the Service CSI Award for 2015, and Hennepin Marine is 1 of 12 dealers in North America that have received the award for all 10 years that is have been awarded.

The CSI score for each dealer is measured and monitored by Mercury Marine. After warranty work has been completed, Mercury sends out a Service CSI survey to the consumer, asking him or her to rate the service received. To be eligible for the Service CSI Award, a dealer must maintain a score of 92 or better out of 100 in the Service CSI survey.

These surveys ask consumers to rate their overall service satisfaction with the dealership and also indicate if they would re-visit the dealership again in the future.

Tracking Service CSI scores is a way Mercury evaluates the effectiveness of its individual dealers and of its own policies and training programs. Dealerships that score high in Mercury’s Service CSI surveys are recognized through the awards program.

Skoog invites residents to nominate businesses for ‘Good Neighbor’ Award

SPRING VALLEY— To recognize businesses that work to improve their communities, state Rep. Andy Skoog, D-Spring Valley, is accepting nominations for his “Good Neighbor” Business of the Month Award.

“Our region is full of good business owners that put people to work and invest in our community,” Skoog said. “Businesses that care and donate money or time to help their neighbors are a part of what makes our towns great, and I think we should recognize these community leaders.”

Skoog’s “Good Neighbor” Business of the Month Award will be a given to a local business that is working to improve their areas and help those in need. Nomination forms can be picked up and returned to Skoog

constituent service office, located at 221 E. St. Paul St. in Spring Valley. Nominations can also be submitted to repskoog@gmail.com or through a message sent to Skoog’s Facebook page, facebook.com/repskoog.

“Many businesses work every day to serve the communities that support them, and this award is a small gesture to show them that we appreciate their commitment to our neighbors,” Skoog said. “If you know of an area business that is going above and beyond to help their neighbors, stop by and nominate them for this award and help recognize them for their dedication to the community.”

Skoog represents the 76th District which includes all or portions of Bureau, LaSalle, Livingston and Putnam counties.

OPEN HOUSE Register for FREE Tuition Give-A-Way*

Thursday, Feb. 4th, 2016 | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Meet & Greet Guided School Tours Informational Fair FREE Tuition Give-A-Way* * New and current students eligible. One entry per student. Must be present to win.

2003 Fifth Street

•

Peru

•

815.224.1914

•

info@perucatholic.org

•

Peru Catholic Grade School

5 Life

Friday, January 29, 2016 • The Tonica News • 5

Community Mangold on dean’s list EUREKA — Adam Mangold of Lacon was named to the 2015-16 fall semester dean’s list at Eureka College.

Full-time students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the semester to be eligible.

Schiffbauer on dean’s list MADISON, Wis. — Seth Schiffbauer of Tonica was named to the 2015-16 fall semester dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

To be eligible for the

dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester.

Schiffbauer is a student in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Casting call for Stage 212’s ‘All the King’s Women’ LASALLE — Director Ellen Marincic has announced auditions for Stage 212’s spring 2016 production, “All the King’s Women,” Luigi Jannuzzi’s touching, bring-the-family comedy, will be at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6, at the theater, 700 First St. in LaSalle.

A fast-paced series of five comedic plays and three monologues, “All the King’s Women” tells story of Elvis Presley through the eyes of several women — some enthralled, some

appalled, but all obsessed.

Marincic will be casting five women and one man aged 25 and up. Those auditioning will be asked to read selected passages from the script. Perusal scripts are available by contacting the Stage 212 ticket office at 815-224-3025. Familiarity with the script is not required to audition.

“All the King’s Women” will be presented April 15-17 and April 22-24.

Stage 212 auditions are open to all regardless of prior theatrical experience.

Tonica Fire Department The 2015 year-end report TONICA — The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department handled 157 emergency calls during 2015. The department responded to 14 structure and mutual aid fires, one vehicle fire, five field fires, 17 accident-rescue calls and 99 ambulance calls.

