FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Freeport Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for its spring 2020 grant cycle. On-line application procedures and grant guidelines are available on the website at www.freeportcommunityfoundation.org, by calling the Foundation at 815 801 3035, or emailing fcfdirector@freeportcommunityfoundation.org.

Online registration is required of all YAC grant applicants. Please go to http://freeportcommunityfoundation.org/grants/application-materials-required/ and follow the instructions for help completing the registration. The online grant application is found at http://freeportcommunityfoundation.org/grants/grant-application.

Applications must be submitted to the Youth Advisory Council of the Freeport Community Foundation by 4:00 pm on March 2, 2020. Any 501(c)(3) not for-profit organization that benefits youth in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll counties may apply. Grant awards will be announced by May 8, 2020. The Youth Advisory Council of the Freeport Community Foundation is particularly interested in funding initiatives that benefit youth and are collaborative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Additionally, YAC, which is sponsored by the Forreston State Bank for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school years, is currently accepting student applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Any student who will be from age 14 to 20 as of September 1, 2020 – public, private, or homeschooled – and resides within Stephenson, Jo Daviess, or Carroll counties is eligible to participate. YAC applications can be found on the FCF website.

Freeport Community Foundation has a 45-year history as a community-based charitable organization guided by community leaders who are dedicated to providing financial solutions for current and future community needs. During that time, the FCF has awarded almost $3 million in grant funding to non-profit organizations and projects throughout northwest Illinois. For additional information or to schedule a media opportunity, please contact the FCF at either (815) 801-3035 or via email at fcfdirector@freeportcommunityfoundation.org.

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — FHN is proud to announce the promotion of Kathryn Martinez, MSN, RN, FACHE to the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Nursing Officer.

“Kathy has demonstrated her commitment and passion for FHN as an executive-level leader over the past several years as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Services,” said FHN President and CEO Mark Gridley. “I am proud to have her as one of our senior leaders to help support me and all of our staff in providing excellent patient care.”

Martinez brings years of clinical and operational experience to her new role. She holds a master’s degree in nursing and is obtaining a doctorate degree in healthcare administration from Walden University. She is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

She has led FHN’s collaborative efforts with a number of area agencies, most notably the Connect the D.O.T.S. (Doors of Team Support) program to connect community members with the help they need from area partner organizations, from first responders to transportation providers to various agencies whose missions include the type of expanded assistance these patients need.

FHN, a not-for-profit organization with nearly 1,400 employees, is an award-winning regional healthcare system committed to the health and well-being of the people of northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin. FHN Memorial Hospital has been recognized as one of the state’s top hospitals for safety by the Leapfrog group and Healthgrades as well as by the world’s largest, completely independent, non-profit product- and service-testing organization. FHN caregivers serve an average of 1,500 people each day across FHN’s 19 locations in 5 counties spanning northwest Illinois. Organized in 1995 as an integrated healthcare delivery system, FHN is comprised of FHN Memorial Hospital, the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital, 13 family healthcare centers offering primary and specialty medical care, hospice, and outpatient mental health services. For more information about FHN, please visit www.fhn.org.

Updated throughout the day. Check back often. To advertise in the news here, contact us.

News Stories For Monday February 10, 2020

1. US charges 4 Chinese military members in Equifax breach. The 2017 breach affected more than 145 million people, with the hackers successfully stealing names, Social Security numbers and other personal information stored in the company’s databases. The four — members of the People’s Liberation Army, an arm of the Chinese military — are also accused of stealing the company’s trade secrets, including database designs, law enforcement officials said. The accused hackers exploited a software vulnerability that enabled them to obtain login credentials and navigate the company’s network while searching for personal information.
2. Arctic Ale and Art Walk In Downtown Freeport – Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 12 PM – 4 PM. Join us for a fun flled afternoon of artistic exploration!! This event offers a variety of Art, Ale, music and food!
3. Video Entries Will Win Cash for Their Schools in Jo Daviess Contest. Jo Daviess County parents and community members are invited to create a short video supporting a safe and alcohol-free prom and graduation season – and multiple winners will get cash for their school. The first 10 videos submitted for the contest that meet all deadlines and rules will each win $25 for the Jo Daviess County school of their choice. Videos will be accepted through 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. Complete contest rules – and a few sample videos to view for inspiration – are available on the Illinois Youth Survey page on the FHN website, www.fhn.org/IYS.

