JACIL Connections forAugust 2020

Article 1:

JACIL continues voter registration efforts

by Colton Pettyjohn

The world as we know it is not what we thought we were going to be dealing with when we rang in the new year, right? With everything thing going on during this pandemic life can be very uncertain. We may feel like life is so unpredictable and that we do not have a say in what is going on.

Well, there are two events that can change the course of history. This year is election year. We all have the civil duty to cast our votes as citizens. It is in these elections where the people we vote for aAnd support, make the decisions that impact the way we live our lives.

One important thing that you need to do before you go to the polls is you've got to register in your county. Without registering you cannot cast that very important vote.

If you are not registered to vote, it's your lucky day. JACIL will be holding a drive through voter registration on September 14 from 9:00am-12:00 p.m. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided from 10:00am-12:00 p.m. 

All you need to bring is your photo ID and another form of identification. We ask that you wear a mask during this interaction as well. We encourage everyone who is registered to vote to get registered so you can make a change in the country you wish to see.

The second event that is happening this year is the Census. The Census happens every ten years and it counts the number of people in each household. This number is super important to the federal government because it quantifies how many people are in each area. Then the federal government allocates each state money for schools and service organizations and it also determines how many representatives we have for the state. 

It is super important to complete the Census and, due to COVID-19, the deadline to complete this important document is extended until September 31.

We will have a set up on the same day to help fill out the Census if you need assistance. We will also have a volunteer from the Faith Coalition for the Common Good to give out information and free census swag. If you do not have the card we can fill your census application out online or via the phone as well.

If you have any questions please contact Colton Pettyjohn at (217) 245-8371 or by email at colton@jacil.org

Article 2:

The world as we know it is not what we thought we were going to be dealing with when we rang in the new year, right? With everything thing going on during this pandemic life can be very uncertain. We may feel like life is so unpredictable and that we do not have a say in what is going on.

Well, there are two events that can change the course of history. This year is election year. We all have the civil duty to cast our votes as citizens. It is in these elections where the people we vote and support, make the decisions that impact the way we live our lives.

One important thing that you need to do before you go to the polls is you've got to register in your county. Without registering you cannot cast that very important vote.

If you are not registered to vote, it's your lucky day. JACIL will be holding a drive through voter registration on August 4 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided from 1:00-3:00 p.m. 

All you need to bring is your photo ID and another form of identification. We ask that you wear a mask during this interaction as well. We encourage everyone who is not registered to vote to come on out and get registered, so you can make a change in the country you wish to see.

The second event that is happening this year is the Census. The Census happens every ten years and it counts the number of people in each household. This number is super important to the federal government because it quantifies how many people are in each area. Then the federal government allocates each state money for schools and service organizations and it also determines how many representatives we have for the state. 

It is super important to complete the Census and, due to COVID-19, the deadline to complete this important document is extended until October 31.

We will have a set up on the same day as the voter registration day to help fill out the Census if you need assistance. All you need to bring is the card you received from the Census and we can do it online. If you do not have the card we can fill your census application out online or via the phone as well.

If you have any questions please contact Colton Pettyjohn at 217-245-8371 or by email at colton@jacil.org.

Article 3:

Kandi Horrer joins JACIL staff

by Kandi Horrer

I am a mother of three, step mother of four and a grandmother of 25!  My sweet husband, Kerry, and I blended our family 25 years ago. He is from the Jacksonville area and I grew up in Virginia Ill.

We spent 15 years in Wisconsin and returned home six years ago to help with ailing family members.

I have spent over 30 years in the Health Care arena. Nursing homes, hospital surgery, and home health and terminal home health. The last three years I have been working at ISVI as a job coach.  Lucky for me,  I Job coached the students that came to JACIL… and the rest is history!!

I enjoy working with children in our primary program at church. We like to go out to the lake as much as possible and camp, boat and cookout with family. For relaxation, I work in my flower garden, listen to calming music, defuse essential oils and meditate.

I was born with dysplasia of the hips and knees. I have had five major joint surgeries. I experience pain daily but you can't keep this gal down!

The good Lord has blessed me with a strong desire to serve  and that is what I do to counter act the pain!

I am looking forward to working in JACIL’s BBS department and helping our consumers any way I can.l    Call Kandy for low/vision needs and meet !

Article 4:

JACIL helps collect school supplies for the Lions Club

by Peggy Davidsmeyer

JACIL helped "Stuff the Bus" for the Lions Club’s recent service project.

JACIL and the Lion's Club have a special bond.  Several of JACIL staff are Lion's Club members and the Club has supported our many fund raising events and more recently, the Special Needs Pantry deliveries.    JACIL staff wanted to return the favor so it participated in this collection effort. 

JACIL staff Lisa Viles and Colton Pettyjohn built a  School Bus Box, placed it on the JACIL  front porch July 31 - August 12  and collected a busload of supplies. 

These supplies are provided annually each fall  to children in our region at no cost.

Article 5:

KIP Café will focus on the use of face masks

by Cyndy Benton

JACIL will hold its next KIP Café on August 27 from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m., at JACIL.  Notice the change in time it is being held. We are trying an evening KIP Café to see if it is a better time for those interested in attending KIP Cafés.  

Those attending will be eating their meals out back under the shade trees.  Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on while eating your meal. We will be practicing social distancing while eating and all food served that evening will be prepackaged. 

The presentation and corresponding activity will be done inside JACIL's building.  Masks are required to be worn when inside JACIL; therefore, please bring a mask to wear. 