The department also answered calls for carbon monoxide alarms, downed power lines, a hazardous material incident, Mutual-Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) calls, water rescue, smoke investigations, storm watch alerts and change of quarters. A change of quarters is when

apparatus and crew from a different department are brought in to cover a firehouse while the original crew is busy.

The Tonica Fire Station was utilized three times as a warming shelter for travelers during winter storms.

The Tonica department provided aid to the Oglesby, Leonore, Utica, Peru, Standard and Grand Ridge Fire Departments. Tonica received aid from the Oglesby and Lostant Fire Departments.

The Tonica Volunteer Fire Department is able to provide emergency services without property taxation through the support of the citizens of Tonica and the entire Illinois Valley area.

Relay for Life kicks off with Lacon fundrasier LACON — On Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Lacon American Legion, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Marshall and Putnam Counties will officially get underway as event volunteers and participants gather for a kickoff dinner to launch the 21st Relay For Life fundraising year.

Although Relay For Life of Marshall and Putnam Counties is not until this summer, now is the time to get involved. One in every 100 Americans participates in this fundraising event that has become a global phe-

nomenon. Community members are invited to attend the kickoff celebration to learn more about the upcoming event and how they can become part of this year’s Relay For Life.

This year the theme is “Wish Upon a Cure,” and teams are excited to kick off the fundraising year with this Disney theme. A dinner of pulled pork will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Hot dogs will be offered for kids.

Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for children.

In addition to dinner, entertainment will be provided by Dance Cen-

tral. The routines will be taught at a special clinic. Be sure to watch for more information about the clinic.

This kick off event will also feature, a silent auction, raffles and 50/50.

Donations can be made to this local Relay For Life event by visiting RelayForLife.org. Community members can also start or join a team by following the links to their local Relay event.

Be sure to join us for this year’s kickoff dinner as we “Wish Upon a Cure” on Feb. 27 at the Lacon American Legion.

Applications available for Henkel scholarship OTTAWA — The Rev. L.L. Henkel, a longtime LaSalle resident, established in his will the Rev. L.L. Henkel College Student Undergraduate Trust to benefit the city of LaSalle students.

Heartland Bank and Trust Co. as

trustee of the Henkel Scholarship Trust, is seeking applications for the 2016 scholarship award.

Application forms and criteria are available at the LaSalle County Regional Superintendent of Schools website, www.roe35.org.

All applications and accompanying letters of support must be filed with the LaSalle County Regional Superintendent of Schools in Ottawa by April 30 in order to be considered for the 2016 scholarship award.

Glen Gerrard will direct ‘Something’s Afoot’ HENRY — Glen Gerrard will direct River Valley Players’ “Something’s Afoot,” a musical comedy murder mystery with performances set for April 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24.

River Valley Players production of “Something’s Afoot” marks designer/director Glen Gerrard’s 51st year of theatre involvement, both on stage and behind the scenes. While a student at Illinois Valley Community College in 1968, he was hired as their set designer. He attended Illinois State University on a scholarship, earning a degree in art with “emphasis in theatre and theatre design.”

Gerard has designed sets and been involved in area community theaters as well as professional theatre productions. His design credits include “Something’s Afoot,” “Inherit the Wind,” “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” “Brigadoon,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Detective Story,” “Cabaret,” “Oklahoma,” “Grease,” “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line,”

“Charlotte’s Web,” “Social Security,” “Amadeus,” “Death Trap,” “I Do, I Do” and numerous others. Additional credits include directing “The Man

Who Came to Dinner” and “Oklahoma,” as well performing in principal roles for both community and professional theatres.

OmniArts accepting grant applications OmniArts in Starved Rock Country, an organization dedicated to supporting local artists and art organizations, is accepting applications for OmniArts Award Grants 2016.

OmniArts will award Special Purpose Grants to full-time, nonprofit music, art and theatre organizations.