Quote of the Day:

“The real history of music is not respectable. Far from it. Neither is it boring. Breakthroughs almost always come from provocateurs and insurgents, and they don’t just change the songs we sing, but often shake up the foundations of society.”

— Ted Gioia

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — UPDATE: According to Freeport Fire in a release issued this afternoon, at 10:38 am on Tuesday, February 11, the FFD responded to 1151 W. Prentice Street for a residential home explosion. Upon arrival, fire department personnel found a single-story, wood frame, single-family home heavily damaged from an apparent explosion. Some smoke from smoldering fires was present. There were two occupants in the home at the time of the explosion. Both of them self-evacuated. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. One male occupant of the home was transported for injuries. Fire units remained on the scene until approximately 12:15 pm, assisting with securing utilities and the family.

Feb 11, 2020 @ 2:58 pm — Freeeport Fire Department responded to a residence in the 1100 block of Prentice St. today with reports of a explosion occurring at a residence. While official details of the situation have not yet been released, various community reports have come in stating that a person inside the home was attempting to light the pilot on a hot water heater. These details have not been confirmed. Injuries have been reported  with no additional details available at this time.

The photos below were taken on the scene around 1:30 pm this afternoon.

STEPHENSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS Walnut Acres, formerly Stephenson County Nursing Center, is a not-for-profit 148 bed long-term care facility owned and operated by the people of Stephenson County, in operation since 1854. Some feel our community is in danger of losing Walnut Acres, as again the topic of privatization the center has come to the forefront.

A Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb 19th at Highland Community College in regards to the future of the nursing home.

The center has 148 beds. According to their website semi-private rooms are available with a joined bath. They also have 5 private rooms and 3 special care rooms and a certified memory care unit with 24 beds care for residents with Dementia or Alzheimer’s related diseases. They also state currently renovated rooms to create 12 more private rooms in the facility.

The Stephenson County Board wants to hear from residents about the potential privatization of Walnut Acres Nursing Home, formerly the Stephenson County Nursing Center. One representative said that 70% of the residents are medicaid, and the impact that selling or closing Walnut Acres Nursing Home would have to our county would be devastating.

Board members will host a town hall meeting from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Road. The meeting will be held in the Newell Room, Room 201 in Building H.

Transportation to and from the event is available. Please call 815-616-5856 for more information or to volunteer.

Related:

Stephenson County Board postpones decision on nursing home referendum
https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20171012/stephenson-county-board-postpones-decision-on-nursing-home-referendum

Stephenson County explores leasing nursing center
https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20170414/stephenson-county-explores-leasing-nursing-center

Stephenson County Board exploring options for nursing center’s future
https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20170105/stephenson-county-board-exploring-options-for-nursing-centers-future

Stephenson County Board considers management options for nursing center
https://www.journalstandard.com/news/20161213/stephenson-county-board-considers-management-options-for-nursing-center

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Another vote is planned by the Freeport Park District board Tuesday evening to decide whether it should demolish the famed Oakdale Tabernacle Auditorium at Oakdale Nature Preserve located just outside the city of Freeport, Illinois.

The origins of the tabernacle date back to 1895, when the Oakdale Park Camp Meeting Association held its first 10-day gathering on the site. Festivities included Bible study, religious services and outdoor activities for all ages. At one time, 2,000 people took part in these annual camp meetings.

In 1915, the original 1895 tabernacle burned, but was replaced with this eight-sided tabernacle before the 1916 August camp meeting. Eventually, the United Methodist Church took over operation of the meetings, with the last annual gathering taking place in 1967.

In 1971, the Freeport Park District bought the campground, renting out the Tabernacle for community events. The building was closed in 2012 due to lack of bookings.

Since that time, wildlife has overrun the building and made the structure uninhabitable. Despite threats of demolition, a group of community advocates is pressuring the Freeport Park District to restore it as a low-cost alternative that could be used as a community gathering space.

