[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6328751,"mediaKeyId","2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427","parentId",2317556,"title","Union County to begin early voting Feb. 20 for consolidated April 1 election","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2846000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427&start=2846&end=2846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427/thumbnail_2846000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328751/Union-County/Illinois/Union-County-to-begin-early-voting-Feb-20-for-consolidated-April-1-election","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328751-f96871f62010e12e541ea328a0e0e0c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190116&Signature=UEs2i0QDoXGwevjXrqh~DJ~9CfeCFO1zMLHHK5BakrENtQZX3FdtdGPcbhA41gKpnhg6cMBNRjLni8zBSL1NTAWIzvW~PVGJfoeZQB3wbRSiFXYu4QmkFx-9tFVvYs1ey~sqotVjmMjoTh24fZ2kPVjDgF53vLZRpsn1wu~n-IhCl1DOWaIEBds10rm~C3uNCcCF6VvToE61pMv8iz0pXlRcH89w4cFW70HyKU2sORHpGGdF5JV15URchWa4UM-OuHjYKiu5a3nnD7Ki5bIEs15bEO9SoKJD9du78sENphopbLxlqRFjKq1e7r10sCpY8RwHneSMVJzkbNpV~sCCBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County, IL","date","2025-02-15T03:27:08Z","article","An election official announced to the board that early voting for the consolidated election will begin Feb. 20, with vote‑by‑mail ballots sent starting the same week. The official said early voting will be available beginning Thursday (Feb. 20) and that Election Day for the consolidated election is April 1.

The official reminded commissioners that consolidated elections include local boards and require additional ballots and administrative work, and encouraged public participation.

No formal board action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UNION COUNTY BOARD MEETING 02.14.2025","oneSentenceSummary","County election official told commissioners early voting for the consolidated election begins Feb. 20, with vote‑by‑mail ballots to be sent and early voting to start that week; election day is April 1.","taxTitle","Union County, Illinois","taxId",64206,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6328756,"Commissioners discuss recurring theft of road signs at dangerous curve, ask staff to research prevention options",344,2496000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427&start=2496&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/6328756/Union-County/Illinois/Commissioners-discuss-recurring-theft-of-road-signs-at-dangerous-curve-ask-staff-to-research-prevention-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328756-32adb30d1157cd8098f1bc1e3b99e514/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190116&Signature=Be19V9RQgFkRghgSAxsCChItVI6oRUHfLIxNHJrBbw1h-P0WvC0mqVvSrCXUWUNwn2PMUx2SRybSPGNDHj3l-XcKvsUo08BcYjV76t7biOgHA71SnxmTJjEPrA8398rW3A0d~zJF9s2Ih3I5Pd3X~YABRIq0xCI2gfQJywi6yaSmvTLtM0Gsj2pjTGivNYagK2X60BECsg7VbTa4kEXvn5~-72GdkEhCHpxCvbNa96qpueFhgNielLmniy5iHSHqQpoAauD948KKzwZ-Z7evITTi9gbGh0g-O4U44njH4gI6gYXhSLCwGTj8kHInduUtYOIsuW8I1Emz9y0i17ZMCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners told the board they are seeing recurring theft of county road signs, including at a location described as a 90‑degree curve on a secondary road (described in the meeting as State Pond Road). Commissioners said missing signs create a safety hazard at locations where unfamiliar drivers can approach a sharp turn.

Board members asked the highway department and relevant staff to investigate why signs disappear, whether the material could be changed to deter theft (for example, nonmetal alternatives), and whether local scrap‑metal purchasers are accepting signs without verification. Highway staff said they would check into available sign materials and follow up; they noted some past incidents in surrounding counties had resulted in arrests for stolen signs.

No formal motion was made at the meeting; commissioners requested staff follow up and report back with options and costs for longer‑term prevention measures.","County commissioners raised safety concerns after repeated thefts of road signs at a 90‑degree curve and asked staff to explore options such as alternative materials and coordination with scrap‑metal dealers and law enforcement.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6328761,"Union County board approves minutes, building permit, payment of bills and a culvert contract",2294,84000,2378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427&start=84&end=2378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6328761/Union-County/Illinois/Union-County-board-approves-minutes-building-permit-payment-of-bills-and-a-culvert-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328761-c8fed6b1c6f6af54af32bab4d9c7bc66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190116&Signature=kXOXJRDXJxTPXErsrAHevzumA2DAZ~H5NU9ca-MHYvutKsvGBdIndgTCwPp-Xi07g3B1JrvKQpv-D~g5T2A3aFMiRad1IDZeLpOLdKbqRatMUw~5tR2Rk1k-CsVImz9hbTjfqR-6Gw17B7xf6i1TDvHUrMCWH1JgzgX8oOIgqtFkgx4lskH4skQqzyIe6KaRq5Svsm3xepP~rK7FHghx-Vcj7ae2pwLGdacnB0Vemqqzs0kY33gp1UZPfl1edhcbDYlguQXNYlEiFjrDyifHLbmrYwhePtiqCM542jcFGnuuqmcF-1orIe594pqkrz6OajAlHFcybXmJ8hFANkVzsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board took several routine actions during its February meeting, voting unanimously to approve meeting minutes, accept a building permit and authorize payment of county bills. The board also awarded a highway culvert contract to Metal Culverts for $55,443.70 after staff reviewed competitive bids.