Program grants will be awarded to schools, libraries and community groups. The grant application instructions and forms will be sent directly to any interested organization by contacting OmniArts by email at billj@ omniarts.org. The deadline for grant

applications will be March 30. Grants will be awarded on April 13.

OmniArts has supported the arts in Starved Rock Country by providing funding to artists, cultural groups, art organizations, community theatres, schools and libraries. Most recently, these grants have helped more than 1,400 artists and 700 volunteers with a collective audience of more than 22,000 in the Starved Rock Country region. Last year more than $16,600 was awarded.

“We are able to provide grants to these organizations because of the

generosity of people and corporations who donate to our annual fund campaign,” said executive director Bill Jankowski. “Money we receive from the annual fund donations is given back to the ones who need it most … the arts, music, dance, theatre … this will provide artists and art organizations the support they need to be successful.”

“The more people and businesses donate the more we can provide. No other local art organization provides the financial support we provide to keep the arts alive in our communities,” Jankowski added.

6 Life/Classifieds

6 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 29, 2016

Meet the Directors Night on Feb. 5 STREATOR — Community Players of Streator Inc. will host its annual Meet the Directors Night at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the theatre. This is a chance to meet the 2016 directors, learn more about the season and discover opportunities to get involved both on stage and off stage in the coming year. The 2016 season is a delightful mix of musicals, comedies and a drama.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by Tyler Reviglio of Peru, opens the season. An alien plant, a crazed dentist, a blonde bombshell and three sassy divas create a delectable sci-fi horror musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/ rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashford. Performance dates are May 15-21.

Audiences will be delighted June 12-18 by the comedy “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Join in the laughter as hidden identities and outrageous infidelities are exposed in Marc Camoletti’s sequel to Boeing-Boeing. With his wife out of town, an alibi from his best friend and a gourmet chef to add culinary spice, Bernard has the perfect romantic evening planned for his French mistress — or so he thinks. Doug Bartlet of Streator is the show’s director.

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical — “Mary Poppins.”

Directed by Darcy Mollo of Streator, jack-of-alltrades Bert introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family.

Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on the scene.

Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.” Performance dates are July 9-16.

Engle Lane’s annual children and youth production will be “Godspell Jr.,” directed by Jeff Houk of Ottawa. Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew and drawing from various theatrical traditions such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, “Godspell Jr.” is a ground breaking and unique reflection of the life of Jesus with a message of kindness, tolerance, acceptance and love. Performance dates are Aug. 7-13.

The drama “Proof” will run Sept. 11-17. Directed by Joe Ennenbach of Peru, “Proof” tells the story of Catherine, a troubled young woman who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions, the arrival of her estranged sister Claire and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind.

How much of her father’s madness — or genius — will she inherit?

The 2016 season concludes with a new musical comedy, “The Addams Family,” directed by Nik Frig of Ottawa. This hilarious musical comedy tells the story every father’s nightmare as Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man

from a respectable family — a man her parents have never met. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Show dates are Oct. 16-22.

In addition to the regular season lineup, there are two special productions scheduled this year.

Feb. 25-28, Samantha Farb of Lostant will direct the musical “The Last Five Years,” an emotionally powerful and intimate musical about two New Yorkers in their 20s who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. The show’s unconventional structure consists of Cathy telling her story backwards while Jamie tells his story chronologically. The two characters meet only once, at their wedding in the middle of the show.

Kathy Hepner of Streator will direct “The Guys” Nov. 11-13. Less than two weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, New Yorkers are still in shock. One of them, an editor named Joan, receives an unexpected phone call on behalf of Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men in the attack.

He’s looking for a writer to help with the eulogies he must present at their memorial service. With this production, Engle Lane honors the brave first responders 15 years after the 9/11 attacks.

Season tickets for all six regular season performance start at $60 and save approximately 40 percent off of the price of buying individual show tickets.

You may purchase your season tickets prior to the box office opening by calling the box office manager at 815-672-4066.