On April 25, 2018, at a press conference in Springfield, Landmarks Illinois through asking preservationists, community leaders and concerned citizens throughout the state to nominate threatened or endangered historic properties for its annual list, announced its 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.

Of the 15 other historic places on the 2018 list, Oakdale Tabernacle along with two other Tabernacles in Illinois made the most endangered.

In 2017 we sat down with the group of community advocates to discuss Oakdale Preserve, the Tabernacle and to talk about decisions being made by the Freeport Park District. Many of these same people represent the current group called Save the Tabernacle.  Save the Tabernacle has offered to take the building over, rehab it with donations and labor with no cost to the taxpayers.

Tuesday evening at 6:30 the Freeport Park District board will take a re-vote at Park District Headquarters. The vote is being re-taken because, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s office, wording on the Jan. 7 Park District agenda was “vague.”

ILLINOIS — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walked out of prison Tuesday after President Donald Trump cut short the 14-year prison sentence handed to the former Illinois governor for political corruption.

Blagojevich was convicted in 2011 of crimes including trying to sell an appointment to Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Blagoevich was released from custody at the Englewood Federal Correctional Institution.

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters before boarding Air Force One Tuesday saying, “He served eight years in jail, a long time. He seems like a very nice person – don’t know him.” Blagojevich is prevented from holding public office in the state of Illinois as a result of his removal from office.

On Wednesday former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will hold a press conference at the Family Home at 11:00 am.  Patti Blagojevich broke her silence about Rod Blagojevich’s prison sentence commutation by announcing on social media a “homecoming” press conference in Chicago.

Watch the LIVE press conference here.

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Built in 1915 and demolished in 2020, last evening in Freeport the Freeport Park District board voted 3-2 to demolish the historic Oakdale Tabernacle located at Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport, Illinois.

The tabernacle, slated to be demolished in January, was up for a re-vote because wording on the Jan. 7 agenda was reportedly “vague.” Freeport Park District Commissioner Ken Collin said the Illinois Attorney General’s office recommended a re-vote, saying that failure to do so could be an Open Meetings Act violation.

Community members spoke up at the meeting, hoping to push the board to reconsider its demolition.

Here is our LIVE broadcast, part one, of last night’s meeting.

LIVE broadcast, part two, of last night’s meeting.

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US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois

5 hours ago

Quiet and colder weather will continue to move into the area tonight and Thursday. Temperatures will be near, to below normal through the end of the week. ... See MoreSee Less

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So what happened to all the snow we were supposed to get?

Until the first tornado watch. ;)

US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois

15 hours ago

️Quiet weather is expected across the area after snow tapers off this morning. Temperatures will be near to below normal through Thursday. #iawx #ilwx #mowx ... See MoreSee Less

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US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois

21 hours ago

❄️Light snow will continue across much of northwest Illinois and portions of far eastern Iowa before winding down by mid-morning Wednesday. Accumulations will remain under one inch. #iawx #ilwx ... See MoreSee Less

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US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois

1 day ago

All remaining northwest and west central IL counties have been cleared of Winter Weather Advisories tonight. Light snow is still expected, with Illinois counties along and south of I-80 getting around 1 inch ... See MoreSee Less

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How come the US weather models suck so bad. And then the European model is always right? Why can’t we make a good Model?

Ahhh man here comes the blizzard tonight watch out

As much as I would of loved a snow day it just wasn't in the cards so now we need to bring warm temps back and they stay

When will you announce the new dates for spotter classes in Burlington?

Ahhh amazing news. Bring on spring..

Wow missed this thing badly

Fwew!

Douglas A Klett

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US National Weather Service Quad Cities Iowa/Illinois

1 day ago

A little more light snow is expected tonight across portions of west central Illinois. Beyond that, a quiet and colder weather pattern is on tap to end the week. Winds will turn southerly this weekend with a warming trend to ensuing. #iawx #ilwx #mowx ... See MoreSee Less

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Does it look like Kane county will get anything? Last night we were told up to 6" starting at 9am... We haven't had a single snowflake...

not a single snowflake here either in Henry county, IL.

What about Lee County for tonight?

