Western Illinois Regional Council

This is the year of changes. This nation has seen a change in its leadership, and with this change, there is a new focus and direction for the country. The anticipation of what lies ahead has sent shock waves throughout the country. In counties, cities, townships, urban areas, as well as rural communities, there is no level of government so large or so small as to remain untouched by what is being proposed for the future.

Suzan Nash's name is synonymous with the Western Illinois Regional Council. She came to the Macomb-based organization as an intern in 1977.  She was named its executive director in 1981 and led the organization until March 1, when she retired. 

My knees turned to liquid and my legs shook uncontrollably. My hands trembled. Sweat beaded at my hairline and my palms were slippery wet.  I fought the urge to throw up.

The life of 5-year-old Silven Yocum was taken by a methamphetamine addicted man. Now, a decade later, her family joined together with friends and community members to hold an event called, "Silvie's Ride."

The Western Illinois Regional Council met with about 370 children over the past year who were at risk of being abused. WIRC’s Children’s Legal Advocate Mikki Harrison said child abuse and neglect remains a significant problem in this region. She said about 20 of those children had weekly appointments with Regional Council staff.

The Western Illinois Regional Council wants to help parents recognize signs of teen dating violence.

The Western Illinois Regional Council is starting up its annual Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded the Western Illinois Regional Council $5,300 more for the new fiscal year than it did the previous year.

The Hancock County Board has approved a new comprehensive plan.

Residents of McDonough County are being asked to provide feedback on how to make the area more bicycle-friendly.

A Hancock County woman beaten to death by her husband will be remembered and honored this weekend.

Specially-trained navigators for the Affordable Care Act are preaching patience as the federal government corrects problems with the healthcare website.

The McDonough County Comprehensive Plan Committee made some last minute changes before sending the plan to the full county board for its approval.

Most significantly, almost all references to “land use” were removed. Some committee members and the McDonough County Farm Bureau Board of Directors treated the seven letter phrase like a four letter word and feared it would eventually lead to the “z” word: zoning.

Questions about land use dominated the first public hearing on McDonough County’s proposed new comprehensive plan.

About 25 people attended the hearing along with county board members, county government employees, and representatives of the Western Illinois Regional Council, which facilitated the process for replacing the county’s 40 year old comprehensive plan.

The Hancock County Board and the Western Illinois Regional Council have come up with different numbers for the cost of recycling collection in the county.

The board found a bill for $4,000 a surprise. It budgeted $3,500 for the service.

The board briefly considered just paying the money it budgeted. Ultimately, the board tabled the bill until the finance committee has a chance to contact the WIRC.

Chairman David Walker thought the bill might have gone up.