Menus and Activities Bridges Senior Center Lostant Grade School Breakfast Feb. 1 — Pancakes and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 2 — Blueberry muffin, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 3 — Breakfast toast, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 4 — Sausage, egg and cheese on toast, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Feb. 5 — French toast and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice.

Lunch Feb. 1 — Chicken nuggets, tater tots, carrots, fruit cocktail, milk.

Feb. 2 — Pepperoni pizza, green beans, applesauce, milk.

Feb. 3 — Cheeseburger macaroni, peas, melon, milk.

Feb. 4 — Hot dog on bun, baked beans, pears, milk.

Feb. 5 — Tenderloin on bun, French fries, corn, melon, milk.

Feb. 1 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 10 a.m., Sewing Circle; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., open cards.

Feb. 2 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; noon, advisory board meeting.

Feb. 3 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit. Feb. 4 — 9 a.m., Tai Chi; 12:45 p.m., Bingo; 1:30 p.m., open cards.

Feb. 5 — 9 a.m., Forever Fit; 1 p.m., Wii bowling tournament.

The Bridges Senior Center is a congregate meal site. Meals, provided by Voluntary Action Center, are served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for a suggested donation of $3.50. A 24-hour advance reservation is required. For more information, call 815-431-8034.

Note: A soup and chili potluck will be at noon Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Bridges Senior Center. Participants are asked to sign up by Friday, Feb. 5, to bring soup, chili or a side dish.

Tonica Grade School

Putnam County Community Center

Breakfast Feb. 1 — Muffin or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 2 — Pancake and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 3 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 4 — French toast stick and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Feb. 5 — Smoothie, toaster pastry or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Lunch Feb. 1 — Sloppy joe meat, bun, steamed broccoli, fruit, chips, milk.

Feb. 2 — Chili, bread bowl, cheese cup and crackers or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, green beans, fruit, cookie, milk.

Feb. 3 — No lunch, early dismissal.

Feb. 4 — Baked potato, diced ham, cheese cup or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, banana bread, fruit/veggie bar, milk.

Feb. 5 — Popcorn chicken, corn, fruit, milk.

Feb. 1 — Ham salad on bread, potato soup with crackers, carrot sticks, fruit, yogurt.

Feb. 2 — Baked spaghetti, salad with toppings, bread and butter, corn, mixed fruit, dessert.

Feb. 3 — Polish sausage with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, pineapple chunks.

Feb. 4 — Roast pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, rolls, fruit cocktail, dessert.

Feb. 5 — Ham slice with pineapple, sweet potatoes, green beans, peanut butter with crackers, apple.

Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2 percent 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. Meals are available to senior citizens 60 plus at no cost, but donations are appreciated. 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.

••• Visit us online at www.tonicanews.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– 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 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com

See It Right Here!

The Tonica News Classifieds 815-875-4461

- 200 Employment

- 400 Merchandise

450 • Under $1000

232 • Business Opportunities

450 • Under $1000

************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?

********** 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

2 new LP tanks with fuel, $35 each; 1 used LP tank, $8; woodworkers lathe $100. Call 815-866-6328 4 solid maple chairs, good condition, $50 each.

Call 815-830-8153 Barn boards. Rustic red, 5” width tongue and groove. 10' to 3' lengths.

40¢ per foot.

Call 815-872-1480 Flex steel multi-floral couch, $200; antique secretarial desk & walnut table, $250 each.

Call 815-339-2141 Lakewood electric oil filled heater, $15; sausage stuffer for making homemade sausage, $25.

Call 815-875-4077

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) No Phone Calls!

460 • Garage Sales

Revolving lites, amber h2 bulb, magnetic, brand new, in box. Teardrop style. $15. 815-876-6083

2nd SUNDAY *FLEA MARKET* February 14th: 8am-2pm.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND right here in the Putnam County Record Classified!

You could find furniture, appliances, pets, musical instruments, tools, anything. You might even find a kitchen sink!

$1 Admission. @ Bureau County Fairgrounds, Princeton.