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FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — The city of Freeport has announced that due to the impending winter storm including expected snow and ice, a snow emergency has been declared for the City of Freeport as of 8:00 AM, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 and will be in effect until Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM.

The winter parking regulations are described in the City ordinance “486.03, Parking Prohibited Under Certain Conditions”.

• All Central Business district residents (downtown area) must have their cars removed from the street from the issuance of the snow event for a period of seventy-two hours.
• Vehicles shall be parked or standing on the “even-numbered” side of a street in the City on an “even-numbered” day of the month. Vehicle shall be parked or standing on the “odd-numbered” side of a street in the City on an “odd-numbered” day of the month.

For the purpose of this chapter, “odd” and “even” numbered days shall be considered as beginning at the hour of 8:00 a.m. after such declaration is made. Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations may be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Streets that have designated parking on one side only for an entire city block, shall be exempt. City residents are further advised that sidewalks abutting their property must be cleaned of snow within 12 hours of the storm’s end and that it is a violation of City ordinance to plow or otherwise dispose of snow from their property onto City streets and sidewalks. Residents are also encouraged to clear snow from around fire hydrants located near their houses.

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — The Mom and Me Masquerade for boys 10 yrs. and younger and their Moms or significant guardians will be held on February 28th at the Masonic Temple from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Tickets for the event are $12 per person for residents/$13 per person for nonresidents.

Cost includes dance admission, games, refreshments and dessert.  Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Sign-up online at www.freeportparkdistrict.org or call the Park Administration office at 815.235.6114.

IOWA — Thirteen people now being monitored for the coronavirus in Iowa according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The organization reports that while most COVID-19 cases are associated with travel to or from China, person-to-person spread is now being reported in other places, including Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

“There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, and there is no person-to-person spread in the U.S”, the Iowa Department of Public Health stated on their website. “For the general public, who are unlikely to be exposed to the virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low.”

As of this report, state health officials have completed public health monitoring on 31 people. Only three people have been tested for COVID-19 and all came back negative.

In Illinois, health officials have completed public health monitoring on 76 people. Of the 76, 70 tests came back negative, 4 are pending, and 2 people in Illinois have tested positive for the virus.

Chicago, Illinois’ largest city, is monitoring “hundreds” of recent travelers for any signs of the virus and supporting some who are in isolation, Allison Arwady, the city’s public health commissioner, said at a live-streamed news conference with Pritzker and other officials.

Illinois, one of several U.S. states to have had confirmed cases of the respiratory disease, was the first state to be able to run testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Officials emphasized that the risk to the general public was still low.

Preparing for COVID-19

IDPH and its public and private partners have continued to prepare plans and procedures in case they should be needed. It is important for Iowans to prepare for the potential of COVID-19 in the same way they prepare for severe weather or other events that could disrupt their normal routine.

• Make a plan and discuss it with your family. What would you do if you could not go to work or school because of illness? What if your daycare provider was ill? How would you get groceries if you were ill? These are all questions to think about.
• It is normal to be concerned about a new virus.
  • Being uncertain and anxious about COVID-19 is normal, especially with reports of illness and death in other countries.
  • It is important to understand the risk of influenza is much higher than the risk of COVID-19 in Iowa right now.
  • Prevention of COVID-19 is the same as that for other respiratory illnesses (like flu):
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow
    • Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
    • Contain germs by staying home when ill

Travel Considerations

On January 31, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to the 2019 novel coronavirus. On January 30, the World Health Organization determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

To what areas has travel been restricted?

The CDC has issued several travel alerts for areas affected by COVID-19. Visit the CDC’s Information for Travel page for the most up-to-date alerts.

What if I previously traveled to Wuhan, China?

• If you traveled to China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you should:
  • Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a healthcare office, call ahead and tell them about your travel and your symptoms.
  • Not travel while sick.Avoid contact with others.
  • Cover your mouth with your upper arm when coughing or sneezing
  • Wash hands often.

General Prevention

It is important to note there are seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. There are four common coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1) that circulate widely. Most people will get infected with one or more of the common human coronaviruses in their lifetime. IDPH recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth with your upper arm or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

CDC does not recommend face masks for the general public.