Minutes: The board voted to approve the regular minutes for Jan. 24 and to accept executive‑session minutes (Nov. 8 and others discussed) and keep them closed. The roll call for the minutes votes recorded Commissioners Harville, Pitts, Miller and Bierstadt voting yes; Commissioner Gould was absent.

Building permit: The board approved a building permit for parcel number 051103142 A for a new home; staff reported the parcel is not in a subdivision and not in a floodplain. Vote: Harville, Pitts, Miller and Bierstadt — yes.

Payment of bills: The board voted to pay county bills as presented; roll call was unanimous among the four members present.

Highway culvert contract: County highway staff recommended awarding a contract to Metal Culverts after a February bid opening. Staff reported Energy Culvert’s submission omitted a price for a 60‑inch culvert; when that omission was accounted for, Metal Culverts’ aggregate prices were lower. Staff recommended authorizing a contract with Metal Culverts in the amount of $55,443.70; commissioners approved the recommendation, voting Harville, Pitts, Miller and Bierstadt — yes.

Staff said Metal Culverts anticipates roughly two weeks to deliver product once the contract is executed; the highway department noted the company previously supplied county culverts.

Vote summary (all roll calls listed below are from the meeting transcript):
- Approval of Jan. 24 regular minutes — yes: Harville, Pitts, Miller, Bierstadt; Gould absent — outcome: approved.
- Acceptance of executive‑session minutes (Nov. 8 and other dates) and to keep them closed — yes: Harville, Pitts, Miller, Bierstadt; Gould absent — outcome: approved.
- Building permit (Parcel 051103142 A) — yes: Harville, Pitts, Miller, Bierstadt; outcome: approved.
- Payment of bills — yes: Harville, Pitts, Miller, Bierstadt; outcome: approved.
- Award contract to Metal Culverts for highway culverts ($55,443.70) — yes: Harville, Pitts, Miller, Bierstadt; outcome: approved.","The board unanimously approved routine minutes, accepted a building permit for a new home on parcel 051103142 A, authorized payment of county bills and awarded a highway culvert contract to Metal Culverts after a competitive bid review in which a competing bidder omitted a 60‑inch price.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6328766,"Southern Illinois regional ports commission pitched to Union County board; resolution sample to be reviewed",464,1388000,1852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427&start=1388&end=1852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427/thumbnail_1388000.jpg","/articles/6328766/Union-County/Illinois/Southern-Illinois-regional-ports-commission-pitched-to-Union-County-board-resolution-sample-to-be-reviewed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328766-815e55b01a431da8d1ec26966a565c09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190116&Signature=lkcaxxeHu5yTKmNMyPj9pGUZSNwd4T~JAzt65g-qV-qXJDhnvkeNagJh0K1VvxG8RYiXZFc4g7FGi0Vxc8JGv4EChDX0BrDV~1lv3-GpWAWD26dAHR2AGNe~7jEsfc~o3rvqF6~2CzKlIqmNQstsv4vV1~up9LQljDcJKVTh0jTD01S3zHETcnWY7u7f~VAZpClKnJNTNpdpQmX13TuVZPMIVzgdjTv-X3WM0wwvVC5E-mRC4igkPfqltuDrwatRKLqsF2mNpKAKRtNAB5kfytA5pSG40QotGpuaSh5pdXhs7KUBsAdsZjSDM324~QXguQ85eUBmiO0GJyOLZABIqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deb Barnett, executive director for Southern Illinois Now, and Nick Goldenhausen, regional development lead, presented a proposal to the Union County Board to support creation of a Southern Illinois Regional Ports Commission that would represent ports across 11 counties and coordinate regional economic development efforts.

Barnett told the board the proposed commission would be an umbrella body that would not change the authority, boundaries or status of existing state‑designated port districts but would elevate the region’s visibility for public and private investment. The presenters said the proposal would require state legislation for formal establishment and pointed to two existing Illinois examples: the Mid‑America Port Commission (1990s) and the Illinois Waterways Ports Commission (established in 2023).

The presentation summarized an Illinois Department of Transportation report (March 2021) used to illustrate tonnage and activity in the four existing river port districts in the region; presenters said combined tonnage from the region’s ports approaches levels that could move the collective ranking nearer the top 50 U.S. ports and potentially attract more investment.