For Information Call 815-303-2905

ADVERTISE YOUR GARAGE SALE HERE! In the Classified. Just call 815-875-4461.

- 700 Real Estate For Sale 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

E-mail items for sale to:

classified@bcrnews.com

Friday, January 29, 2016 • The Tonica News • 7

FREE

for all items valued under $1,000!

Classified Advertising

E-mail items for sale to: classified@bcrnews.com

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8 Finance Matters

8 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 29, 2016

A Publication of

Dollars and sense Smart financial moves in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s

I

Illinois tax refund: Delayed!

Delay in refund blamed on scammers

By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com

Many have heard by now they will not be getting tax refunds from the state this year until after March 1.

We can blame the scammers for this decision — not the state’s budget impasse.

In a recent press release, Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) confirmed the purpose is to continue fraud prevention efforts to crack down on more tax return fraud and identity theft.

Connie Beard, IDOR director, stated how fraud measures implemented last year resulted in a savings of nearly $5 million that would have otherwise been paid.

In the photo CPA Christian Cyr talks taxes at Cyr Financial in Hennepin. (Shaw Media photo/Ashley Oliver “Our new security protocols proved very beneficial in detecting and stopping fraudulently filed returns last year, and we are continuing to enhance our fraud detection efforts this year,” she said. “By delaying tax refunds by just a few weeks, we’ll be able to better detect attempts at identity theft and ensure taxpayer refunds do not fall needlessly into the hands of criminals.”

Christian Cyr, a CPA at Cyr Financial in Hennepin, confirmed he has seen an

Buying

a

increase in identity theft cases at his firm.

“The way the world is today, cyber security has become a larger issue. There have been a myriad of corporate announcements admitting data breaches of personal information,” he said. “However, most taxpayers never find out how their information was compromised. Taxpayers are usually completely caught off guard.”

Cyr said this year, with the impending state budget crisis and a change of the guard in Springfield, he feared refund delays would be worse than just a few weeks.

“In fact, our fears were justified by this announcement,” he said.

Home

Delayed Page 12

or

f you had a time line of the financial steps you should probably take in life, what would it look like?

Answers to that question will vary, but certain times of life do call for certain Christian financial moves.

Cyr Some should be made out of caution, others out of opportunity.

What might you want to do in your 20s?

First and foremost, you should start saving for retirement – preferably using tax-advantaged retirement accounts that let you direct money into equities. Through equity investing, your money may grow and compound profoundly with time – and you have time on your side.

As a hypothetical example, suppose you are 25 and direct $5,000 annually for 10 years into a retirement account earning a consistent 7 percent. You stop contributing to the account at age 35 – in fact, you never contribute a dollar to it again. Under such conditions, that $50,000 you have directed into that account over 10 years grows to $562,683 by the

Cyr Page 9

refinancing?

Take advantage of today’s low interest rates.

Contact Granville National Bank today for your FREE mortgage analysis.

At Granville National Bank, we offer very competitive rates, quick closings and great customer service for your financing needs:

G ranville call us today to discuss your financing options!

N ational 328 S. McCoy St., Granville, IL • (815) 339-2222 • (800) 259-1383 B ank website: www.GNBonline.com • email: loans@gnbonline.com

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9 Finance Matters

Friday, January 29, 2016 • The Tonica News • 9

A close look at Social Security in 2016

By Nathaniel Sillin Special to the BCR

If you’re not close to retirement age, it’s easy to ignore what Social Security is doing.

However, some significant announcements late last year make now a very good time to pay attention.

What follows is a summary of notable changes to Social Security at the start of 2016 and ways to ensure you’re making the right retirement planning and claiming decisions based on what’s ahead: 2016 Social Security payments won’t increase.

In late October 2015, Social Security announced there wasn’t enough inflation in 2015 to create a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to monthly benefits this year. Understandably, this announcement shook up recipients who look to Social Security for a significant part of their monthly income. It’s only the third time payments were frozen in the past 40 years since automatic COLA adjustments began, but all three of those occasions occurred after 2010.

