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How to stay positive
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has created significant anxiety in individuals throughout the world. The incidence rates continue to grow, and shelter-athome executive orders result in unforeseen adjustments, including working from home, reduced income, children not attending school and loss of jobs.

And justice for all
Assistant state’s attorney Brian Shaw looks like he slept in the shirt and khakis he wears during Friday proceedings before Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge John “Mo” Madonia. The judge, who needs a shave, wears a robe, but no tie: You can see the crewneck of his white undershirt worn beneath a pink shirt.

Legislators find ways to stay busy
The always-cheerful Bennett can attend as many as 10 or 12 events on a weekend day. His district is huge, stretching from just south of Streator all the way east and south to right above Danville. His constant travels caught up to him last year when he was in a bad one-car accident and broke several ribs.

LETTERS
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE? My wife works for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as a health facilities surveillance nurse. She is a reviewer whose job involves processing reports and paperwork generated by surveyors who inspect the long-term care facilities in Illinois and respond to complaints filed by the general public.

RENT’S DUE
Many people are working reduced hours, if at all. As part of the governor’s orders to “stay-at-home” he banned evictions. On March 31, Mayor Jim Langfelder said city police won’t help remove people who fail to pay. But that doesn’t mean some landlords won’t stop trying to vacate those who can’t cough up cash.

Make a wish
“I think people are at their best when they’re serving others,” said Kelley Tierney, director of sales and marketing for Lewis Memorial. The effort is a way for residents to stay connected to the outside world. Nursing homes no longer allow visitors, part of efforts to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

COMMISSION BLOWS DEADLINE
Lots of people are working from home. Some folks aren’t working at all. Some people – thank you, grocery store checkers and public works crews and firefighters and nurses – are out there holding things together for the rest of us. The legislature canceled sessions more than two weeks ago.

Roadside Americans
His book was released March 30, and he was planning a homecoming event in April to sign and sell copies and discuss it with locals. “I still want to at some point,” he said. He, like the rest of us, is waiting to see to just what extent plans will change as a result of the coronavirus.

Addiction recovery groups shift to video and phone
Robert Duckels is married with three sons. He’s an attorney who lives in Carlinville, between Springfield and St. Louis. And he identifies as an alcoholic. Like many people who struggle with addiction and are now in recovery, it was hitting “rock bottom” that propelled him to quit.

Bicycle dreams
“You’re going slower than in a car, plus you have your hearing to help you – you can hear a car coming up behind you,” he explains. “A helmet helps a lot – and a good guardian angel that’s watched over me doing this for over 40 years. Actually, over 50 years.

Publishing strong More essential than ever
Like everyone else, the staff at Illinois Times has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. While we’ve all stayed healthy so far, we have family members and friends who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Our business, like so many others, has suffered a significant financial blow as a result of the pandemic.

Joys of backyard chickens
But as I read through the recipes for roasted cauliflower leaves and stems and broiled carrots with carrot top pesto, I had to chuckle. The recipes sounded delicious, but if the flow of vegetable scraps from my kitchen suddenly dried up, I’d have some very unhappy hens on my hands.

Vivarium offers a timely message
Tom and Gemma weren’t really looking to buy a house. They went into the real estate office on a lark, a vague plan of the future in their heads, looking at the models of the perfect, cookie cutter homes on display with bemusement.

On playing online
Here we are in week number three of Now Not Playing with at least another several weeks ahead of closed venues, social distancing and no way to see live music like the way we used to within the parameters established by those in the know.

THE CALENDAR
Online Bible Study - Drive through History, The Gospels.