Resources

For Business

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ for Businesses

For Schools

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ for Schools

For Healthcare

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet for Healthcare Facilities 

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet for 911 Answering Points

Recommendations for Emergency Medical Providers and Medical First Responders

For the Public

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet for the Public

2019 Novel Coronavirus FAQ

Communications

What is Novel Coronavirus infographic

Novel (COVID-19) Coronavirus vs. Common Coronavirus infographic

Novel Coronavirus Associated with Travel infographic

Don’t Trust Trolls infographic – When it comes to your health, be sure your information is from a reliable source. Trust IDPH for timely & factual COVID-19 info. http://bit.ly/2OceSLM.

Helpful Links

2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China – CDC

Guidance for Travelers – CDC

U.S. State Department

You may have seen that we recently alerted the public to a very serious concern with funding law enforcement training in the State of Illinois. Without intervention by the Illinois legislature, the responsibility for paying for law enforcement training will be shifted from minor traffic offenses and criminals convicted of more serious crimes paying for this training to, instead, Illinois taxpayers picking up the tab as part of a bigger progressive push to hold criminals less accountable for their actions.

In past years, the sole source of training funding for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board (ILETSB), the Board responsible for law enforcement training in Illinois, was revenue from the Illinois Traffic & Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund. Revenue from every traffic ticket and criminal conviction fee issued in Illinois provided funding for police training. That funding pooled together in the surcharge fund and was then distributed to ILETSB to manage law enforcement training through 15 regional Mobile Training Units (MTUs).

However, in 2018 the General Assembly passed the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, which became law in July 2019, over the objection of groups like ILETSB. This law provided a new fee structure assessment process, which gave additional discretion to judges on whether to levy fees and fines to defendants. Of course, with the progressive nature of our judiciary, this yielded a 16% reduction in ILETSB revenue statewide this fiscal year with perhaps even more negative impact moving into the next fiscal year (Fiscal Year 2021 begins July 1, 2020).

This drop in funding affects law enforcement training in two important ways. The first is that local taxpayers, through their police and sheriffs’ departments budgets, are being expected to pick up the tab for training. The training costs, which were not budgeted by local governments, runs over $6,000 for a new deputy/police officer and $3,500 for a new correctional officer. The second impact to law enforcement training is the reduced capacity for ILETSB and the Mobile Training Units to pay instructors to teach these courses to officers in training. This problem has also already yielded class cancellations as a result. That means, even if local departments can come up with the funding, there may not be instructors to teach it.

Some of the topics mandated by the State in these law enforcement trainings for both new and veteran law enforcement officers include use of force, sexual assault trauma training, domestic violence training, child abuse response and reporting training, mental health training, human rights training and other important topics. We believe well-trained officers keep us safer.

Fundamentally, this also resulted in a shift to who pays for law enforcement training. Previously this fund did not rely on taxpayers, but rather offenders paying penalties on their crimes or violations. Now, taxpayers are expected to make up this funding, if we want properly trained officers protecting the public. That’s unacceptable. This progressive criminal justice theme has not just played out in fee reform, but in new efforts to end cash bail, release known violent illegal immigrant felons instead of holding them for federal authorities, and an effort to eliminate firearm penalty enhancements on violent crimes, all proposed in follow-up this Spring to the “successful” Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act.

To that end, we are supporting restoration of a fee structure putting the responsibility for funding police training on offenders instead of taxpayers, and properly funding police training in the interim until that fee structure may be restored. Senate Bill 3739 is co-sponsored by Senator Brian Stewart in the Senate and has been pre-filed as a Chesney bill in the Illinois House. The legislation would put appropriate funding into police training for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020.

This only gets fixed if enough Illinoisans can convince their legislature to fix this problem it created. Under many of these new “reforms” society is paying the penalty for crime instead of criminals repaying society for their crimes. Here’s hoping we can all agree to keep politics out of this issue and commit to funding proper training for our law enforcement officers throughout Illinois. Public safety demands it.

Photo: State Representative Andrew Chesney & Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Auditions for the Highland Community College 47TH season of Summerset Theatre production of “The Music Man” will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre in the Ferguson Fine Arts Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill.

Performance dates are July 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and July 19 at 2 p.m.