In short, most seniors will have to live with an average monthly payment of $1,341 with married beneficiaries receiving a total of $2,212.

Married and divorced

Cyr From Page 8 time you are age 65 with no further action from you. If you contribute $5,000 annually to the account for 40 years starting at 25, you end up with $1,068,048 at 65.

Aside from equity investment, you will want to try and build your savings – an emergency fund equal to six months of salary. That may seem unnecessarily large, or just too grand a goal, but it is worth pursuing, particularly if you are married or a parent. You could suffer a disability – not necessarily a permanent one, but an illness or injury that might prevent you from earning income. About 25 percent of people will contend with such an episode during their working lives, the Council for Disability Awareness notes, and less than 5 percent of disabling illnesses and accidents are job-related, so workers’ comp will not cover them.

As “Money” notes, just 13 percent of millennials have disability insurance.

What moves make sense in your 30s?

You may have married and started a family at this point, so your spending has probably increased quite a bit from when you were single. As you save and invest in pursuit of long-range financial objectives, remember also to play a little defense.

You should think about creating a will and a financial power of attorney in case something

individuals may have to rethink the way they claim benefits.

Also last October, Washington settled a federal budget battle in part by closing some notable loopholes in Social Security law that allowed certain married couples to substantially increase their benefits over time and certain divorced individuals to claim benefits from former spouses under certain circumstances. These new restrictions go into effect in May. In short, if you’re close to age 62 (the earliest age you can start claiming Social Security benefits) getting qualified advice has never been more important.

Other COLA-related issues When there’s no cost-ofliving adjustment, there’s no change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, which will stay at $118,500 in 2016. This means earnings above that level aren’t subject to the Social Security portion of the payroll tax or used to calculate retirement payouts. At the same time, the Social Security earnings limit for people who work and claim Social Security payments will stay at $15,720 in 2016 for people ages 65 and younger.

Social Security beneficiaries who earn more than

this amount will have $1 in benefits temporarily withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit.

Some benefits are going down – a little.

The highest possible Social Security payment for a 66-year-old worker who signs up for Social Security this year will be $2,639 per month, down $24 from $2,663 in 2015.

The reason? Social Security noted that despite no cost-of-living adjustment there was an increase in the national average wage index, one of the statistical guideposts the agency uses to calculate benefits.

Service changes If you haven’t created a My Social Security account, do so for two reasons: First, there have been reports of ID theft. Second, the agency is making more detailed account data available online such as estimates of monthly payments at various claiming ages. Also, Social Security expanded office hours in some of its field locations in 2015, so if you need face-toface assistance, check hours of operation at your closest local office.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter see www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

unforeseen happens.

Another estate planning/ asset protection move that becomes essential at this point is life insurance. Right now a 20-year, $250,000 term life policy for a 35-year-old can cost less than $30 a month. It will not build cash value like a permanent life policy, but it can easily be renewed (and in some cases, converted into permanent life insurance).

What considerations emerge between 40 and 50?

This is where you may be “sandwiched” between taking care of your kids and your elderly parents or relatives. Your spending may reach a new peak; hopefully, your salary is rising as well.

Try to maintain your retirement planning effort in the face of these financial stresses – your pace and level of retirement account contributions.

You may have teens or pre-teens at home, and if you have not yet considered creating a college fund that can grow and compound over time, now is the right time. You should not dip into your retirement fund to pay for their college educations, no matter how onerous college loans may seem.

You may want to look into long term care insurance.

If you are wealthy, or soon will be, it may not be worth buying; you may have the money on hand to pay for years of nursing home care (or other forms of elder care) that might be needed as you age. If you find yourself in the middle class, LTC insurance may be worth the expense depending on your

health history and health outlook. Buying it before age 50 and while you are in good health is a wise move, if you are interested in such coverage.

Between 50 and 60, you are in the “red zone” before retirement.

