Free Press Advocate

Coronavirus cases remain low in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:13pm

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is surging again in parts of the country, with cases on the rise in California, Texas, Florida, and other southern states prompting governors to re-issue “safer at home” orders.

But, Illinois has so far seen a slow but steady reduction in cases and deaths due to the virus.

On Tuesday, the state reported 587 new cases of COVID-19, and 37 new deaths.

Wilmington Island Park District gets a new name

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:09pm

Do you know the name of Wilmington’s park district?

It’s a question that can befuddle those who live in town, but district board members hope a change made in late June will alleviate that confusion.

On June 25, the board voted 3-1, with one member absent, on a resolution to officially change the name of the district from the Island Park District to Wilmington Park District. The resolution means the district will pursue that name change after current grant cycles are complete.

Summer reading returns to Wilmington Public Library

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:08pm

It looks a little different from years past, but the Summer Reading Program is back in action at the Wilmington Public Library.

Summer Reading kicked off last week and runs through Aug. 7.

This year’s theme is Dig Deeper: Investigate, Read, and Discover! The library is getting into the spirit with dinosaur bones welcoming visitors at the front door.

Wilmington Lions support Our Caring Closet

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:03pm

The Wilmington Lions Club donated to Our Caring Closet (OCC) during the pandemic to support their ongoing mission of providing clothing and household goods to all Wilmington neighbors with a need.

OCC board member Bonnie Huston and board member Judy Johnson accepted a check from John Persic of the Wilmington Chapter of the Lion's Club International.

Join your friends, this Saturday, July 11 at 205 N 1st St. for OCC’s Sidewalk Closet from 9 a.m. to noon. Everything is free, and as always, donations are gladly accepted to help keep OCC open and working.

Wilmington 209-U school board amends budget as fiscal year closes

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:00pm

The Wilmington School District 209-U board of education is at the start of a new fiscal year. But issues due to the novel coronavirus pandemic meant that the school board had to close out the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, with an amended yearly budget showing a deficit.

Last month, the board approved the budget for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 (FY20).

Wilmington Park District sets policy for credit card usage

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 3:57pm

The Wilmington Island Park District approved a policy for credit card use by employees during its regular meeting on June 25.

Executive director Renee Chavez said the new credit card account, issued by BMO Harris, is a corporate card for purchasing. Chavez said the district previously did not qualify for a corporate card because there was not enough of a revenue source available, so she and other staff were using a Sam’s Club card under Chavez’s name.

Now those purchases will be placed on the corporate card.

Wilmington residents to receive river dam survey in the mail

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 1:59pm

Wilmington residents can soon expect a survey to arrive alongside their monthly utility bills, asking to voice their opinions on the Kankakee River dam.

The city’s Buildings, Grounds, Parks, Health and Safety Committee again held a discussion on the dam during its regular meeting on June 10.

Wilmington High School grads earn diplomas with a distance

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 1:56pm

Closure finally came Saturday for 89 Wilmington High School seniors awarded diplomas during a delayed graduation ceremony.

“Seniors: You've made it! exclaimed WHS Principal Scott Maupin to graduates seated 6-feet apart on the football field. “...It has been an unprecedented year to say the least. Who would have ever thought that you would finish your high school career with a pandemic, remote learning, and the loss of many memories during your second semester of your senior year at WHS?”

Wilmington Park District back in action

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 1:51pm

The state of Illinois entered Phase 4 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan last week, as communities work to recover from closures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

As part of those reopening plans, the Wilmington Island Park District has welcomed members back to their gymnasium facility, with changes in place to keep the exercising community protected.

Despite pandemic, budget appears healthy for Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 1:49pm

The city of Wilmington has an official budget for the 2021 fiscal year (FY21), and, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the projections seem mostly positive.

The fiscal year runs from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021.

On June 16, the Wilmington City Council approved the budget, which projects overall revenues for FY21 at $18.2 million, an expenditures of $18.7 million.