The director is seeking a diverse cast, adults and youth (ages 10 and older). There is singing, dancing and acting for the audition. No previous theatre experience is necessary. Please bring a pencil or pen to the audition.

The plot of “The Music Man” is about a conman named Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer, selling band instruments and uniforms to Midwestern townsfolk. He plans to train them to form a new band, even though he is no musician. His plan is to skip town, but not before a prim librarian and piano teacher catches onto the scam. Love ensues and Harold risks being caught to win her.

“We are excited to present Meredith Wilson’s ‘The Music Man’ for Summerset 47,” said Laura Early, director and Highland Theatre Arts instructor. “The Music Man is a fun musical for the entire family.”

For more information contact Laura Early at laura.early@highland.edu or 815-599-3492. Tickets sales will begin at 1 p.m. on June 8.

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — The Oakdale Tabernacle is a century-old steel and wood community gathering place owned by the Freeport Park District.  The origins of the tabernacle date back to 1895, when the Oakdale Park Camp Meeting Association held its first 10-day gathering on the site. Festivities included Bible study, religious services and outdoor activities for all ages. At one time, 2,000 people took part in these annual camp meetings.

In 1915, the original 1895 tabernacle burned, but was replaced with this eight-sided tabernacle before the 1916 August camp meeting. Eventually, the United Methodist Church took over operation of the meetings, with the last annual gathering taking place in 1967.

In 1971, the Freeport Park District bought the campground, renting out the Tabernacle for community events. The building was closed in 2012 due to lack of bookings.

Since that time, wildlife has overrun the building and made the structure uninhabitable. Despite threats of demolition, a group of community advocates is pressuring the Freeport Park District to restore it as a low-cost alternative that could be used as a community gathering space.

On April 25, 2018, at a press conference in Springfield, Landmarks Illinois through asking preservationists, community leaders and concerned citizens throughout the state to nominate threatened or endangered historic properties for its annual list, announced its 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.

Of the 15 other historic places on the 2018 list, Oakdale Tabernacle along with two other Tabernacles in Illinois made the most endangered.

The Freeport Park District board voted 3 to 2 to demolish the 105-year-old structure. A growing group of Freeport-area residents is working to save a historic building that’s slated for demolition.

This page is an archive of the news coverage, resources, groups and stories of the famed Oakdale Tabernacle in Freeport, Illinois.

=================

Tonight, The Fate of The Famed Oakdale Nature Preserve Auditorium Decided

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Another vote is planned by the Freeport Park District board Tuesday evening to decide whether it should demolish the famed Oakdale Tabernacle Auditorium at Oakdale Nature Preserve located just outside the city of Freeport, Illinois.

https://www.freeportnewsnetwork.com/top-stories/tonight-the-fate-of-the-famed-oakdale-nature-preserve-auditorium/

Oakdale Tabernacle will be demolished after heated Freeport Park District re-vote 

Freeport Park District votes to demolish the Oakdale Tabernacle

It was a packed house at the Freeport Park District board meeting, as a decision on the Oakdale Tabernacle came to a re-vote.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/freeport-park-district-votes-to-demolish-the-oakdale-tabernacle/ar-BB108Tyr

FREEPORT (WREX) — The Freeport Park District board will vote again on whether it will demolish the Oakdale Tabernacle, a more than 100-year-old structure in need of repairs.

FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Freeport’s Oakdale Tabernacle was slated to be demolished in January. However, the grassroots group trying to save it is not giving up hope.

The “Save the Tabernacle” group says they sent the Freeport Park Commissioners two proposals outlying their plan.

https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-group-raises-thousands-to-save-the-tabernacle/

Freeport Residents Band Together To ‘Save The Tabernacle’

A growing group of Freeport-area residents is working to save a historic building that’s slated for demolition.

The Oakdale Tabernacle is a century-old steel and wood community gathering place owned by the Freeport Park District. It’s also known as the Oakdale Auditorium and is located within the Oakdale Nature Preserve. Park District commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to tear it down.

https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/freeport-residents-band-together-save-tabernacle

LIVE at the February 18, 2020 Freeport Park District board meeting, part one.

LIVE at the February 18, 2020 Freeport Park District board meeting, part two.