If you can, accelerate your retirement saving through greater contribution levels and/or the catch-up contributions allowed for many retirement accounts after age 50.

You may want to tolerate less risk in your portfolio as retirement nears; you may not. Some investment professionals contend that in this era of low interest rates and low inflation, it makes much more sense to tilt a portfolio toward equities than toward fixed-income investments – provided you can put up with the inevitable volatility. Other investment professionals feel that is simply too risky a decision, even with some boomers needing much larger retirement nest eggs.

If possible, think about (and plan for) an approximate retirement date. Aim to reduce your debt as much as possible by that time or earlier. Retiring with multiple major debts can be stressful to say the least. Lastly, check in with a financial professional to gauge how close you are to realizing your long-term financial objectives.

Christian Cyr, CPA, is president of Cyr Financial Inc., a registered investment advisor. If you have questions or comments, Cyr can be reached at Cyrfinancial.com or by calling 815-925-7501.

Is ignorance ruining your retirement?

Three financial mistakes you should avoid during your golden years Americans are part of an amazing yet curious phenomenon: Most are extremely well-educated in their professions and careers, yet are quite uneducated when it comes to the purpose behind their jobs – money.

“Our society is awash in information about money, but most people still end up making decisions based on emotion and lack of accurate, complete information,” said independent financial planner Stephen Ng, founder and president of Stephen Ng Financial Group, “This wouldn’t matter so much if our retirements weren’t on the line.”

Ng, a licensed 3(21) fiduciary advisor, is certified to advise companies about their 401(k) and other retirement plans.

He also is author of the new book, “10 Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid,” which helps readers navigate the shifting financial landscape of retirement.

An example of the pitfalls people face when it comes to money, Ng says, are these three common mistakes they make when planning to fund retirement.

• Failure to educate oneself. “My average client has a full schedule: A demanding job, a fulfilling family life and barely enough time left over to eke out a morning jog or catch their favorite TV show after a busy weekend,” he said. “We like to squeeze in fun when we can – if we can – but that doesn’t mean it’s wise or prudent to continue putting off retirement planning, or educating ourselves on it.”

A solid base in financial education is

essential for having a good retirement.

Start small with something like Barron’s or Investor’s Business Daily. Don’t fall for a well-hyped headline, especially if you don’t understand the logistics of a strategy or product. And, don’t be afraid to start from scratch. This way, you can understand money the right way.

• Sleepwalking without a plan. It happens to all of us sometimes – we simply haven’t prioritized forward thinking.

For retirement, wading into this period without a plan is like going to the beach and neglecting your bathing suit, towel and sunscreen. If you are approaching this stage in your life with no plan, there’s no use kicking yourself now.

But – now is the time to formulate a sensible and realistic plan. Understand your money and your assets and read up on how you might be able to use them.

Here, the help of professional advice could prove absolutely invaluable.

• An inability to fully appreciate diversification. Even though people have learned this lesson over and over again – starting in grade school – many still put all their eggs in one basket one way or another. This is especially problematic with finances. What’s the harm in sticking with one financial product if it’s working? Many people thought the same way before 2008. A financial portfolio more diversified among different investment and insurance products may reduce or minimize loss during an economic meltdown.

“I try to spread my clients’ investments across various asset classes, which refers to a bunch of investments, or assets, that are grouped by their similarities,” Ng says.

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Delayed

Retirement income to be taxed in Illinois?

Lawmakers discuss

From Page 8 While delaying refunds may help the state in deterring identity theft and fraud, Cyr said it does raise a couple questions for him.

“According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, there were only 408 tax-based fraud complaints in 2013, yet they received over 6 million individual tax returns,” he said.

“One could easily say this is a case of penalizing everybody for the sake of a few.

“Secondly, the timing of the announcement has certainly raised some eyebrows. The recent announcement was conveniently made on the heels of state budget issues.”

Cyr said the announcement should have come last fall to allow taxpayers a better chance to plan accordingly.