Barnett described a proposed seven‑member commission board composed of representatives from existing port districts and additional appointees from regional planning commissions. She said several counties have already passed supporting resolutions (presenters listed Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Pope, Johnson and Williamson among those that had taken action), and that the presenters are meeting county boards this month to seek additional support.

County commissioners asked procedural questions, including whether the sample resolution would commit county resources; Barnett emphasized the sample resolution states it would not commit county funds or staff. Commissioners asked county legal staff to review the sample resolution before the board considers formal action.

No formal board vote was taken at the meeting; presenters said legislation has been drafted and will move through the legislative process if counties express support.","Deb Barnett of Southern Illinois Now and regional staff asked the board to consider a resolution supporting a proposed Southern Illinois Regional Ports Commission. Presenters said the commission would be an umbrella organization that does not change existing port district boundaries and would be established by state legislation.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6328770,"Deaconess Illinois–Union County reports Epic rollout, county health fair and food‑pantry plan",731,385000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427&start=385&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2317556-da79b0efeb1d8c40da76b5d8d6bf6427/thumbnail_385000.jpg","/articles/6328770/Union-County/Illinois/Deaconess-IllinoisUnion-County-reports-Epic-rollout-county-health-fair-and-foodpantry-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328770-fefef2dd2948ad164d6af569cba7c841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190116&Signature=LI4kCYbug5U6p~5coGVVuMV3JSXJ~drUliq6A5EiIcb7WRu-WFYT8ErVCJHpEVhuw1msUbeaHlkZWpNTsp2JbCydTXdsU6NY-GP54yZKpsF92p2uhUzWzMVXL9sFDaGDGsXvMqzBOJ3v4jvY3HJtL65wr4zWkjgw3sd10uyjGKzsEvKIvf80TCy9tb-qQtbNPcBBMMAXQpqhj4grRlI9BRLR5UspOBybHwdA6JlgbYfyJ4e5s~gW7aDTwyPikUnGTAmEz~C9-qMzD9xJAFKHvqCv0I-YZ9wtVsxEJ9XkOtfnO88Cxmxiq2s-itNiFGg7XKu9zJoSDRZ76Q1JTGbC0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Terry Bryce, chief administrative officer at Deaconess Illinois–Union County, told the Union County Board that the hospital completed a systemwide rollout of Epic electronic health records in 2024 and is planning a countywide health fair March 1 at the Shawnee Community Extension Center.

Bryce said Epic — which he called “a gold standard of electronic health records” — allows patients to sign up for MyChart, view records and streamlines record sharing with larger referral hospitals through Epic’s Care Everywhere program. He described the local portion of the Epic rollout as “about a $5,000,000 investment locally” and about $20,000,000 across the Deaconess Illinois system.

The update emphasized limits that come with the hospital’s critical access designation: the facility stabilizes emergency patients but often transfers those who need surgical specialties or inpatient services. Bryce described the hospital’s swing‑bed program as averaging about eight patients per day in 2024, and said that program supports physical, occupational and speech therapy and extended IV antibiotic courses closer to patients’ homes.

Bryce outlined additional community projects tied to the hospital’s community health needs assessment: a March 1 countywide health fair running 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. offering free screenings, diabetes education, cholesterol and glucose checks, balance testing, Narcan education and demonstrations and outreach by Shawnee Community College and Rural Health partners; a proposal to consolidate local food pantries into a centrally located pantry open multiple days per week (projected grant work over the next six months with a target for a project in place by the end of 2026); and work on nonemergency transport, including a wheelchair van procurement and the TransCare non‑emergency transport service established in 2024.

Bryce also discussed behavioral‑health needs: he said outpatient group therapy for people 65 and older runs three days per week and that emergency‑department behavioral health visits have continued to rise. Deaconess Illinois has committed to exploring an inpatient psychiatric facility for the region, a process Bryce said could take two to three years.

On infrastructure, Bryce said the hospital’s new helipad is built but “still not operational yet,” pending work and FAA clearance.

County commissioners expressed support for the hospital’s work and asked the hospital to return with future updates; commissioners noted the local hospital is a critical resource for Union County residents and emergency stabilization and transfers.Bryce (Chief Administrative Officer, Deaconess Illinois–Union County) — presentation and updates; Commissioners Harville, Pitts, Miller and Bierstadt — comments of support and questions.","Terry Bryce, chief administrative officer at Deaconess Illinois–Union County, updated the board on the hospital’s recent Epic electronic health record implementation, an upcoming March 1 county health fair, plans for a consolidated food pantry and efforts to expand behavioral‑health services and patient transport options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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Union County board approves minutes, building permit, payment of bills and a culvert contract

Southern Illinois regional ports commission pitched to Union County board; resolution sample to be reviewed

Deaconess Illinois–Union County reports Epic rollout, county health fair and food‑pantry plan