Important items cross our paths with the celebration of Independence Day and have difficulty securing space. For example:
• Representatives of Batavia Reconnected disbursed checks recently to 11 Batavia businesses for up to $1,500 to cover additional expenses during COVID-19. Every little bit helps. Most communities are making efforts to supplement those who need assistance.
• The Venue in Aurora, the 200-seat music venue, will provide both livestream and a live audience Saturday, July 18 of blues singer Larry McCray at 8 p.m.. The live audience will be limited to 50, which is a directive by the governor’s office in response to the COVID-19.
• The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) warns motorists to watch for pavement failures such as buckling, blow out, expansion.
• Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman last week was identified incorrectly by NBC 5 in Chicago as the police chief in Aurora, Colo., which has been in the news recently. Executives issued an apology.
• We are likely on our way to a showdown battle in the State over a graduated income-tax constitutional amendment. Governor JB Pritzker donated $51.5 Million of his fortune to a committee in support of the amendment. Battle lines are being drawn. His fortune is estimated at $3.4 Billion, according to Capitol News Illinois.
• Aurora Public Art has expanded free Summer programs for youth involved in virtual programs for youth sheltering in place. Summer programs include drawing, painting, music, dance, drama, and culinary. Aurora Public Art will be partners with other organization to help produce content, to include Phillips Park Zoo. A generous grant from the Aurora Noon Rotary Club will extend programs beyond four weeks. Jennifer Evans is the Public Art director.
• The number of Illinois workers receiving State unemployment benefits fell by more than 29,000 during the last week in June, according to the U.S. Department of Labor as reported by Capitol News Illinois. Nationally, slightly more than 1.4 Million U.S residents filed for first-time claims in the final week of June, a decrease of 8.2% from the prior week.
• The Kane County 4-H Foundation, which is holding a fundraiser only through July 10, made college scholarship awards to three individuals. They are, Willem Vandermeij, Geneva; Mikayla Peters, Maple Park; Jenna Peters, Maple Park. Each received $1,000 scholarship awards.
• Rallies, protests, and First-Amendment rights continue, which is a good trait. Our society needs involvement. Violent incidents, however should not be a part of the process. There has been little violence lately, which is beneficial to advancement.
Clear and concise, week 27
• We must be careful not to personalize inanimate objects. Persons in offices talk and speak. The office does not speak. In sports, the benches do not play, reserves play.
• In comparatives, we should use more than and not over.
• We should use approximately in a quantitative measurement, instead of about.