In response to the new security measures, Cyr admitted it’s hard to know if IDOR’s tactics have been effective. He said at the beginning of last year’s tax season, IDOR made a similar announcement regarding refund delays to battle identity fraud.

“Last year’s delays were generally only a week or two, so the announcement was much less publicized,” he said.

Charles Gebeck, senior staff accountant at Patricia Nelson Gebeck, CPA, believes this year’s delay will give more time for Illinois to trace those accounts that may have 1,000 refunds going into them.

“They have cracked down on that, so you can’t put multiple accounts on your return,” he said.

In talking about how the fraud happens, Gebeck explained scammers set up shop and grab people’s refund before they have the chance to file their tax return.

He said the Illinois e-filing was once not as sophisticated compared

By Shaw Media Service news@bcrnews.com

Shaw Media photo/Goldie Rapp

Charlie Gebeck is a senior staff accountant at Patricia Nelson Gebeck, CPA. He said Illinois’ e-filing system is more sophisticated than it used to be. “Now, we find out as soon as we submit the e-file that there has been a problem,” he said, referring to scammers who grab someone’s refund before they have a chance to file their tax return. to the IRS e-filing, which would kick a user out of the system if the tax return had already been filed.

“Now we find out as soon as we submit the e-file that there has been a problem,” he said.

Gebeck said there is also a new security measure another state is trying out that he could see being used by more states in the future. The measure forces the taxpayer to use their driver’s license number on an e-file.

“It’s a good idea to crosscheck your Social Security number with your driver’s license number,” he said.

To avoid falling victim to fraud, Gebeck recommends taxpayers use a reliable source to help with returns. Also, keep in mind that IRS will never call someone and demand money, he said.

John Proksa, an accountant at Patricia Nelson Gebeck, CPA, said

the IRS will always send a letter in the mail.

“They won’t call you unless you have received a few letters in the mail saying you have an active investigation going on,” he said. “If the IRS is calling you, you know that they will be calling because you’re being audited.”

Gebeck also reminded filing tax returns electronically and requesting direct deposit into a checking or savings account is the fastest way to receive a refund.

Taxpayers may also want to consider a plan where they won’t receive a refund at all. While many may enjoy the refund, it’s actually an indication they have overpaid to the government.

Many CPAs advise taxpayers to pay less during the year and pay just a little more on April 15, versus the other way around.

INVESTMENTS • RETIREMENT • FINANCIAL PLANNING

As the Illinois General Assembly continues its ongoing budget battle, some local representatives are speaking out against the possibility of implementing a tax on retirement income.

On Dec. 2, Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, filed House Resolution 890 to state his opposition to a retirement tax.

Rep. Jack Franks, DMarengo, is one of 41 co-sponsors on the resolution, and McSweeney said he’s working to add more.

“I oppose all tax increases, but I think a retirement tax would drive senior citizens out of the state,” McSweeney said. “It’s unfair. I fully, 100 percent oppose it, and I’m proud that I’m the leader in the House against it.”

Although a retirement income tax has not been formally presented in legislation, AARP Illinois went on the offensive against the concept with a survey of Illinoisians older than 50, which was released Dec. 17.

Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 89 percent

opposed taxing retirement income, 93 percent said a retirement income tax would impact their ability to prepare for a secure retirement, and nearly 60 percent would consider moving to another state if Illinois imposed such a tax.

Not all local lawmakers are ready to completely reject the idea of taxing the retired. Rep. Barbara Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake, said she is against taxing any private retirement but would support implementation of a tax on some public pensions.

Wheeler, who included pension reform in her election platform, said leaders have discussed taxing public pensions over a certain dollar amount, likely a six-figure number.

She said she would support such legislation because the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the state’s landmark 2013 pension law.

“Nobody likes the word ‘tax,’ but I do believe it’s the kind of back-door pension reform the state desperately needs because so much of our budget goes into paying pension,” Wheeler said.

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