From the Old Pine Rocker: The historic Oakdale Tabernacle is worthy of saving

After attending a recent meeting hosted by the Freeport Park District concerning the fate of the tabernacle at Oakdale Nature Preserve, I’m more convinced than ever that Freeport needs to preserve this historic century-old structure.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20180420/from-old-pine-rocker-historic-oakdale-tabernacle-is-worthy-of-saving

Illinois — Landmarks Illinois has announced the 2018 most endangered historic places in Illinois and on the list this year is one of Stephenson County’s most treasured place— the Tabernacle that graces the grounds of Oakdale Nature Preserve.

https://www.freeportnewsnetwork.com/top-stories/landmarks-illinois-names-oakdale-tabernacle-2018-most-endangered-historic-places/

Petition – Save The Oakdale Tabernacle

Say Goodbye To Another Freeport Memory.

Oakdale Park Structure Getting Demolished. Join Greg this Sunday morning as he gives you a personal look into the buildings, park and trails of a beautiful Freeport destination. Share A Memory or Thought. Chime In. Share This.

November 2017 Board Meeting:

Tonight At The Freeport Park District Board Meeting. Many citizens are concerned about the fate of one of Oakdale Nature Preserve’s most treasured buildings, the Auditorium. In 2015 the Park District did a Master Plan for Oakdale Nature preserve, which was adopted in the fall 2015. In 2016 the board allocated $25,000 for restorations and $25k for architectural analysis and conceptual design. Money to be used for the 2017 year.

May 2018 – Freeport Park District Board Meeting – Oakdale Auditorium Master Plan

CHICAGO — Alex Azar the Health and Human Services Secretary said Sunday that a new case of the coronavirus appeared in Chicago overnight, marking the latest spread of the outbreak in the United States.

The person, who has not been identified, remains hospitalized in isolation, health officials said. Additional details about the patient, including their condition, weren’t immediately available.

However, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle tweeted Saturday night that the case was confirmed in suburban Cook County.

Public health officials said they’re working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.

The state of Illinois also plans to ask the CDC to deploy a team for assistance.

In January, two Chicago residents, a husband and wife, were diagnosed with the coronavirus. The wife had recently traveled to Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, to care for a relative.

There are now three cases of the coronavirus in Illinois, with the Chicago Tribune reporting Saturday night that the latest case “resulted in presumptive positives for COVID-19.”

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — FHN, a leader in the healthcare industry in northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and Columbia College of Missouri recently announced a partnership offering a discounted tuition rate to all of FHN’s 1,200 employees.

“We are excited about this partnership as we are always looking for opportunities for growth and development of our team members,” said Karen Kryder, Innovative Learning Business Partner for FHN. “It is wonderful that we are able to partner with Columbia College as they are in our community and support our service area.”

With regional healthcare centers located in five counties in northwest Illinois, FHN is headquartered in Freeport, Ill., which is also the home of one of Columbia College’s nationwide locations. This partnership will work in concert with FHN’s tuition assistance program, which provides funding for both full-time and part-time employees to explore educational opportunities.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with FHN and provide a quality educational experience for its employees,” said Bryan McCarthy, Director of Recruiting and Partnerships for Columbia College.

Columbia College offers six class sessions lasting eight weeks each, allowing students to complete their degree quickly. Students can earn an associate degree in 20 months, a bachelor’s degree in 3.5 years, and a master’s degree in just 12 months. The college is very transfer-friendly, which may allow a student to graduate even earlier if they have previously attended an accredited college or university.

Students who take classes online or at one of the college’s locations nationwide (including four locations in the state of Illinois) will also have access to the Truition® program, which offers a transparent look at the cost of college by eliminating all fees and providing books at no cost.

FHN, a not-for-profit organization with nearly 1,200 employees, is an award-winning regional healthcare system committed to the health and well-being of the people of northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin. FHN Memorial Hospital has been recognized as one of the state’s top hospitals for safety by the Leapfrog group and Healthgrades as well as by the world’s largest, completely independent, non-profit product- and service-testing organization. FHN caregivers serve an average of 1,500 people each day across FHN’s 19 locations in 5 counties spanning northwest Illinois. Organized in 1995 as an integrated healthcare delivery system, FHN is comprised of FHN Memorial Hospital, the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital, 13 family healthcare centers offering primary and specialty medical care, hospice, and outpatient mental health services. For more information about FHN, please visit www.fhn.org.