As Illinois progresses into Phase 4 of Restore Illinois, the presentation will cover the why, when and how of wearing face masks that complies with "Restore Illinois Phase 4 Revitalization Plan" and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.  The speaker that day will be Ms. Jacquie Barringer from Morgan County Health Department.  After her presentation those in attendance will have the opportunity to make and/or decorate a couple masks to take with them for their personal use.          

Those interested in attending must register to attend no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 24.   You can register to attend by calling Cyndy at JACIL (217-245-8371). 

An ASL Interpreter will be present at this KIP Café.  Anyone wanting any printed resources in alternate format that might be handed out at the KIP Cafe needs to contact Cyndy at JACIL, no later than 5:00 p.m., on August 24 to let her know that you want alternate format of printed resources and your preferred format.   

JACIL looks forward to seeing you at the August 27 KIP Café.

Article 6:

Ask Kathy

by Kathy Price

Each issue Kathy will answer your questions about anything--from household hints to the price of tea in China. 

Please e-mail your question to her at kathy@jacil.org.

This Month’s Question:   I usually send my hand-washed sweaters to the dry cleaners but our only local facility just closed its doors.  What can I do to care for my cashmere?

Kathy says: Hand wash your sweater, lay it out between two bath towels, press all the moisture out with a rolling pin and then hang it up to dry.  You’ll have a nice, clean sweater and have saved enough money to buy a gallon of gas! 

Article 5:

Utility tips

by Scott Allen, Citizens Utility Board

In March, when the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) imposed a moratorium on utility shutoffs and late payment fees, the protections were temporary with the intent to negotiate a longer-term plan for the recovery period.  Over two months, consumer advocates, including CUB, negotiated with investor-owned utilities to introduce new consumer protections that were approved by the ICC in June.

The formal agreement is lengthy, and contains several provisions meant to assist consumers struggling to get on their feet.  Additionally, utilities agreed to continue discussions on how to make service more affordable in the future.

It's important to remember that these protections only affect investor-owned utilities; Ameren, Illinois American Water, Aqua Illinois, etc.  For a detailed look at the protections, CUB has written a fact sheet which is available at the website CitizensUtilityBoard.org. Here's a summary of the protections:

l  Extension of the moratorium on shut-offs and late fee.

l  A bill-payment assistance program for eligible customers.

l  For six months after the moratorium ends, utilities are required to offer more consumer-friendly payment arrangements for people in debt with their utilities.

l  For six months after the moratorium ends, utilities will not report late payments and nonpayment for active customers to credit bureaus and reporting agencies.

If you have questions about these protections, please feel to call CUB at 1(800)-669-5556, or file an inquiry online at CitizensUtilityBoard.org.

Article 8:

Introducing:  Eddie!

by Peggy Davidsmeyer

Introducing "Eddie", he is JACIL’s new fox super hero. 

During this COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis, JACIL staff, in my opinion, have been super heroes!  Whether working from home or in the office in staggered shifts, JACIL staff have delivered.  Over 179 Information and Referral Calls and 85 individualized services, 315 Care Packages and countless hours of shopping, stuffing, packaging and delivering were completed by JACIL staff from March - July. 

At our July staff meeting, I declared them all super heroes and introduced them to our mascot, Eddie.  The mascot was chosen by JACIL staff and named by Colton. 

Eddie was named for Ed Roberts, considered by many to be the father of the Independent Living Movement.  Mr. Roberts was a tenacious and committed advocate for persons with disabilities. 

Eddie, our mascot, like his namesake, represents JACIL as a clever, cunning and quick to action super hero.  In the coming months, we will have Eddie visit offices and be a part of our activities here at JACIL.  Watch for him to show up in pictures, in videos, Facebook and anywhere are staff may be.

The following schedule is subject to local and state regulations concerning the Coronavirus efforts.  These events will NOT take place until restrictions have been lifted by state/local authorities. 

August Calendar of Events

Tue     4     Voter Registration Drive - 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

                   ASL interpreter will be present from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Wed    5     Friends Helping Friends Action Club - 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Wed  19     BBS Combined Support Group tele-conference call

                   for VisAbility, Cass & Mason Support Groups

                   10:30 a.m. to noon.

Wed  19     People First Aktion Club -  3:30 to 5:00 p.m

Wed 26     Personal Assistant Orientation - 9:30 a.m. to noon

                   Via Zoom from JACIL Office

                   Contact  danielle@jacil.org for a link to attend

Thu   27     KIP Café - 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

                   Program:  Guidelines for Mask Use & Make & Decorate a Mask 

                   Presenter:  Jacquie Barringer

                                           Morgan County Health Department

“JACIL Connections” is published by the Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living.  JACIL is organized to serve people with disabilities in Morgan, Scott, Cass and Mason Counties.  JACIL is committed to enabling people with disabilities to gain control and direction of their lives in the home, workplace and community.  JACIL’s goal is to stimulate and promote a growing sense of personal dignity through individualized services designed to provide the tools necessary for maximum independence and community participation.  We invite your comments and suggestions.

Roger Deem - JACIL Connections Editor

JACIL is a Prairieland United Way Agency and a proud member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living

15 Permac Road, Jacksonville, IL 62650

Office Hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

217-245-8371 Voice/TTY  l  217-245-1872 Fax  l  888-317-3287 Toll Free

217-408-0567 Deaf Advocate’s Toll Free Videophone Line

E-mail:  info@jacil.org  l  Website:  www.jacil.org