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 165 years. As a private, nonprofit, liberal arts and sciences institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. The college, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has more than 30 locations and offers day, evening and online classes. Columbia College educates more than 18,000 students each year and has more than 91,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu.

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Effective immediately, Assistant City Manager, Randy Bukas, will assume the role of Interim City Manager of the city of Freeport. That’s according to a press release just issued by the city of Freeport which means current City Manager Lowell Crow, is no longer the current City Manager.

In the release it states that the Mayor and City Council of the city of Freeport would like to thank Lowell Crow for his leadership over the last three years of service.

“During that time, the City successfully transitioned to a City Manager form of government, attracted and retained new businesses to the community, as well as, many talented staff and modernized policies and procedures to the betterment of the city of Freeport and its residents.”

As the City looks forward to the future, the city said a search committee will be established comprised of members of the community and City Council to participate in the selection of the next City Manager. More details regarding the search and an associated timeline will be made public as soon as it is available.

Crow came to Freeport with 30 years’ experience in the military and three years’ experience in local government in the State of Illinois.  He served as the City Administrator in Monmouth, IL, and President for the Down State City and County Management Association.

In June 2019, Crow received the Service to Profession Award from the Illinois City/County Management Association in Galena.

Crow served as the Freeport City Manager since May 2017.

https://www.freeportnewsnetwork.com/news/political/new-city-manager-lowell-crow-makes-1st-public-address-to-the-community/

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS — Out of a city with one of the highest crime rates in the state of Illinois there is an eleven-year old girl trying to empower residents with the message that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, literally.

Eleven-year-old Hayli Martenez and her mother, Iva Martenez, setup a lemonade stand at 1042 E. Court St. in Kankakee, Illinois to try to make some money for her family and, save so Hayli could one day go to college.

The city of Kankakee had a major problem with that and ordered her to shut down her stand. So she came to Springfield with a bill to legalize children’s lemonade stands and protect them from government regulation. She even attracted the attention of the grandson of a billionaire.

“I am ready to make a change for little girls and little boys who have lemonade stands. I know that everyone’s sick and tired of us getting shut down, and it’s time to make a change,” Hayli told senators.

SB 3459 passed the Senate Public Health Committee.

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https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-city-aims-to-oust-little-girls-lemonade-stand/

https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/year-old-s-lemonade-stand-enjoys-support/article_f744cc8c-b7bd-11e9-8338-c37ee0daa994.html

FREEPORT, ILLINOIS — Sad day for the families, teachers and staff of Taylor Park Elementary School in Freeport, Illinois. After decades of flooding and multiple floods per year more recently, the Freeport School Board has voted to close Taylor Park Elementary School starting next school year.

Taylor Park Elementary’s staff consists of 42 teachers and staff members, according to their website. The building includes 12 elementary classrooms, PASS Pre-school, Special Education services, and Family Resource Coordinator services. Students are not only provided daily academic instruction in the classroom, but they also learn from the Instructional Materials Technician and physical education, art, and music teachers during the school week.

Taylor Park is an AVID Elementary site.

In January of 2020 the school district created a task force to come up with recommendations for the future of the school. The first recommendation was to add temporary structures to existing schools in the district. The second option was to build permanent additions to other school, and the third option was to build a new school outside of the floodway.

After last night’s unanimous decision, students at Taylor Park will split up and go to one of the other elementary schools in the district. The district will add trailers to school grounds, where and when needed to accommodate.

Over 100 residents living near Taylor Park have already agreed to sell their homes to the city and move out of the floodway.

“My home for the last 5 years so heartbreaking will miss the family we created there and the kids”

“So sad. The staff of Taylor Park are an amazing group who are way beyond their given profession.”

“Sooooooo many memories……for sooooo many people. Actually brings tears to my eyes”

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Cover photo: Mike McLain

ADDITION: The Freeport School board did say that no staff member, including teachers, will lose their jobs. This was not included in our previous article.